Soldier boxes (1 Viewer)

[Wolfgang]

Can anybody help please - where would I get those blank cardboard boxes (with or without fabric-cover) to store toy soldiers in. Just like the old Britains boxes. What would be a fair price for say 200 such boxes? Any other names I would have to google for???
Greatfull for any advice.
greetings
Wolfgang

p.S. would could old splintwood boxes be accepted by collectors these days??

 

[theBaron]

Hi, Wolfgang, I know that I have seen at least 1 company that makes classic toy soldier boxes, but off the top of my head, I cannot remember. I am sure I saw such a listing in either Toy Soldier & Model Figure or Old Toy Soldier. I will look through the back issues when I get home tonight and post what I can find.

Prosit!
Brad

 

[Wolfgang]

Hi, Wolfgang, I know that I have seen at least 1 company that makes classic toy soldier boxes, but off the top of my head, I cannot remember. I am sure I saw such a listing in either Toy Soldier & Model Figure or Old Toy Soldier. I will look through the back issues when I get home tonight and post what I can find.

Prosit!
Brad

That would be great - thanks a lot for taking the trouble
rgds
Wolfgang

 

[theBaron]

No trouble at all, glad to help!

I forgot about your postscript--I don't know how receptive people would be to the old, traditional boxes, but I use wooden boxes for some of my figures. There was a brand of tea sold in this country for a number of years, Hadley's, I think it was, and they packaged their tea in boxes made of a soft wood, maybe basswood, with a sliding panel for a lid. Those boxes were just the right size for a single 54mm figure and some padding to keep it from moving. I painted them Loden green (hi, Jeff!), and I like the way they look. I've scavenged similar boxes of different sizes and painted them the same way, too. I also use candy boxes made of stiff cardboard. I use white glue as a sizing, and glue foil paper over the original covering. They're not red, but I think it captures the nature of old toy boxes.

Prost!
Brad

 

[4th Hussar]

Bruntons Barracks has red boxes for both cavalry and infantry. They cost $5 and 3.

 

[theBaron]

Thanks, Hussar! I think they're the ones I was thinking of.

 

[4th Hussar]

There was a company that made Toy soldier boxes of various sizes - HitMan Design, but there web page has disappeared

 

[Wolfgang]

Thanks, Hussar! I think they're the ones I was thinking of.

Thank you both, the price is ok I guess, but ordering from the US will make them more expensive - but I will have a close look anyway.
What I had in mind is attached - would you 2008-collectors be attracted by such a box as means of a "sales-unit"? I like the nostalic looks of it - how about you ??? Plenty of ways to produce good looking labels here and somewhat truly good old fashioned european ... in a way.
regards
Wolfgang

Sorry about the poor quality of the pic...

 

[thebritfarmer]

The box is certainly different from normal toy soldier boxes. I think if you could find some like that it would be very nice.

 

[theBaron]

Exactly, that's it, that's the tradional planed-wood box, or Spänenschachtel, that German flats ("Zinnsoldaten") were packaged in, back in the day.

 

[Wolfgang]

Exactly, that's it, that's the tradional planed-wood box, or Spänenschachtel, that German flats ("Zinnsoldaten") were packaged in, back in the day.

This is proofing to be very intersting, as you can see german folk art industry is using them still to the present day, in Germany they are very common and easy to get in various shapes and sizes. Still made by homeworkers they are 100 % handcrafted. My mother in law knows of such a "factory" where she lives deep deep inside the bavarian forrests - no catalouge no email but good solid work as I could see when I visited some time ago - prices where very good indeed. Perhaps something to remember
Wolfgang

 

[thebritfarmer]

I am sure I have seen similar boxes over here in round, oval & rectangular in the dollar stores. (Unpainted of course)

 

[theBaron]

I think the craft store chains carry them, too. I'm pretty sure I've seen them at Michael's, and AC Moore may have them.

If you want to go really big with round, wooden boxes, check your local dairy for cheese boxes. I bought one from a butcher at the Quakertown Farmers Market, they sell cheese, and they sell the boxes that their wheels of cheese come in. I got one that's about 20 inches in diameter and about 5 inches deep. If I ever fill it, though, it'd weigh a ton!

Prost!
Brad

 

[kilted vampire]

This is proofing to be very intersting, as you can see german folk art industry is using them still to the present day, in Germany they are very common and easy to get in various shapes and sizes. Still made by homeworkers they are 100 % handcrafted. My mother in law knows of such a "factory" where she lives deep deep inside the bavarian forrests - no catalouge no email but good solid work as I could see when I visited some time ago - prices where very good indeed. Perhaps something to remember
Wolfgang

I love this stuff. Those boxes are classy as all get out. Bavarian wood workers are some of the best!