What is the story? Britains set 9902 and 41037 (1 Viewer)

[hsm]

Hi all

the premier Britains sets 41037 and he Biggs set 9902 are seemingly the same set. The set is pretty much on short list of Favourite Britains. Can anyone explain the background of basically what seems to be the same release in two different set numbers?

Cheers To all!

Grant

 

[thebritfarmer]

Wonder if it was a re-release after the Biggs sets were discontinued?

 

[DMNamiot]

That may be the case Scott but I can’t find anything on this in my books I did see a reference to set 41037 but the Biggs sets aren’t listed in my Britains book. Will have to pull out the old catelogues I have and see what is what. Unless of course the Baron knows anything on this topic.

Dave

 

[theBaron]

I was just about to ask which sets these are, because I don't know the sets by number. I wasn't aware that any of the Biggs sets were rereleased, but then, too, I really only followed the Imperial German field artillery set, with seven or eight of them in my collection. I thought the Biggs series was a completely separate venture or line from the rest of Britain's catalog.

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

OK, Coldstream Guards color party? If the two catalog numbers reflect the same set (ie, castings), that's very interesting!

Prost!
Brad

A postscript...

Looking at the figures now in my web searches, I'm reminded how much I wish I had bought the 1756 Foot Guards, 15th and 35th Foot, etc, when they were still in production.

 

[DMNamiot]

I know I have pictures of the Biggs sets somewhere but it may take a day or two for me to put my hands on them. Oh so organized...

 

[hsm]

will take some pics in the morning.

 

[DMNamiot]

I have a photo of set 41037 in the catalogue from 2003 and references to a bunch of Biggs sets beginning in 1997 but for some reason I can’t find set 9902 lusted anywhere in my Britains info which is catalogues and the collectors club standards going back to 1995. So you will need to post a photo for me to make a comparison.

Dave

 

[hsm]

well trying to upload a photo and turning into a rage. maybe later.
ok that was fun. the foam in the boxes is different and the figures are arranged differently as well...

 

[theBaron]

Yeah, how 'bout that! It does look like the same figures, released under both labels. I only collected the German field artillery in parade dress, and I know that those weren't re-released. But have you noticed if any other of the Biggs sets were re-released?

Prost!
Brad

 

[hsm]

I have a photo of set 41037 in the catalogue from 2003 and references to a bunch of Biggs sets beginning in 1997 but for some reason I can’t find set 9902 lusted anywhere in my Britains info which is catalogues and the collectors club standards going back to 1995. So you will need to post a photo for me to make a comparison.

Dave

anyone find 9902 listed anywhere? I am not sure where to find these old numbers- website?

 

[DMNamiot]

I went through a bunch of catelogues back to 1997 and didn’t see a reference to the number you have posted. I will look at my books on Britain’s and see if there are any references to them that I have missed.

Dave

 

[vandilay]

My understanding is Charles Biggs worked for britains , then developed his own range the premier series . Britains then picked up the range and released them under their banner with britains own set numbers . So their it is a crossover . I used to have all the biggs premier sets and thought they where of a higher quality than the britains equivalent . Britains also combined 2 of biggs 4 figure blackwatch sets as a six figure release And dropped 2 of the figures .

 

[hsm]

Maybe if a mod kicks this over to the Britains thread we can get a Britains response?

GL

 

[DMNamiot]

I will move it later unless Scott beats me to it

 

[norman joplin]

My Book Britains New Toy Soldiers 1973 to the present ( 2008 as it then was) published by Schiffer Publishing may help, if not with this query, then with numbering system.
Britains did not use the 9000 numbering system for any of their gloss painted new toy soldiers. The late Charles Biggs had an on off relationship with Britains.His items were issued through Britains using the Premier title, however Charles had his figures made by Borbar Enterprizes, formally Steadfast.
After a disagreement with Britains Charles retained the moulds and the manufacturer license and issued some sets under his own Premier line.
I will check my records and see if I can through any light on the 9000 number for you. The original Prenier range was at first to be call Sceptre, funded by the late Arnold Rolak, howvwer Biggs offered it to Britains and they gave him a contract to produce it with their name and under the Premier banner.
The story gets rather complicated at times.
. And there is more but it is not relevant to this set
Norman Joplin

 

[norman joplin]

Reply part 2
First check to see if Britains name appears on the box numbered 9902, if not then this was the period that Britains withdrew their contract with Biggs
Britains set 41037 was issued in 2003 & withdrawn in 2005.
The Premier Range was incorporated into the Britains catalogue in 1995 and remained there through 1996 and 1997.
Britains 1998 catalogue does not show any Premier items as the contract with Biggs was terminated.
Therefore anything Biggs made with Borbar Enterprizes between the end of 1997 and 2003 would have been sold and boxed as Premier without Britains name on it.???? Hence 9902
Britains and Biggs renewed there partnership in 2003 and continued to 2006 when the Britains catalogue for that year did not show any further Premier sets.
Norman Joplin
info@normanjoplin.com

 

[hsm]

Mr Joplin,

Thank you for a concise explanation...I wonder if many , like myself always thought Premier/Biggs/ and Britains were always one and the same...interestingly enough the outer boxes are the same, but the foam packaging inside is different styles...
Very interesting story to these sets, which I wll print off and tuck into the boxes.

Thanks Again!!

Grant