Collecting Decisions: Cameo Collections (1 Viewer)

[DMNamiot]

Hi All,

Recently I was rereading James Opies book Collecting Toy Soldiers and I was reminded of why I have been making what some collectors might view as erratic purchases (ie) DDR Hard rubber soldiers I recently showcased. Obviously these sort of figures stand out in my collection because they are so different from my primary areas The Durbar, The Crimean War and War Along the Nile. Thus I thought I should take the time to see if I can explain the reason I have struck off on this collecting tangent.

In the book Mr Opie mentions the idea of Cameo Collections and in the past I always associated that idea with areas like The Crimean War or the Durbar so it would be a focued theme from various makers to try and tell a story. However, it recently dawned on me, that I could use this idea to show case my families final tour in Germany. So as a cameo theme I settled on a very general idea of European Flea Market finds, with the occasional Toy Soldier Store acquisition also thrown in. Thats the reason I have gone down this tangent in my collection over the course of the past year. My goal is to try and find good representative figures from as many of the major makers in Europe as possible in our 3 years here. These figures generally dont come up in the States and when they do they arent in flea markets so that means they are usually well out of my budget range. I have been attempting to fill a shelf or two with European Flea Market finds and will post some of the photos so you can see the theme. Now I was wondering if there are any other collectors out there who do this sort of magpie impersonation? If so what theme or themes have you been following and please share some photos so we can see them. Remeber what I am interested in is the collections that dont go at all with the rest of your primary theme be that WWII or Napoleonics. Hope there are some folks out here that would like to discuss this sort of collecting decisions.

Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

Here is a shot of my recnt favorite:

 

[Currahee Chris]

Guten Morgan Herr Namiot: {sm0}

So now I know what DDR figures are- I cannot ever recall seeing those figures before

So tell us a bit of what you have- looks like WW1 and WW2 figures?? The standard looks to be in incredible condition. Are these guys compatible with 1:32nd scale? Do I spy some flats in there as well?? Do you know what years they are from? Could you disclose price so some of us could get a ballpark what they cost (if comfortable).

I have contemplated doing something like this and really haven't ruled it out- Iron Brigade did a nice thread on Manoil/Barclay figures- those guys pop up all the time here in Central Pa. I started a thread a year or so ago about collecting vintage soldiers and 4th Hussar was really helpful in providing me some info on them. My fear is that I may not know the makers and might get taken pricewise. I would like to do a cabinet display of some older vintage figures as I believe they have such a story behind them. The one shop I frequent has a really neat hodgepodge of vintage figures- to include one from 1907. When you see these vintage figures all lined up it is really something unique. He also has a glossy North Korean flag bearer set that I've considered buying as a remembrance of my time in the ROK.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hey Chris,

The idea of getting the NK figures as a nod to the time spent in the Land of the Morning Calm sounds like a great one! Of course you know you would need to add some ROKs to the display...

The prices of some of these composition figures varied widely. The Flag Beared I paid top dollar for at about 65 Euro I know it was probably too much money for the figure but the condition and my wife said I should get it. The others were much more reasonible with prices around $10 Dollars. They are all from the era of 1922-1938.

The Flats are 30mm and were made before WWII. I got them for a good price 20 Euro with about 40 of them in the box so I was pleased. They are WWI German with gas masks. I also have a bunch of Franco Prussian War figures that I found in a mixed box that I picked up for 8 Euro. That was a good find because the box had 30mm flats and semi rounds up to 48 mm. I also bought some really great figures in France of Italian Berglesari that are grom CBG also from the Interwar era. Photos to follow soon.

I have been seeing a lot of interesting things at the markets here so I hope I will find some new things when I am out wandering around over Spring Break.

Dave

 

[Currahee Chris]

Yeah, lets see those other troopers....."spring break" pics are optional!! {sm4}{sm4}

I dunno, I think that standard bearer would seem pretty reasonable at 65E. I think if there is one trooper that tells a story it's that dude- any history on the flag?? Does it represent a region in Germany, etc? Given that you state these are from 1922-38 then he was perhaps produced in time for the Berlin Rallies???

Those troopers got some history and definately some serious campaign and unit citations!! {bravo}}{bravo}}

 

[theBaron]

That's a neat idea for collecting theme, Dave, and that's how I got started collecting toy soldiers, with a flea market find (a group of Schneider Imperial Germans, painted as Bavarians and glued to a board, found at the Dachauerstrasse Flohmarkt in Munich).

The hard rubber toy soldiers made by the Ossis are interesting. I never saw those before. During the Communist period, they were still producing flats, and round figures in white metal, in East Germany. Some of today's manufacturers started in the "First Workers' and Peasants' State on German Soil", Peipp, for example.

Great finds, and a neat collection, please show us more!

Prost!
Brad

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

I dont have a lot of info on the DDR soldiers but they were too fun not to get. I passed on some Russians last year because the lady was in a take the whole lot or none and I didnt want to spend 100 Euro to get 10 guys. I am sure I will see some others later this year.

In this photo you will see the Berglesari in the shop before I bought them. The one aiming the rifle with the great mustache and the one running behind him in the field grey/green uniforms. I havent taken a photo of them but will try and get to it this weekend.

The shop was great and the lady spoke some english and was trilled that I spoke a little french and was even more surprised that I was knowledgable on French makers. I wish i could have spent a lot more in this shop but it will have to wait until the next trip.

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Dave - what a nice idea - so I thought I would join in with a couple of "finds" too. As you are looking to expand your "European Tour" finds - maybe a few Starlux might find their way to you at some time. A French manufacturer - which was very big up once upon a time. Latterly they did mostly plastic - but some of the pre-1970's were metal - and these are what I found.

My first find was on a Sunday "Bradderrie" in a town near Rennes in Northern France. Must have been 10 years ago. This is a bit like a British Car Boot Sale - and a Lady seller was selling off what looked like a load of kids toys. As I walked by - I saw these three (below) Chasseurs a Cheval looking at me. Trying VERY hard not to look TOO interested - I lifted one up - and knew by the weight it was metal and a 70mm - and saw the name imprinted on the base "Starlux". How much - I enquired. Well after the usual haggle - and some hand gesturing - and a few fibs - she eventually gave me a price of 3 Euros each - or the three for 6 Euros. I had the three - Thank you ma'mm!

I have just touched in a few blemishes - and straightened a sword or two - but not much. So that was my Breton Bargain.

The scene now shifts to Paris. On my 40th Wedding Anniversary, I took "La Commandante" on a surprise weekend trip to Paris. Went on the Hi-Speed Train - Swoosh - and very nice too. Did all the tourist stuff etcetera - and then we heard from the reception desk that on Sunday morning, there was a Street (flea) Market within walking distance - which was a good place for a bargain or two. As it turned out - it was too.
We parted at the first stall - and off I went on a tour. After about half an hour - I found a guy who had a box of Starlux Napoleonic Mounted - and they too were in metal. He didn't know much about them - and showed me the box containing about a dozen mounts and soldiers. They were all the same - so I chose the best three horses and the best three riders (they dismount). We settled on 4 Euros each, as I convinced him they were plastic on a metal base (hence the weight). I offered up a 50 Euro note - but he had no change, so I scraped up just short of 9 Euros in coins from varios pockets - and he shrugged and with a sigh, accepted that, as he was packing up to go for that most sacred of all things for any Frenchman on a Sunday - Lunch!

Many's the time I wished now I had bought the lot - he had about a dozen loose in a box. These are two views of them below - as I found them - in pretty good nick for played with toys. You can see perhaps, the metal showing through on their swords - which have been straightened a bit from their original twisted appearance, but no touch ups required. The horses look to be near perfect. They are a Marshall of France, Lancer and Dragoon - and once again all Starlux metal soldiers. Every time I see them now - I think of Paris in the Spring.

Well, that's my contribution - Good hunting Dave - johnnybach

 

[theBaron]

John, those are very intriguing finds. If they're metal, and marked "Starlux", I think they're metal copies someone made, because as far as I know, Starlux made plastic figures, after starting in composition. They could be unique.

Prost!
Brad

 

[johnnybach]

Hi Brad. They're definitely NOT unique - as I have seen the foot figures before on e-bay. After about 1970, Starlux concentrated on mass production of plastic figures - but before that (1950-60ish) - you can still occasionally find them in metal - as I did. As I said - where the paint has rubbed away with play - the metal has been exposed. I think they rarely made it to anywhere else other than France (hence the Napoleonic era that I found in two different French locations). They are very chunky, solid cast and therefore heavy. Must have been expensive to produce. Here's one, still in it's package and clearly marked "Authentique Soldat de Plomb" (Authentic Lead Soldier). Note the face and plume so like mine - so must be from the same series as my Chasseurs. Old - and made from lead.

I have seen a few in plastic - very like these, labelled as "Empire Range". Here's an odd page from an old Starlux catalogue that I found about these. These ARE plastic and issued from 1969.

I'm wondering if they went down the same route as Britains - who changed production to plastic in 1966 - but then couldn't compete on price with Foreign cheap imports? Can't find out a lot about early Starlux figures - but I think that I had them very cheaply!

 

[Currahee Chris]

JB-

Those mounted cavalry figures are something to behold!!

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Johnny,

When I am over in France I tend to hit the Troc stores which are a lot like a boot sale with a roof over them you can find anything. I havent found any Starlux Metal but have seen the plastic. I tend to keep an eye open in these stores for Quiralu but the Starlux Naps are very cool so I will be looking for them as well. I also bought a bunch of mounted Soldiers and gave them to my 10 year old to play with, that appear to be quiet similar to Del Prado but I believe they are the ones that were made in Italy the name of the company escapes me right now. I also picked up a double set of Garibaldi Soldiers from Rome off an ebay interenational seller who was in the UK. They are Crimean War Sardinian Soldiers which whenever my loverly Commandante releases them from durance vile I will be a happy camper!

I will have to keep an eye open for soldiers when I am down south next week in the area around Salzberg.

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Hi both. Yes - very toy-like but colourful and well made. Pity they are no longer around as new figures - but can still be found occasionally. Still kicking myself for not buying the box-full! I also think that the Naps are the best in their range.

Here's what to look for Dave. Metal underside to horse-base, unpainted - and see the scabbard on the sword is a bit scraped - exposing the metal underneath? I have always intended to touch that in with some enamel - glad I didn't now.

Good hunting down Salzberg way - and if you see a bar called The Black Rose - don't go in!!!!{eek3} johnnybach

 

[Currahee Chris]

Good hunting down Salzberg way - and if you see a bar called The Black Rose - don't go in!!!!{eek3} johnnybach

If I know Dave he will probably take that as a challenge!!{sm4}

Help me out here- I think I may have taken my eye off the ball- are these horses- these Starlux ones- are they plastic like Britains Detail??

 

[johnnybach]

To be fair - most Starlux TS are plastic. But as I hope my picture shows, these aren't, and neither are the riders. As I understand it - when Starlux started off production in France in the early 1950's - they produced some metal soldiers. I bought these shown, second-hand in Paris at a flea market - and noticed that they were metal. I therefore figured that they were early ones - but the guy on a bric-a-brac store knew nothing about the subject - so I didn't let on - and he sold them to me for a song.

I'm guessing that he (the vendor), thought that they were plastic too. But they aren't - they are solid metal and quite heavy. If you look back a bit in the thread - you can see a Starlux TS in a blister pack - clearly marked as "Soldat de Plomb" - literally a Lead Soldier - which shows that the early ones were of that material.

What I was trying to tip Dave off to - was this fact - so to look out for the metal ones, if he can find any. I haven't seen any metal ones since those two unrelated finds.

Just when you think you have the TS subject sewn up - in comes a "curve-ball".{sm2}^&grinjb

 

[ucla1967]

When I started collecting again, 20 years ago, it was my intention to focus on Scottish highlanders in the Victorian era. Silly me; that lasted about five minutes. Oh yes, I was aware of the various recommendations to have a theme of some sorts: Collect a certain manufacturer or a certain historic period or what ever. I said the heck with that---if I like something, I buy it. My good friend Ed Ruby, who had arguably the largest Britains collection in the world at one time, explained that he wasn't a collector at all, but rather he considered himself an accumulator. So, I stopped trying to be a collector and joined the ranks of the accumulators. I have never regretted it for one moment, although my wife may have a different opinion.

 

[Currahee Chris]

that's a great post Mike.....

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

The metal Starlux is certainly a cool curveball! I will be on the look out for them. As for the bar I will have to play nicely this time since Oma and Tante will be with us...

Mike the idea of trying to focus my collection hasnt been too hard for me because I am mainly into the Raj and the Durbar of course. But I can ceetainly understand why it is difficult to stay focused and not buy everything unless you factor in the money thing{sm3} But as it stands this little thread is mainly about a shelf or two that will be of things seemingly unrelated other than the Flea Market theme and our 3 years here in Germany. Now if I want to add the sets of figures I picked up when I was stationed here before I can add some really nice WWI figures I bought in Rothenburg. I guess I need to take a photo of them and put them in the show.

Dave

 

[johnnybach]

Ha! - Love that accumulator idea Mike. Ed certainly has a point there. I often say that I'm not a collector - I just like painting them - and when I'm done - I've got to know them so well - I just can't bear to part with them. So I guess I'm just accumulating what I have painted!

Yep! - I like that a lot. Thanks Ed. johnnybach

 

[theBaron]

Thanks for that info, John! I'm going to write to Mr. O'Brien and let him know we've got some new details for his next edition.

Prost!
Brad