Question: Britains Set #44D (1 Viewer)

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

As I promised several weeks ago, I intend to post several W. Britains related questions. This post is the first of my questions. I hope someone can add to my knowledge of Set #44D - Her Majesty's State Coach.

As I understand it, this set was issued as a commerative set to celebrate the Queen's Coronation. It is smaller than the usual 54 mm scale and it is gold in color. According to Opie (The Great Book of Britains):

"This was previously in the catalogue as 1478 with four horses. The new version used the same casting of the coach with a new flat-lead casting in a loop, bent double to provide the four pairs of horses for a full eight-horse team. The miniature set came in a cream-coloured cardboard box for 1/10d including purchase tax. It was deleted in 1957." - Opie, page 423, 1993

I own this piece and it still resides in its original cream colored box with the original packing and the original price tax is still affixed to the box - $1.00. I have never seen this piece in anyone's collection, but, then again, I have seen very few other Britains collections.

Recently, while shopping in an antique mall in a nearby city, I spotted this piece in a case and the piece was labeled as a "stage coach." I quickly purchased it and was delighted to add a second one to my collection (original box not included.)

Several weeks later, while shopping in another antique mall in another nearby city, I spotted yet another one of these pieces. This time it was labeled as "Cinderella's coach." Already having two such pieces in my collection, I did not purchase it.

Now, for my question. Does anyone know the relative value or rarity of this piece? For many years, I have never seen this piece anywhere except in my own collection and to suddenly find two such pieces in two different antique malls in two different cities seems quite incredible to me. Any additional information that can be supplied to me concerning this piece will be greatly appreciated!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Leadmen]

Pat: I don't know if you have O'Brien book on foreign made toy soldiers. He has state coach listed as #1476 and 1477 which w ere latger sets-1476-29pieces and 1477 procession which had footmen and outriders 75pcs. He list 1478 also has Cinderella coach $350.00-$1000.00 depending on condition. Leadmen

 

[Leadmen]

Set 1470 State Coach of England is the full size one. 8 horses- gilded coach with King George- wire harnesses. 11 pieces Made 1937-1953. I have one with George. Also, 1478 miniature state coach with four horses- small scale about 6 inches long in gilt paint. Only made in 1937 has a souvenir piece. Set 1503 (1937-39) was another miniature set with only two horses. John

 

[wadepat]

John,

Yes, I have a copy of the 1997 edition of O'Brien's Collecting Foreign Made Toy Soldiers. If we have the same edition of O'Brien's, look at the bottom of page 79. There you will see a picture of the miniature state coach, with an eight horse team. O'Brien's lists this set as #1503 and indicates a value of $20.00 to $50.00 depending on condition.

If you have Opie's 1993 edition of The Great Book of Britains, check page 304. You will find the following:

"Set #1478 Miniature State Coach, with four horses. A small scale souvenir piece sold for 9d. On sale only in 1937."

Further, on page 304, Opie states:

"Set 1503 Miniature State Coach, with two horses. The same as coach as 1478, but with just two horses for 6d. In the list until 1939."

Now, turn to page 423 of Opie's book. There you will find the discription of set #44D. Set #1478 (four horse miniature state coach) was revived for the new Coronation, but with an eight horse team (Set 44D.) The piece was finally deleted in 1957. I have quoted Opie's paragraph in my first posting on this thread. I received this set as a gift in the early 1950's.

When it comes to Britains, I will trust Opie's information over O'Brien's information any time. The picture that O'Brien shows of set #1503 (eight horse team) on page 79 is, I believe, really a picture of set #44D. If you have information that will prove me wrong, please share it so I might correct my understanding of this set. I would love to know for certain what set I own, but I believe I have correctly identified the piece. Further, the cream colored box in which the piece resides is labeled 44D.

Whew! Now I know why I do not ask too many questions regarding early Britains! It causes me to spend great amounts of time documenting my assumptions! It makes my brain hurt!

Now, back to my original question. I assume that since this was a souvenir piece, many were made and,...probably many were ultimately discarded with time. Regarding the value of the piece, I suspect that O'Brien's value listed for set #1503 is close to what 44D is worth, but, if I am correct about O'Brien misidentifying the piece, then his listed value is suspect. Again, any information or clarification you can provide will be highly appreciated!

Don't you just love a good mystery?

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Leadmen]

Pat: I am confused and don't know enough about the set. When I see my friend I will ask him if he knows. Leadmen

 

[wadepat]

Pat: I am confused and don't know enough about the set. When I see my friend I will ask him if he knows. Leadmen

John,

Thanks for exploring my issue with your friend. I hope my more detailed explantion regarding the identification of the piece did not confuse you too much. My explanation simply reflects the journey I took in attempting to accurately identify the piece. Any light you and your friend can help shed on my question will be greatly appreciated!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat