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Dear Partners,
Can’t quite believe we’re already going
into the 4th month of 2025!!! How time flies when you’re enjoying
yourself and having fun at the same time.
This month is a relatively modest one with
no vehicles and no aircraft models BUT some very
interesting and unusual subject matter and unique figures to go with them.
P.S. King & Country office will be
closed from April 4th to 6th due to public holiday, operation resumes on
April 7th.
Now, read on…
1. BEING RELEASED IN APRIL…
A. Might and Murder in Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was an epic
civilisation that began with the city’s founding
in the 8th Century B.C. and lasted until
its final collapse during the 5th Century A.D.
During these years it grew and expanded controlling its neighbours
with a combination of treaties and brute, military power.
After subjugating the entire Italian peninsula it
then became the premier power in and around the Mediterranean region
and large parts of Europe.
At its height it also controlled the North African coast,
Egypt, the Balkans, Crimea and much of, what we now
call the Middle East.
This Roman Empire covered almost 2 million square miles with
an estimated 60-90 million subjects of all races and religions,
approximately 20% of the world’s population at that time.
During these years the Roman state evolved from an elective monarchy to a
classical republic and finally into an increasingly autocratic military
dictatorship ruled over by a long succession of Emperors, Generals and
Senators whose various reputations went from ‘wise, good and
honest’ all the way to ‘mad, bad and dangerous to know’ and
virtually all points in between!
Here are a few welcome additions to our Ancient Roman series…
ROM080 “General Marcus Agrippa”
Marcus Vipsanius
Agrippa (63BC-12BC) was a Roman General, statesman and architect who was a close
friend and son-in-law to the Emperor Augustus, Agrippa gained fame
and laurels for his major military victories, notably the Battle
of Actium in 31BC when he defeated the combined armies of Mark
Antony and Cleopatra.
In addition to his military victories he was also responsible for the
construction of many notable buildings in Rome including the original ‘Pantheon’.
Our K&C figure shows him mounted in full ceremonial armour
and wearing the blue cape of a Roman admiral in honour
of his great naval victory.
ROM082 “The New Roman Legionaries” (2 fig. Set)
As most collectors know you can never have too many
marching soldiers and these two Roman Legionaries are no exception. Perfect in multiples for a ‘Roman Triumph.’
ROM083 “The Death of Caesar” (4 fig. Set)
Ancient Rome’s most famous politician and
personality Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of
rebellious senators on the ‘Ides of March’ (March 15,
44B.C.)
Lured to a meeting of the Senate by a group of Senators, he was stabbed no
less than 23 times before dying. Among the principal
conspirators (and assassins) of Caesar were Marcus Brutus, Gaius
Cassius and Decimus Albinus. All three are part of
this set.
The three conspirators can bee seen surrounding
the stricken Caesar as they plunge their daggers once more into the
helpless victim.
As can be seen in some of our photos showing this 4-figure set, K&C’s
ancient Roman Triumphal Arch (SP117) provides
a perfect backdrop.
ROM084 “‘The Marching Optios”
(2
fig. Set)
In the Roman Legions an ‘Optio’ held
a rank in each ‘Century’ similar to that of an Executive
Officer.The
main function of these soldiers in battle was to be stationed at the rear
of the ranks and keep the troops in order.
Among their other duties were to enforce the orders of the Centurion and /
or take over command of the Century in battle should the need arise plus
other administrative duties while in camp or on the march.
As an interesting side note, Optio pay was double
the standard Legionary payment.Optios
were also the most likely candidates to be promoted to ‘Centurion’ if
that appointment became vacant.
AVAILABLE: Early April
B. ‘The Mounted Sun
King’
TR019 “The Mounted Sun King”
Following the success of our first model of King Louis XIV late
last year one of our French collectors sent me an illustration of the
famous ‘Sun King’ on horseback
carrying the Royal Banner of France. I am happy to say it did
inspire me to produce our own version and here it is.
Another source of inspiration were several superb Russian-made models of Louis XIV which
are in themselves stunning pieces of work to look at with… stunning prices
to match!
AVAILABLE: Early April
C. ‘IN THE SANDS OF EGYPT’
Following the discovery of the Ancient Tomb of the boy king Tutankhamun in
1922 visitors from far and wide journeyed to The Valley of The Kings to
see for themselves the burial site of the young Pharoah.
Among these visitors were some famous Egyptians as well as a member of a
well-known British aristocratic family…
AE110 “King Farouk of Egypt”
Farouk 1 (1920-1965) was the 10th ruler of Egypt
from the Muhammad AIi Dynasty and
destined to be the penultimate King of Egypt and the Sudan from
1936 until 1952 when he was overthrown by a military coup.
As a ruler, Farouk was known for his
extravagant playboy lifestyle. While initially popular, his reputation was
eroded due to the corruption and incompetence of his government and
ministers which only increased as the years went by.
Throughout his reign Farouk would often visit the last resting place of
Tutankhamun and was often seen talking with some of the foreign tourists
about the long dead boy king.
Our figure shows him during the late 1930s and into the 1940s on one such
visit dressed in a western-style double-breasted suit of the finest Egyptian
Cotton topped with a wine-coloured Fez and
carrying an ancient Egyptian walking cane.
AE111 A General of The Egyptian Monuments Police
After the discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb
in 1922 hordes of visitors descended on the burial site. In order to
protect the sanctity and security of the tomb, its location and its
contents the Egyptian Government seconded an Army general to rapidly form a
disciplined force that would 'police' the entire area as well as other
important sites of antiquity in 'The Valley of The Kings' and elsewhere in
Egypt.
Here is the General-in-Charge saluting King Farouk on one of
his visits.
AE112 “An Egyptian Monuments Policeman”
On duty protecting Egypt’s history and heritage.
AE113 “Lady Edith Crowley”
‘Downton Abbey’ is a British historical
drama television series taking place in the early decades of the 20th Century. Set
in the years 1912-1926 it depicts the lives and loves of the aristocratic Crawley family
in the post Edwardian era.
Among the many momentous events that take place during this time are… ‘The
sinking of the Titanic.’ ‘The First World War’ and … ‘The
Discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb’.
And so, it is not too surprising that one of the extended Crawley family has
decided to travel to Egypt to see for herself the final resting place of
the long-lost Pharoah.
In this case it is Lady Edith Crawley the second
daughter of Lord and Lady Grantham, who has travelled out to
Egypt, on her own to visit this incredible site.
As you can see she is protecting her fair English
Rose complexion with a colourful parasol
against the blazing Egyptian sun.
AVAILABLE: Mid-Late April
D. ‘FRENCH LINE INFANTRY REINFORCEMENTS’
As promised elsewhere here, are no less
than 8 additional, classic French Infantry of
The Line to join the 12 already released members
of Napoleon’s 3rd Regiment.
These newest ‘recruits’ are once more in a dynamic
selection of action poses that will enliven any Napoleonic battle scene.
Included among their number is a superb mounted colonel shouting out
commands to his troops.
NA526 “French Line Infantryman Charging”
NA527 “FLI Loading Musket”
Reaching back into his cartridge pouch for a fresh round this soldier still
stays focused on the enemy.
NA528 “FLI Charging w/Bayonet Down”
This soldier looks as if he is about to ‘bayonet’ a fallen
enemy!
NA529 “FLI Charging w/Musket & Bayonet”
Holding his weapon by his right side and crouching down this man attempts
to make himself a smaller target for enemy riflemen.
NA530 “FLI Advancing w/Musket Levelled”
Marching steadily forward this soldier holds his musket and bayonet to the
front.
NA531 “FLI Advancing Port Arms”
Another advancing Infantryman with his musket and bayonet held across his
body.
NA532 “FLI Advancing Drummer”
Keeping up a steady beat this drummer looks towards his officer for any
order to change his drum roll from ‘Advance’ to ‘Charge!’
As can be seen here, drummers never carried muskets but were equipped
with a short sword for personal protection.
NA533 “French Line Infantry Mounted Officer”
On the march or on campaign it was usually only the Battalion Commander who
was mounted. All other officers, from subalterns to majors, marched
and fought on foot alongside their men.
In addition, any of these more junior officers who chose to be mounted
provided an obvious target for enemy sharpshooters.
This particular Battalion Commander would probably
be at the rear of his men at the centre of his
battalion able to better view the situation from his horse’s back and issue
orders accordingly.
AVAILABLE:
Mid April
2.
BEING RETIRED THIS MONTH…
And that, my friends and fellow collectors
is that for another 30 days or so. I hope that
there is something for some of you in these new releases.
If not, my apologies, and let’s see what else is coming in the following
months.
In the meantime…Very best wishes and, as ever, happy
collecting!
HK214 “The Wedding Party”
PnM023X “The King’s Standard Bearer”
PnM067 “King Charles I”
PnM074 “King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden”
PnM075 “Milady de Winter”
PnM076 “The Duke of Buckingham”
PnM077 “King Louis XIII & Queen Anne of France”
PnM078 “The Three Musketeers & d’Artagnan”
RA079 “Victory Over Fascism”
RA080 “RNI Kneeling Firing”
RA081 “RNI Rifleman”
RA082 “RNI Charging w/PPSH41”
RA083 “RNI Advancing Rifleman”
RA084 “RNI Petty Officer Attacking”
RA085 “RNI Standing Firing PPSH41”
RA086 “RNI Light Machine Gunner”
RA087 “The Maxim 1910 Machine Gun Set”
RA088 “RNI Standing Firing Moisant
Nagant Rifle”
RA089 “RNI Kneeling Firing Rifle”
RA090 “RNI Advancing w/MP40”
RA091 “RNI Lying Prone Sniper”
USMC013 “Marine Officer w/ Tommy Gun”
USMC040 “Bare-Chested Marine”
P.S. A little ‘Shout-Out’ to
some dedicated K&C Collectors who have visited us recently in Hong
Kong… Alan & Marie from the U.K. who stopped
by for a couple of days on their way to a well-earned holiday in Vietnam.
Also in town, was Mark
H from Brisbane in the Land of Oz who journeyed all the way up from
‘down under’ and found some very rare items in the King
& Country Archives here in Head Office!
Please note: All our K&C
collectors around the world and here in Hong Kong itself are always welcome
to visit Head Office and get the ‘Cook’s Tour’ of our humble HQ and
inspect our Archives and Show Room.
All we request is that you contact us
personally in advance so we can arrange your visit at a time that will work
or all of us.
Come one… Come all!
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