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  • Lead Soldiers by Britains
    Posted Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:15 PM by Suzannetique | 0 Comments

    Brief History of Britains

    Vintage and antique military figures for play and collecting are loved by boys young and old, and nobody did them better than Britains. Famous for quality and knowledge of authentic arms and uniforms, Britians was established in 1845 in London after French and German manufacturers demonstrated the success of mass produced figures as toys for children, and models for collectors.

     

    Brief History of Lead Soldiers

    The earliest mass-produced figures were made in the 18th in Germany.  These were referred to as “flats, and were produced by pouring a tin alloy through a two piece mold that was clamped together.  Semi-flats soon followed.  These were more dimensional that flats, but not as three dimensional as solids, which were cast in a mold and made of solid led alloy.  Solids were cast as one piece or parts that were then assembled, and became the most popular form for figures.

     

    Hollow Casting- A Britains Brealthrough

    In 1893, Britians had a major production breakthrough with the development of a technique for hollow casting. In this process, the outside layer cooled, forming a skin, and the excess still-liquid lead was poured out of a hole.  In the days of cheap labor and expensive materials, hollow figures meant that Britains could manufacture their figures for lower costs than their German counterparts.

     

    Values of Britains Figures

    Britains still manufactures popular collectible figures, although they ceased the production of lead toys in the 1960’s, and had switched emphasis to plastic.  In 1972, they reintroduced the metal figure.  Collectors look for complete sets in original boxes, although any vintage figure in good condition is desirable.  An 8 piece set of Dublin Fusiliers circa early 1900’s in its original box sold on eBay recently for $1,026.00.  Individual figures of about the same vintage can be purchased at antique shows for $10-20, depending on amount of paint loss and rarity.

  • Star Wars: Clone Wars and Trailer
    Posted Monday, February 18, 2008 4:46 PM by ikonono | 0 Comments

        Oh my goodness!  The Star Wars franchise has done it again.  Coming August 15, 2008,  Star Wars: The Clone Wars!

        Bridging the gap between Attack of the Clones (Episode II) and Revenge of the Sith (Episode III), this 3D animated full-length movie will blow your mind.  Many of you may remember the 2-disc animated series Clone Wars by animator Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack) where we got to see Mace Windu in a real combat situation verses General Grievous as well as Anakin Skywalker's slow burn towards the Dark Side. That series was great for the hard-core fan and collector, but it was lacking in that eye-popping effects and drama of the full-length features.

        Finally, Lucasfilms Animation has brought us the full-length feature film in 3d computer animation!! But lurking in the dark corners of the minds of every fan is the nagging question: “Will this film encompass the great emotional expanse that we expect from an episode in the Star Wars saga? Or will it just fill in some gaps, like so many half-conceived graphic novels and comic books?” The answer will not directly match either question, rather, it speaks of its own accord about the soul of this new venture: George Lucas is on board!!!

        "Besides setting up the core concept of the series, initially we weren't clear how involved George was going to be," says producer Catherine Winder. "When I signed-on no one could provide me with insights as to what we could expect in terms of his meeting with us -- it could have been three times a year or once a month was what I was told. Luckily for us we've had the fortune to have him very, very involved, but that sort of crept up over time."

        Excellent!! We all know what happens when George gets involved. He gets OBSESSED, and that is just what this film needs. He has taken the beautiful concept, previously done in 2D space as the first Clone Wars series, and moved it light-years ahead.

        There is another reason I am writing this, other than to talk Star Wars shop with my fellow Jedi. It is to give hope and begin anew the discussion that has only been spoken of in hushed groups at conventions or as a sombre addendum to a rehash of the series' many story lines... “What about the final three episodes?” I have been spouting my own opinions since before the release of the first Clone Wars series. I have always firmly believed that when the technology is at the right stage, the final three episodes should be made as animated features. Many will grumble that no animation can possibly rival the live-action films, and up until now, they would be right. However, with the release of The Clone Wars, George Lucas showed an increasing interest in the technology and animation used in the film. He also began to rewrite many of the scripts and keeping directors and editors in the studio until late in the night for many nights on end, a-la the live-action Star Wars films. With such an interest in the amazing level of animation, and a renewed interest in the series, it does not take much of a hopeful stretch of the imagination to think that he may consider attempting the final three episodes, complete with original character voices. This is, of course, highly debatable, and I would love to discuss this in the comments section below this blog.

            Star Wars: The Clone Wars hits theaters Friday, August 15, 2008, and will be followed by television series premiers on Cartoon Network and TNT. For more information, please visit the Star Wars homepage.

    An now, the Star Wars: Clone Wars trailer!!!