LEGO 1971 / Samsonite / Basic Set Sets

Samsonite was an American manufacturer of LEGO sets which introduced the very first USA LEGO catalog for Christmas of 1961. LEGO and Samsonite created a partnership to produce and sell LEGO in the US. The result was a 9-year license for exclusive North American distribution rights. Samsonite began marketing sets under the name LEGO by Samsonite in the US in 1961 and Canada in 1962.

1971 LEGO Sets

In 1971, LEGO expanded specifically to the girls market. While in the past LEGO marketed all of its models to both boys and girls alike, it was not until 1971 that LEGO produced furniture pieces and dollhouses for girls specifically. LEGO also continued to produce new sets for the Italian Minitalia brand as well as introduce new parts such as the 1x8x2 arch bricks which were first introduced that year.