Trophy of Wales (3 Viewers)

[damian]

Here are some more Trophy sets.
Regards
Damian

 

[damian]

I dont know why I got on to Googling for Trophy Minatures - oh, I know, I was browsing a favourite 1/6 scale online store, and found they were selling 1/32nd lead miniatures now. Anyway, I'm posting here as I used to work for Trophy Minatures, back in 78-80 or so -- I forget exact dates now.

It was in Len's back shed in Penarth, and every week or so I'd get a bag of grey undercoated soldiers, and spend countless hours in the late night religiously painting them from top down, in the glossy primary Humbrol enamels we used.

I'd always been into wargaming and painting minatures, which was how I got the job. Looking back on it, I was probably horribly under compensated and am probably brain damaged from all the lead in em, but I loved this job. I'd often get to keep a few special ones for myself, and I also remember making a custom Green Jackets Regiment (well the Napoleonic predecessors) set for my dad's birthday once.

My favourite job was the faces - embelleshing with sideburns, mustaches etc. I hated Kilts the most. Do you know how hard it is to paint tiny thin straight vertical lines on sloping uneven metal...

From the research I did today, it looks like Len grew it into a biggish business - a report he did said he was employing 50+ outworkers after the internet took off. Seems like he retired finally, and may have sold the business to a Texas company?

Thought you might like to hear from an Alumni Think this was my first ever paid job.

Winton Davies

Trophy of Texas has not taken over Trophy. Mike Laeding was Trophy's main US distributor. This happened in the early part of the decade. Len would no longer supply other US dealers only Trophy of Texas. This was controversial at teh time and may have negatively affected US sales of Trophy. Trophy closed its doors in mid 2006. It was bought by Ken Jackson of Maison Militaire who hopes to relaunch Trophy especially their Zulu War range. There is still no news of developments on this front at present. Dealers may still have old stock of Trophy but this is going slowly but surely. I don't really do e bay but there seems to be a regular supply of Trophy on e bay. It mantains its retail value but I am not aware of it showing huge escalations. This may be a slow burn type process I don't know. Certain sets are never really seen much on e bay and these are mostly Zulu war stuff. Trophy was one of the great companies. They bridged the old/new toy soldier divide. Their product is exquisite. There is an artilce comming out in teh Dec edition of TSMF paying tribute to Trophy.
Regards
Damian

 

[kilted vampire]

It was a great read by the way. I really like the Trophy figures and depending on the figure I may go out of the way to get it.

 

[The Lt.]

The Lord Chelmsford along with Lieutenant-Colonel Crealock his Military Secretary and W.H. Longas, Chelmsford's Intepreter pause for a few moments as Chelmsford scans the country side on their way to Isandlwana...The Lt.

 

[The Lt.]

Chelmsford's arrival at Isandlwana...The Lt.

 

[damian]

Chelmsford's arrival at Islandwana on the night of 22 Jan 1879 must have been one of those great Oh dear moments in history. It was dark the ground was slippery with blood and human and animal remains. It must have been terrible. Joe those Trophy figures are great. I always enjoy looking at them.
Regards
Damian

 

[The Lt.]

Chelmsford's arrival at Islandwana on the night of 22 Jan 1879 must have been one of those great Oh dear moments in history. It was dark the ground was slippery with blood and human and animal remains. It must have been terrible. Joe those Trophy figures are great. I always enjoy looking at them.
Regards
Damian

Damian the photo depicts Lord Chelmsford approaching Isandlwana for the first time prior to setting up the base camp and I agree the aftermath of the battle was a terrible site to behold on the morning of the 23rd. Like you Damian I enjoy looking at my Trophy figures a get alot of pleasure setting them up to be photograph. Hope you had a lovely time with your family and that Santa added a few surprises awaiting you on Christmas morning.......The Lt.

 

[damian]

Joe
I worked out that your photo was not intended to represent the return to camp on the hight of 22 nd Jan as it was too bucolic for that. Have you seen the Trophy set " The spears are washed". I think Gideon recently sold one on e bay. It is more in keeping with an after the battle scene.
Thanks for all your great pictures. I look forward to them.
Regards
Damian Clarke

 

[The Lt.]

Joe
I worked out that your photo was not intended to represent the return to camp on the hight of 22 nd Jan as it was too bucolic for that. Have you seen the Trophy set " The spears are washed". I think Gideon recently sold one on e bay. It is more in keeping with an after the battle scene.
Thanks for all your great pictures. I look forward to them.
Regards
Damian Clarke

Yes Damian I'm familar with the Set. Do you know by chance it Gideon got any other sets he plans on parting with? Got plans for providing you with more photos during the coming year.......The Lt.

 

[Mister Dave]

I just wanted to share a nice Ebay item I have just purchased. I probably paid a bit too much, but he was just sitting there waiting for me and, well, I could not resist. I hope you are all enjoying the inter-holiday stretch.

 

[The Lt.]

Nice Choice Mister Dave and the pleasure of having him is worth the cost. Len Taylor and Trophy is sadly missed....The Lt.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I have the Trophy buglar that goes with that officer.

 

[Mister Dave]

Thanks Lt., like I said I just couldn't pass on him, and by the way if anybody is in the market, the seller just warned me he is listing more of this particular figure.

Am I correct in assuming that other than this guy and the bugler, there were 2 other heavy camel regiment figures (colours and trooper)?

 

[The Lt.]

Thanks Lt., like I said I just couldn't pass on him, and by the way if anybody is in the market, the seller just warned me he is listing more of this particular figure.

Am I correct in assuming that other than this guy and the bugler, there were 2 other heavy camel regiment figures (colours and trooper)?

I'm not familar with the series. Damian Clarke may have an answer for you. You may want to check out Trophy of Texas at www.trophyoftexas.com clicking on to Dragon Creast. He show a listing of sets and that may give you the answer your looking for....The Lt.

 

[Mister Dave]

Thanks Lt. I have since gotten the bugler and a rifle toting trooper. Damian, or Lou, any idea how many others and what types were issued?

 

[damian]

Look on the Trophy pf Texas Website. Mike has a complete listing. He does not have pictures up though. There was quite an extensive range including Egyptian Camel Copr, Naval Camel Corp and Gaurds Camel Corp. I can send you some of Mikes pictures but only as a PM.
Well done
Regards
Damian

 

[Mister Dave]

Thanks for the reminder, it was most helpful.

 

[The Lt.]

Once again Damian you've come to the rescue of anothr Trophy Collector and as a reward the Trophy figures are back in action...The Lt.

 

[kilted vampire]

I love those camels! I am going to get one, one of these days.

 

[damian]

Here we go again