G. & J. Lines introduced the Thistle trademark in 1910. In 1913 G. & J. Lines moved to a new location called Thistle Works in Down Lane, Tottenham in North London.

They produced pedal cars. like the ones below. The green pedal car is a 1916 Renault. The blue one was built in 1920. They had a wooden construction and radically spooked wheels.

In 1947 Lines Brothers founded a company in Canada. The trade mark used in Canada was the Thistle which had first been used their father Joseph Lines so many years before. Thistle produced the same range of toys as Tri-ang. Most of the toys were exported out there from the UK as knocked down kits ( CDK )

The parts were put together by the local workforce.

The factory was situated at the

400, St. Patrick street, Montreal P.Q.  Phone: Trenmore 6685.

As said, Thistle produced the same range as Tri-ang. However, besides their own decals, Thistle changed some specifications of several models like the

Tri-ang 200 series.

American collector Jack Barton was so kind to sent us the pictures below this text.

The truck with the blue cabin has different tyres, which should not mean that they are not original.

In various countries Tri-ang sometimes bought the tyres from a local factory.

All Thistle 200 lorries had a left handed mounted steering.  The rear door latch is opposite from the English 200 Van.

It is strange that these Thistle 200 series are the only Thistle pictures I could find .

APPEAL

Do you collect Thistle toys or do you have any further information about Thistle? Please contact me.

Thank you !

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The Thistle Tractor came with several

accessories as a Sulkie, a trailer and a Bulldozer.

From several fellow collectors I received pictures of their Thistle pedal cars.