Everything that has just been said about Alberto Correia de Almeida also applies to this collection of miniatures.
Over 5,000 examples make up the set he started at the age of about six. It was at this tender age that yet another passion began.
The famous Dinky Toys appeared in 1933. Toys made from a revolutionary alloy, zamac, quickly replaced plastic toys, and metal plate, which had been produced until that time.
After production of Dinky Toys was halted during the Second World War of 1939/1945, they reappeared after the war identified with real models.
Born in 1946, Alberto Correia de Almeida’s first relationship with the miniature car was with the toys of that era. He was born with the collector spirit, which is clearly reflected in other themes, namely in the collections that form the Paper Money Museum - another collection for which he is responsible. From an early age, he kept miniatures instead of playing with them. Some of these are included in the present collection at the Foundation. Others, though also in the collection, have been replaced.
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It was in this way that, for fifty years, he acquired the car miniatures that make up the Museum’s permanent exhibition today and total over five thousand examples, spanning time. Almost all the most important manufacturers in the history of the miniature car are represented, including Dinky Toys, Corgy Toys, Solido, Marklin, Tekno, Spot on, Norev, Mercury, Pilen, Matchbox, Quiraly, Mebetoys, Polytoys and Lian cars. There are also examples of later good quality manufacturers, such as Fyp, Madison, Brianza and BBR. |
Finally, in a more thematic perspective, the collection includes Minichamp, Vitesse and other brands still being produced, as well as mounted kits, which fill gaps of models that were never produced.
It would be no exaggeration to say that there are only a few dozen miniatures missing from the collection at the António Cupertino de Miranda Foundation to have on show all the models made since the origin of the car, at the end of the 19th century, until the present day.
