Britains' Americans
Toy Soldier Collector International|October - November 2020
Brigadier Raymond E Bell reminisces about his collection of Britains figures representing American troops that have now passed to his grandchildren
Brigadier Raymond E Bell
Britains' Americans

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.

Denne historien er fra October - November 2020-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.

Denne historien er fra October - November 2020-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.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR INTERNATIONALSe alt
John Jenkins Designs
Toy Soldier Collector International

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).

time-read
2 mins  |
February - March 2021
Surprising Canadians
Toy Soldier Collector International

Surprising Canadians

Guy Elliott looks at the largely unknown military history of his native land.

time-read
10+ mins  |
February - March 2021
W. Britain
Toy Soldier Collector International

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
February - March 2021
Thomas Gunn Miniatures
Toy Soldier Collector International

Thomas Gunn Miniatures

Reviews of new metal figures to arrive in the hobby by George Philips

time-read
4 mins  |
February - March 2021
The Last Sake
Toy Soldier Collector International

The Last Sake

Eduardo Fernandez paints a large-scale bust.

time-read
8 mins  |
February - March 2021
The World of Model Soldiers, Part 1
Toy Soldier Collector International

The World of Model Soldiers, Part 1

Colin Luxford takes a tour of the world in miniature, starting with Europe and Asia.

time-read
10+ mins  |
February - March 2021
King & Country
Toy Soldier Collector International

King & Country

Reviews of new metal figures to arrive in the hobby by George Philips.

time-read
4 mins  |
February - March 2021
GNM Miniatures
Toy Soldier Collector International

GNM Miniatures

Hougoumont North Gate diorama

time-read
2 mins  |
February - March 2021
Dressing the Kiddies
Toy Soldier Collector International

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.

time-read
6 mins  |
February - March 2021
A Family Enterprise
Toy Soldier Collector International

A Family Enterprise

George Phillips speaks to Abram Simon about the past, present and future of New Zealand-based Fleurbaix Toy Soldiers.

time-read
6 mins  |
February - March 2021