Mignot Figures (1 Viewer)

[Mignot]

I needed a break, so I decided to take the photos now. From Left to Right:
1. Grenadier of the Old Guard by Mignot, I would say 1920s
2. Chasseur of the Light Infantry, I would say just before ww2, Late 30s
3. Student from the Ecole Militaire de Saint Cyr, 1950s
4. Young Guard at the shoulder, 2004
5. Young Guard advancing, 2004

Notice the Young Guard advancing has a gray face, while the soldier at the shoulder has a more natural tan. You can tell the figures age by looking at the base colours, lighter means older. Also, by looking at the faces. Early mignot only have black paint on the face, while later ones have more detail and more colour. Also, look at the way the bayonets go. Early mignot have the bayonets to the right, the ones from the post war period to the left, and the modern ones straight up and down. Strange, but true.

Hope you enjoy!

 

[wadepat]

I needed a break, so I decided to take the photos now. From Left to Right:
1. Grenadier of the Old Guard by Mignot, I would say 1920s
2. Chasseur of the Light Infantry, I would say just before ww2, Late 30s
3. Student from the Ecole Militaire de Saint Cyr, 1950s
4. Young Guard at the shoulder, 2004
5. Young Guard advancing, 2004

Notice the Young Guard advancing has a gray face, while the soldier at the shoulder has a more natural tan. You can tell the figures age by looking at the base colours, lighter means older. Also, by looking at the faces. Early mignot only have black paint on the face, while later ones have more detail and more colour. Also, look at the way the bayonets go. Early mignot have the bayonets to the right, the ones from the post war period to the left, and the modern ones straight up and down. Strange, but true.

Hope you enjoy!

Cole,

Your detailed information is amazing! You are presenting information of the type I have always hoped to learn on this forum. I have always wanted to have detailed information which would help me identify manufacturers, general time periods in which specific figures were made, and the history associated with vintage figures. Thanks so much for being generous with your knowledge! I hope you will continue to contribute more of your wisdom!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[jrsteel]

Cole,

Your detailed information is amazing! You are presenting information of the type I have always hoped to learn on this forum. I have always wanted to have detailed information which would help me identify manufacturers, general time periods in which specific figures were made, and the history associated with vintage figures. Thanks so much for being generous with your knowledge! I hope you will continue to contribute more of your wisdom!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

I agree with Pat. Great info. Cole what about different paints used? It seems like figures from the 1950's are more glossy than other eras.

 

[Mignot]

Hello,

Thanks so much for all the compliments! It is my pleasure. I love talking about Mignot. You are quite right that the figures from the 50's are glossy, whereas both the earlier and later models are more of a matt tone. There is something about the post war figures that really captures the spirit of the classic toy soldier, and I think my collection is probably about 60 percent figures from that era. That is also when they came out with what I call the "Big flag" series. Those are IMHO the most beautiful figures Mignot ever put out. For whatever reason, the new stuff just doesn't tempt me. I can spend hours at Au Plat d'Etain looking at the one case of old Mignot and Lucotes in the back, and yet never even be tempted by the 15,000 new Mignots in the rest of the store. Call me old fashioned I guess.

Would any one be interested in a detailed comparison of an Old Lucotte vs. a Modern one?

 

[wadepat]

Hello,

Thanks so much for all the compliments! It is my pleasure. I love talking about Mignot. You are quite right that the figures from the 50's are glossy, whereas both the earlier and later models are more of a matt tone. There is something about the post war figures that really captures the spirit of the classic toy soldier, and I think my collection is probably about 60 percent figures from that era. That is also when they came out with what I call the "Big flag" series. Those are IMHO the most beautiful figures Mignot ever put out. For whatever reason, the new stuff just doesn't tempt me. I can spend hours at Au Plat d'Etain looking at the one case of old Mignot and Lucotes in the back, and yet never even be tempted by the 15,000 new Mignots in the rest of the store. Call me old fashioned I guess.

Would any one be interested in a detailed comparison of an Old Lucotte vs. a Modern one?

Hi Cole,

Yes, I, for one, would be very interested in a detailed comparison of an Old Lucotte vs a Modern one. I think it could be very informative. I would guess that there are a few other members who would be interested as well.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[maddadicus]

For what it is worth, CBG by Mignot is a starter line that is only $65 for 5 marching infantry with flag. I do not know much about the detail, but for someone starting off collecting this line, I feel the price and figures are right....Michael

 

[kilted vampire]

Cole, you have a veritable plethora of visual overload. B.zx@#sttt....

 

[Mignot]

Hahaha.....you should see the sets I have in storage! It all started with one figure but I just can't get enough!

Cheers

Cole

 

[jrsteel]

Cole I acquired these today. Any idea what era they're from?

 

[kilted vampire]

SWEEEEEeeeeet! Where? How much? Are there any more?

 

[Mignot]

JR
Well done lad! You have done quite well! I believe those are Voltigeurs of the Jeunne Garde. I love it when Mignots are a little worse for the wear. These have clearly been played with, and that is NOTHING to be ashamed of. They are beautiful figures. I believe they are made 1950's. Conservative value is 20 dollars per figure.

Well done again.

Cheers mate,

Cole Jones

 

[jrsteel]

Thanks for the info Cole. I see what you mean. They do look better than the newer figures.

 

[Mignot]

JR,

Yes I agree, the more age on the figure the better if you ask me. I just ordered a pre-war eagle bearer and drummer to complete a set I bought in Paris last year. I can't wait to finish this set up!

Wherever you found those figures, go back and find more! And take more pictures!

Thanks,

Cole

 

[jrsteel]

Cole I actually got those figures from my Wife's Aunt. She gave us a box with what I thought would be a Britains State Carriage and those Mignot were "thrown" in there. Turns out the carriage wasn't Britains it was made by Crescent. So the Mignot were the real prize.
I have an Imperial Guard set made in 1978 and I've seen on several sites sets listed saying circa 1978. Is there a signifigance to that year? Were Mignot out of production for awhile and that was the first year back or something?

 

[Mignot]

JR,

I can't say for sure, but I know that it was around then that Mignot switched from the post-1954 style glossy figures to the newer matte style. I have some figures made around the time of your grenadiers (awesome set by the way, I am jealous) and they date from the late 70s-early 90s. These are from the last great era of Mignot. Everything made after the early 90s is garbage IMHO.

Sell the carriage on ebay, and buy some Mignots Lucky find!

Cheers,

Cole