PAST EVENTS
Under the title "Military History in Miniature" Mr Chris Bartlett of the South African Model Soldier Society, presented a most interesting lecture to the April meeting of this Branch. To illustrate his talk he had set out a splendid selection of die-cast model soldiers. He opened his talk by asserting that toy soldiers are amongst the most appealing of all playthings, but readily admitted that he was somewhat biased!
Toy soldiers in all their forms have been around for many hundreds of years, right from Biblical times when they were first made from clay. They have gone through many materials - silver, gold, brass and to the present and best known tin or lead soldier we have come to know in the last 100 years.
Collecting of toy or model soldiers (as they are now known) is a rapidly expanding pastime in most countries throughout the world, South Africa being no exception. In 1988 the S.A. Model Soldier Society was started with the sole purpose of putting collectors of model soldiers in touch with each other. In two years there are now over 90 members throughout the country.
In the late 19th Century, William Britain perfected the hollow cast figure and in so doing made it cheaper to distribute, so they were shipped throughout the world. Quite a feat when one considers that they were all hand painted! He also created what is known as the 'standard' toy soldier - 54mm (2.12 inches). There are of course figures from 6mm to l50mm and the mediums now vary a great deal from plastic, resin, pewter, silver etc. etc. The most popular being 'white metal', a mixture of lead/tin and antimony.
There are modellers - the 'new wave' of collector who sculpt, make molds and paint their own figures. There are very many very fine companies in Europe and America who mass produce figures for this enormous world-wide market.
But it is probably the 'Toy' soldier which is popular in South Africa at present as there are few importers of the model soldier. This has changed recently with a few outlets starting to import model soldiers, mainly due to a demand that they didn't know was there.
There are now many magazines, books, tools, paints and materials to support this fascinating hobby as one cannot always buy ready painted figures. Many collectors want to collect only a certain period, or type ie Cavalry, Artillery. As they do not want to wait for a painted batch to come along they get to do their own thing, what interests them and above all else - what makes them happy.
There have been some very famous people who have been collectors - HG Wells, Douglas Fairbanks Jnr, not fogetting Kings of all the European countries too.
Anyone wishing to join this illustrious rank may do so by obtaining an application form from The S.A. Model Sodier Society, PO Box 138 Hillcrest 3650. Membership subscription, which includes, inter alia, a quarterly Bulletin costs R15 p.a.
The model soldiers exhibited by our speaker were supplemented by a small, but select, exhibition of die cast models of military vehicles, including tanks, from the collection of Sheldon McGlone, and artillery pieces, kindly arranged by fellow-member Ian Sutherland.
Dr David Prall complimented the exhibitors for the excellence of their samples and thanked the speaker most warmly for his contribution.
FUTURE EVENTS
Programme of Monthly Meetings:
MAY 10TH MRS VAL STEPHENSON will talk on GENERAL DAN PIENAAR.
June 14th Fellow-member Brian Thomas will talk on "Thomasian Military Antecedents".
The venue for all meetings is the functions room, first floor, Westville North Library, 167 Blair Atholl Rd, Westville. The library is on the corner of B1air Atholl and Iver Roads, at the robot-controlled intersection of Blair Atholl - Iver - Dunkeld Roads. We will revert to our usual commencement time of 19H45 (7.45 p.m.) on the second Thursday in each month. Please bring your own GLASS and bottled or canned refreshments. Ice will be supplied. FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME TO COME ALONG.
Members are reminded of THE BYRNE SETTLERS' 140TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS next weekend (12/13 May). Travelling time from Durban is approx. 1 hr 40 mins. Enquiries should be directed to the Secretary, Richmond/Byrne & Dist. Historical Society, Telephone (03322) 2543.
FAREWELL MAURICE
We have learnt with regret that Mr Maurice Gough-Palmer, who has been a good friend of this branch, has left his position as Secretary with the War Graves Board, as from the end of April.
We wish him everything of the best for his future.
(Mrs)Tania van der Watt
Secretary: Durban Branch
S.A. Military History Society
Box 870 Hillcrest 3650
Tel. 74mmmm