Stadden Postman ? (2 Viewers)

[steve j]

Hi,
I am trying to find some information on this figure, it was my late dads and he got it from an aunt of mine who used to work at a west london factory that made them in the 70's but i dont know much more than that. I've googled pewter postman, that pointed me to a similar figure by CC Stadden but the way the letters are held is different as is the paintwork.
Any help with info on this figure would be greatly appreciated, it measures approx 85mm (figure height) plus base which is marked "Copyright Post Office"
I have attached some photographs to show you the figure

Thank you
Steve

 

[theBaron]

Welcome to the forum, Steve!

Are there any markings under the base?

The copyright mark that you mention makes me think that if this were a Stadden, that it were perhaps a specialty piece commissioned for the Royal Mail. But I could be off. I'm more familiar with the 54mm (56mm) line of figures that Stadden sculpted and which were sold through Hinton Hunt and Tradition.

If no one else here recognizes the piece, you might try checking through Tradition's website, http://www.traditionoflondon.com/. They answer inquiries, too.

I'm trying to remember, but I think our chief expert on the larger Stadden figures was Cardigan600, who, sadly, has passed away.

I'll look in my hard-copy catalogs, and see what I can find.

Prosit!
Brad

 

[steve j]

Hi Brad
Thank you for your reply, there is nothing on the base at all, i will have a look on the traditions site and see if its there,
Cheers
Steve

 

[BLReed]

It is not in any of the Tradition or Stadden catalogs. Many times Stadden did the figures
for various organization as awards.......civil servants such as fire brigades and catalog figures
modified to depict a specific military regiment. Usually they came with a base with a crest
of some type.

Here is one currently on eBay. It is not studio painted and the lettering on the base is
a bit crude. My guess is that it has been modified from a base of another figure. Probably
smells of fresh paint also.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHAS-STADDEN-ROYAL-MAIL-POSTMAN-1890-STUDIO-PAINTED-pt-/370670799010?pt=UK_Toys_Games_ToySoldiers_EH&hash=item564db388a2

You might want to check with the Postal Museum to see if they have any record of the copyright.
http://www.postalheritage.org.uk/

 

[steve j]

Thanks for the info BLReed, i saw the one on e-bay and there are some subtle differences. I e-mailed mr A Stadden with some pictures of the figure i have and this is his reply

"This figure was originally made as publicity for the Post Office in the early 1970s.
This was the sculpt that put N Saunders (Metal Products) Ltd in touch with my father and led to the world famous range of 85mm Chas C Stadden Studios Figures.
I have not seen one of the original Post Office figures but I'm guessing that yours is one of those due to the engraved lettering on the base.
Later on this was amended on the original master sculpt to the usual Stadden signature and this figure was sold as part of the Chas C Stadden Range."

I will keep looking to see if i can find out more about it, i have found an archived e-bay listing with the same figure (different paint tho) see the photo attached but can't find any further information

Thanks again

Steve

 

[theBaron]

Quite a find, then, Steve, congratulations!

Prost!
Brad

 

[steve j]

Yes it was Brad,