This is something I have been thinking of getting started for a while now. I have pawned through the pages and pages of vintage vinyl topics, and one thing that seems omitted is a thread for markings for vintage companies (e.g. stamps, names, symbols, etc.). Considering that, aside from all the typical questions looking for prices, the vast majority of these posts seem focused on toy ID'ing, it seems this might be a good resource to help people out, particularly those new to the field.

Full props to CT and its extensive coverage, but there is still a gap for other vintage manufacturers, like Popy, Nakajima, old Bandai, and other smaller lines. And I think aside from being used as an aid to ID toys (a starting place at least) it is really interesting to see if/how companies changed their branding on vinyl through the years. It is especially useful for Japanese toys, 'cause let's face it, they aren't all Bullmark, and we can't all read kanji/hiragana/katakana. So to get the ball rolling as an example of what I am thinking, here is a vintage Marusan stamp (then carried on into the Bullmark line):



In the coming weeks I will try and snag pics of some other 'feet' and such to keep the database growing.

i like the idea

Very good idea - I'd been thinking I'd like to do something similar for modern repos and makers of repo-like new toys. A compare/contrast thing for all sorts of stuff, but it started when I was curious about the markings on the various reissues of the Marusan/Bullmark Godzilla.
Maybe that can happen here too, but I wouldn't mind a sister thread.

Spotted today in the Sales Dept. ---

Here are a few I have.

Clockwise from top left, old Bandai, Nakajima, Yonezawa, Orange (middle), Takatoku, Marusan (from one of the originals).

Bandai and Nakajima are my favorites. Never seen the Bandai one. Thanks XVivaHateX for that awesome collage of foot stamps.

Here are a few more guys. Sorry for all the upskirt shots. Bigger versions available on my flickr page. The Bandai and Nakajima I am just reposting to show examples of the writing as well, in addition to boots/no boots. I haven't identified the top right, so if someone can read it, PM me.

Top right is Daiei (motion pictures).

Thanks for the help. The other foot is just marked Japan, so maybe this guy was just a promotional figure for the film, if he only carries the copyright info and no company markings. Still a great figure to me. Thanks again for the information, I will have to post some more of my mystery guys

Nitto produced a Barugon vinyl, so this could be the original or a repro of that sculpt.

I have a couple of non-licensed Nitto vinyls and neither has their company name stamped on the toy. I don't know if licensed figures (e.g., Gamera series) were treated differently.

More info: http://www.skullbrain.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=26152