I can't wait to compare these magnificent new sculpts painted in gloss to the Seaforth Highlanders and "Les Miserables" figures K&C produced in 1996, and to the original K&C 15th Ludhiana Sikhs it produced in 1990-91.
At the end of Volume III of the K&C book, the volume about K&C glossy production, I made the following commentary:
"In 1996, finally, two sets of odd figures were added that set the high water mark for K&C’s glossy production, the four medieval Standard Bearers from the Palio Races in Sienna (produced upon a commission from Toy Soldier Magazine) and “Les Miserables”, the figures from the poster for the musical (produced upon a commission from the producers of the musical for the Hong Kong stage, and available only in Hong Kong). The four Palio Standard Bearers are each individually sculpted in separate positions, wear four historically correct heraldic costumes and carry four different heraldic banners. The sculpting is good, but not exceptional by today’s K&C standards, but the glossy paint jobs are the equal of any of the present exceptional matt production. The “Les Mis” figures are exact three-dimensional representations of the figures depicted in the poster for the musical. The sculpting is exceptional and, if matt painted, would look good alongside of the present Napoleonic matt production. These last two sets tease collectors with the unlimited possibilities on the horizon of K&C glossy production, which sadly, were never explored further.
For me, the saddest part of the elimination in 1996 of glossy in favor of matt finish is my belief that, for 18th and 19th Century subjects, the traditional glossy finish for toy soldiers adds a certain element of charm and nostalgia lost with a matt finish. While it is undeniable that a matt finish adds to the reality of the figures, offering them in both matt and gloss, like Andy had been doing, enabled the company to make both traditional toy soldiers and connoisseur historical miniatures from the same ever improving castings."
I can't wait to actually have the chance to see K&C's "even improving castings" painted to a high level in a glossy finish!^&cool^&cool^&cool^&cool
-- Al
