Red Box Toy soldiers (2 Viewers)

[PolarBear]

The unit in the book is the Queen's Own Corps of Guides, so you are correct Randy.

Thanks Louis!

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis,
thanks for the pictures.
They are indeed really nice. Totally in line with the other Red Box toy soldiers I've seen so far.
Is there a thread where I could see pictures of your West Frontier diorama ?
Thanks
Michel

Yes, the diorama, created by Gordon Neilson at the NY Symposium 2 years ago from the 1997 K&C wood and papier mache Fort and some model rail road diorama materials, is depicted on the "Badolato Collection Photos" thread. Here is a link to the page where the photos of the diorama begin, just keep going forward on the thread for more: http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3308&page=4

 

[Mardasson]

Louis,
That is a truly exceptionnal collection
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Kind regards,
Michel

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis,
That is a truly exceptionnal collection
Thanks for sharing it with us.
Kind regards,
Michel

One of these days if you want to take a spring vacation in the United States, try to attend the New York Symposium, which takes place the weekend after the Westcoaster (usually the second weekend in March). Then you can see my collection, as well as the amazing collections of Lawrence Lo and Mark Hoffman in person, and meet some of the manufacturers (Andy Neilson of King & County, John Jenkins of John Jenkins Designs and Ken Osen of Britains this year) and many interesting collectors from around the world.

 

[Oldboy]

Beautiful Set,Thank you both for sharing them ob

 

[Bloiky]

I can update you somewhat on what happened to The Red Box Toy Soldier Company and some of the history of the company. Firstly the models were indeed sold mainly in red boxes but for some of the larger orders Dennis used to pack them in larger plain packaging. The company was run by Dennis Johnson, his wife Gail and their friend Peter Loxley and was based out of Manorfield House in Aston cum Aughton, Sheffield. Dennis and Peter did most of the modelling and Dennis did most of the casting of the figures, although at one point he did employ some local people to cast the figures and to do most of the painting. Dennis was great at converting pre existing models that he'd made into various permutations and Peter was an excellent 'from scratch' modeler. I would defy anyone to beat Peter on scale and shear detail. Red Box came after the original company that was known as Mitrecap miniatures. Mitrecap also produced models by Dennis, Peter and other famous modelers such as Keith Durham. Dennis used to run masters courses in his converted barn located next to his farm house. These courses used to provide enthusiasts with an opportunity to paint and learn from some of the talented painters of the day such as Peter Cooper and the late great Joe Shaw. Red Box / Mitrecap used to exhibit and sell at many of the shows across the UK such as Euro Militaire and Northern Militaire. The company did cease trading several years ago, I last spent time with Dennis and Peter in 1999 and I think the company ceased trading a couple of years later. Although I'm no longer in contact with Dennis (which is a pity) I heard that they retired and moved to Spain where they live in the Valencia region.

 

[ucla1967]

I remember someone exclusively selling Red Box figures at an early 1990s West Coaster in California. I don't know if it was Dennis Johnson or a US dealer. In any case, I bought some figures from him which came unboxed; I subsequently sold them. Who ever it was, I suggested that Red Box start packaging their figures in a red box (a novel idea). According to Stuart Asquith, Red Box had two main ranges: ceremonial and colonial. The ceremonials were done by Peter Loxley and represented the British Army in 1910 in a variety of drill positions. The colonial side featured mountain artillery and camel corps figures. Asquith also states that the figures come three to a box, which clearly wasn't the case when I first saw them.

 

[Bloiky]

We'll soon have enough background and history between us to write a book on Red Box. I'm not sure who the exclusive supplier was in the US. The name Tony Ciccarello rings a bell but he may have been a collector rather than a supplier.

By the way Red Box also produced some civilian figures to complement the ceremonial range such as a busker/street musician, a balloon seller, an Edwardian era postman and a butler holding a serving tray. I think I still have a balloon seller somewhere in the attic. I had many of these figures but sold them a few years ago on ebay. I actually sculpted the postman and butler with some guidance from Peter Loxley as I was learning at the time.

 

[Martin Tabony]

Tony Ciccarello had a shop in Highland Falls NY, he used to regularly visit the London show where I started dealing with him,

Martin

 

[ucla1967]

We'll soon have enough background and history between us to write a book on Red Box. I'm not sure who the exclusive supplier was in the US. The name Tony Ciccarello rings a bell but he may have been a collector rather than a supplier.

By the way Red Box also produced some civilian figures to complement the ceremonial range such as a busker/street musician, a balloon seller, an Edwardian era postman and a butler holding a serving tray. I think I still have a balloon seller somewhere in the attic. I had many of these figures but sold them a few years ago on ebay. I actually sculpted the postman and butler with some guidance from Peter Loxley as I was learning at the time.

He was not a collector, but rather had some direct connection to Red Box. I am not sure if it was Tony Ciccarello or not; I don't remember him selling at the West Coaster in any capacity.