Collecting W. Britains Toy Soldiers - Constant Vigilance and Continuing Quest of Knowledge

Because of the continued interest in the original web site, and the word and image limitations imposed on the basic guide, I thought it would be of some value and interest to augment that guide with additional information on the hobby.

If you are a serious collector of toy soldiers, either in the "out-patient" or "committable" category, or have aspirations of becoming one, and have not discovered the website of James Opie, please look it up under his name on any major search engine. It is well worth a long in-depth initial look, and you may well return several times. His section on Past Auction Features and Results is of particular interest to both beginning collector and seasoned veteran alike. James Opie is considered by most collectors of W. Britains toy soldiers to be the preeminent authority in the field, and has authored several books (actually tomes) on the subject. He cites as the "ultimate Britains collection" that of the late Ed Ruby. I had the unique opportunity to visit Ed and his wife, in their home near Orange (Villa Park), California, and view his collection in the early 1970's. I would totally concur and personally attest to the appraisal that his collection was the paradigm. As an example Ed had somehow acquired the original brass working prototype of Set No. 1522 4.5 inch Anti-Aircraft Gun, which in itself was even then and remains, the rarest of all Britains guns. However the gun is considered only scarce in the totality of Britains sets, and has a rarity index of only 40 unboxed (55 boxed).
    
Figure 10 - An exceptional example of a surviving 4.5 inch Anti-Aircraft Gun. The model was introduced in 1937, and was augmented with a full spectrum of anti-aircraft units before 1940, the start of World War II, and the famous Battle of Britain.

Figure 11 - Another view of Set No. 1522 4.5 inch Anti-Aircraft Gun showing the intricate operating train and elevation mechanism of the gun. This gun was only available in the pre-war years up until 1941, and was not reintroduced in the post-war Britains production.

Given these circumstances you would expect a reasonable amount of interest when an example of this gun comes up for bid on e-Bay. One of the guns has very recently come up for auction, including the box. It eventually sold for about $360.00 USD. Verbatim this is how the seller listed and described the item: "BRITAINS vintage toy cannon No.  1522 New in box. NR; Up for auction is a BRITAINS "ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN" No. 1522 It apears (sic) to be new in it's original box. Everything seems to be there, there are several small parts (see pictures).. The barrel is 4 3/4 inches long, with an overall height 4 1/2 inches. The box has no rips, tears, or stains, but does have a name written on it. (notice how seller has attempted to shift your attention from the gun to the "wonderful box"!) NO RESERVE. I recently purchased a toy collection and there were many pieces of artillary (sic) and soldiers in it. I do not know a great deal about toy artillery pieces and toy soldiers, so everything will be auctioned at no reserve with very low starting bids. I will answere (sic) any questions to the best of my ability." The seller received the following question: Q: Is the gun broken. The pieces are seperated (sic) from the gun Thanks. A: Hi, I have no idea. I assumed that it was packaged that way. Nothing looks broken. Thanks for your interest, but what you see is what you get. (Signed with sellers first name).


Figures 12 and 13 - BRITAINS "ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN" No.1522; As offered "New in box"!?

I was initially going to give this seller the benefit of the doubt, until I read his response to the perfectly legitimate question from a bidder. It does not take an in-depth CSI team forensics analysis to realize that this gun is broken in piece parts. Nor does it take a semantics professor to see how the words, first in the title, then the description, and finally the response to the bidder's question, have been intentionally manipulated to totally misrepresent the condition of the gun to the un-knowledgeable. To cite briefly:
• The gun carriage should be seated in and fastened to the base ring.
• The entire firing spring housing is present, but broken from the gun barrel.
• The firing/cocking rod appears to be missing, and is certainly not attached to the firing spring.
• The traverse/train indicator is present, but broken from the gun carriage.
• The state/condition of the elevation gear quadrant cannot be determined from the photographs. It appears that the end is broken off and missing.
• The state/condition of both the train and elevation gears and gear knobs cannot be determined from the photographs.
Other than that the gun is "New in the box"! In the past, before bidders were "protected" by using coded names, I could have at least referred them to this guide. Examples like this are truly unfortunate, discouraging, and worst of all greatly on the increase.

Now, as an exercise, compare a gun in this condition to the following alternative which sold at auction in Great Britain in July 2009. It was purchased for equivalent of $310.95 USD, given the following description and photograph from a reputable auction house; "Britains Set 1522 - Anti Aircraft Gun - [1937 version], comprising the rarest and most complex Gun made by Britains, the 4.5" AA Gun rotates on a geared base plate and elevates and depresses by a similar movement & has a spring loaded breech. Finished in Khaki Green with brass coloured Muzzle Band & Firing Lever. Some minor paint chips otherwise generally Very Good overall complete with Instruction Sheet for Lorry Mounting the Gun. Un-boxed." I personally would opt for this gun, being in fully functional condition with very good paint,  even without the box.

Figure 14 - BRITAINS "ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN" No.1522, Un-boxed

Very recently there has been another classic example of a combination of mis-identification  and incorrect grading of the condition of a set of toy soldiers. Again I have to stipulate that I can't evaluate whether this is another case of ignorance on the part of the seller, or a deliberate action. However in either case the buyer loses. In his description the seller states that these are "8 BRITAINS TOY SOLDIERS BRITISH INDIAN SIKHS". They are further described as "AN ESTATE GROUP OF THES NEAT TOY SOLDIERS, THIS GROUP OF 8 BRITISH SIKH INDIANS WITH ARTICULATED ARMS, 3 1/2" TALL ORIGINAL PAINT IS ABOUT 90%. THEY ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION". At first glance they appear as a possible copy of Britains Set No.67 1st Madras Light Infantry, but in a khaki colored active service dress, which Britains never produced. Next looking at their bases, which are neither oval or square as they should be, I am reminded of Authenticast brand toy soldiers which had almost identical front and back "tabs" which are clearly seen. as an integral part of the base casting. The other basic issue is the seller's classification of condition as excellent. As can be readily observed this is emphatically just not the case. Unfortunately I am constrained by formatting in providing a larger image. There is even some evidence of what may well be lead rot. Per the theme song of "Monk"(the television detective program), “It’s a jungle out there.”

 
Figure 15 - Alleged Britains "British Indian Sikhs, which are probable early Authenticast (Eriksson) manufacture.

Another recent offering on e-Bay again provides another classic example of why knowledge of the subject is absolutely critical. The seller was offering what they "thought" was a relatively scarce set of Britains, Set No. 220 Uruguayan Cavalry, trotting with Officer (Ejercito del Uruguay: Blandengues de Arigas). In the post-World War II catalog Britains only offered this 4 piece set from 1953 to 1959. The seller had the correctly labeled box, but the contents were three British 12th Lancers, a mismatched and retouched bugler also of the 12th Lancers, and a bugler of the Royal Horse Artillery. What is disconcerting is the seller's description, which would indicate sufficient knowledge of the subject to know exactly what they were offering. Verbatim the description reads as follows: "You are bidding on a Britains Set no. 220, Regiments of All Nations Series, 'Artigas' RARE Lancers URUGUAYAN ARMY, a set of TWO LANCERS ON BROWN MOUNTS WITH MOVABLE RIGHT ARMS & TWO BUGLERS, ONE ON A BROWN MOUNT AND ONE ON A BLACK MOUNT. THESE HAVE BEEN FEATURED IN FINE AUCTION HOUSES SUCH AS BONHAMS AND CHRISTIES. THESE WERE ISSUED IN 1952. ORIGINAL ROAN BOX IN MINT STATE. The owner has fitted the box with separations and cotton backing to keep the figures from getting scratched. And there are no nicks or scratches. According to family lore, the late owner who passed away 10 years ago always handled the soldiers with white linen conservators gloves to keep oil from his hands from touching the figures. They are just like new. We are offering several different sets for auction over the next week. Keep checking back to see what's new." I have been in touch with the seller and apparently he honestly did not know what the contents of the box should be. Hopefully as a buyer you will know. Caveat Emptor!

 
Figures 16 - Incorrectly identified Britains Set No. 220 Uruguayan Cavalry, trotting with Officer (Ejercito del Uruguay: Blandengues de Arigas).

Here are two photographs of the correct set, absolutely no similarity whatsoever.

Figures 17 - 18 - Correct Britains Set No. 220 Uruguayan Cavalry, trotting with Officer (Ejercito del Uruguay: Blandengues de Arigas).