I'm new and have a paper soldier dilema - (1 Viewer)

[JustGeorge]

Hi!
About 12 years ago I came into possession of two paper soldier armies. I found them at an antique shop in AZ. I was told that these soldiers were provided to children with TB. If the child died, the toys could be destroyed.
When found they were in an aluminium box 12x15x2.75". The box contains two armies, possibly 18th century French and German. The one army has 153 standing soldiers and 53 mounted cavalry. It also has two cannon and two separate mounted, 4 horse cassons, each with two riders. The second army is much smaller - 144 standing soldiers, 2 officers and a mounted officer. The mounted figures are 2.5" tall and the standing soldiers are 1 7/16". They do not appear to have been played with as they are still in strips of 8 standing soldiers and 4 cavalry. I've been to Antique Roadshow with them. No info. Also, a 2nd televised antique show. No info. Have checked info from Edward Ryan's paper soldier book. There does not appear to be any info on these soldiers. I'm trying to find out more and establish a value for them. Appreciate and help that anyone has to offer. I have pictures to share once Shannon shows me how. Thanks. JustGeorge

 

[jazzeum]

George,

Welcome aboard. Doing pictures is rather easy but if you like I can post them for you if you send them to me.

Welcome again!

 

[vandilay]

hi
realy looking forward to seeing them, although I cant help with
any info hopefully someone here can.

 

[jazzeum]

Here are the photos,

 

[jazzeum]

Next set,

 

[jazzeum]

Last group,

 

[maddadicus]

My best guess. Since they are made of paper, I suspect the set was made during the 40's when metal was restricted in the toy market. The fact that they are Napoleonic might place them as French origin. I have found books about paper toy soldiers on ebay ,but they are stiff in price...You might try your local Borders and start thumbing through the toy book section........Is the box metal or cardbord with silver paper? ..Michael

 

[kilted vampire]

Wow! If those are from the 40s they are in great shape. You are very lucky to have them. They do not look like they have been played with. Really like the artillery.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

My best guess. Since they are made of paper, I suspect the set was made during the 40's when metal was restricted in the toy market. The fact that they are Napoleonic might place them as French origin. I have found books about paper toy soldiers on ebay ,but they are stiff in price...You might try your local Borders and start thumbing through the toy book section........Is the box metal or cardbord with silver paper? ..Michael

The box is metal-tin or aluminum.
There was a specific sanitorium located in the area where these later turned up and George is trying to figure out if they were specifically made for children with TB at that particular location or if they were commercially available and someone (I'm sure a smart and sympathetic nurse says the RN) just came up with the idea to give them to the children with TB there.

He hasn't been able to find anything written about them in the history of the sanitorium. He brought them to the Antiques Roadshow and even they couldn't shed any light on them. I told him to give you guys a try (When Antiques Roadshow fails ask a Treefrogger!) since they are also not mentioned in Edward Ryan's Paper Soldier book.

Anyone know much about paper soldiers? Can you help George solve the mystery?

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

This is an intersting set and its in amazing condition. The book I think you need to find is the following:

Papersoldiers: The Illustrated History of Printed Paper Armies of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Centuries.
By Edward Ryan
Published in 1995
528 pages

ISBN: 0904568962

There's a copy of this ebay going for about 90 bucks its also on Abe Books for 90 and up.

I dont have much experience with these but if they stumped the Road Show then they must be rare indeed. I hope you can find them in this reference.

All the best

Dave

 

[Peter Reuss]

There seems to be a reprint available too:
Paper Soldiers (Golden Age Editions) on Amazon.

It'd be great to find out who this Edward Ryan is and contact hiim directly. Sounds like he's the resource. Too bad he doesn't have a more unique name to help find him (like Reuss??)