Dear
Partners,
By the time you read this I should already be back in
Hong Kong after my U.S. visit to the all-new ‘CHICAGOLAND
Toy Soldier Show’ which has
taken the place of the long-established but sadly now- cancelled ‘Chicago Toy Soldier Show’.
In addition, on this trip I will have visited San Antonio
and our own ‘KING
& COUNTRY TEXAS’ store.
Here in Hong Kong recently we have also survived, relatively
unscathed, a major Typhoon followed, a week later, by the heaviest rainfall in
the former Colony’s history since records began in
1884!
So, lots has been going on but somehow, through all of
that, K&C has still managed to bring out a few bits and pieces that I hope
collectors and dealers will appreciate… Let’s get on with
the show….
Following up on the
success and popularity of our ‘Tutankhamun’ related figures set in the years following the discovery of
the young pharaoh’s tomb we are releasing a choice
selection of some other characters with interesting stories to tell that add
more than a touch of colour to this ‘Ancient
Egyptian’ series.
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AE102 "Signor Ferrari" For the classic movie
fans among us here is one of the supporting characters from the great ‘CASABLANCA’ starring Humphrey
Bogart and Ingrid Bergman… ‘Signor Ferrari’. Ferrari, in the film is
a bar-owning competitor of Bogart’s ‘Rick
Blaine’ with a decidedly murky background involving
all kinds of black market activity in
Vichy-controlled Casablanca in what was then French Morocco. I like to imagine he
might also have been in prewar Egypt wheeling and dealing in all kinds of
illegal activities including selling-off stolen Ancient Egyptian antiquities
to rich American and European visitors. In the ‘Casablanca’ film ‘Signor
Ferrari’ was played by the British actor Sydney
Greenstreet well known for his villainous roles. |
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AE103 "‘Death On The Nile’ Duo" ‘Death
On The Nile’ was and is one of Agatha Christie’s most famous mystery novels and
first published in 1937. It features, of course, one of Christie’s favourite characters, Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective. In the 1978 movie
version, Poirot was played by the very talented Peter Ustinov, an actor,
director, author and great wit. This is K&C’s third interpretation of Hercule
Poirot and is closely based on Ustinov’s own
interpretation of the detective and his distinctive looks. Accompanying Poirot is
a formidable lady, Mrs. Marie Van Schuyler played by the equally formidable
Bette Davis. Both figures would most
definitely want to visit Tutankhamun’s Tomb to
inspect for themselves the many treasures and relics it holds as well perhaps
as a few of its mysteries. |
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AE105 "‘The Abduls’ (2 x figure set)" After the discovery of
Tutankhamun’s Tomb enterprising Egyptians opened a number of hotels and restaurants nearby to cater for the
needs and requirements of the many foreign visitors who flocked to view the
burial site. Here is a father and
son combination delivering some refreshments for the foreign visitors. Both
are wearing traditional servants costume of the kind that could be found
throughout Egypt and North Africa during the 1920s, ‘30s
and even into the 1940s and ‘50s. |
AVAILABILITY: Early October
Talking of that
part of the world… Let’s go forward a few years to a very different kind of foreign
visitor to North Africa… Erwin
Rommel’s AFRIKAKORPS!
Over the years King & Country has
featured many different figures and fighting vehicles (plus a few
aircraft too) depicting the Desert War campaign that took place
there between 1941 to 1943 and the epic struggle between Britain’s Eighth
Army and the German Afrika Korps led by General Erwin Rommel.
These all-new AK figures
are just the ‘advance
guard’ of whole new range of ‘desert warriors’ that are in the works and will show a different view of the
campaign that was described at the time, as a ‘War Without
Hate’.
Both sides fought a
relatively ‘clean’ war without the bitter hatred and
atrocities that took place in other theatres of war, notably in the Pacific and on the Eastern Front.
These new figures are in
a series of ‘Behind The Lines’ poses that can still tell a story… just a more peaceful one.
You could even imagine them in some kind of Indianna Jones setting… but that’s another story!
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AK134 "‘Food & Drink’ (2 x figure set)" As one soldier pours
himself a drink, the other eats out of his mess tin. |
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AK135 "MG34 Machine Gunner" A standing machine gunner
with the MG34 resting on his shoulder and carrying a box of belted
ammunition. Perhaps he is on his
way to a practice session at the range… |
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AK136 "‘At Ease’ (2 x figure set)" Two relaxed-looking AK
soldiers just talking. Obviously there are no enemy
troops in the vicinity and they can take it easy… at
least for a little while. |
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AK137 "Guard Duty" This single AK soldier
is enjoying a ‘smoke’ as he
looks around him. |
AVAILABILITY: Early October
From the blistering hot
sands of North Africa to the
freezing, winter cold of the Ardennes
Forest in December 1944.
Once again K&C is
fortunate to have designed and produced a broad range of figures that cover a
wide span of very different historical eras and subjects.
The ‘Battle of
The Bugle’ has always been a particular favourite of mine and
many K&C collectors. With the last two major releases of ‘Bulge’ American GIs wearing their ‘Melton’ winter overcoats quite of few of our newer collectors
requested that we release one or two figures wearing those long greatcoats,
that alas, have been long retired and sold-out. Three particular
figures were the most requested and here they are together in a combined
three-figure set.
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BBA108 "Staying Warm " These three ‘2nd Generation ’GIs are doing their
level best to try and keep warm despite the fierce winter weather conditions
that surrounds them. As one GI drinks some
warm coffee, another enjoys a ‘smoke’
while the third guy just blows into his hands as all three stand
around a discarded oil drum brazier that someone has turned into a ‘burn barrel’. As you can see all
three GIs are still carrying their rifles so the enemy can’t
be too far away. |
AVAILABILITY: Mid October
Well that’s certainly true however here at King & Country we try
and make sure it comes ever year… and always on December 25!
And, as is our tradition,
we like to bring out one or two little ‘stocking-fillers’ for those who like their Festive Cheer in
small packages…
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XM023-01 "Santa & His Snowman" Santa is having a
little break from watching his elves hard at work producing all kinds of
terrific toys for all those good little girls and boys all over the world
just waiting to discover what Santa has brought them on Christmas morning. And so, stepping out of
his Toy Workshop for a break he’s decided to build
himself his very own ‘Snowman’
complete with an old tartan scarf and a giant, snow-capped top hat. |
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XM023-02 "The Teddy Bear's Snowman " A pair of little Teddy
Bear’s also decided they too wanted to build their
very own Snowman and so, taking a leaf out of Santa’s
book as well copying his design they have built their own version. Ok, so it’s not their own design but hey, c’mon
give the little guys a break. After all, they’re still only Teddy Bears! |
AVAILABILITY: Late October
From cute little Teddy Bears and jolly old Santa it’s time to take a little side trip to… TRANSYLVANIA.
A couple of months back
we released our first look into the dark, vampiric world of the Horror Movie genre with the
dreaded and sharp-fanged ‘Count Dracula’.
Well, still somewhat in
that vein, if you will pardon my pun, K&C is presenting collectors with a
few more memorable if not always menacing figures from some famous Horror
Movies…
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HS002 "'The Bride of Frankenstein!'" The Bride of
Frankenstein was a 1935 American horror film and a sequel to the 1931 movie ‘Frankenstein’. As with the first film it starred Boris Karloff as the monster but this time
around Dr. Frankenstein decided to produce a female partner to keep the
monster company. The result of the
Doctor’s efforts was this strikingly original looking
‘Bride’ played by the English
actress Elsa Lanchester complete with a conical
hairdo with lightning-trace streaks on each side. Our K&C figure
shows her wearing a simple but stylish long white dress and fully- bandaged
arms and legs… the result of numerous surgeries to
help put her together. To say the ‘Bride’ is ‘different
‘would be a slight understatement. |
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HS003 "Doktor
Frederik Von Frankenstein" From some horror movies
that can be frightening… to one that is famously
funny, ‘Young Frankenstein’.
This was and is simply the best and funniest comedy /horror movie ever made!
Directed by Mel Brooks in 1974 it tells the story of the American great
grandson of the infamous scientist who is invited to Transylvania to claim
his inheritance and family estate. Filmed in black and
white, ‘Young Frankenstein’
accurately echoes the look of the original 1931 horror movie complete with
the same kind of vintage-style opening credits and even utilizes some of the
original film props. Playing the lead was
comedian Gene Wilder who was the man who originally came up with the idea of
making the film and persuaded his friend Mel Brooks to direct it. Our K&C portrayal
of Dr. Viktor Von Frankenstein is a tribute to Gene, Mel and a very funny
movie. |
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HS004 "Igor, the Doktor’s Assistant" Although, ‘Young Frankenstein’ is choc-full
of great comedic talents in all of the parts special
mention must be made of ‘Igor’,
the Doktor’s Assistant
played by the irrepressible, bug-eyed Marty Feldman making his American film
debut. In the film ‘Igor’ is a small, black-clad,
hunchbacked laboratory assistant always by the side of the doctor and that is
how we have portrayed him in this miniature tribute. |
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HS005 "The Monster" This King & Country
creature is a composite blend of the 1931 monster played by Boris Karloff and
the much-later ‘edition’
which featured actor Peter Boyle as the 1974 ‘Young
Frankenstein Monster’. Both are almost 7’ tall, with very large, heavy shoes, badly-fitting clothes
and a slightly green, unhealthy pallor that suggests someone who has been
dead for a while and only just brought back to life by a mad scientist. |
AVAILABILITY: Late October
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HK113M ""Dai Pai Dong" Set (Matt)" A chef labouring over a steaming hot wok with plenty of tasty
dishes prepared for his customers' hungry appetites. |
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HK113G ""Dai Pai Dong" Set (Gloss)" A chef labouring over a steaming hot wok with plenty of tasty
dishes prepared for his customers' hungry appetites. |
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HK137M "Policeman w/ Rifle (Matt)" Policeman with Martini
Henry carbine standing on guard duty. |
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HK137G "Policeman w/ Rifle (Gloss)" Policeman with Martini
Henry carbine standing on guard duty. |
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HK138M "Policeman w/ Notebook (Matt)" Police Corporal with
notebook taking notes. |
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HK138G "Policeman w/ Notebook (Gloss)" Police Corporal with
notebook taking notes. |
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HK139M "Policeman on Patrol (Matt)" Chinese 'Bobby' on the
beat. |
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HK139G "Policeman on Patrol (Gloss)" Chinese 'Bobby' on the
beat. |
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HK140 "Police
Station" |
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HK194M "Paper Windmill Stall (Matt)" Another common sight in
what was old Hong Kong…
Particularly at Chinese Folk Festivals such as the Autumn Moon Festival and
Summer Solstice. |
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HK194G "Paper Windmill Stall (Gloss)" Another common sight in
what was old Hong Kong…
Particularly at Chinese Folk Festivals such as the Autumn Moon Festival and
Summer Solstice. |
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HK201M "Marching Hong Kong Policeman (Matt)" Martini-Henry carbine
over one arm this smart-looking constable (plus a few others) would make a
fine little parade. |
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HK201G "Marching Hong Kong Policeman (Gloss)" Martini-Henry carbine
over one arm this smart-looking constable (plus a few others) would make a
fine little parade. |
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HK208M "The
NEW Mahjong Set (Matt)" |
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HK208G "The
NEW Mahjong Set (Gloss)" |
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HK217 "New Chinese Pagoda" A new upgraded version
of an old favorite and perfect for any “Streets of
Old Hong Kong” display or “Imperial
Collection” diorama. |
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HK225M "Lullaby(Matt)" A young mother sings a
soothing folk song to her son while the child rests contentedly in his rattan
basket. Available in both matt and gloss finishes. |
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HK225G "Lullaby(Gloss)" A young mother sings a
soothing folk song to her son while the child rests contentedly in his rattan
basket. Available in both matt and gloss finishes. |
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HK260M "The Fish Seller Set (Matt)" A colourful
second-painted version of this highly popular set. |
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HK260G "The Fish Seller Set (Gloss)" A colourful
second-painted version of this highly popular set. |
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HK263M "The New Sedan-Chair Set (Matt)" Up until the 1930’s sedan chairs and their passengers were a familiar sight
on the streets of Hong Kong ... Now long gone alas. |
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HK263G "The New Sedan-Chair Set (Gloss)" Up until the 1930’s sedan chairs and their passengers were a familiar sight
on the streets of Hong Kong ... Now long gone alas. |
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VN072 "The U.S. Army M113 APC" K&C’s Aussie M113 was a big success and so it was only fair
that we brought out the original U.S. Army version. The M113 was first
introduced into Vietnam in the early 1960’s where it
became one of the most iconic fighting vehicles of the entire war. This new K&C model
has an all-new armoured turret complete with a .50
cal. heavy machine gun as well as a pair of M60 machine guns on each side of
the Carrier. 2 x all -new crew figures are also included. FACT: Strangely enough
the USMC did not have the M113 during the Vietnam conflict in its
inventory... Whenever they needed them they were
supplied by the U.S. Army, hence our M113 is clearly marked U.S. Army. Also
of interest... the Viet Cong and NVA (North Vietnamese Army) nicknamed it “The Green Dragon”! To date over 80,000
M113’s in various adaptations and figurations have
been manufactured and it still ‘soldiers-on’ in many armed forces around the world. |
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WH087 "Ambulance Kubelwagen
(Mid-Late War)" This particular
kubelwagen has had ‘dunkelgelb’ yellow oversprayed in a camouflage pattern on top of the
original ‘feldgrau’ field grey. A wounded German
soldier lies on the stretcher as the driver/ medic prepares to ferry him back
to the nearest field dressing station. The painting and ‘weathering’ on this vehicle is particularly good! |
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WS362 "HJSS Advancing w/Rifle" Cautiously moving
forward this youthful soldier had only just completed his infantry training
before the Allies invaded France on 6 June 1944. Now, his training has
become his reality! |
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WS364 "HJSS Running w/Rifle" Another young
infantryman dashes forward, rifle in hand and ready for action. |
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WS367 "HJSS Kneeling firing MP40" Here the MP40 is in the
capable hands of another young NCO (non
commissioned officer) who kneels to take aim at the advancing
Allied infantry. |
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Great Sales! Andy C.
Neilson
Co-founder &
Creative Director
King & Country |
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