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This page is an attempt to show two things 1) the various boxes that Marx used for its Civil War playsets and 2) a listing of Civil War playsets made by the Louis Marx Co.

To the best of my efforts, this page provides a complete list of those playsets.  I am sure there are errors, but I have done my best and will make corrections as I can.  I expect that a few will be made.  As is, the list has been compiled based on information from many people and publications.  The primary publications that I have studied to document this information (and abbreviations used in the list below) include

1. Issues of Plastic Figure and Playset Collector magazine (PFPC),
2. A listing of Marx playsets published in a special 1994 edition of PFPC (PFPC SE), and
3. Issues of Playset Magazine (PM).

Jay Horowitz' book "Marx Western Playsets" also includes information on Civil War playsets, but I have found it difficult, if not impossible, to match the information up with that provided in PFPC and PM.  I have chosen to base this listing on the more current information from PFPC and PM, but have used Horowitz for missing or confusing information in a few places.  

Besides the 15 playsets shown below, PFPC SE lists 11 other sets on which I have found no other information.  Two of these are described as "blister cards", and I would believe that these are small groups of figures and/or accessories that are not actually playsets.  Although I have found no evidence that the other 9 exist, it is possible that they do, and I would by happy to hear from anyone who has a set that is not listed below.  I welcome any additional information on Civil War playsets and photos of the boxes that are not shown.

I unfortunately own few Marx playset boxes, so most photos shown here have been purloined.  This is a fancy way of saying that they have been taken from other Internet sites.  When I began copying such photos, it was for my own enjoyment, and I did not forsee creating this web page.  I do not recall exactly where I obtained many of them.  However, I have not -- and I stress this -- I have not (without permission) taken any photos from anyone's personal web site that displays his/her collection or offers them for sale.  I make no profit by displaying the photos here and do so only in an attempt to spread the enjoyment of this hobby.  If you recognize any photos as your own and I failed to request your permission, feel free to instruct me to remove them or to add a credit identifying the photo as yours.  I will be happy to do so.

In most instances, I have added a few brief comments on the playsets.  There are no plans, however, to add playset content lists to this page!  I repeat, none!

Please note that I have made no attempt to correctly size photos of the play set boxes.  The fact that one play set box appears smaller than another in the photos below does not indicate that it is actually smaller.  With very few exceptions, I do not have information on box sizes.

A List of Marx Civil War Playsets

Name:  Battle of the Blue and Gray Number:  4759 Release Date:  1958 Photo courtesy of David Schafer.

Comments This was the first Civil War playset sold by Marx.  It introduced the first issue Civil War figures (three sets of 16 for each side), three of the character figures (not Jefferson Davis), the tin litho mansion, the 24-piece accessory group, and the cassion and new cannon (two in each set).  The set was not sold by Sears or other major retailers, so perhaps was a test of the Civil War theme playset.  Based on what followed, I assume the test was a success!  As a side note, this was perhaps the only Series 3000 set ever sold by Marx.

Source(s) PFPC SE, PM 36

   

Name:  Battle of the Blue and Gray Number:  4760 Release Date:  1959

Comments This Sears set was similar to #4759, but -- as became standard -- received only one cassion and new firing cannon.  The cassion belonged to the Union, as the lone rider and calling driver were in blue.

Source(s) PFPC SE, PM 36

Name:  Battle of the Blue and Gray Number:  4745 Release Date:  1959

Comments This is a small set that was evidently sold by small department stores and other small stores.

Source(s) PFPC SE, PM 36

Name:  Battle of the Blue and Gray Number:  4746 (Series 1000) Release Date:  1959

Comments Montgomery Ward sold this 90-piece set.  It has no cassion, but does include the lying-down horse.

Source(s) PFPC 6 and SE, PM 36

Name:  Battle of the Blue and Gray Number:  2646 Release Date:  1960

Comments This "half set" included just 16 figures per side, no mounted figures,  and very few accessories.  It does have flags, tents, a Fort Apache style firing cannon, a small accessory sprue, and surprisingly a large flat "mesa rock" normally found in Wagon Train playsets.  It must have been a nice inexpensive set, and today it is known for the intense shades of powder blue and gray of its figures.  One rare version has been found in this box that has Confederate poses in blue to represent the Union forces.

Source(s) PFPC 7 and SE, PM 38

      

Name:  Battle of the Blue and Gray Number:  4762 (Series 5000) Release Date:  1960

Comments A big set that is not often seen.  It is best known for figure molding errors, such as short bayonets and rifles.  Each side gets 56 foot soldiers, and its silver/gray cassion and cannon have yellow wheels.

Source(s) PFPC SE, PM 36

Name:  Giant Battle of the Blue and Gray Number:  4764 Release Date:  1961 Photo courtesy of Brett Chapman, Ebay ID toyloft

Comments This spectacular playset was produced after Louis Marx specifically requested his staff in 1960 to create a "super set" to be advertised on television.  This was undoubtedly a shock to all involved, because Louis Marx had never before advertised his toys on television.  This set introduced several new pieces: the Centennial figures (Confederates only), the Jefferson Davis character figure, the redoubt, the destroyed mansion, the firing mortar, the exploding bunker, the 4-horse cassion and cannon, and the medical wagon (which was not included in any other playset).  With 136 figures and a total of 330 pieces, it was certainly a super set and today is one of the most sought-after Marx playsets.  It was sold exclusively by Montgomery Wards and was sold for only one year. PFPC Issue 6 reports that the Giant set sold for $11.99 in 1961.  Today that would not even buy you the empty box!

Source(s) PFPC SE, PM 1 and 38

Name:  Happi-Time Civil War Centennial  (Sears) Number:  4758 (Sears No. 5929) Release Date:  1961 Photo courtesy of Jeff, Ebay ID more216toys

Comments This playset was Sears' answer to Ward's Giant Battle of the Blue and Gray, though it had a few less pieces with a count of "just" 260.  Unlike the Giant version, this one was sold in both 1961 and 1962.  Despite that, it is a bit harder to find than the Giant, and the unique box cover makes it especially attractive.  Like the Giant, it is a huger set that includes 250 pieces, 122 figures, and such new items as the redoubt, the destroyed mansion, and the 4-horse cassion and cannon.  (This set was previously erroneously listed here as two sets, #4758 and #5929.  As now shown above, the first number is the Marx number and the second is the Sears number.)

Source(s) PFPC 6, 7, and SE; PM 38