London Bridge figures (1 Viewer)

[DavidChristCollection]

I have a few sets of figures from London Bridge when they were based in Emmaus, PA. Are they still producing their own line under the new ownership in TN? I know personal preferences vary by collector, but, did these figures ever generate much interest? Pics of some of the sets can be viewed here:

London Bridge

Explore this photo album by David Christ on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[theBaron]

Randy Johnston, who bought London Bridge, kept the store's domain, https://londonbridgecollectorstoys.com/, and updated the website. I don't recall that Ron Ruddell ever produced figures as "London Bridge", that weren't his licensed Britains reissues. I have some solid castings of the Britains Prussian hussars, for example, that had "London Bridge" on the title card, but it was noted that they were Britains toy soldiers. I think this is the case with your Sikhs, too, though others may know better.

In any case, you can see what Randy currently offers, listed right on the landing page under Product Lines. Of special note is that Jack Scheid toy soldiers are available under the Parade Square brand. And he still produces Britains replacement parts, under the license Ron originally obtained for that purpose.

I've dealt with Randy for Imrie-Risley kits; that's another of the brands he has bought and produces. He's a nice guy and I've had only the best transactions with him. Definitely recommend!

Prost!
Brad

 

[DavidChristCollection]

Interesting. All these figures have LB in cursive script on the base and I have quite a few London Bridge boxes. I knew that Ron was using the Britains spare parts that he was licensed to sell. But, I believe someone had told me that as long as there was a certain percentage of original work, he could legally sell them under his own label.

 

[theBaron]

I don't think using the London Bridge brand violated any agreement with Britain, but rather, was an additional way to identify figures he produced-along with the fact that they are solid-cast-as distinct from original Britains toy soldiers. Because there are a lot of solid copies of Britains toy soldiers out there.

I do know of an original set that Ron produced. It was a set of figures timed for the Bicentennial in 1976, depicting figures from the Revolutionary War. If I remember correctly, Ron said that they were sculpted by Jack Scheid. They were sold at the Liberty Bell museum in Zion's Reformed Church in Allentown. That's where the bell was hidden for a time, after the British occupied Philadelphia, and Washington brought elements of the Continental Army to Allentown and Bethlehem. I've never gotten to see the figures, though. Ron still had the molds but hadn't cast any in years. Randy may have them; I'll have to reach out and ask him.

Prost!
Brad

 

[MikeNick]

I don't think using the London Bridge brand violated any agreement with Britain, but rather, was an additional way to identify figures he produced-along with the fact that they are solid-cast-as distinct from original Britains toy soldiers. Because there are a lot of solid copies of Britains toy soldiers out there.

I do know of an original set that Ron produced. It was a set of figures timed for the Bicentennial in 1976, depicting figures from the Revolutionary War. If I remember correctly, Ron said that they were sculpted by Jack Scheid. They were sold at the Liberty Bell museum in Zion's Reformed Church in Allentown. That's where the bell was hidden for a time, after the British occupied Philadelphia, and Washington brought elements of the Continental Army to Allentown and Bethlehem. I've never gotten to see the figures, though. Ron still had the molds but hadn't cast any in years. Randy may have them; I'll have to reach out and ask him.

Prost!
Brad

When I visited the shop years ago, the owner spoke of having people paint figures at home for him to sell. Then, state working regulations led him to stop.

 

[Mike Niederman]

There are four figures described as "non-Britains" in the London Bridge catalogue - two Indians, and two Scots. They have a different ID number series than the Britains recasts: C-001 to C-004. The recasts start with C-101. The four don't really resemble any Britains figures. They are stylistically more like the Tradition of London toy range.