Nosco Plastics
14 years in operation (1946–1960)
About Nosco Plastics
Nosco Plastics produced a range of inexpensive plastic toys including figure sets, vehicles, and novelty items sold through dime stores. Its plastic sand pails and beach toys competed directly with Chein's lithographed tin versions and were widely distributed.
History of Nosco Plastics
Nosco was the plastics division of the National Organ Supply Company of Erie, Pennsylvania — an organ-parts manufacturer that moved into injection moulding after the war and applied it to cheap toys. The name is the parent company's initials.
The products were exactly what the early plastics trade produced in volume: small moulded figures, vehicles, beach and sand toys, and carnival and premium novelties, in single colours and simple mouldings, sold in bags, on cards, from bins, and as prizes and giveaways. Much of it was made for other companies to distribute, which is why Nosco mouldings turn up in packaging bearing other names.
This is a lightly documented maker, as most of the small postwar plastics firms are. Nosco's toy output ran roughly through the 1950s and identification relies on collector reference work rather than company records.
Timeline
- 1946The National Organ Supply Company establishes Nosco Plastics in Erie, Pennsylvania
- 1950Moulded plastic figures, vehicles and beach toys are produced in volume
- 1955Much output is supplied to other companies for distribution as premiums and novelties
- 1960Toy production ends
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- Nosco plastic figure sets
- Nosco beach toys
- Nosco plastic vehicle sets
- Nosco plastic carnival toys
Identifying & Dating Nosco Plastics Toys
- Look for "NOSCO" moulded on an underside or interior surface; many small pieces are unmarked.
- Unmarked figures and vehicles are attributed by mould comparison against collector reference lists for early American plastics.
- Packaging, where it survives, may name a distributor rather than Nosco.
Collector's Notes
- Value is in complete carded or bagged sets with their original headers; loose pieces are common and worth very little.
- Early polystyrene becomes brittle and snaps at thin points. Handle carefully and expect breakage in bulk lots.
- Because so much was made as premiums, packaging with a promotional tie-in can be worth more than the toy inside it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Nosco Plastics founded?
Nosco Plastics was founded in 1946, based in Erie, PA.
Is Nosco Plastics still in business?
No. Nosco Plastics ceased operations in 1960, after 14 years in business.
What is Nosco Plastics best known for?
Nosco Plastics is best known for Nosco plastic figure sets, Nosco beach toys, Nosco plastic vehicle sets, among other toys.
Where was Nosco Plastics located?
Nosco Plastics was based in Erie, PA.
What kinds of toys did Nosco Plastics make?
Nosco Plastics is categorized under plastic toys, figures, vehicles.
How can you identify genuine Nosco Plastics toys?
Look for "NOSCO" moulded on an underside or interior surface; many small pieces are unmarked. Unmarked figures and vehicles are attributed by mould comparison against collector reference lists for early American plastics. Packaging, where it survives, may name a distributor rather than Nosco.
Are Nosco Plastics toys valuable?
Value is in complete carded or bagged sets with their original headers; loose pieces are common and worth very little. Early polystyrene becomes brittle and snaps at thin points. Handle carefully and expect breakage in bulk lots. Because so much was made as premiums, packaging with a promotional tie-in can be worth more than the toy inside it.