Visiting Yesteryear (1 Viewer)

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

One of the things that always seems to bring an amused smile to my face is when someone describes figures as old when they were produced during the 1990's. Doubtless for the younger collector, 1990's figures are old. However, for an even older geezer like myself, the 1990's figures are recent. Let me explain.

I was born in 1942 and my interest in toy soldiers began to grow in the late 1940's and in the 1950's. Consequently, figures from this era are very special to me and I collect a few examples of them. Not only are they special to me because they represent the toys of my past, they are special to me as examples of the history of toy soldiering. Having them displayed in my collection allows me to illustrate the development of figures over a span of more than 50 years.

Today's toy soldiers are much better sculpted and more exquisitely painted than those produced in the 1940's and 1950's. Perhaps that is why so little interest in these older figures is evident in the ranks of Treefroggers. To truly appreciate these figures, one must realize that they represented the state of the art at the time they were manufacturered. What the figures lacked in sculpting, authenticity, accuracy, and painting were quickly counterbalanced by the imagination of the children who played with them. The figures of that era were loved as much by children and collectors of that time as today's figures are loved by the current crop of collectors.

As most of you know, I have recently moved into a new house and I am only just now unpacking my collection. And, one of the first groups of figures I am unpacking are my vintage figures from the 1950's. As I handle and admire each individual piece, I am reminded of the endless hours of fun they provided.

Rightly or wrongly, I have decided to post a few photographs of these figures. I am hopeful that at least a few among you will enjoy them as much as I do. I should warn you that these figures are not pristine for they bear evidence of being used for the purpose for which they were created. Please forgive them for their less than new appearance and remember, few among us survive to this age without a few nicks, scrapes, and scars. I also want to remind you that toy soldiers is my hobby, not photography!

Please let me know if you enjoy this journey into yesteryear. If you do, I shall add more pictures as I unpack and photograph more of my vintage figures. If you do not enjoy the pictures, then let me know and I shall content myself with appreciating the figures privately. My next post will contain my first set of photographs.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[woodenwarriors]

I can hardly wait. I grew up then too and my best memories were a old dirt bank where many a battle was fought. Time tears tall mountains down but I will play in the dust of them as long as I can.
Charlie

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

Well, here we go into yesteryear. Before you view the pictures below, let me remind you once again that my hobby is toy soldiers, not photography!

You should find five pictures posted below. These figures of American Indians were produced in the early 1950's by Crescent. You will quickly see that the skin tones are a glossy and distinct copper color. Once you see this color, you can almost identify Crescent Indians from across the room.

I am greatly drawn to the crawling Indian figures as I can imagine them quietly sneaking up on an unsuspecting foe. The same holds true for the Indian figures that are walking and carrying a tomahawk in their right hand.

It is also interesting to me that identical poses were painted in different colors to provide some variety in the presentation of the figures. If so inclined, the the playful child could assign different names to separate figures and, thereby, create an even more personal playtime event.

I also find that some of these poses are significantly creative. They may seem simple by today's standards, but, remember, the power of a child's imagination quickly overcame this deficit.

If you would like to see a few more American Indian figures from the 1950's, you may do so by watching for my next post!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[ROAN]

Today's toy soldiers are much better sculpted and more exquisitely painted than those produced in the 1940's and 1950's.

Could this be because they aren’t really toys???

Anyway, looking forward to seeing the rest of your collection.

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

Let me show you just a few more American Indians. These figures were manufactured by JoHillCo. Found in the first picture are three figures: 1) an Indian Dancing, 2) a chief holding a peace pipe in his left hand (his arm moves to offer the pipe to another), and 3) an Indian Medicine Man holding a totum in each hand. Again, you might note a very similar copper skin tone that is present on the Crescent figures. However, if you could view them in your hands, you would see subtile differences in the colors.

The second picture includes two more figures and a bonfire. One of the figures is beating a drum while the other figure dances around the fire. The bonfire was also manufactured by JoHillCo.

Finally, found in the third picture are three Indians kneeling and firing. Remember I indicated that you would see some nicks and scars. You might notice that one of the Indians has suffered a near miss from his enemy as his feathers have been shot from his head. See how children (and old geezers like me) use their imagination to overcome the deficits of quality sculpting and painting? I know Charlie "get 'em in the dirt" Woodenwarriors clearly understands this process. You do, don't you Charlie?

Oh, well. Enough pictures for now. When I return, I will post pictures of my Cowboys (and Cowgirl). What would Indians be without a few Cowboys with whom to fuss and fight!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[woodenwarriors]

Yes Pat I am pretty good with my imagination That was the true intent of these toys to use your imagination and have fun . It is refreshing to see a few older toys here Thanks
charlie

 

[The Lt.]

Pat your doing extremely well in photographing your toy soldiers or should say little works of art. I know it was a great deal of work setting up and moving into your new home but boy am I glad you did. Look at the rewards we're getting as you unpackage and set them up in their new home. Thanks Pat it's great seeing what comes out of your treasures chest and the time spent sharing them....The Lt.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Pat,

Now that was fun to see all those wild indians with feathers and no elephants! But seriously those are really fun! Thanks for sharing them.

All the best

Dave

 

[eborris]

I remember those figures as a kid, only I had them in plastic. I also remember the companion cowboys, especially one cowboy with what appeared to be extremely hairy chaps.

 

[Leadmen]

Nice work on the pictures and posting some older figures. Thanks Pat> I find it interesting the figures your older collectors had years ago. John

 

[kilted vampire]

Hi Pat,

Now that was fun to see all those wild indians with feathers and no elephants! But seriously those are really fun! Thanks for sharing them.

All the best

Dave

AWwwwww, I like the elephants!

Pat thank you for sharing the toys of yesteryear! I will post a picture of the Betons that I bought from Leadmen when I was in Chicago.

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

I have returned to this thread. Now,...where was I? Oh, yes, I was beginning my travels through yesteryear. I believe I showed you some figures that were like those with which I played as a young boy. American Indians weren't they? Well, what would the Indians be without cowboys around to cause them grief?

As a youngster in the 1950's I engaged in endless adventures with cowboys and Indians. When the weather was nice, I would be outside wearing my double holster with a six-shooter (toy guns) on each hip. Each gun had a zillion notches carved in the handles, one for each bad guy I had planted in Boot Hill.

When I was so garbed, I was known throughout the town as "Pistol Packin' Pat." Well,...maybe not throughout the entire town. Would you believe in my neighborhood? Actually,...I only assumed that identity when I was in the backyard playing by myself. I was never so stupid as to reveal my fantasy reputation even to my friends for fear of eternal redicule! To be truthful, I am not sure why I am sharing this information with you now as I am certain my fellow Froggers will never let me live it down!

When it was too cold or rainy to play outside, I would continue my adventures indoors with cowboy and Indian figures. Figures like the ones with which I used to play can be viewed below. Most of the figures you see were manufactured by Crescent. As you can tell from viewing the pictures, these figures were engaged in the activity for which they were intended.

Picture #1 is a group shot of those figures which I display in my curio cabinets.

Picture #2 is a shot of the figure of Annie Oakley. The face of this figure has suffered some paint loss, but please note her skirt. Given the fact these figures were toys intended for children's play, I find it impressive that Annie's skirt was sculpted so nicely. The extra touch of the toymaker was unnecessary for the delightful play of the child.

Picture #3 presents a cowboy who is squatting while firing his pistol.

Additional pictures of cowboys follow this post. I hope you will stay with me.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

Below you should find five more pictures of cowboy figures. Let me summarize what you will see.

Picture #1: Cowboy kneeling and firing two pistols (aka Pistol Packin' Pat).

Picture #2: Cowboy standing with raised pistol.

Picture #3: Cowboys standing and firing pistol from the hip.

Picture #4: Cowboy with lasso.

Picture #5: Cowboy standing firing rifle.

Wait! Don't stop reading now! I have just a few more cowboy and Indian figures to show you. Please progress to my next post!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Gentle friends,

Many of these wonderful play items could be purchased in the local dimestore. Among the many figures available during the early 1950's were figures manufactured in post-war Japan. Often, you could buy certain sets of these Japanese produced figures in boxed sets, five figures to a box. The figures you see below are just such figures. They were not exceptionally well sculpted nor well painted, but they brought many hours of fun to their owners. I still have a set or two of such figures that have never been removed from the original boxes. The price tag on these boxes reads $0.59.

The figures pictured below were manufactured by the post-war Japanese company of Sonsco. You might notice the mounted cowboy. He was one of the figures included with the four standing cowboys. The mounted figure, horse + cowboy, is exactly the same height as the standing figures. By producing the mounted figure as the same height as the standing figures, they all fit nicely in a smaller box. Back then, we were not so concerned with scale. We played with them all, large and small.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

At last I come to the end of the cowboy and Indian figures I display in my curio cabinets. This figure is very special to me as I have never seen another one like it.

Do any of you remember the movie cowboy, Hopalong Cassidy? He also appeared in comic books of the time. He wore black pants and a black shirt. He even wore a black hat, but he was one of the good guys. Timpo made a figure of Hopalong on his horse, Topper. While I am sure this figure is not particularly rare, I have never seen another one. I hope you enjoy seeing him.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

Not all of my playtime was spent engaging in Wild West adventures as you will see in my next series of pictures illustrating my journey through yesteryear. If you watch closely, you may see the childhood roots of the interest I have in a broad diversity of toy soldier figures. My interest in diversity grows from my rich childhood play imagination. While I am not prepared to tell you what I will show you next, I can tell you this much: I have yet to unpack and photograph the next series of figures. If you are enjoying my journey, please be patient. It may take me a few days to find and photograph the figures. Till then,...

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[DMNamiot]

Ah Pat my friend I can hear the cowboys singing a great tune right now! Good old Hopalong Cassidy! I was going to remark on the thin air but I will letone of the other guys mention that!

Thanks for sharing these great sets!

All the best

DAve

 

[eborris]

Man, I still have a Hoppy wrist watch, the band is toast but the watch still runs.

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

I must say, "Oops!" I forgot one set of pictures that I wanted to include with the cowboys. I find these figures to be so clever that I could not resist posting them with the rest of the cowboys. You will find pictures of these figures below. I hope you find them as clever as I do.

The pictures below show three figures. From left to right, they are:

1.) Cowboy Reining in Horse. This figure was manufactured by Crescent. The horse is coming to such an abrupt stop, I always wondered what danger the cowboy perceived that would cause him to want to stop so suddenly.

2.) Cowboy on Bronco. I am uncertain regarding what company manufactured this figure, but the creative nature of the pose allowed for endless scenarios.

3.) Cowboy on Steer. This figure was also manufactured by Crescent. One could easily visualize the cowboy as a competitor in a rodeo. The more creative child could find all sorts of other adventures in which to cast this figure. More than any of the old western figures in my collection, this one always brought a smile to my face.

Okay. Now I am finished with my cowboys and Indians from the 1950's. I will move on to another era. I have already starting unpacking more of my vintage figures, so your wait for more pictures should not be too lengthy.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[kilted vampire]

Pat, does your chest of treasure know no bounds????