Finally got around to rehoming the collectable English plastic figures in a display case where they will be relatively safe from damage. There is no real order to this, more a case of getting stuff out of the boxes they've been shunted around in for the last several years and standing them up so I can see what I've got, it's part of the separation between collectables for research and wargame armies for play. There will be changes, some added to the shelves and others relegated back to the boxes but for now it's a step in the right direction.
The cabinet was one of those rather naff 1920's deco display units that my aunts used to keep their best china in, the stuff that was for show and never got used from one end of the year to the next, I think every house had one in the 1950's and I never liked them. But this one was abandoned in the back of a junk shop in need of a complete overhaul and cost me nothing (someone said they'd pay me to take it away). After stripping the crazed varnish, re-glazing the doors, fixing mirror tiles to the back and adding all new glass shelves (so not such a bargain after all!) it now occupies a suitable niche in the Toy Soldierarium (my wife's term not mine).
I will get around to putting up clearer pics of individual figures at some pint but in the meantime here are a few random closeups:
Hi Brian. Your display case comment brought back memories new and old. I remember my aunties also had them in the 1960s-80s, for holiday souvenirs from Spain, or was it Blackpool? I ended up buying one about ten years ago for £15, and it now stores my 28mm AWI and FRW collections. I was somewhat lucky, mine already had a mirrored back (and the potential to repair internal lighting), and I was able to add some additional glass shelves. To be honest, I like 2nd hand brown furniture. My younger friends were often burnt with modern minimalist shelving that cost quite a bit, and warped within a year or two. Interestingly, they too have embraced 2nd hand brown furniture, particularly art-deco, as the materials are often superior, and in the right setting add character and detail to a room. For my part, I went for an English/Edwardian Club look, rather than the modern trend to recreate a dentist waiting room, lol. Will be viewing this post again to view in detail the figures that form part of your collection..... I'm enjoying this post!
ReplyDeletePS. I am this very minute button polishing my (2nd hand) bedside table.
Michael
Viewing the shelves, my interest was drawn to the Robin Hood figures, some of which I'd not seen before, and also the French naval figures, many of which I 'd not seen before. I also spotted those cake decoration medievals you mentioned previously.
DeleteMichael
I've always had a thing for upcycling old furniture, I loved scouring the auction rooms and junk shops for real wood, I can't really understand why it fell from favour with people. I worked for an auctioneers a few years back and we'd get streams of beautiful old Georgian mahogany but it just wouldn't sell, make you weep really. Robin Hood was always a draw to the manufacturers, probably because of the popular TV series and lack of licencing cost on the characters, the French made some really imaginative and unique naval poses, these are some of my favourites, glad you spotted the Gemodels medievals!
DeleteCheers Brian. About forty years ago I read an article by an interior designer, his words have stuck with me. "I used to buy what was fashionable, including plastic chairs, now I only buy what matures with age, or lends itself to restoration." Most people follow fashion, and adverts promote a throwaway view which rejects tradition. Back to toy soldiers, I'm going to keep an eye out for 54mm Robin Hood figures, to go with my Medievals.
DeleteMichael
Buying only what matures with age sounds like good advice to me, I find Robin's Merry Men make good peasant levies, always useful.
DeleteBrian.....some very desirable and rare pieces on show there. A splendid sight and collection. Figures on display are the only way forward if space permits. I was particularly taken by the tiger attacking another animal....very unusual! Lovely stuff.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree they need to be on display, especially as the early stuff is getting so brittle and delicate, I have a whole new project now repairing the figures that crumbled while stored away in boxes (safely I thought!). The tiger bringing down a buffalo was originally a hollowcast made in France by JSF, this is the plastic version made from the original mould, have to admit the French made some unusual stuff.
DeleteOh my, Brian, what an amazing collection in one cabinet! Each time I looked at a shelf, I found something new and wonderful! The Captain Scarlet figures and Sir Francis Drake bowling really stood out to me! The great variety of subjects and time periods is really mind boggling! Toy makers back in the day really spent a lot of time and money making figures that would greatly please children, and perhaps teach them something too! Thank you so very much for sharing part of your collection!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brad, you're right about the toymakers of the day, from the ones I've spoken to over the years it was as much a labour of love as a commercial proposition, I don't think any of them realise they were creating folk art of the future though.
DeleteThanks for sharing these wonderful figures, Brian. A cabinet of Eye candy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark, I haven't eaten any of that candy yet, but I can't say the same for my cat.
DeleteBrilliant photos Brian.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed them Paul.
DeleteThat’s some collection Brian. They deserve to be on display!
ReplyDeleteThank you, they've been in the boxes for too long.
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