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JournalNo 70 August 2003

The British Flat Figure Society

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BFFS Journal No 70 - August 2003

The opinions expressed within this Journal are not necessarily those of the

Editor,the Committee, other officials, or the

British Flat Figure Society.

of The British Flat Figure

Society

Journal No 70 August 2003

Journal

Society ContactsPlease send all information to be published in the Journal to Jerry Mortimore. All other correspondence with the Society should be addressed to Michael Creese. Society Sales are handled by Michael Creese, to whom any inserts for the Journal should also be sent. Orders or questions about the Bulk Ordering Service should be sent to Ed Humphreys and membership applications and renewals go to Colin Baines. All ad-dresses can be found on this page.

The next JournalThe copy deadline for the next Journal is 29 September 2003 and the publication date is 9 November 2003.

Annual SubscriptionsU.K. members: £12.00, European mem-bers: £14.00 Overseas members: £17.00 (by air mail). Subscriptions are due for renewal in January every year.

Payment of Subscriptions can be made by cheque, Postal Order or International Money Order made out in Sterling and payable at a named UK bank. Under no circumstances can we accept foreign cur-rency cheques. We can, however, accept payment in paper currency e.g. Dollars or Euros from the EEC, etc., but please add the equivalent of One Pound Sterling to cover conversion costs. Cheques etc should be made payable to the British Flat Fig-ure Society and sent to the Membership Secretary.

Contact The committee and Area Representatives of the Society

Hon. Secretary:Michael Creese, ‘Nutwood’,Great Glemham Road, Stratford St Andrew,Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 1LLTel: 01728 602746

Membership:Colin Baines, 66 Old Church Road,Clevedon, Avon, BS21 6PT.Tel: 01275 877718e-mail: [email protected]

Treasurer:Dr Bob Williams, 2a Old Bury Road, Thet-ford, Suffolk, IP24 3AN.

Editor:Jeremy Mortimore, 17 Redwood Drive, Wing, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 0TATel: 01296 688455e-mail: [email protected]

Bulk Orders:Ed Humphreys, 11 Oakeley Terrace,Talwaenydd, Blaenau Ffestiniog,Gwynedd LL41 3LYTel: 01766 830031email: [email protected]

Distribution & Printing:Mike Taylor, Stonechat House,8 Ferndell Close, Cannock, StaffsWS11 1HR

Joe Melvin, 21 Ridgeway, Aldridge,Walsall, WS9 0HL

Malcolm MacDonald, 279 Blackberry Lane, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield,West Midlands B74 4JS

Archivist:Richard Hyne, 23 Letchworth Road,Baldock, Herts. SG7 6AA

Society Sales:Michael Creese, ‘Nutwood’,Great Glemham Road, Stratford St Andrew,Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 1LLTel: 01728 602746

Area Representatives

LONDON: Phil Redman, Georgian House, 50 Games Road, Cockfosters,Herts. EN4 9HW. Tel: 02084 408475

HAMPSHIRE: Geoff Bradford,Allenstyle House, 24 Bereweeke Way,Winchester, Hants. SO22 6BJTel: 01962 868096Email:[email protected]

SOUTH‑WEST: Tony Du-Vall,4 Pixie Dell, Braunton,North Devon EX33 1DP

SOUTH‑EAST: Situation vacant.

BRISTOL & AVON: Situation vacant.

MIDLANDS: Jon Redley, 64 York Avenue, Finchfield, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV3 9BU. Tel: 01902 423732

NORTH‑EAST: M.G.Wardle, 96 WestEnd Drive, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5JXTel: 0113 258 1508

NORTH‑WEST: Malcolm Collins,16 Tithe Barn Street, Currock, Carlisle,Cumbria CA2 4EL. Tel: 01228 46444

WALES: S.G.Rutherford, 5 Coleridge Road, Beechwood, Newport, Gwent. NP9 8HYTel: 01633 273014

EAST ANGLIA: Michael Creese, ‘Nut-wood’, Great Glemham Road,Stratford St Andrew, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 1LL Tel: 01728 602746

SCOTLAND: John Russell,2 Marcus Crescent, Aberdeen AB21 0SZTel: 01224 790680

EUROPE & OVERSEAS: John Cox,6 Anderson Close, Woodley, Romsey,Hants., UK

NORTHERN IRELAND:C.W.Robinson, 25 Princetown Road,Bangor, Co. Down,Northern Ireland BT20 3TA

CANADA & USA:Kevin W.Dunne, 1854 Stone Avenue,East Meadow, NY 11554, USA.Tel:516-567-8195 Email: [email protected]

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND:John Brewer, 18 Selby Avenue,Dee Why 2099, Australia

ITALY:Gianpaolo Bistulfi, Via Alberti 10,20149 Milano, ItalyTel: 02 33106690E-mail: [email protected]

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Front Cover: Flower FairiesClockwise from top left: Cornflower, Dogwood, Box, Zinnia, Rush and Cotton Grasses, Slow, Ragged Robin. Painted by Jon Redley.

3. Diary Dates and Odds and Ends

4. Gallery - Knowle 2003

5. Knowle 2003.Michael Creese reports on this years Society get-together.

5. What's New.New figures from B&S, Unger, Tylinski, etc.

8. 'Twixt Tigris and EuphratesGeoff Bradford on a previous conflict in Iraq.

10. Summer Daydream in an English Garden.Renate Dangschat.

14. Shogun.The Shogun catalogue has been released in English, Rod Johnson reviews it.

16. What's New Too.New figures from Elisena, Western Mini-atures, Rieger, Bistulfi.

18. Munich Flats.A response to Geoff Barnes article in the last Journal from Kjeld Bucholz.

18. Memories in Blu.Third part in the Ferrarese recollections of Roberto Scattolin.

20. Indian Army Figures.Gianpaolo Bistulfi gives details of his new Indian Army range of figures.

22. Bulk Orders.Dangschat.

24. Gallery - Knowle 2003.

Euromilitaire will be held over the weekend of September 20th-21st at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone.

Letchworth & North Herts 'Showcase 2003' event will be held on 2nd November at the Plinstone Hall in Letchworth. 10am to 4pm. Competitions, trade stands, demonstra-tions, club displays, etc.

A retrospective exhibition of the work of Mike Taylor opened in the National Tin Figure Museum, Markt 1, 7731 BD Om-men, in the Netherlands on 5th April. It runs until 3rd November. Both flat figure painting and designing are on display. Museum telephone is 00 31 529 45 45 00, email [email protected], website www.tinfiguremuseum.nl.

Kevin Dunne would like to obtain the Parrot (23), The Queen (29) and the King (41) from Western Miniatures Alice set. Address and email opposite.

Help wanted - the Editor bought a set of figures at Kulmbach of Richard the Lionheart meeting Saladin. Richard is sitting on a throne with a canopy, there are a couple of tents. Stands are a bit of a mixture, some have the number 1192 and a number beginning KR. Can anyone identify the editor of the series or provide a catalogue sheet?

Another Annual Event at Knowle has passed, and what a good day it was. A good turn out of members and friends and a fine display of figures and dioramas.

I have included some pictures from Knowle; I am afraid my camera work does not improve. In particular I wish I had managed to do justice to the superbly painted and displayed Alice figures on the back page of this Journal.

For next year I must prepare some simple display cards so that exhibitors can put a name to their displays which will make it a lot easier for me to identify them in the Journal. There are several anonymous works in this issue, if the artists responsible would like to identify themselves to me I will gladly correct this in the next issue.

By the time you read this Kulmbach will

have been and gone. A number of us will have travelled there, spent our Euros and returned. Reports in the next issue.

Several members travelled to the North Herts Flats Evening at Letchworth. An enjoyable evening, with the launch of the English version of the 'Shogun' catalogue. There is a review in this issue.

As usual, many thanks to all contributors and the usual exhortation for articles.Go on - you can think of something to write about I am sure.

I am sorry this issue is a bit late - I must have been spending too much time gloating over the figures I bought at Kulmbach.

IN MEMORIAMKlaus-Dieter Müller

It is with the greatest regret that we have to announce the death of Klaus-Dieter Müller, of Historia Müller, on June 6th 2003 at the age of 62.

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Gallery - Knowle 2003

GEM Cossack and Lancer painted by Ed Humphreys.

Sonntag Almond Blossom Fairy.

Egyptian Princess' Barge

Back Page - Alice in Wonderland

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The 2003 Annual Meetingby

Michael Creese

If last year’s meeting was a little disappointing, then this year’s must rank as one of the best! By twelve o’clock the room was full of enthusiasts looking at the displays and talking avidly about the hobby. And this in spite of the absence of one or two regulars. What made the difference? I have no idea but I suspect that its something to do with the number attending - there seems to be a critical number which guarantees the success of an event such as ours. So thanks to everyone who came along and especially to those who brought something to show (and many did). Thanks, too, to Dick on the Western Miniatures stand and to Ed and Jacques with the Glorious Empires range. Those of us who collect Napoleonics are very much in Jacques’ debt for his work in producing some delightful and unique sets from Roussselot’s designs. Finally, a special thank-you to my wife, Lesley, for her work serving teas and coffees.

As regular readers and those who attended will know, there was a display of

items connected with India from several members. Ken Pipe had some fascinating photographs and postcards, together with a fine group of campaign medals, a solar topee and a Short Lee-Enfield manufactured in 1915 and sighted up to 2000 yards! Jerry Mortimore had some more very interesting photographs while Alistair Bantock produced a range of figures with an Indian flavour including a delightful series of birds and animals. Seeing a few of the beautiful birds in India made my wife and I much more aware of our own birds at home. Alistair also showed a ‘Homage to Ulrich Langkau’ - photographs of some of the figures of India which Ulrich produced and painted in a very individualistic style.

However, it should not be thought that only figures and items connected with the sub-continent were on show. Photographs of the work of an Australian member, Kevin Antis, made one long to see the actual figures. Our ‘regular’ Australian representative, Geoff Barnes had his exquisite diorama of the Belvedere Apollo using the Mohr figures while I showed my Napoleonic diorama, ‘The Vedette’, using three different sizes of figures - 20mm, 30mm and 54mm. Inspired by Geoff I have built a light box to sit on top of the scene, and what a difference it makes! It was

interesting to see a group of North American Indians together with the source material. Mike (Cannock) Taylor brought along his now quite extensive range of dioramas of the Franco-Prussian War, - a period he has made very much his own. An interesting group of nicely-painted figures from very different periods included Napoleonic kettle-drummers, can-can dancers and a lady stepping out of a car.

At the short business meeting it was agreed that in future, in order to save the postage costs, membership receipts would not be issued unless specifically requested - and the request accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. Simon Hoggett has rejoined the, committee to fill the vacancy. We hope to hold next year’s meeting in the same venue. Suggestions for a ‘theme’ or volunteer demonstrators would be most welcome. Members were also asked to include their names with their displays in future; a move that I would certainly welcome! Above all, as this year’s success showed, we need you, the members, to come along in order to make next year even better!

New figures from the pages of Die Zin-nfigur. All figures 30mm unless other-

wise stated.

A series of figures of banners from the Tri-umph of Kaiser Maximillian I, 1516-1518 is being edited byWolfgang Blum,Ahlener Weg 13f,12207 Berlin.The first in the series are illustrated here. Engraved by Vladimir Nuzdhin.

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Another raft of figures, Napoleonic artil-lery and Egyptians, has been released by Tylinski. Includes an Egyptian beer brewing scene. Designed by Gaggelmann and engraved by R. Grünewald. Available from: Horst Tylinski, Achtermanstrasse 53, 13187 Berlin.

Not illustrated is a large series of a marching band from the Bavarian Münchner Okto-berfest, with dancers and other figures.Design by Heinrichs and Jahn, engraved by Dr. Söllner and Steffan Jahn. Available from: PW Zinnfiguren, Peter Weber, Angerstrasse 1, 86368 Gersthofen.

Also not illustrated are a series of figures from the Peasants War. Mostly foot figures in fighting poses. Designed and engraved by Max Brand. Available from: Zinnfiguren Fritz Menz, Inhaber Kirsten Howey, Dorfstrasse 19, D-39288 Burg

Available in 54mm or 30mm is this Stand-ard Bearer of 7th Hussar Regiment (Bon-ner- or Königs-Hussars) circa 1913.Designed by K.-H. Raeck and engraved by Süssmeier for KLIO-Landesgruppe Rheinland Süd.

Available from:Heinz-Peter Ebert,KLIO-Landesgruppe Rheinland Süd,c/o Grossenbuschstrasse 50,53229 Bonn.Email [email protected]

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New from: Roland K. Simon, Im Grünen Grunde 3a, 22337 Hamburg.are five Burgundian ladies on horseback in 54mm scale. They are from a series 'Früh-lingsausritt Burgund um 1400'. Designed and engraved by Dietrich Herrmann.

Not illustrated are some Praetorian Guards 80-200AD, Marshals and Adjutants 1804-15 and Austrian Grenadiers 1809-15. Designed by Horst Deppe and engraved by Rolf Grünewald. Available from: Thomas Seele, Weserhof 1, 37619 Bodenwerder.

A set of J.S.Bach playing the Harpsichord for Frederick the Great and a set of a student and postillion are new figures from: Wolfgang Unger, Feuerbachstrasse 1, 04105 Leipzig

A series of Lasalle at Wagram byB&S,c/o Schmidtchen,Pösnaer Strasse 5,04299 LeipzigThey have also edited a set of Saxon Supply Train 1810-13 and Saxon Hussars 1806-13. The Hussars are being given beer in steins by an innkeeper and his wife.

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For the third time in under a century, men from the West Country are fighting in Mesopotamia, the land that we now call Iraq.

In August 1914, the 6th. Battalion Devonshire Regiment was formed in Barnstaple. Like many Territorial Battalions at that time, recruiting was restricted to that town and to the other towns and villages of North Devon.

It was considered that this system engendered a sense of local pride and comradeship, for many of the recruits would have grown up together. The disadvantage was that, when disaster struck, as it often did, casualties were confined to one defined local area, with the consequential effect on the community. Such thoughts were far from the minds of the Devon volunteers in October 1914, as they sailed for India, anticipating a “cushy” billet. In the Suez Canal, they waved happily to a passing troopship, carry-ing regular Army units from India, en route to the mud and bloodshed of the Western Front. Mesopotamia was an ancient region in which the world’s earliest civilisations had developed. Although this land included parts of what are now, Syria, Turkey and Iraq, the heart of the region was the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, the very name Mesopotamia being derived from a Greek word meaning “between the riv-ers”.

The land had been fought over and occupied many times since 7000 B.C. Conquered by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C., it was subsequently ruled by Parthians, Romans, Arabs and Mongols before it became part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire in 1500 A.D.

Before the First World War, the Germans had cultivated Turkey as an

ally, for Germany wanted new lands, new markets, and envied Britain’s influence in India and the Far East. Much of Turkey’s industry and commerce was developed by the Germans, who also acted as “Advisors” to its army. Because Britain’s Navy needed oil, it relied heavily on the Persian Gulf for its supplies and decided early in the war to protect its interests by occupying the oilfields near Basra.

After the successful and easy battles for Basra and Nasiriyah, Britain decided to advance on Baghdad, thinking that victory over the Turks would be a more effective way of defeating Germany than the stagnated battles in France and Belgium. As roads were non-existent they advanced north along the twin rivers towards the ancient capital.

They had, however, under-estimated the capacity of the Turks to resist this invasion and, in addition, Germany tried to foster a Jihad or Holy War amongst the Muslims.

Unable to spare troops from France, the British used the Indian Army

for their invasion forces, including the 36th Indian Division, of which the 6th Devons formed part.

The Indian Army had been under-funded for years and this showed in the quality of its equipment and training, always lacking sufficient guns, ammunition and transport. The Army also failed to realise the difficulties of supplying a force as it moved further away from the Gulf ports and there were never enough shallow draft boats, camels or mules available for this purpose.

It was into this war zone that the 6th. Devons landed at Basra from India on 5th January 1916. They were unprepared for conditions in Mesopotamia - Extremes of heat, (up to 120F in the summer months) arid deserts, dust storms, frequent flooding, flies and mosquitoes all led to appalling levels of sickness and deaths from disease.

Medical facilities were poor, the wounded often enduring a river journey of two weeks before reaching any kind of hospital.

Misled by their early successes,

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the British sent out more and more reinforcements for the 500 mile advance on Baghdad, which stretched their supply lines to their limits.. The campaign was muddled, the attitudes and complacency of those in charge was disastrous, as were the conflicts of opinion between London and the Field Commanders.

The British doggedly advanced until, following a serious defeat at Ctesiphon, some 40 miles from Baghdad in November 1915, they beat a hurried retreat to Kut al-Amara. Surrounded by the Turkish army, the 9000 British and Indian troops in Kut endured a frightful five months siege. Several unsuccessful and costly attempts were made to relieve this city, as it was erroneously believed that the garrison was starving. The newly appointed Commander, Sir Percy Lake told the besieged force to hold on for a further relief attempt. Although he had some 63000 troops at his disposal, many reinforcements were held up at Basra, due to the lack of boats to take them up river. The stores and depots at this base were in chaos, a ship could wait a month or more at the port before being unloaded.

At least 12% of his men were sick or hospitalised and, in reality, Lake had only some 15000 troops in his Tigris Corps facing an enemy of 35000. The Turks had entrenched a position running at right angles to the Tigris some 10 miles south of Kut, where the land was flat, swampy and covered with thorn bushes and scrub. The Dujaila Depression was a 150 yard wide, 6 foot deep gully, providing a natural barrier, and this was strongly fortified with gun positions and barbed wire to form the Dujaila Redoubt.

It was this redoubt that the Devons, as part of Sir Fenton Aylmer’s Tigris Corps were to attack. Aylmer wanted to delay this until he had received further

reinforcements, but Lake ordered him to proceed. The 15th March was the latest date at which they could reasonably expect the battleground to be free from the Spring flooding. Two Indian Brigades were to make diversionary attacks on the Turkish positions on the right, whilst three columns, A, B, and C were to attack the Sinn Abtar and the Dujaila

Redoubts.At 9.30 p.m. on 7th March 1916

the Devons, as part of column A advanced. Soon after dawn, their forward patrols reported that the enemy positions were unoccupied, and could easily be taken. Unable to use their initiative, they had to ask for orders and were told to wait three hours for the artillery to arrive. By that time, all chance of surprise had been lost, and 6000 Turkish troops were waiting for the attack when it finally started.

The advancing British were cut down by rifle and machine-gun fire from the Redoubt trenches, and by mid-day they had barely gained 200 yards.

By 2.30 p.m. it was evident that the attack was a failure and it was abandoned. The Devon’s casualties were heavy amongst the 4000 dead and wounded and included their Commanding officer,

Lt.-Col. Reginald Fox.Medical arrangements broke

down under the overwhelming number of wounded, the weather and the ground conditions. As night approached, roving bands of Budhoos (tribesmen) arrived to rob the dead and kill the wounded.

In the absence of any relief, Kut surrendered, it’s garrison enduring horrendous privations on their march into captivity.

Aylmer and Lake were replaced, the new Commander being Major General Stanley Maude. He introduced new tactics that culminated in a decisive defeat of the Turks and the capture of Baghdad and the Baghdad--Berlin railway line in March 1917. Despite further gains, and following attacks by the Russians from the North no real victory was ever achieved until Turkey signed an armistice in November 1918.

The remnants of the 6th Devonshire Regiment returned to their home county, mourning their losses. The Battalion never forgot their fallen comrades whose remains lie in the desert sands of Iraq, and, between the two World Wars, Dujaila Day, (March 8th) was commemorated by a parade through the streets of Barnstaple.

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For a long time it had been an ambition of the young man – shall we call him Mr. Martin Sullivan – to get to know the captivating park of Stanley House on his journey through the south of England. Now he had arrived at the object of his dreams, under his arm the drawing case in which he recorded with speedy strokes anything which made a worthwhile impression on him. In this, his talent for drawing came to his aid, and although he didn’t exactly consider himself an artist, it still pleased him to be able to take his memories on loose sheets home to a rather dull Bir-mingham. As luck would have it, a blue

sky, lightly dotted with clouds, gave him a magnificent day

So he strode down the gravel path, edged with overflowing flower borders, which led, a little uphill, to the House, and saw the building gleaming through the branches of the trees. Yet he felt compelled to stray from the main path, and saw, on a small hill to his right, a charming temple which excited his curiosity.He soon left the footpath and directed his stride over the typically manicured surface of a lawn, lured by the splashing of a stream. Thick undergrowth and taller grass concealed the waters. Mr. Sullivan carefully approached the watercourse, especially as soft shouts and delightful cries, which could only have come from female voices, reached his ear. Carefully, he pulled the branches apart and immediately beheld a scene that could not have been more enchanting. Three young ladies had come here for a refreshing dip. While one sat as an observer on the pedestal of a fallen column and watched her playmates, the other two had removed their clothes and splashed in the water of the stream. They had not noticed the onlooker, who followed the proceedings as if spellbound. Then the snapping of a twig frightened them, and

they leapt to the bank to cover themselves scantily with towels.

Once detected, Mr Sullivan composed himself and stepped out of the bushes, asking the ladies not to interrupt their enjoyment. He immediately grabbed his pencil to set down the charming scene. When the ladies saw this, they were afraid at first, but quickly realised that the stroller wished them no harm. Their excited twittering soon subsided so that Mr. Sullivan stepped right up to them, settled himself on the remains of a pillar, and asked them to pose for him. The boldest of them consented, perhaps a little out of curiosity and vanity, and the artist allowed his pencil to glide with nimble strokes over the paper. “By Zeus!” exclaimed Sullivan as a stately swan approached, as if out of jealousy.

It was not long before a shriek of fear was heard coming from the breaking rushes and another young lady, this time completely naked, charged into the foaming shallow water, actually followed by a goat-footed faun! Sullivan and the remaining ladies stiffened, and as the artist bravely faced up to the creature, it disappeared, panting, into the reeds. Who could describe the stammered thanks of the bathers, as

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they slowly recovered from their fright! Now tact was called for, and Mr Sullivan left them.

Having returned to the fine paths, he climbed the low hill and looked out from the temple over a great expanse of the park. In the distance he saw a shepherd with sheep and a goat, which grazed in the long grass. On a broad path he recognised two riders, a lady and her beau, both dressed in a fashionable uniform style in English red. Closer to the house were families with children, one of whom led his siblings on a small donkey. Such a serene and tender vision begged him to set it down as a fine sketch, as soon as he managed to push his adventure by the stream to the back of his mind.

Mr Sullivan now strode powerfully forward and passed around the distant house by a long detour, as he hoped to catch further impressions deeper into the park. He was not disappointed. Over a straight canal, which opened out into a lake, stretched a filigree bridge. He crossed it, only to see, where the water broadened, a small swan house, around which white swans circled with their young in majestic stillness. They did not even seem to be disturbed when

a boat with a small party of people cast off from the reeds on the opposite bank. One of the two ladies carefully propelled the vessel with a pole on the flat bottom, while a gentleman tried to catch one of the numerous fat carp with a net. He had already had some success, as a negro lad who held a fish in his hand demonstrated.

Mr Sullivan had already brought out his drawing case and was setting down the enchanting scene with his pencil. He had to work quickly and accurately, as the boat moved slowly away over the surface of the lake, in the middle of which lay an island with tall, slender poplars. A memorial, in the form of an amphora, must have commemorated a long-gone person.

Now it seemed to Mr Sullivan that

it was time to make for the house, and on the way he was overtaken by a butterfly hunter chasing a red admiral. Now he crossed a rose garden, whose scent pleasantly intoxicated him. On a bench completely hidden by foliage, he spied a pair of lovers, who kissed intimately. Smiling, the artist stole past them, and immediately, enticed by the sound of a flute, became aware of some strollers picnicking near the ruins of a temple. The sound of two flutes became louder, and then Mr Sullivan noticed two dancing girls, who held each other’s hands and turned in a faster and faster rhythm.

Here again, his artistic talent found precious nourishment. The prettiest of them he had drawn almost life-like. Having arrived at the house, he met two gardeners who loosened the earth in the borders with spades, and watered the flowers. Ladies and gentlemen greeted each other and walked together on the gravel-strewn forecourt. A father pointed out the elegant architecture of the house to his son, who was playing with a hoop. So Mr Sullivan brought together

everything in a small peaceful world surrounded by a park, as an almost unreal summer daydream, into a many-faceted picture, which he brought into the house in his portfolio.

The reader will soon have realised that a living artist of our time has slipped into the role of Mr Sullivan. The tableau unfolded above describes a series of tin figure designs by my husband, Peter Dangschat as one by one they sprang from his pen. From many visits to such parklands in Germany and England, he established in his imagination a peaceful world around the end of the eighteenth century. There he

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was charmed, not only by the costume of late Georgian England, but also the people he encountered in galleries and houses and took a liking to, so he took them by the hand and led them out of the frame and into his sketchpad. There they soon found themselves together in small scenes.

It began with the father and his hoop-playing son. He gave the father a family with children. In this way, my husband populated the park with Figures, each one explaining to him how to proceed further. Little by little, there arose before his eyes a picture of undramatic events, a calm world of leisure with no strident noises.

There arose small temples and ruins, the filigree bridge with swan-house and swans, and finally a house in the Danish style, based on the Schloss Blumendorf in Holstein. In the English garden there should be riders passing by, and people laying out a picnic, and girls should dance, inspired by a fountain in Schloss Schlitz in Mecklenburg. To play for them, there should also be musicians. The shepherd also needed a small flock of sheep. In this way the Summer Daydream grew as if of its own accord.

My husband had begun the series in November 2001, and with it he filled the dark times with impressions of Summer. When the series was almost finished (it would consist of no more than fifty figures)

in February of the following year he added a boat with two ladies, a gentleman, and negro boy. At the very end he had an inspiration, and enlivened the scenery with a faun and fleeing nymph.

Why not? We find ourselves in a frolicsome dreamworld, which we can no longer encounter in reality, but can with tin figures.

The idea was born. An artistic talent has brought it to life. It now only remains for the collector to give wings to his fantasy with the “Summer Daydream in an English Garden”. Perhaps he too will agree with my husband’s saying “Et in Arcadia Ego.”

"Ein Sommertagstraum im Englischen Garten", figure numbers EG1-EG50, is available from:Braunschweiger Zinnfiguren,Dr. Peter Dangschat,Schaferteich 4a,38302 Wolfenbuttel-Salzdahlum, Germany.

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KLIO-ARBEITSGRUPPE SHOGUNOur special interest group was created in Goslar in 1986 and today, the group, with an international membership of over 50 people, can look back on a series of very fertile years.

The basic interest of SHOGUN is Japanese history and culture through the medium of the tin figure. The initiative for the creation of the group came about with the publication of the novel “Shogun” by James Clavell and its TV adaptation. This

work popularised the meeting of Japanese and European cultures through its main characters - Shogun Toranaga and Pilot Blackthorne. This pair became the first of the Shogun series and the novel provided the name for the group. There is such a wide range of figures now available covering many periods and aspects of Japanese history and culture: town and countrymen, priests, samurai, warrior monks, personalities, kabuki theatre, ninja and courtesans plus boats, houses and castles both as flats and round figures.

SHOGUN concentrates on the 30mm flat figure and painstakingly researches, designs and produces this range of figures to meet the wishes of its membership.

There is a meeting each year, in March, in Goslar where there is much general talk on the subject, presentations, workshops, a competition and a vote on the forthcoming SHOGUN Series. We also meet in Kulmbach of course, guests always are welcome. There is information about the locality at the Shogun stand. This is not to difficult to find since our Japanese Nobori-Banner shows the location.

KLIO-AG SHOGUN welcomes to its membership all people and institutions, for whom Japanese culture and history and its representation in figures are of interest. The Annual Subscription is €25 (Retired/Unemployed/Student €20) this covers the two or three 12-page info letters, the year-end 100-page collection of articles, information with reviews (currently only in German) and the year issue series of SHOGUN flat figures with coloured photographs.

The Gempei War of the 12th century, between the Taira and the Minamoto families, and the Mongol Invasion in the 13th century brought the role of the Shogun and the Samurai to the fore in Japan. The following seven hundred years were to see the “power” of the Shogun and the sword.

In 1467 the Onin War ushered in a period of unrivalled conflict and rivalry in Japan that came to be called the Age of Wars. Japan disintegrated into a nation of warring states. Then, after years of fighting there followed a period of gradual fusion when the Daimyo (feudal lords) strove to reunite Japan under a new Shogun. Relative peace returned to Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate with the end of the Osaka War in 1615, but only at the end of the most violent, turbulent, cruel and exciting time in Japanese history.

KLIO-Arbeitsgruppe SHOGUN

by Rod Johnson

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presents a range of 30mm civil and military zinnfigur (flat figure) subjects covering these periods. Most series are complete with colour photographs, to aid painting, and a short historic text. These figures are priced in Euros and Sterling, postage will be charged at cost.

A catalogue has now been issued available in English price £1.50/€2. Each set is illustrated and described as in the example shown, 'the Downfall of the Taira at Dan-No-Ura 1185'.

Catalogue and figures are available from:

Rod Johnson,18 Oakwell Close,Stevenage,Herts,SG2 8UG.

Other sets illustrated are:Opposite topSeries No.1 'The Shogun Toranaga and the Englishman Blackthorne'.This page, top to bottom;Series No.26 'Market Life, part 3'Series No.7 'Toyotoma Hideyoshi being entertained by Geishas'Series No.5 'Tokugawa Ieyasu in Action'Series No.23 'Samurai and Footsoldiers of the 12th-14th Centuries - part 1'.

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As described elsewhere in this Journal (page 20) Gianpaolo Bistulfi has edited the first in a series of 30mm figures of the Indian Army.

A much-needed series, Indian Army figures are pretty thin on the ground.

They are available from:Gianpaolo Bistulfi,Via Alberti 10,20149 Milano,ItalyTel: 02 33106690E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://members.xoom.it/bistulfi

A few issues ago a large scale figure from Elisena was included in What's New Too.

Now details of two more in the series 'The hours of the day' have been received.

The series now comprises:10109 The Rest of the Night10111 The Day10110 The Evening

They are available from:Elisena SrlV. Igino Garbini 73/a01100 ViterboItaly.email: [email protected]: www.elisena.com

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Zinnfiguren Rieger has added to his 45mm Star Wars series with these new figures.From episodes 4-6 come the Emperor, Admiral Ackbar and Lando Calrissian. A large figure of a Tusken Raider mounted on a Bantha is also new.The first figures have been added from episode 1; Queen Amadala, Jar-Jar Binks and Darth Maul.

Available from:Karl-Werner Reiger,Melsdorfer Strasse 77,24109 Kiel,[email protected]

Also received, too late for illustrations to be included, are a set of Incas from Michael Behring. There are six figures of Atahual-pha and his women in the hot springs at Cajamarca, plus ten figures of Incas on the march, porters, Inca noble women and Atahualpha's bodyguard.

Available from:Michael Behring,Berliner Strasse 23,Leuenberg,16259 HöhenlandGermany

The latest flower fairies from Western Mini-atures are once more up to their usual high standards. These releases are the Willow Fairy from "Flower Fairies of the Trees" - certainly a challenge for those of you who like to work with a limited palette - the illustration being predominently green. If you prefer a broader range of colours then the second offering is for you. This is the Eyebright Fairy from "A Flower Fairy Alphabet" The figures are available at £6 each. Jon Redley.Also new from Dick are two more WWII aircraft, the Junkers Ju87 'Stuka' and the Gloster 'Gladiator'. £3 each.Another new set is "Hyde Park", full details on this in the next Journal.Postage £1.50 per order from Dick Jenkins.

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Memories in Blu -The Ferrarese Recollections

Part 3: Via Dei Romeiby

Roberto Scattolin

The alluring possibility to visit the Museo del Modellismo Storico in the wonderful town of Ferrara, did soon appeal in our minds with irrepressible impetus and incommensurable delight. It was in the year 1985 that a new “expeditionary force” got ready to move for the adventurous trip to the Estensi chief town. Some valuable agreements to get there were previously considered and discussed by phone.

Hugh took himself the duty to plan the trip by car15, in my part, I was instead kindly requested the task for an in-deep study of the town, plus to establish the exact location of the Museum (actually placed inside the ramparted circuit of the Renaissance walls) and the shortest way to easily reach the spot.

In a cool wintry day, but full of celestial radiance, a Sunday morning, our ranks moved in compact “battle-array” according to a pre-established time schedule.

As in former occasions, with martial exactness, at 08.30a.m., Hugh descended from his car in front of the “Prussian General-Headquarters”, ready to launch the offensive movement.

The tollgate “Padova Est” was soon taken, continuing in the direction leading to Bologna. A most pleasant trip and a very friendly conversation, focussed on similarly related Napoleonic military history topics, happened amid a lot of smiles.

Forty-five minutes later, after having passed the line of the River Po, we were in view of the outlines of Ferrara.

The troops went out from the motorway (tollgate “Ferrara Nord”), and took the indication for “Ferrara Center”.

We passed the Viale Po and entered the town through the Viale Cavour, till reaching nearby the Estense castle, a prominent stronghold strategically positioned in the very heart of the urban aggregation. We could only but admire its outstanding architectural features.

Munich Flatsby

Kjeld Bucholz

After having read Geoff Barnes article about a little box of figures that he found in Munich one Sunday morning, I have a few comments. The old lady that sold the box did not know what she was selling and apparently Geoff did not what he was buying.

During the end of world war II an American GI found/stole 10 small boxes of tin soldiers at Hitler’s summer residence, Berghof, at Berchtesgaden near to the Austrian border. The unknown soldier must have been with the American Army with head quarters in England. He must have considered the figures as souvenirs, and he later sold them to a collector in England.

The figures were models for the parade mentioned in Geoff’s article.

We have to go a little further back than 1939. In the late thirties the propaganda maker Joseph Goebbels wanted to create the impression that the culture in Europe all had to do with the German eagle and the swastika.

In 1936 the well known tin figure company “Babbette Schweitzer” in the town of Diessen am Ammersee, south of Munich, received a rather unusual request to create a special set of figures.

The set consisted of 236 different figures that should show two thousand years of German culture. On all the banners the swastika was displayed as was it on the Viking shields, the roman chariots, on mythological baroque figures, crusaders, renaissance soldiers, figures from Emperor Maximillian I and Frederick the Great.

Thirty sets were to be cast and painted, and the first set in 10 small boxes was presented to Hitler on his birthday in 1937, the year before the opening of the museum “Haus der Deutchen Kunst” in Munich where he attended the parade with the living tin-figures. What he saw in 1938 was a gigantic history fraud. One set went to the museum and the other was presented to the inner circle of the top Nazi party members.

A Dane purchased the set in the ten small boxes from an estate of a deceased

English person and without knowing what he had purchased, he now started a detective tour trying to find out what it was. In a book about German art in the Third Reich he came across an art professor Reinhardt Muller Mehlis who was an expert in German art of the Nazi time. He contacted the professor who immediately told him that all the sets were lost long ago. When the Dane told him that he had in fact a complete set in his hands and in original boxes, the professor said, "When can you come to Germany and show me the set, but it must be a false set." After having seen the figures he was the one who mentioned the name of Babbette Schweitzer. The Dane went on to Diessen and by a miracle met Annie Schweitzer who 56 years before had engraved the dies. She was a lady of 90 years and she cried after having seen the figures and told the Dane it was the company’s biggest treasure.

She kept saying, "It is fantastic" and "I can’t believe it". The family did know who had been presented with the individual sets, but trying to trace them had been without success. All that was left was the model pictures that visitors could buy for a small amount.

She had heard of four of the figures that had appeared after the war and had been sold to a collector for a five-figure number. The old Mrs. Schweitzer could only believe that the set was the one presented to Hitler in 1937 on his birthday.

The Dane reckoned the value of the complete set to be worth €300,000 in 1989.

Geoff stick to your figures, they have a good story and may be worth a quid or two.

The information is based on an article in a Danish Magazine in 1989.

Another Dane.

Editors Note: A translation of the article Kjeld refers to was included in Journal 14 under the title 'Hitler's Birthday Present'.

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The castle, one of the greatest masterpieces of the military architecture of the Middle Ages, is ascribed to the inspired talents of Bartolino Ploti da Novara, and it was raised in 1385 due to the authoritative will of Niccolò II.

We left it on our right flank and entered the Corso Giovecca. One of its side streets, on the right, was named Via dei Romei, the much yearned for headquarters of the Museo del Modellismo Storico, and therefore our strategic objective. The car was conveniently parked and we slowly walked till reaching the entrance of the museum.

As soon as the door was opened, we were warmly welcomed by the President of this cultural institution, Mr. Leonello Cinelli. That was truly a moment of intense dialogue and prolific affinities. I still remember with sympathy the cheerful expression of politeness of Mr. Cinelli when seeing such a couple of unblemished collectors in the early morning hours of the Sunday. And what a welcome he gave! From our first appearance he never doubted about our significant role of “culture collectors”.

So fluently “erupted” our reciprocal exchange of views in the field of model-soldiers collecting that we stood almost motionless, at one metre from the main entrance, for at least more than one hour16.

It gives me pleasure to recall that, on my left side, hung on the wall, were positioned a number of display cases made of glass and beautifully framed in mahogany. I noticed that each was marked with a serial number on the right high corner. The first I saw had the number 56.

Mr Cinelli acted as a perfect Amphitryon and led us to see all these cases overflowing with painted and unpainted model soldiers, plastic figures, tanks, model cars and model aeroplanes.

The conformation of the museum structure was basically essential: a big rectangular-shaped ground floor. This spacious area had been sharp-sightedly rationalised, following the form of a horseshoe. The results were indeed very appreciable.

While we were reviewing some hundreds of pieces of armed warriors through the centuries of history17, the

54mm and 90mm being the dominant characteristic, we were further introduced to seasoned local collectors. For such an opportunity, it seemed we also started to collect handshakes. We then reached the only room (with sliding door from left to right) used as a meeting point for the many devotees to modelling-branches.

Something resembling very much like to the functional possibilities of an office; on the right stood a metallic writing desk and, in front of it, about 20-25 chairs ranged by a fire. Their backs were red-coloured. On the left of the room there were instead placed some shelves full of modelling magazines and a differentiated assortment of boxes, the figure of a big metallic cupboard did equally emerge. Mr. Cinelli, with the usual benevolence, proffered at the same time some precious information concerning the historical background of the museum.

Such an association took its origins nearly ten years in the past, with the naming of “Modellisti Ferraresi”. It was under this denomination that this group of fellow-members did organize the first exhibitions at national level. The name of Museo del Modellismo Storico was taken in strict concomitance with the official inauguration in the year 1983, of the first structure fitted for exhibitions of prominence. That was a dismissed corn warehouse, laboriously restored, and located at the very edge of the medieval part of the town of Ferrara.

The museum was placed at the end of a long XV Century street all the atmosphere “transpired” the breath and vivification of the historical past. A silent and harmonious fascination surrounded the whole milieu.

One of the most friendly collectors we were introduced to was Mr. Andrea Paramucchi, a native Ferrarese by birth, whose distinguished bearing stood almost unequalled in spontaneity, transparency of character and humbleness. A truly good-natured person, always ready to give immediate help and fullest collaboration.

Great had been the surprise of Mr. Cinelli while lasting our first conversation near the main entrance, when I kindly expressed that, in the hobby of miniaturised historical armies, my favourite side was collecting flat figures

called “Kulturhistorischer Zinnfiguren” produced in the German Federal Republic, but far greater appeared the astonishment of Mr. Paramucchi, a long-time consolidated veteran in the art, when hearing also about their 30mm comparative scale.

Overflowing therefore it revealed their interest concerning this virtually unknown world of collecting 30mm flat miniatures.

Andrea most wisely suggested having a break, and he led us outside the very delimitation of the museum, to a little confectioners shop which stood almost in front of the this building, just nearly 5 metres on the other side of the paved street. Mr. Cinelli favourably nodded with a profusion of smiles and good words. Hugh did seemly consent to the beautifully delivered invitation. Andrea invited all of us to share with him a late in the morning (11am had already passed) breakfast.

A much needed for pause did suitably follow, spent among cups of hot lemon tea, coffee and cream-based pastries.

A terrific and highly captivating conversation referring to the absorbing theme of Zinnfiguren rapidly ensued, amid the uncontainable expressions of cultural delight of the local customers sitting inside the shop.

The author would like to express his fullest gratitude to the following institutions:The Museo Nazionale del Soldatino “Mario Massacesi” (Bologna), and the Director (that was Roberto Nannetti);The Museo del Modellismo Storico (Ferrara), and the Director (that was Leonell Cinneli);Equally to Andrea Paramucchi and his most gentle wife Morena.The author remembers with kindness, beyond the events and fluctuations of private, Hugh and his wife Marina, the other friend plus his wife Antonia (it was the author who made the introduction of this pretty Miss to the said friend, and they got happily married in 1991).To all of them, my heart-felt expression of esteem well beyond the human categories of space and time.

Notes.15. In this occasion, the second travelling companion was remarkably prevented from coming with us due to some private

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commitments that could not be postponed. With the greatest sympathy words were uttered: Ah, les affaires d’amour….

16. In the innermost recesses of my memory, I have retained the image of a commemorative plate positioned nearby the main entrance; on it were engraved the names of the founders of the Museo.

17. Great emphasis was given to the glories of Rome with a plethora of legionaries and savage-looking barbarian tribesmen in antithesis to the relentless advancing Roman conquests. The Middle Ages were gorgeously represented, especially

the evolution of warfare in the Italian Communi. The XIX century brought a most marvellous and wide display of Piedmont troops (infantry, cavalry and artillery) engaged with the armies of Austria during the so-called Risorgimento. Here and there some Napoleonic figures did come into view. I was literally shaken by an outstanding 90mm model representing a Polish Lancer (from the range of Barton Miniatures?) of the French (Napoleonic) Imperial Guard. Painted by Andrea Zanotti, this amazing masterpiece belonged to Cinelli’s collection. The Polish Lancer, in a standing position, silently imposed respect and deferent admiration.

I had been always attracted by the colourful attires of the Indian Army of the period 1880-1910 and I would like to add to my collection a set of flat figures complete enough to give an idea of the various cavalry and infantry regiments.

I had some good books and colour references for this subject, among which were the wonderful watercolours of Mr.Lovett, and it seemed a pity to leave all this documentation unused.

I made careful researches through the catalogues of the different Editors, but I did not find what I wanted. In fact, I found a lot of figures in the period from the beginning of 19th century up to the Indian Mutiny in the catalogues of Western Miniatures, Neckel, Rieger and Wohlmann; but not in the period of my interest.

In reality, the Wohlmann catalogue has some figures of the Indian Army at the end of 20th century and I bought many of these figures even if they are of the type with the rider to be glued or soldered to the horse and not accurate enough (but good looking when painted, expecially for diorama use).

I have been waiting for several years hoping that some Editor would issue the figures of my dreams, at last I decided to produce a series of figures of the Indian Army myself.

Taking inspiration from the documentation I had, I made the drawings and the reductions to 30 mm scale, I contacted two engravers (Dr.G.Söllner and B.Süssmeier), sent the drawings and documentation and waited for the figures.

I chose subjects with the possibility of different painting solutions, in order to have the maximum of uniforms (with some minor modifications) with the minimum of figures.

The first group of figures includes 4 cavalry figures and two foot figures.

The bibliography below may be used for uniforms reference.

People without reference books may find some colour tables and photos on my website:

http://members.xoom.it/bistulfi This note would also be an

encouragement to those collectors who want some special figure not included in the standard production of Editors; this happens particularly to people interested in theme-collections or figures of a single Nation, or figures for a diorama, etc.

Of course, the operation is not economic (the engraving of a mounted figure cost about 100 Euro) even if it is possible to recover a part of the cost by selling figures; however, the satisfaction of painting self planned figures is great; it may be more convenient in case you need many figures of the same type yourself (e.g. for a diorama or for painting many different uniforms on the same figure).

In conclusion, I started this new 30 mm flat figures catalogue and I hope

in the future to go on with more figures of the Indian Army series and maybe with a series of the Italian Army in the second half of the 20th century, and maybe with some Ancient Greeks ships, and maybe.....

BibliographyIndian Cavalry Regiments 1880-1914, by A.H.Bowling- Almark PublicationsThe Armies of India by G.F. McMunn - Crecy Books (the watercolours of Major Lovett were also available as postcards by The Army Museum of London)An Assemblage of the Indian Army Soldiers & Uniforms, from the paintings of Chater Paul Chater, by Michael Glover - Perpetua PressThe Indian Army, by Boris Mollo - Blandford PressSkinner’s Horse, by C. Rothero - AlmarkCAMPAIGNS N°49MAA Indian Infantry Regiments 1860-1914MAA 91 Bengal Cavalry Regiments 1857-1914Britain & the Empire, by Major M.Barnes

-Seeley Service

The figures are illustrated right.Top row, left to right:In1: Skinner's Horse.In3: Officer, 4th Madras Cavalry.In4b: 6th King Edward’s Own Cavalry.Bottom row, left to right:In2: 34th Horse, 18th Lancers, 19th Lancers.In4: Hyderabad Contingent Infantry.In5: 15th Ludiana Sikhs.

The Indian Army,a new series of flats

byGianpaolo Bistulfi

Pictured on the right are some mounted knights Roberto supplied as illustrations for this article. The Standard Bearer of Hapsburg, the Emperor Maximillian and the Duke of Urgel. Ochel flats believed to have been painted by Bill Horan.

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The Next Bulk OrdersDangschat - orders before end of October 2003. Catalogue: Price Band H

One catalogue only in this Journal, but it is a big one, filled with an eclectic mix of figures including, it must be said, some categorised as erotic.There are several large series; Britannia Rules the Waves, the Royal Navy in the Napoleonic period; La Carmagnole, the Revolutionary Wars, including the rising in the Vendee; the American War of Independ-

ance; The Greek War of Independance in 1824; Brunswick, figures of many periods; Regency ladies and dandies, many based on the caricatures of Cruikshank and others.In addition, there are many personality figures. English, Brunswick and Prussian nobility, Napoleon in many poses, French, English and German generals and lead-ers such as Wellington, Blucher, Nelson,

Washington.Vignettes are also to be found including Marie Antoinette on her way to the Guil-lotine, Marat murdered in his bath, the Press Gang, Captain Cook, the Mutiny on the Bounty, etc.There should be a new catalogue available by now.

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SOCIETY SALES & BULK ORDERS

All catalogues should be obtained from Michael Creese. All prices quoted here include postage. To use the Bulk Order System, make your selection of figures from the selected Bulk order catalogues only and send your order, giving as much detail as possible of page and figure number, and any title, to Ed Humphreys. Only include a SAE (1st class) if you think Ed will not already have one of yours in hand. Don’t send any payment until requested. Above all, be patient, as some orders take several months to come through.

Catalogue BandBehring ABelaschk ABraunschweiger Zinn. HB & S Zinnfiguren CCeard Staoine (Frenzel) BCortum CDe Tinnen Tafelronde EFriedrich CGössling AHafer (1995 Edition) EHeinrichsen BHelmut Braune BHistoria Müller HHohrath AKästner CKovar D

Catalogue BandKoch CKrog GKügl DLübecker Zinnfiguren AReiner Mischko CMenz CNeckel Part 2 (1790-1945) D Nonn (1994 Edition) COldhafer (1993 Edition) EOtto CPelta AReh BReibold ARetter ARieger DWolf-Peter Sander D

Jürgen Schmittdiel H Dieter Schulz ASchüssler/Wohlmann ASegom (1992 Supplement) A Segom (plus Supplement) ESpeyer ATobinnus EUnger AUwe Peter CVollrath (Golberg) DWagner AWeirich (1994 Edition) BWiener Zinnfiguren DWünsch BFigures of Ancient Egypt FSelected back issues - each A

Catalogue Band

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