Collecting the Beatles: Canada: MADE IN CANADA - Original Beatles' merchandise

MADE IN CANADA: School bag by Brunel

Beginning in 1964, the golden year of Beatlemania, thousands of Beatles themed items were produced worldwide, with and without licence.

Pins, gum cards, dresses, necklaces, pennants, shoes, t-shirts, hats, pencils, plates, mugs, pencil cases, school bags, combs, toy guitars, harmonicas, bracelets, cushions, pens, lunch bags, lunch kits, belts, glasses, photographs, napkins, lamps, posters, comics, earrings, bongos, board games, wigs, trays, talc, sweat shirts, jackets, licorice records, nylons, coloring books, note pads, bubble bath, bobble heads, etc...the list goes on.

Custom "Beatles" blouse displayed in Woodwards Department
Store window in Vancouver, August, 1964

In Canada most Beatles' merchandise was imported from the United Kingdom and the United States, however a number of items were "MADE IN CANADA"

"MADE IN CANADA"

Beatles comb manufactured by Royal Specialty Sales of Toronto (1965)

Canadian made Hallmark stamps:

counter box, stamps & newspaper ad.

Dairy Queen Canada made available to fans two different sizes of glasses with either the Beatles likenesses or with a "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah" graphic.

The glasses typically sell for around $40 to $60 with the Beatles likeness fetching the higher price.

Gum cards are a popular Beatles' collectible. There were three sets of black and white cards "MADE IN CANADA" totaling 165 cards in all

Each card in excellent condition sells for between $3 and $5 dollars.

The wrapper is more valuable than any one card. A wrapper in excellent condition has a value of between $20 and $30 while an unopened pack sells in the range of $75 to $150.

The gum card counter display box is a rare item and in excellent condition has a value of between $300 and $500. Display boxes have been counterfeited!

Beatles' "MADE IN CANADA" sneakers sold for approximately $3.99 in Canadian department stores in 1964. The pink version was only available in Canada. Today their value is closer to $400 and with an original box closer to $650.

Beatles' pennants were a popular item. There was a wide variety of "MADE IN CANADA" pennants, especially in 1964 & 1965. Values vary between $75 and $150. Irwin Canada made a number of pennants.