« ARTBOXES » or « BOX-ART »
This term coined by modelists literally designates the “Artist’s box,” that is the box that contains the toy or model and the illustration printed on it. Very rare where toy submarines are concerned, because they were destroyed by time and use – cardboard, especially when old, doesn’t stand water well – they are much more common and better-preserved in the case of models for self-assembly, and from the start are an integral part of the modelist’s collection.
Toy Artboxes
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Very often limited to a simple cardboard box until the 50s, with only a drawing on the lid – or even a simple number and generic text, those packagings did not stand the passage of time, the proximity of water basins or the humidity of cellars, this because of the very primitive quality of cardboard at the time, contrarily to the plasticized cardboard of recent productions. That is why a Bing or Marklin in good working order, with its complete box – and its key! - costs a lot more than a “naked” sub, even in very good condition. Small cars collectors – Dinky toys or Norev – originated this renewal of interest in packaging.
Here is what remains of the “Baliplan” Nautilus’ box, from the late 40s (see the section on rubber-band submarines):
The only solution to save this relic is framing. Thanks to that shred I was able to find this word, “Baliplan,” whereas the one at the Maritime Museum indicates: “Brand Unknown.” Dimensions of the frame: 17” x 9”.
The box of this JEP Nautilus, 1954, would have known the same fate if I hadn’t applied the same process:
Dimensions: 24” x 18”.
Finally, I had found this small paper submarine from the 30s at Arnaud Mering’s; to save it, same manipulation:
Dimensions: 17” x 10”.
Conversely, it is much more frequent to find the boxes that accompany Japanese toy submarines, but the least one can say about them is that they do not excel in variety: they all seem to have been drawn by the same artist. Because of Marusan’s primacy? Anyway, here is a sampling of those very standardized packagings:
1) The box of the electrical Marusan 
15” x 5” x 3”
2) That of the mechanical SKK 
17” x 4” x 3”
3) That of the wire-guided Linemar Nautilus 
14” x 3” x 4”
4) Two small boxes: a Marusan - 
7” x 2” x 2”
- and the box of the pseudo-British sub (Marusan license?) 
10” x 3” x 3x
5) The box of the hybrid amphibious model, “Y” within a stylized flower or star (Yanmar?) Registration is SSN29, catalog n° 29; dimensions: 17” x 4” x 4’
Very “fifties” and better preserved, this is the box of a small British bathtub sub from “Water Toys,” 2”, with pump:
Dimensions: 9” x 2”
Those two Sutcliffe boxes are very well preserved and very nice, typical of the 50s. One is for an Unda Wunda, the other is that of the famous Disney-stamped Nautilus. Both are 10” x 4” x 3”. Also have a look at the box of the first “Unda-Wunda” (1950-51?), n° 797940. Dimensions: 10” x 4” x 2”.
This box from the 60s-70s is for the chemically-powered Airfix (see the dedicated section). Dimensions: 14” x 7” x 2”.
The packaging of the wire-guided, East-German Delphin, simple and hardy, in a very “socialist realism” style. Dimensions: 13” x 6” x 4”.
To close this selection of Artboxes, here is the exception which proves the rule: this box is nearly a century old! This is the 1910 “Nautilus” from the Atelier Laroche, the rubber-band “six-shooter”:
Dimensions: 15” x 4” x 2”
This box is the 50s Dolly’s; see “Rubber-band subs.” To preserve it, you have to open it and place it under glass.
No indication of the brand, not even “Made in France.” Typical look for the time; compare with the JEP Nautilus’. 10.5 x 4 x 3”.
Science-fiction submarines artboxes
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SF subs are a different matter entirely, as they are for the most part derived from films, and illustrators can give their creativity free reins.
A for Atragon
The ModelStories website shows ALL model boxes of that mythical craft (site). So many versions, and practically none to be found in France... (am I repeating myself?)
S for Seaview
Here are two very well-known model artboxes of the Seaview: the very common “Polar Light” version (formerly Aurora) – which for once CAN be found in France. Just like French medals at the Osaka Olympics: run around a lot, you end up getting one or two. Dimensions: 16” x 5” x 1.5”. This box contains a Polar Light products catalogue. The other box is Moebius’ Seaview:(http://www.moebiusmodels.com/seaview_Model_Kit.php) Dimensions: 20x13x5”. It bears the following mentions: Irwin Allen Properties, 20th Century Fox Films corp. It is therefore genuine official merchandise. No artist’s signature; too bad...
In 2009 Moebius reissued the Aurora Seaview, and made the flying sub, the box of which is here:
14x14x3.5", always wonderfully illustrated.
For more details on “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” boxes, go to the Modelstories and “Mike’s Voyage to the bottom of the sea” websites.
S for Stingray
The box shown here is that of the “Product Enterprise” version, bought in England. It is for sale right now at Comet Miniature (limited issue). On side A, you can see the blister for the item and on side B a well-illustrated front. Dimensions: 14” x 9” (front).
Ditto for the Skydiver’s box from the U.F.O series, another Gerry Anderson production.
Those two art-boxes are for the Matchbox bathtub and floor toy and for the R.A. Models working sub, both very “Sixties.”
16x8x6” for Matchbox, bears the logo of the Thunderbirds’ motto “WASP,” and the maker’s brand Tycotoys, 1993. The R.A. Models box is very Japanese, i.e. carefully made, and a real collector’s item by itself, 7.5x13x2”; a number: item no03401. The rest is in Japanese, who’s willing to tackle the translation?
N for Nautilus: Artboxes galore. Let’s start with the Disney: let me direct you to the Disneysub.com website where you can see some beautiful artboxes of Harper Goff’s sub. This is how “Avec Passion” safeguarded that of the Japanese Xplus, which was originally a blister on a cardboard sheet:
This very beautiful artwork is signed Shigeru Komatsuzaki, a renowned illustrator who also works for the Toho company (Gojira). Dimensions: 19” x 22”, a background was created to put the artwork under glass.
Magnificent illustration for the box of the Nautilus from the movie “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” unfortunately unsigned – or maybe in Japanese! Dimensions: 16” x 10” x 2”.
To conclude there remains the most beautiful artwork imagined for a Nautilus. This is the box of the true/false Aurora model, which may have never existed, and the box of which could be a true art masterpiece made by fans of the brand, in a limited series, sold nearly $30 on a San-Francisco website.
The copyright reads: (C) 2006 Vincent Di Fate. On the side, Captain Nemo’s quotation is the same as on the Disney/Hobby kit diorama; also a number: kit n° 815-100. Dimensions: 20” x 5” x 2”.
This magnificent box is that of Aoshima's Atragon; it is signed by S. Komitsuzaki, who also drew the " package " for the X-Plus Nautilus, and is also an illustrator for Toho.
Dimensions : 19x9x6.5"
The quality of this work is well deserving of a frame! Other editions of original boxes are planned in the next months as the market for packaging collectors is expanding. They will soon join this last section of the museum.
