Tin on stamps: Rico and Payá

I was asked whether I knew which tin motorcycles are depicted on the Spanish stamps. Although I also collect some tin on 2 and 3 wheels, I don't have these specific models in my collection. Thus.... search the internet!

On the Christmas stamp from 2009 the logo on the tank is not very clear, but to my opinion this is a model of Payá. Payá is one of the oldest tin toy producers in the world. Already in 1902 Rafael Payá, the local blacksmith in Ibi, Alicante­Spain, made iron and tin toys. In 1906 his three sons started the company Hermañoz Payá (Payá Brothers) and this grew to one of the largest producers of tin toys. Due to the depression of the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War Payá stopped production in 1940. In total Payá had made nearly 2000 different tin toy models, amongst which off course many motorcycle models. Just in 1985 it was decided to use the old moulds and machines again to re­produce around 50 models, and one of them is the model shown on the stamp. The most well­known post­war model from Payá is the motorcycle with sidecar with the horn­blowing passenger. In the original pre­war model this horn really sounded.

On the older toy­stamp issued January 2nd 2006 a model from competitor Rico is depicted.

The complete series in a booklet with self­adhesive stamps

Cover of the stamp booklet

The Rico factory was also located in Ibi and was founded by ex­employees of the Payá factory who were discontented with the policy of Payá. From 1911 onwards they also made tin toys, on a stone's throw distance from the Payá factory. The first years there was a frequent change in both owners and employees, until an Italian with a lot of Lires, Santiago Rico Molina, took over the factory for a lot of Pesetas in 1917. In 1920 the name changed into Rico S.A. The factory has been in business without interruption until 1984. Rico was innovative and also made plastic toys in the last years. On the 1950 model on the stamp there is already some plastic. The handlebars and windscreen were then made of plastic.

Modern replica as is probably depicted on the stamp

50-ies Rico model with handlebars and windscreen made of plastic

Older version with handlebars made of tin

Hans de Kloet

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