Lawrence Lo
Staff Sergeant
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2007
- Messages
- 942
Just a quick sketch from memory...Vertunni was a French maker of solid 54mm historical figures, with a concentration on Napoleonic subjects, but with subjects from other periods represented.
If I remember correctly, he began producing before the war, but his production was interrupted, and then resumed after the Liberation. I think he was still producing his figures into the early 50's, but passed away around that time.
I think a Japanese maker copied some of his figures, such as one of Napoleon, in a cloak, as First Consul, but the name of that company escapes me.
Vertunni's figures were of higher quality than the toy soldiers available on the market at the same time, and of a style similar to Madame Metayer's or Madame Desfontaine's figures. Today, they're sought after eagerly, with single figures going for anywhere from $100 to $250 or more on eBay auctions, for example. I have 2 Vertunnis in my collection, a figure of Maria Theresa, and a figure of Louis XV.
Richard O'Brien has a chapter on Vertunni in his "Collecting Toy Soldiers", so I'll have to check the details as far as the timeline is concerned, but I think I'm correct. Maybe someone else can correct me or fill in the gaps, in the meantime.
Hope that helps, prost!
Brad
Brad,
Thanks for posting this info. You are a great ambassador for the hobby. It was great to see you running around the halls that day!