Help wanted on starting glossy collection (1 Viewer)

Evzone

Evzone

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I'm looking to start a serious glossy collection circa 1900 -1914, possibly late 19th century. My aim is to recreate a Little Wars/Edwardian Splendour type collection. I'd be grateful for any steers from glossy experts on manufacturers and ranges.

I've seen the Beau Geste site and they seem to be the ticket, however I don't think they have a distributor in UK, so any info on purchasing BG to UK would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
You can't go wrong with Beau Geste. They are beautifully sculpted and painted. The Colonial Wars of the 19th C are a favorite of Ana's although she produces mostly non-British subjects which she feels are covered by other makers.

Wm. Britain has nice single figures from the late colonial period in their Redcoat line and they too are beautifully made. Here the emphasis is upon British units that include the Anglo-Sudan and Anglo-Afghan Wars and there is also the excellent Britain's glossy Zulu line.

Randy
 

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The Britains Redcoat line is a great way to go if you are considering collecting examples of period uniforms in single figures. If you are considering making some dioramas, whether large or small, there are a number of good manufacturers out there... Britains of course, Tradition, Tommy Atkins, Beau Geste, Tedtoy, Edmund's, Imperial, Monarch Regalia... to name some of the major ones. The first three are available in the UK, no doubt. There are a number of smaller comapnies that make wonderful glossies as well which are based in the UK. I would recommend that you attend one of the larger Toy Soldier shows in your area, so that you can see the figures up close. There are differences in scuplting and painting even amongst the glossy figures from different companies and it's a question of preference. I have a large collection of Tradition Napoleonics which I admire immensely, but they do not come in a lot of animated poses. Happy collecting and continue to ask a lot of questions. This forum is a wealth of information! :)
 
Is there a style of toy soldier that you wish to collect? The old style would be a smallish 54mm, rosy cheeked faces, simplistic sculpture with painted in uniform details...Wm. Hocker ,British Bulldog, Imperial, early Britains, Dorset, would all represent this style and also complement each other for size...Many of the new Britains ,Steadfast, etc. represent the current more detailed,realistic sculpting that offer proportioned, fuller figures and are generally larger in size...Michael
 
My advice would be to collect what attracts you irrespective of maker. If you tie yourself slavishly to one maker you will miss out on a lot of otherwise attractive items. A collection should be exactly that, a collection. The next big UK show will be at the National Hotel on June 27th and the Dirty Dozen UK Treefroggers will be there in force and your presence will be expected. That will be the best occasion for you to see the bulk of UK makers and their products. See you there.
 
For this particular period, the glossy figures I like best come from the new Britains Redcoats series, Monarch Regalia (Crimean war) and Imperial Productions from New Zealand. You can get the wonderful Monarch Regalia figures from France (Toy Soldiers Paris), Britains from the UK of course, and last but not least, the best of them (to me that is), Imperial, from...New Zealand or E-Bay... Very interesting and colorful period, you have good taste...

Regards,
Paulo
 
Evzone said:
I'm looking to start a serious glossy collection circa 1900 -1914, possibly late 19th century. My aim is to recreate a Little Wars/Edwardian Splendour type collection. I'd be grateful for any steers from glossy experts on manufacturers and ranges.

I've seen the Beau Geste site and they seem to be the ticket, however I don't think they have a distributor in UK, so any info on purchasing BG to UK would be appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...


We at Treefrog Treasures are the largest BG dealer in the world, keeping their entire range in stock.

As we offer free shipping on international orders over $250, we like to consider ourselves the UK Distributor :cool:
 
Gentlemen

Many thanks for the excellent advice, I'm delighted to receive your good council. I plan to kick off the collection soon. Thank you again and please keep the advice coming.
 
For glossy Little Wars, late 18th century one company not mentioned i s Little Legion located in Wales. They have Zulu and Sudan ranges.

Buy what you like, but do not be suprised when you see what is out there and you find yourself wanting to buy everything and shifting focus from one range to another.

Just remember if you have any questions, ask the forum members, all are willing to help the fellow collector.
 
kilted vampire said:
Try John Eden studios. Lovely glossy toy figures.:D

http://www.johnedenstudios.com/
Click to expand...

WOWZA ! Thanks for the recon M'Lord General. This Site has really come to life! Something for nearly everyone...Roman Camel Troops :eek:(wonder how that contraption fared in a sandstorm ? tri-pedal,hmmm)
the Tricorns and Mitres sections ,Georgian Country Life & Scottish Infantry
have yours truly over the moon-Horse Grenadiers ! Dragoons ! VERY Exciting.
Now for the down side....I had a caution when I read your post,having won some Scottish Gren. Coy. castings from John Eden not so very long ago on eBay,he offered to see them painted for a VERY reasonable fee,unfortunately gloss was not on the menu,and I being a headstrong hairsplitter declined :(
Now having peered carefully at very nearly every handsomely painted figure on the new and massively improved site,I regret to suggest that although shiny,these figures are indeed matte.
Back on the upside,not only are all figures & sets available as castings....
but of course gloss might be applied to these lovely figures by the more artistic and enterprising individuals among us.Frankly,having seen the painting standard,I somewhat regret my rash declining.
Many Thanks for your posting :D
Now I wonder where a gloss painter may be found for some Horse Grenadiers ?
Best Regards,John
 
Deitz said:
For glossy Little Wars, late 18th century one company not mentioned i s Little Legion located in Wales. They have Zulu and Sudan ranges.

Buy what you like, but do not be suprised when you see what is out there and you find yourself wanting to buy everything and shifting focus from one range to another.

Just remember if you have any questions, ask the forum members, all are willing to help the fellow collector.
Click to expand...

Paul Herrmann in Wisconsin is the US LL dealer. Couldn't ask for a nicer more helpful guy.
http://www.toysoldiershoppe.net/
Best to call: Phone: (414)302-1850

Paul will be getting a new shipment from LL in a few weeks.
 
Oldboy said:
WOWZA ! Thanks for the recon M'Lord General. This Site has really come to life! Something for nearly everyone...Roman Camel Troops :eek:(wonder how that contraption fared in a sandstorm ? tri-pedal,hmmm)
the Tricorns and Mitres sections ,Georgian Country Life & Scottish Infantry
have yours truly over the moon-Horse Grenadiers ! Dragoons ! VERY Exciting.
Now for the down side....I had a caution when I read your post,having won some Scottish Gren. Coy. castings from John Eden not so very long ago on eBay,he offered to see them painted for a VERY reasonable fee,unfortunately gloss was not on the menu,and I being a headstrong hairsplitter declined :(
Now having peered carefully at very nearly every handsomely painted figure on the new and massively improved site,I regret to suggest that although shiny,these figures are indeed matte.
Back on the upside,not only are all figures & sets available as castings....
but of course gloss might be applied to these lovely figures by the more artistic and enterprising individuals among us.Frankly,having seen the painting standard,I somewhat regret my rash declining.
Many Thanks for your posting :D
Now I wonder where a gloss painter may be found for some Horse Grenadiers ?
Best Regards,John
Click to expand...

If green is your colour then send me a pm.

Jeff
 
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