New WB Series Debuts in Michigan (2 Viewers)

[PolarBear]

Sorry, I don't get it. While Britains Napoleonic collectors are awaiting important additions such as artillery, mounted cavalry, Prussians, etc. - What do we get ? - Jane Austin. I would have thought this was a joke if I didn't see the pictures.

At a time that WB are making short runs of figures and taking up to 6 months to restock some popular sets, a new line such as this, along with buildings seems to be stretching things a bit thin.

Jane Austen's novels include a number of characters from the military both British Army and Royal Navy (for example Persuasion)of the Napoleonic Era. Scholars are looking at this very subject in current articles

Here are some examples:

Abstract
Nineteenth-Century Literature
September 2002, Vol. 57, No. 2, Pages 153–178
Posted online on December 3, 2003.
(doi:10.1525/ncl.2002.57.2.153)

Sighing for a Soldier: Jane Austen and Military Pride and Prejudice
Tim Fulford*


This essay is a study of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813) in the context of the social and political debates and scandals surrounding the militia and the regular army in England in the period from 1790 to 1813. I argue that Austen's novel contains a vein of reference to these debates, and that in portraying Wickham she was making a detailed commentary on the new culture of social and sexual mobility that the militia spread across the nation. I argue further that Austen's critique of the militia and its habits drew her into alliance - on this issue at least - with the Whig and radical writers and campaigners whom she is normally thought to have opposed: Cobbett, Leigh Hunt, Coleridge, and Wordsworth. In conclusion, I suggest that the militia helped Austen formulate her discriminating account of the changing gender roles and sexual mores of the Regency period.

Some links to articles about the Regency Era military and Austen

http://www.janeausten.co.uk/magazine/page.ihtml?pid=101&step=4

http://www.janeausten.co.uk/magazine/index.ihtml?id=35&step=2

http://www.janeausten.co.uk/magazine/page.ihtml?pid=154&step=4

Stills of military characters in Austen films"

 

[PolarBear]

A satirical 1815 English print from the Austen/Regency/Napoleonic Era
called The Elopement

A soldier, a damsel and a town--all ingredients captured by W. Britain's new series. Ken & Ericka make extensive use of the primary source visual materials produced during the era to replicate the uniforms and clothing worn by both the military and civilian population of the time. Just think of the Austen series as providing historical context and reality to the Napoleonic Era. What I wouldn't give to have a similar in-depth treatment for say the Anglo-Sudan War or British life on the North-West Frontier to use with my soldier displays.

 

[WBritain]

And all that said....there are many great new MILITARY offerings in the catalog for the Napoleonic period too. We'd never leave the likes of Dragoon or any of our other stalwart military collectors behind.

W. Britain will never forget who brought us to the dance...we just thought it might be nice to have some ladies join us for a change.

 

[cantinetozzo]

I think will be a great series..i hope there will be something similar to K&C Dickens Series..i love the Victorian period and i regret having started this hobby too late to collect it..but nonetheless i'll buy these figures..they're really full of life!!!

 

[BlackHat]

I just showed the pictures earlier in this thread to my 11-year old daughter, and she loves them. I think this series could be a great way to attract other people to the hobby.

Can't wait to see ACW civilians!

 

[PolarBear]

Regarding the successful mixing of civilians and military figures Bill Hocker in his traditional toy soldier lines has provided an excellent example of the exciting possibilities for interesting scenes:


118 British Army at Ease in India
195 Camp Followers (AWI)
325 Regimental Muster (ACW)
326 Recruitment parade (ACW)

 

[1879fanatic]

Regarding the successful mixing of civilians and military figures Bill Hocker in his traditional toy soldier lines has provided an excellent example of the exciting possibilities for interesting scenes:


118 British Army at Ease in India
195 Camp Followers (AWI)
325 Regimental Muster (ACW)
326 Recruitment parade (ACW)

Randy,
The W Hocker figures are pure art in their own right. I love the camp followers and the At Ease in India. I just don't like the "toyish" look of them.
Mike

 

[GICOP]

Regarding the successful mixing of civilians and military figures Bill Hocker in his traditional toy soldier lines has provided an excellent example of the exciting possibilities for interesting scenes:


118 British Army at Ease in India
195 Camp Followers (AWI)
325 Regimental Muster (ACW)
326 Recruitment parade (ACW)

Randy,
The W Hocker figures are pure art in their own right. I love the camp followers and the At Ease in India. I just don't like the "toyish" look of them.
Mike

I do like these Wm Hocker sets

No 95 Bandstand & Band of the RMLI
No 117 Our Army Off Duty at Home

No 68 Naval Brigade Fiddle Band

It is just a shame that they are not made in a chunkier Trophy of Wales style

Cheers

Martyn

 

[PolarBear]

I do like these Wm Hocker sets

No 95 Bandstand & Band of the RMLI
No 117 Our Army Off Duty at Home

No 68 Naval Brigade Fiddle Band

It is just a shame that they are not made in a chunkier Trophy of Wales style

Cheers

Martyn

They are wonderfully charming and nostalgic of the original Britains sets and have their own Victorian flavor. Where else can you find subjects like this that truly capture the look and feel of the Empire at its height? I would guess that Imperial came closest. You've got to love dad & grandpa on the floor playing with the boy's soldiers while the child complains to the real boss of the house. The set they are playing with is Bill's first set (seen below).

Randy

 

[The Lt.]

Looks like the WM Hocker Glossy are making their Debut on the Britain's Matte Thread and are creating just as much excitement a the newly introduced Britain Series. I wonder if the new Brit's will be appearing on the WM Hocke Glossy Thread to create the same excitement....The Lt.

 

[1879fanatic]

Looks like the WM Hocker Glossy are making their Debut on the Britain's Matte Thread and are creating just as much excitement a the newly introduced Britain Series. I wonder if the new Brit's will be appearing on the WM Hocke Glossy Thread to create the same excitement....The Lt.

Lt.
Is that yellow card to the Hocker team?
Mike

 

[PolarBear]

Looks like the WM Hocker Glossy are making their Debut on the Britain's Matte Thread and are creating just as much excitement a the newly introduced Britain Series. I wonder if the new Brit's will be appearing on the WM Hocke Glossy Thread to create the same excitement....The Lt.

Here's WH on RW:
Interviewer: And what peaked your own interest in American themes after years of concentrating on the Victorian era?

William Hocker: To answer the last question first: Richard Walker, the great toy soldier tinderbox , connected at the time to a toy shop in Williamsburg, suggested a fife & drum band that might be carried by the store. Research led to John Mollo's book of Am Rev uniforms: it was a transforming experience. The variety and color of the uniforms, the historical significance, the dearth of things available, a desire to begin an American slant to the products of an American maker all came together.

(And we must not forget that traditional W. Britain has been Bill's major starting point for his lines.)

 

[damian]

A satirical 1815 English print from the Austen/Regency/Napoleonic Era
called The Elopement

A soldier, a damsel and a town--all ingredients captured by W. Britain's new series. Ken & Ericka make extensive use of the primary source visual materials produced during the era to replicate the uniforms and clothing worn by both the military and civilian population of the time. Just think of the Austen series as providing historical context and reality to the Napoleonic Era. What I wouldn't give to have a similar in-depth treatment for say the Anglo-Sudan War or British life on the North-West Frontier to use with my soldier displays.

Jane Austen has been" on the shelf" for over two hundred years.

 

[craig1985taylor]

As for the buildings, those that collect bands will now have appropriate buildings to set the scene for their parading bands. Those with WWII figures can recreate training scenes (think of Band of Brothers when they were doing maneuvers in England). Though this range may be inspired by Jane Austen's writing it is certainly not limited to it.
All the best,
Ericka Osen

Love the pub can't wait to see what other buildings are going to pop up in this series! One question tho will my glossy coldstream guards band look the right scale parading in front of it? As i know there is a slight difference in scale between the gloss & matte ranges?

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi There!
I always consider the general market when designing the scenic items for sale by the companies I have worked for.
This comes from the hard lesson with my own building and castle line designed years ago for true 25 mm figures. In the end although the medieval period had door and window sizes all over the place, the buildings looked small as the war game industry 25 mm standard became 28 mm to 30 mm.
These new buildings for W. Britain have the advantage of predating many of the building codes we now adhere to, as a result I made all of the door and floor heights look good for almost any figure from true 54 mm to 60 mm. I am sure we have an image around here with the W. Britain's Redcoat 1760 mounted officer and the 1760 Petticoat. We will post it soon to put your mind at ease as far as using these as a backdrop for your Coldstream Guards Band.
There will be two more buildings, some garden walls and a scenic accessory set to help launch with this new range. I am sure they will be useful to collectors of several ranges and periods, including other popular companies currently in the market.
All the Best!
Ken

 

[craig1985taylor]

Hi There!
I always consider the general market when designing the scenic items for sale by the companies I have worked for.
This comes from the hard lesson with my own building and castle line designed years ago for true 25 mm figures. In the end although the medieval period had door and window sizes all over the place, the buildings looked small as the war game industry 25 mm standard became 28 mm to 30 mm.
These new buildings for W. Britain have the advantage of predating many of the building codes we now adhere to, as a result I made all of the door and floor heights look good for almost any figure from true 54 mm to 60 mm. I am sure we have an image around here with the W. Britain's Redcoat 1760 mounted officer and the 1760 Petticoat. We will post it soon to put your mind at ease as far as using these as a backdrop for your Coldstream Guards Band.
There will be two more buildings, some garden walls and a scenic accessory set to help launch with this new range. I am sure they will be useful to collectors of several ranges and periods, including other popular companies currently in the market.
All the Best!
Ken

Thats great news thanks Ken Iv been wondering for ages what i could use as a back drop for this band & i think you have finally given me an answer with this series!!! Now all i need is a barracks for my FIW Redcoats & id be a very happy man

 

[thebritfarmer]

Thats great news thanks Ken Iv been wondering for ages what i could use as a back drop for this band & i think you have finally given me an answer with this series!!! Now all i need is a barracks for my FIW Redcoats & id be a very happy man

I just remember you have the Hospital Craig and your glossy figures go with that ok so I think you should be fine

 

[craig1985taylor]

I just remember you have the Hospital Craig and your glossy figures go with that ok so I think you should be fine

Yes they do just thought id double check before i go buying the pub lol looks like im finally going to start making a few dioramas for my soldiers at long last hehe

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hello!
Ken asked me to post this picture of the Red Lion Inn with the Redcoat Officer and his Petticoat Lady. Remember that the Ladies are a little shorter than their Red Coated Gentleman.
All the Best,
Ericka

 

[thebritfarmer]

Thanks Ericka.

The glossies look lovely with the new building.