London Bridge figures (2 Viewers)

[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.

 

[theBaron]

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.

They just might have originated with Tradition, Mike. Same goes for the "Townley" figures. I never heard of Townley, and I haven't researched the name yet. But I have 8 of the Prussian Hussars, T-520, and I have always thought they were Bussler copies of Tradition figures. They are exact copies of the Prussian Hussar Stadden had in the catalog from the 60s. And the base matches that used on other figures that are copies of Tradition figures, including Bussler's copies. I have several Prussian officers, walking, which Stadden listed as Prince Henry, Frederick the Great's brother. And I have several Prussian Garde-Uhlan officers, all from Bussler, and all with that square base with rounded corners. I suspect the Townley Prussian Hussars have the same origins.

I haven't talked to Ron in a long time, but I think I'll see if I can contact him and ask.

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

OK, I got a chance to get to my reference library and look for anything on Townley. For older makers like this appears to be, I go first to John Garratt's "World Encyclopedia of Model Soldiers". Garrett has this brief article on Townley:

Townley, USA. One of the earliest pirates of Stadden, who departed unwept, unhonored, and unsung.

So Mike, our instincts were correct.
My Prussian hussars are all missing their Säbeltaschen and swords. I've been meaning to contact Randy to ask if he can provide some for me. Otherwise, I can get them from Tradition, too.

Prost!
Brad

 

[DavidChristCollection]

Found my way back to sorting through my LB figures. I have quite a few more that are obvious Britains bases. But, I also found a certificate in one of the boxes confirming the contents. It also confirms the baron's telling of the Liberty Bell Shrine origins.

 

[DavidChristCollection]

I also have a box for 4 Pioneers. No certificate. Do these guys look like Britains or would they be another original cast?

 

[Mike Niederman]

I also have a box for 4 Pioneers. No certificate. Do these guys look like Britains or would they be another original cast?

They are a standard Britains figure that appeared in many large sets and featured in set 82 from 1897-1959. These reproductions represent the version of the figure as issued 1908-14 only - square-based, half-booted, and with a pack. The London Bridge unpainted casting is C-108 Guards Pioneer, half-booted.