Book Review

BRITAINS & OTHER INTERESTING TOY SOLDIERS
By John Franklin

John Franklin will be familiar to our readers as a frequent contributor to the magazine. Indeed, a number of the chapters in this excellent new book are based on articles John has written for us over the past few years. However, this is mostly new material that adds considerably to what has previously been published – the emphasis is on the Interesting rather than Britains. Although the main focus is on the output of that famous company, this is not a revised tour along the routes followed so successfully by Opie and Wallis.

What we have here is a very personal take on the joys of collecting toy soldiers, especially (but not exclusively) those produced by the Lambeth Road factory. This is based on over 60 years experience, the author taking us on a journey from his first modest acquisitions as a child to the building up of a comprehensive collection representing the British army and its colonial allies in its heyday. John is not just a collector but also a modeller and expert painter. Many of the magnificent sets portrayed are examples of his own work, made to fill gaps left by Britains. These are mostly converted from Britains figures and painted in their special paint style.

The author focuses on a number of varied but often overlapping themes:

• Britains special painting;
• The Poitier-Smith collection;
• Military bands, including Cavalry mounted bands, bands of the Highland and other Scottish Regiments, and Indian Army Pipe bands;
• Colour parties, including a special chapter on those of the Indian Army;
• Britains large display sets;
• Britains Parade series, especially the Black Watch;
• Essays on various other rare and enigmatic sets such as the legendary Colonials, Poles, Netherland and Argentinians “con caso” and Royal Artillery at the halt series;
• Whisstock Boxes;
• The work of Bill Cranston, focussing on
• the British Colonial Indian Army

Although the main emphasis is on Britains figures, this last topic will be welcome to those who are already familiar with the figures produced by Mr Cranston. Unlike the work of Freddie Green, whose figures were almost all converted from Britains castings, Bill Cranston sculpted his own masters. This is the first in depth review of his work that I am aware of. His Indian Army troops are full of character and complement Britains wonderfully.

This is a very well-illustrated book, with lots of interesting tales and analysis, peering into some of the lesser-known aspects of Britains, as well as a few other toy soldier makers. This volume will make a welcome addition to the library of anyone interested in Britains or the British army in toy soldier form. Another volume is in the offing. I for one cannot wait to see what else John has to say on this fascinating topic.