The LEGO Samsonite Town Plan theme includes sets produced during LEGO's partnership with Samsonite from the early 1960s to the early 1970s, specifically targeting the North American market. These sets were designed to create detailed urban layouts and included components like roads, buildings, and vehicles. Key sets in this theme include the Town Plan (Set 725) and the Town Plan Accessories (Set 218). These sets aimed to provide children with a comprehensive play experience, fostering creativity and understanding of urban planning. The Town Plan sets played a significant role in popularizing LEGO in North America during the Samsonite era.
1961 LEGO Sets
1961 marked a significant year for the LEGO Group. International sales, production and distribution were greatly expanded. North America was an important market but its sheer size and distance from Denmark required a sales and distribution network that was too large for LEGO to manage at the time. LEGO reached an agreement to allow Samsonite to begin producing and selling LEGO products in North America. The result was a license for exclusive North American distribution rights and LEGO began marketing sets under the name ‘LEGO by Samsonite’ in the US in 1961. In the same year, LEGO Italy was established.