CIJ (Compagnie industrielle du jouet)
Encyclopedia
CIJ is a classic French brand for toy vehicles
. It was founded by Fernand Migault in Paris
in 1920. The name was changed to Migault S.A. in 1927, after his cousin Marcel Gourdet had joined the firm.
On the grounds of contracts signed by André Citroën
himself in 1922, the company produced exclusive model cars made of either metalware or wood in 1:20, la 5 CV Trèfle and la B14 Citroën
included. Solely authorised Citroën
dealers distributed these model cars. Still the company wasn't allowed to advertise their cooperation with Citroën.
The workshop for metalware in Briare
that Marcel Gourdet had brought to Ferdinand Migault's company burned down in 1929. At that time the descendants of the Bapterosses family took on the direction. The company moved its headquarters back to Paris and employed eventually more than a hundred people, mostly in Briare.
The exclusive fabrication of model cars for Citroën ended in 1934 when Citroën went into administration and was eventually taken over by Michelin
.
Many years later CIJ signed a less binding contract with Louis Renault
concerning numerous types of Renault
model cars in scales from 1:10 to 1:43
, partly made of lithographed metal ware or in particular of zamak
. But this time CIJ was on its own in regards to the distribution.
An agreement with Shell
about miniatures of filling station
s including the transporter Shell Berre was signed in 1950. This model car was made of an alloy called ramec (which blended aluminium, copper , zinc and magnesium).
On 27 December 1964 new works were inaugurated in Briare. But one year later, after the company had bought the stash of its former competitor JRD, the company CIJ actually disappeared. The Bapterosses family kept on producing exclusive series' of artisan type models in the Rivotte farm (in the vicinity of the factory) but the works in Briare were engrossed by ITT and produced henceforth parts for telephones.
) and because of the high quality CIJ could compete with other contempory producer such as Dinky Toy
s and Norev
.
In April 2007 Norev
bought the brand CIJ and annonced 13 model cars made from zamac and two lithographed models from iron sheet (4CV Renault and Juvaquatre), which were new editions of the original CIJ model cars. Still these models were presented under the name "dream toys" (French meaning of Norev = our dreams).
Model car
A model car or toy car is a miniature representation of an automobile. Other miniature motor vehicles, such as trucks, buses, or even ATVs, etc. are often included in the general category of model cars...
. It was founded by Fernand Migault in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1920. The name was changed to Migault S.A. in 1927, after his cousin Marcel Gourdet had joined the firm.
On the grounds of contracts signed by André Citroën
André Citroën
André-Gustave Citroën was a French industrialist. He is remembered chiefly for the make of car named after him, but also for his application of double helical gears.- Life and career :...
himself in 1922, the company produced exclusive model cars made of either metalware or wood in 1:20, la 5 CV Trèfle and la B14 Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
included. Solely authorised Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
dealers distributed these model cars. Still the company wasn't allowed to advertise their cooperation with Citroën.
The workshop for metalware in Briare
Briare
Briare is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France.Briare, the Brivodorum of the Romans, is situated at the extremity of the Briare Canal, which unites the Loire and its lateral canal with the Loing and so with the Seine. The lateral canal of the Loire crosses the Loire near...
that Marcel Gourdet had brought to Ferdinand Migault's company burned down in 1929. At that time the descendants of the Bapterosses family took on the direction. The company moved its headquarters back to Paris and employed eventually more than a hundred people, mostly in Briare.
The exclusive fabrication of model cars for Citroën ended in 1934 when Citroën went into administration and was eventually taken over by Michelin
Michelin
Michelin is a tyre manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne région of France. It is one of the two largest tyre manufacturers in the world along with Bridgestone. In addition to the Michelin brand, it also owns the BFGoodrich, Kleber, Riken, Kormoran and Uniroyal tyre brands...
.
Many years later CIJ signed a less binding contract with Louis Renault
Louis Renault
Louis Renault may refer to:* Louis Renault * Louis Renault * A character from the film Casablanca...
concerning numerous types of Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
model cars in scales from 1:10 to 1:43
1:43 scale
1:43 scale is an extremely popular size of die-cast model for adult collectors in Europe, Asia and the US. There are many manufacturers in this scale producing everything from customized and accurate race cars to emergency vehicles to family sedans and SUVs, including several making the...
, partly made of lithographed metal ware or in particular of zamak
ZAMAK
Zamak is a family of alloys with a base metal of zinc and alloying elements of aluminium, magnesium and copper. Zamak alloys are part of the zinc aluminium alloy family; they are distinguished from the other ZA alloys because of their constant 4% aluminium composition...
. But this time CIJ was on its own in regards to the distribution.
An agreement with Shell
Royal Dutch Shell
Royal Dutch Shell plc , commonly known as Shell, is a global oil and gas company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands and with its registered office in London, United Kingdom. It is the fifth-largest company in the world according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine and one of the six...
about miniatures of filling station
Filling station
A filling station, also known as a fueling station, garage, gasbar , gas station , petrol bunk , petrol pump , petrol garage, petrol kiosk , petrol station "'servo"' in Australia or service station, is a facility which sells fuel and lubricants...
s including the transporter Shell Berre was signed in 1950. This model car was made of an alloy called ramec (which blended aluminium, copper , zinc and magnesium).
On 27 December 1964 new works were inaugurated in Briare. But one year later, after the company had bought the stash of its former competitor JRD, the company CIJ actually disappeared. The Bapterosses family kept on producing exclusive series' of artisan type models in the Rivotte farm (in the vicinity of the factory) but the works in Briare were engrossed by ITT and produced henceforth parts for telephones.
The model cars
The first model cars were completely made from iron sheet or wood (scale from 1:6 to 1:431:43 scale
1:43 scale is an extremely popular size of die-cast model for adult collectors in Europe, Asia and the US. There are many manufacturers in this scale producing everything from customized and accurate race cars to emergency vehicles to family sedans and SUVs, including several making the...
) and because of the high quality CIJ could compete with other contempory producer such as Dinky Toy
Dinky Toy
Dinky Toys are die-cast miniature vehicles which were produced by Meccano Ltd at Binns Road, Liverpool, England - makers of Hornby railway sets, named after founder Frank Hornby.- Pre-war history :...
s and Norev
Norev
Norev is a French manufacturer of diecast metal model cars. It has normally has produced modern and vintage European vehicles, especially French vehicles - though Italian, German, and American vehicles were also produced.-History:...
.
In April 2007 Norev
Norev
Norev is a French manufacturer of diecast metal model cars. It has normally has produced modern and vintage European vehicles, especially French vehicles - though Italian, German, and American vehicles were also produced.-History:...
bought the brand CIJ and annonced 13 model cars made from zamac and two lithographed models from iron sheet (4CV Renault and Juvaquatre), which were new editions of the original CIJ model cars. Still these models were presented under the name "dream toys" (French meaning of Norev = our dreams).