The passing of John Ruddle was reported in the previous issue. In December 2023, C & T Auctions in Broadstairs, Kent were proud to auction his extensive collection. John’s name and face will be familiar to many of our readers. He was one of the pioneer authors on the subject of Britains figures. His Collectors’ Guide to Britain’s Model Soldiers was first published in 1980 and predates the now famous works by James Opie and Joe Wallis. Although not as scholarly, or anywhere near as comprehensive as those later works, this book provided one of the first all colour guides to the Britains range. I was just starting collecting in a serious fashion, and John’s book opened my eyes to the delights of such exotic items as Britains Paris Office figures and their special paints. I was especially taken with the mounted officer leading a small group of Cameronians, in extra fine detailed paint finish, which graced the cover.
Those who had the good fortune to visit John at his home would know that he also collected figures by other makers. Although John was probably most famous for his garden layout, he also had a magnificent display of toy soldiers hidden away in his attic. While there was not a great deal of space up there, once one had clambered up the ladder and settled down there was a marvellous display of toy soldiers, both on parade and in extensive dioramas, to be enjoyed. It was most of these figures that were now being offered for sale at the C&T auction.
John was a prominent member of the British Model Soldier Society (BMSS), serving as Secretary for many years and also acting as Auctioneer at the society’s annual auction. He also took on the onerous task of setting up and running the BMSS’s National Collection for many years. He moved in to his then newly built house in Hampton in 1955, remaining there for the rest of his life. He established his famous garden layout right from the start, and invited friends and fellow collectors to view it all at his annual open days in the summer.
John was a keen collector of Britains figures, which made up the bulk of his collection, although he also cast and painted his own figures, especially for his outdoor displays.
The auction comprised over 500 lots, predominantly Britains figures, many converted and repainted. There were many rare and sought after items, including ancient Britains, Paris Office types, special paints and much more.
The accompanying images show some of the lots which caught my eye.
Ancient Britains – This set of 1st version, East Yorkshire Regiment at attention, oval based, paper labels, attracted a lot of interest, with the hammer price eventually settling at £520 ($650), despite missing a couple of helmet spikes.
There were a number of examples of Britains special paints – This is a set of Cameronians with mounted Officer – note the extra fine detail on the trews. This set went for a modest £280 ($350).
Early Britains boxed sets – This rare set was issued to commemorate Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. It was available for just a year or so, with this box label. It continued as Set #72 in the Britains catalogue until 1916.This lot saw some of most competitive bidding, with the hammer eventually going down at £3,800 ($4,750).
Other rarities included 3 counter-pack lying, firing figures wearing pith helmets. These went under the hammer for £580 ($725), some of the most expensive figures in the whole sale !
John also had a small but select collection of
Britains Paris Office types, including these 4 rare
single figures representing the British Army which went for £480 ($600).
There were a number of examples of steel helmeted horse drawn sets, including Set #1440
which attracted a final bid of £1,650 ($2,050).
Figures by other makers, such as these rare hollowcast Japanese and Russian figures, circa
1905, by Renvoize and others, also attracted a lot of interest, despite considerable retouching,
eventually selling for £360 ($450).
Foreign makers from Germany and France were also represented, such as Heyde and CGBG Mignot. These attractive, large scale Indian Army figures by Noris also tempted a number of bidders, eventually going under the hammer for £620 ($775).
As noted above John was an inveterate maker and painter as well as collector. The next image is just one of many lots featuring John’s own conversions based on Britains and other figures. This features British Forces: a Royal Engineers Observation Balloon with Winch Wagon and six horse team, Rifle Brigade Bugles Band and Escort, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, Army Ordnance Corps and Westminster Yeomanry. Despite being very attractive, many such lots were knocked down for peanuts. This lot of just under 100 pieces was knocked down for just £120 ($150). It is interesting to note that many of these figures are already being re-offered for sale on eBay at much inflated prices!
This was another very attractive lot including superb Durbar elephants converted by John from Britains and other figures. This one attracted a lot of interest eventually going under the hammer for £1,050 ($1,300).
John also collected a few “New toy soldiers”, including example, of the work of Colin J. Burkilll, such as this interwar artillery tractor which went under the hammer for £300 ($375).
John also had an extensive collection of Freddie Green’s work, such as these Britains conversions of
Papal States Swiss Guard and Noble Guard, Norwegian Royal Guard, Swedish Royal Gota Bodyguard,
all with Officers and Colours. This lot was knocked down for £260 ($325).
There were also many non military lots including cowboys and Indians, medieval knights and much
more. One of the highlights of the civilian items was this Salvation Army Band, which went for a modest £480 ($600).
A rare Corporation Ambulance (Set # 1514),with its original box, attracted a lot more
interest, with the hammer finally going down at £3,100 ($3,875).
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises was how well Crescent gun teams went at the auction, outperforming their Britains equivalents. This boxed set went for £540 ($675), despite being mismatched! In contrast, a fine first version of Britains set 39 in its original box went for just £420 ($525).