The first Britains’ Americans in my (now my eldest grandson’s) collection were the United States Cavalry, Service Dress, mounted at the walk, Set # 229. But for a quirk of fate, however, the troopers may never have become an important and necessary part of the Britains’ American military formations in today’s grandchildren’s toy soldier army. It so happened that on my birthday at the age of ten, a so-called ‘aunt’ had thoughtfully ordered from the renowned toy store F.A.O. Schwarz in New York City a musical typewriter, net value ten US dollars and some change. Alas, the gift arrived in broken condition, so it had to be replaced.
Now the New York toy store in 1946 had on hand a large stock of Britains soldiers because the company had again begun to produce toy soldiers for the export market and for the dollars it brought into the United Kingdom’s treasury. There was a whole section in Schwarz’s devoted to toy soldiers and their appearance in Christmas catalogues had beguiled me as a young boy throughout WWII. The store’s early wartime inventory had not been completely exhausted and the troops’ display in the Schwarz catalogue as formations during the war had whetted my taste for the figures. But cost-wise (at $1.98 or about 8 shillings a box) they were too expensive for my limited weekly allowance of just ten American cents.
Esta historia es de la edición October - November 2020 de Toy Soldier Collector International.
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Esta historia es de la edición October - November 2020 de Toy Soldier Collector International.
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John Jenkins Designs
An iconic World War II fighter aircraft and a heavyweight from the annals of military history are among the latest new releases from John Jenkins Designs (JJD).
Surprising Canadians
Guy Elliott looks at the largely unknown military history of his native land.
W. Britain
A leading manufacturer since 1893, Britains needs little introduction to even the most casual of toy soldier collectors. Under the leadership of Ken Osen, the company is still going strong, expanding its existing product lines and seeking opportunities to introduce even more exciting new ranges.
Thomas Gunn Miniatures
Reviews of new metal figures to arrive in the hobby by George Philips
The Last Sake
Eduardo Fernandez paints a large-scale bust.
The World of Model Soldiers, Part 1
Colin Luxford takes a tour of the world in miniature, starting with Europe and Asia.
King & Country
Reviews of new metal figures to arrive in the hobby by George Philips.
GNM Miniatures
Hougoumont North Gate diorama
Dressing the Kiddies
Keith Nairn-Munro presents the second part of his study of the uniforms and history of the Scots Guards up to the Great War.
A Family Enterprise
George Phillips speaks to Abram Simon about the past, present and future of New Zealand-based Fleurbaix Toy Soldiers.