POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Toy soldiers and accessories

Object No. 2008/158/4

This collection of toy soldiers and accessories (21) were primarily made by W. Britain Limited (also known as Britain's), a leading toy model manufacturer for over 60 years. The firm was best known for its diverse collections of toy soldiers, but also produced miniature animal figurines, including zoo, circus and farm themed collections. The inclusion of 'Wild West' sets in the company's range came about in 1913 and 1908 respectively, with the onset of moving pictures. Before the advent of television in Australia in 1956, many children made weekly trips to the cinema where the program included American films and Western cowboy themed serials. The serials were left in a 'cliff hanger' situation to ensure a return visit the following week. Consequently, these themes became a prominent feature of children's play at this time. The influence and popularity of the American Wild West saw it continue to spread into popular culture via radio and later television not only through toy model soldiers such as this but also through toy guns, bows and arrows, dress ups, and tents. These toy soldiers and accessories were owned by the donor and used by him in Hobart, Tasmania, from about 1935 to 1942. They are part of a small collection of toys used by members of the Wyatt family in Hobart, Tasmania and Roseville, NSW from 1935 until 1965. The toys were made in Britain, Germany and Australia, and are representative of the types available to Australian children at the time. They are significant in that they have remained in the one family and have been extremely well looked after, many in their original boxes with the instruction leaflets and information intact. Margaret Simpson Curator, Science & Industry March 2008

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Summary

Object Statement

Toy soldiers and accessories (21), lead, W. Britain Limited (or Britain's), United Kingdom,1908-1935, used by the Wyatt family, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia / Roseville, New South Wales, Australia, 1935-1965

Physical Description

Toy soldiers and accessories (21), lead, made by W. Britain Limited (or Britain's), United Kingdom,1908-1935, used by the Wyatt family, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia / Roseville, New South Wales, Australia, 1935-1965 Collection of miniature toy soldiers (21), comprising two groups: 12 hollow-cast lead figures made by W. Britain Limited (or Britain's) and 8 figures by an unknown manufacturer. The 12 hollow-case lead figures made by W. Britain Limited comprise: Four 'North American Indian chiefs' mounted on horseback each carrying a tomahawk. The horses they are riding have their tails flying out. A later version of this model was made with the tails down and moulded into the body of the horses to minimise breakage. Of all the horses produced by W Britain Limited, these figures were made in the fastest galloping position and appear to be almost leaving the ground. So much so, that they required an added base on one hoof to stand upright. Two of the figures are on brown horses with dark green leggings, green shirts and long head dresses, and two are on black horses with blue shirts. Three 'North American Indian braves' are standing with rifles on guard in a curiously disciplined and regimented manner. One figure has red leggings, a single feather in his hair and a bare chest. The two other figures are similar except one has yellow leggings and the other blue. Red, yellow and blue were the usual three-colour variations used by W. Britain Limited model painters. Two 'North American Indian braves' are represented, each figure crawling with a knife. One has red leggings, a gold headdress and bare chest and the other is similar except he has blue leggings. This particular model is said to be a second grade paint version. Two 'North American Indian braves' are crouching, each figure with a knife and a tomahawk. One wears a brown shirt, blue leggings and gold headdress while the other is the same with yellow leggings. One 'North American Indian brave' standing with a tomahawk wearing a green shirt, brown leggings and a gold head dress. The eight remaining lead miniatures comprise a mounted figure on a black horse with a pistol, three running figures carrying shields and brandishing hatchets, a brown bear, two large trees and two smaller trees. These figures are much less three-dimensional in appearance and stand on six-sided, green painted bases.

PRODUCTION

Notes

The firm of W. Britain Limited (also known as Britain's) was founded in Birmingham, England, in about 1845, by William Britain (1828-1906). Later, William moved from Birmingham to Hornsey Rise in North London where he converted his new family home in Lambton Road into a factory. The family worked together producing ingenious mechanical clockwork toys. However, it was the production of hollowcast toy soldiers for which the company became famous. A major development for the company occurred in 1893 when William Britain Jnr, found a way of casting lead figures that were hollow, more life-like and most importantly more economical to make than the two dimensional solid figures (known as flats), which were being made by German toy manufacturers at the time. Despite this claim, the origin of the hollowcast method has also been attributed to German toy manufacturers. At first W. Britain Limited made British Army regiments from the United Kingdom including mounted Lifeguards, the monarch's Household Cavalry, foot soldiers and guardsmen. Models of football teams where introduced in 1904, Salvation Army figures in 1906, and other civilians in 1908, followed by railway staff and passengers in 1909, all in the standardised 54 mm size. Britains first issued 'North American Indians' in 1908 and cowboy figures followed in 1913 under the name of 'American Cowboys'. The first was Set No.150, 'North American Indians and chiefs' on foot, and featured six figures standing with rifles and two figures with tomahawks, all with fixed arms. Later, two additional figures with moveable arms were added, a figure with a knife and a 'medicine man', in place of two of the figures. Set No.152 which comprised five mounted figures was first released in 1908. Three of the riders carried rifles and two had tomahawks. Combination sets were referred to as 'Wild West'. Many of the standard 54mm size figures remained until the end of lead production in 1966. The soldiers were issued both in boxed sets and individually in the Picture Pack Range made between 1954 and 1959. In the 1950s plastic models were added to the range under the name of the 'Herald' but the firm never regained its pre-War stature and in 1966 stopped production of its lead models due to child health and safety concerns.

HISTORY

Notes

The donor owned and played with these toy soldiers while growing up in Hobart, Tasmania, from about 1935 to 1942. They show little evidence of wear and were obviously carefully looked after. After the donor was finished playing with them the miniatures were packed away and stored in a small cardboard box which originally held a toy DC-1 aircraft called the 'Baby Douglas'. They were brought to Sydney with all his possessions when he moved with his wife and family in 1965. The figures are part of a toy collection owned by the Wyatt family and presented to the Museum in 2008.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Gift of Ruth & Richard Wyatt, 2008

Acquisition Date

5 August 2008

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