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| Baravelli Natale 1969 Catalog Front |
After the initial MMM announcement in 1968, Baravelli followed up with an unusual MMM item in the Natale 1969 Catalog found in Topolino November 2, 1969. At the top of one of the catalog pages (like the previous one, it folds up accordian style) is a pair of "Flippers" (term used for a bagatelle in Italy - see below) - one for "Capitano in Azione" (aka Captain Action) and the other for "Matt Mason." I find it unusual that there aren't any other MMM items in the catalog, but it may be due to Mattel transitioning to it's own S.P.A. Giocatolli in Italy, debuting in 1969.
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| Baravelli Natale 1969 Catalog Page |
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| "Matt Mason" Flipper Detail |
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| Topolino November 2, 1969 Cover |
Paul's Notes:
A bagatelle game is called “bagatella” in Italian (it actually means “trifle”). But it’s a rather old-fashioned game compared to pinball machines so I think Baravelli called it a “Flipper” to make it sound more modern and exciting. “Flipper” is what pinball machines are called in Italy, France and other European countries for the simple reason that the word appeared on the flippers of early pinball machines.
John's Notes:
I've acquired this with the help of Mario Fasola in Italy and am quite happy to own it.
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