The late E. Joe Shimek II is probably best known for his reproductions of the German Heyde Size 2 (approximately 48mm) figures. He offered an immense variety of these under the rubric of Potsdamer Zinnsoldaten (PZ) basing his production on the Heyde Company’s entire catalogue. Yet, as his friend and comrade Michael Henry noted in his ‘Last Post for E. Joe Shimek’, PZ productions included figures of other sizes. Joe also underwrote figures with the label of Britannia which were close approximations of certain W. Britains soldiers, marines, and sailors.
While Joe won high praise in words for Potsdamer Zinnsoldaten, his best remembrance is expressed in what is displayed on the shelves of his former clientele. So, let us look at some of the 54mm range of military figures he produced under both the PZ and Britannia labels. This venture serves as a “Shimek Stand-to” displaying figures of a scale different from what is still most closely associated with PZ toy soldiers.
As Michael Henry has pointed out, Joe’s first production carrying the label PZ-1, was of the WWI German Askaris or German East African native infantry. These famous highly disciplined and well trained black African soldiers serving under white German officers, most notably General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, literally ran circles around British Empire troops in East Africa during WWI. PZ’s representations of the Askaris display with dignity these exceptional combatants dressed in their khaki uniforms with their German officer.
Denne historien er fra December - January 2021-utgaven av Toy Soldier Collector International.
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Denne historien er fra December - January 2021-utgaven av Toy Soldier Collector International.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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.