Recommended Reading
Below are Books and Journals that either were inspired by Frank Hornby and his world-famous Liverpool Meccano Factory or which inspired him originally.
There are 2 books written by a Meccano factory apprentice, Roy Byrne.
‘Frank Hornby Notes and Pictures’, is written by Jim Gamble, who is a leading expert on Hornby and the Meccano Factory. Jim is a Trustee of the Frank Hornby Charitable Trust.
Jim Gamble’s book “Frank Hornby - Notes and Pictures” is a definitive book on Frank Hornby, his family and the world-famous Meccano Factory
Anthony McReavy’s book “The Toy Story - The Life and Times of Inventor Frank Hornby”
Kenneth D.Brown’s book “Factory of Dreams - A history of Meccano Ltd”
Jeffrey Roy Byrne’s book - “The Meccano Apprentice” - These 2 books are an insight into the life of an apprentice at the Meccano Factory
An in depth story about die-cast toy vehicles and rivalry between the makers of Dinky Toys, Corgi and Matchbox.
A detailed study of pretty much every Dinky Toy ever made
Jeffrey Roy Byrne’s book - “The Meccano Apprentice 2: Growing up in a hurry” - This 2nd book includes the factory’s Signet Cycling Club.
A book which influenced Frank Hornby we understand.
Frank Hornby - The Boy Who Made $1,000,000 with a toy
A set of Hornby Companion books displayed in our Maghull Heritage Centre - The separately displayed Dinky Toys book (see photo above) being the latest edition acquired by our Heritage Centre