Re-release of Pearce Miniatures Australian WWI 54mm Furphy Water Cart by WETS (1 Viewer)

[Wilsonedward]

Hello Forum,

Pearce Miniatures of Australia ceased trading nearly 3 years ago now after the sudden death of the proprietor Rick Pearce. Rick produced a large and varied assortment of 54mm Australian themed toy soldiers, including WWI Gallipoli, Middle East and Europe figures, guns and accessories, in both gloss and matt finishes.

Many of you out there may own a set or two and we'd love to hear from anyone who does

One of the nicest pieces Rick made was an Australian WWI Furphy Water Cart attended by 2 Australian Light Horse figures (as illustrated) and we recently obtained the rights from Ricks dad to produce this model again.

We are very happy to announce that the "Furphy" will again be available to collectors worldwide as we will be adding the model to the WETS Catalogue in about a month. The model will be available painted (gloss & matt) and in kit form with the addition of 3 brand new ANZAC figures made specially by us to accompany the Furphy (as illustrated).

As time progresses, we hope to add other Pearce Miniatures to our catalogue, including a lovely Australian WWI 18-pounder with crew, a series of mounted WWI Australian Light Horsemen and some ANZAC Infantry figures so watch this space

Regards,

Craig & Jason Pearse
Wilson Edward Toy Soldiers
Australia

 

[tdubel]

Hello Forum,

Pearce Miniatures of Australia ceased trading nearly 3 years ago now after the sudden death of the proprietor Rick Pearce. Rick produced a large and varied assortment of 54mm Australian themed toy soldiers, including WWI Gallipoli, Middle East and Europe figures, guns and accessories, in both gloss and matt finishes.

Many of you out there may own a set or two and we'd love to hear from anyone who does

One of the nicest pieces Rick made was an Australian WWI Furphy Water Cart attended by 2 Australian Light Horse figures (as illustrated) and we recently obtained the rights from Ricks dad to produce this model again.

We are very happy to announce that the "Furphy" will again be available to collectors worldwide as we will be adding the model to the WETS Catalogue in about a month. The model will be available painted (gloss & matt) and in kit form with the addition of 3 brand new ANZAC figures made specially by us to accompany the Furphy (as illustrated).

As time progresses, we hope to add other Pearce Miniatures to our catalogue, including a lovely Australian WWI 18-pounder with crew, a series of mounted WWI Australian Light Horsemen and some ANZAC Infantry figures so watch this space

Regards,

Craig & Jason Pearse
Wilson Edward Toy Soldiers
Australia

I just tried to buy one of these on ebay the other night and got outbid! It is a neat item.

Tom

 

[Obee]

Craig,

its great to see that you are able to re-release this unique set that is now a part of the history of Australia. The additional soldiers you are producing will really make a wonderful vignette and so I thought I'd let the other members know about the history of this wagon, and how the name has gone into our vocabulary:

In Australia a false or unreliable rumour is a Furphy.

The earliest recorded use is 1915, and, indeed, it seems to come from the diggers of the First World War. The firm of Joseph Furphy and Sons operated a foundry at Shepparton in the late 1800s. One of their products was a water cart. These water carts were used by the Australian Army in World War I and (inevitably) became the place where diggers gathered and gossiped. The name Furphy was prominently printed on the back of each water cart, and became the name for the unreliable gossip exchanged there. When soldiers start swapping stories – especially about what the brass have got planned for them, where they’ll be shifted next, and when they’ll get some leave – they are bound to get it wrong: and, hence, to spread Furphies.
Each Furphy water cart had the following words of wisdom on the side: “Good, better, best: never let it rest, until your good is better – and your better best.”

If you have a close look at the ends of the finely scupted water tank you can see that Rick has managed to reproduce that motto and the other works associated with the company, this is a masterpiece!

Even though I have painted a few carts for other collectors I still don't have one in my own collection, so I'll make sure I have one, when they are released soon.

John

 

[Obee]

Craig has just posted his Christmas Greetings email to collectors, and incuded the good news that :

The Aussie Furphy is back!!!​

NEW for 2011 … the re-release of Pearce Miniature Australian WWI Furphy Water Cart & Crew

Available painted in gloss or matt or as an unpainted & unassembled kit

WETS CATALOGUE REF: WE-MDE-23

So if you are loking for one, here is the palce to go:

Wilson Edwards Toy Soldiers
1 Nightingale Street, Maryborough, Victoria, 3465, Australia

Tel +61-3-5461-5139 Email soldiers@aapt.net.au