Delhi Durbar 1903 (1 Viewer)

[Andanna]

I started "collecting" Beau Geste Delhi Durbar figures five weeks ago. I am focussed on the state elephants at this point. Being somewhat new to this hobby (although I started painting my own figures about 40 years ago, Sanderson and Tradition sets), I heavily rely on the education by more mature collectors on this forum.

This being my first post, I thought I should give you an indication of the spark that ignited my Beau Geste Delhi Durbar ("BGDD") collecting wildfire:

On November 1, I had the opportunity to attend the Open House of the Toy Soldier Museum which houses the private colletion of Jim Hill (http://www.the-toy-soldier.com/home.cfm?). In short, Jim has 3,000 square feet of exhibition space available. Just this museum would justify its own thread (certainly under a different heading). But I can only urge everyone who is interested in collecting toy soldiers, to visit Jim and his wife to get a chance to enjoy their hospitality and getting a glimpse of the collection. I only had a couple of hours and felt very rushed.

Jim has one specific Dehi Durbar 1903 display and I would like to post a couple of the pictures I took in November. Jim told me that 90% of the figures used are Marlborough and if the moderators believe, this thread should be moved, please feel free to do so. I have looked at the various offerings of Delhi Durbar figures after this visit, decided on Beau Geste and took a forth mortgage on the house. I therefore feel justified posting these pictures here, specifically as I would like - upon receiving a certain degree of encouragement - to post photos that are more geared towards BGDD at a later point in time.

 

[Andanna]

Here is a selection of the photos:

 

[Andanna]

 

[Andanna]

 

[Andanna]

The photos should enlarge if you double-click. Unfortunately, the files are rather large and my lack of technical abilities do not permit me to resize them manually.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Welcome to the forum and a big thank you for posting your photos. What a collection !!!!! I look forward to you taking some snaps of your collection and sharing them with us. There are a couple of Durbar collectors on the forum and I am sure they will chime in shortly and welcome you also and answer any questions you may have.


Cheers

Scott

 

[1879fanatic]

Andanna,
A big welcome to the forum! It's always nice to know there's more GLOSSY collectors out there! I know a couple guys (gals) here that would flip to visit Hillstead's museum. Scott is probably salivating over those Durbar pictures. Thanks for posting! Mike

 

[Andanna]

Thank you for the warm welcome.

To start my "collection" of BGDD and enjoying particularly the state elephants, I took some guidance from a photo I found in the article called "Imperial Vision" which you will find on page 4 (http://www.bonhams.com/Magazine/Issue14/Issue14.38.pdf).

I obviously do not know exactly what I am looking at, but it appears to be the initial procession of the British nobility and officers as well as Indian nobility on the first day of the Durbar with the Red Ford in the background. I have not found this picture anywhere else and I have no idea how it was taken as the photographer seems to have had an elevated position.

What I notice (and I am inviting additional observations, of course) is the sheer number of elephants in the background, without any "interruptions" by bands, soldier formations or other animals. I would like to compare the visual impact with that of a large steam loco.

Having said that, there are elephant guards around each elephant and to my dismay, BGDD only offers elephant guards for the state elephant of Sikkim. Therefore, I e-mailed Beau Geste yesterday inquiring about the availability of additional elephant guards and received a response within hours (what a service!!):

"Yes, we are planning the escort for our other elephants, during the next 2 months. We can always customize any of the other pieces for you if you wish, but you can definitely count on having the sets released in a very near future."

Champagne is in the fridge.

P.S.: In my first post, Jim's full name was misspelt. It is "Hillestad" of course.

 

[1879fanatic]

Andanna,
The procession,of course, is impressive. Even more so(for me) are the photos of stacks of cannonballs. How did a gunner's mate take from the stack? Ihope not from the bottom!. Great article as well.
I don't as yet collect Beau Geste, but am highly impressed with the simplistic beauty, and the communication of Anna, who drops in on the forum from time to time. A great family business it appears.
Try to track down Wadepat, who has taken photos of his BGDD.
Mike

 

[DMNamiot]

Hello Andanna,

I am quite sure that Pat Wade will be thrilled to see another BG competitor for their wonderful Durbar sets. I am very thankful for the photos you posted of the procession at Mr Hillestad museum. It is amazing and is the only place I have seen the Rewa State Elephant Carriage on display. I certainly hope I can get to see it in person someday. I have a pretty large Durbar Display as well only without the backdrops, maybe someday when we arent moving every few years.

If you have any questions at all on the Durbar please ask away as I always enjoy discussing this event. There are a number of good books available on the subject and if you do a search in the Britains Thread you will probably find them quickly.

Welcome to the forum and I look forward to chatting with you.

All the best

Dave

 

[Andanna]

I would not consider myself a competitor to either Pat or you, Dave, when it comes to BGDD. Rather a disciple.

What I may point out is that after the interest sparked by Jim's display, Pat and you poured plenty of gasoline into the emerging heat with the photos in the Britain's Delhi Durbar thread and your photo archive. I think that is called "arson" and I may take the liberty of holding both of you responsible for it.

Jim's website already lists the two dates for the 2009 Open House events - perhaps we can get organised around one of these dates?

 

[thebritfarmer]

It surely has to have been one of the most amazing spectacles ever!!! I don't think we will ever again see such a procession. In fact I think the nearest we came to that was the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

 

[wadepat]

I would not consider myself a competitor to either Pat or you, Dave, when it comes to BGDD. Rather a disciple.

What I may point out is that after the interest sparked by Jim's display, Pat and you poured plenty of gasoline into the emerging heat with the photos in the Britain's Delhi Durbar thread and your photo archive. I think that is called "arson" and I may take the liberty of holding both of you responsible for it.

Jim's website already lists the two dates for the 2009 Open House events - perhaps we can get organised around one of these dates?

Hi Andanna,

Welcome to the forum! It is a thrill to have another Durbar collector join our ranks! And, I think you have made an excellent choice in deciding to collect the Beau Geste Delhi Durbar figures. I consider them the highlight of my Durbar collection.

Now, about this business of holding Dave and I responsible for the Durbar fever you have contracted, I am entirely free of any responsibility for your illness! Dave is your culprit! He enjoys pouring gasoline on Durbar fires. Instead of fueling fires, I simply "warmly encourage" other Durbar collectors to pursue their interests and to gently accept the onset of the insanity that will soon consume them. As your illness progresses, you will find Dave and I to be highly supportive of you when you experience the final stages of blissful financial ruin that your hobby choices will dictate.

All kidding aside, you are a very welcome addition to the forum. Please visit often and post frequently. I look forward to more Durbar conversation with you. And,...by the way,...there were a total of 166 elephants in the Arrival Parade in the 1903 Durbar. You may need more than a fourth mortgage to complete your collection!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Andanna]

Again, thank you for the warm welcome.

About the 166 elephants: I feel as if Beau Geste avoids making the same figures from the Durbar that Marlboropuigh has already done in the past - is that true? I have no intention of mxing the two "brands", but obviously at some point will need an elephant with British officials - like Lord Curzon and his wife.

I very much value the research that Beau Geste has invested prior to sculpting. I unfortunately do not find as many elephant photos as I would like, but will share my findings happily hoping that longtime collectors will add to the photo collection.

 

[Andanna]

Having just enjoyed the photos of Auguste's Delhi Durbar display and specifically the backgrounds: Does anyone, including Ana, know where Beau Geste got this background from that they used in the 2006 Chicago exhibition:

 

[Ana Donzino]

Andanna,

Welcome to the forum, and to the Delhi Durbar collecting. I appreciate that you chose Beau Geste, we are very proud of our Durbar line.

The background for the Durbar is a giant semi-transparent colour copy of an image file that I edited, mixing many pictures and paintings from the Durbar, and mounted as to give it a perspective. I still have the file if you want it, so you can have it paper copied at your end.

The offer extends to whoever might want it too

Ana

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Ana

I'd love a copy of that file. its a great backdrop and would solve a problem for me too.

All the best

Dave

 

[wadepat]

Andanna,

Welcome to the forum, and to the Delhi Durbar collecting. I appreciate that you chose Beau Geste, we are very proud of our Durbar line.

The background for the Durbar is a giant semi-transparent colour copy of an image file that I edited, mixing many pictures and paintings from the Durbar, and mounted as to give it a perspective. I still have the file if you want it, so you can have it paper copied at your end.

The offer extends to whoever might want it too

Ana

Hi Ana,

Count me in! I, too, would love to have the background! Please send me your file as well.

Thanks for your kind offer!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Again, thank you for the warm welcome.

About the 166 elephants: I feel as if Beau Geste avoids making the same figures from the Durbar that Marlboropuigh has already done in the past - is that true? I have no intention of mxing the two "brands", but obviously at some point will need an elephant with British officials - like Lord Curzon and his wife.

I very much value the research that Beau Geste has invested prior to sculpting. I unfortunately do not find as many elephant photos as I would like, but will share my findings happily hoping that longtime collectors will add to the photo collection.

Hi Andanna,

I just finished viewing the elephant pictures you posted in the album on your personal profile page. I want to thank you for establishing such a nice collection of Durbar elephant pictures. Your album will be most helpful to all of us Durbar collectors! Thanks for your thoughtfulness!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Andanna]

Ana, thank you for your kind words. It would be wonderful if you could make the background available to mer as well. I let Shannon and you fugure out whether there is a possibility to store the file on a server for download by members.

I may point out that, following a request in a different thread, I have added an album with photos of my visit of an English toy soldier store in September which include two of Britains' Delhi Durbar elephants, as well as one album with the photos of state elephants I found on the internet. I would really appreciate if the experts on Delhi Durbar could send me additional photos as well as correct any mistakes in my attempt to identify the elephants.