The authors Chartered accountant Robert Newson started collecting Matchbox toys as a teenager. His interest developed into research and writing about the less well-known British manufacturers of diecast and lead vehicles. He has written extensively for toy collectors' magazines. Dr Peter Wade-Martins has spent his working life as an archaeologist in Norfolk, with a special interest in countryside conservation. His other interests include rare sheep breeds. He has made a 20-year study of farm models. In 2003, having dabbled in antiques and toys as an amateur for twenty years, Adrian Little founded Mercator Trading Ltd - dealers in interesting toys. The company specialises in the minor makers, vintage figures and pre-Second World War items. The three authors' work has been collated by Brian Bastiman who, with his son David, is a collector of model tractors and other Britains farm toys. Brian is retired from the national agricultural advisory service ADAS where he spent much of his time writing and editing scientific reports and papers.