John Franklin will be familiar to our readers
as a frequent contributor to the magazine.
Indeed, a number of the chapters
in this excellent new book are based on
articles John has written for us over the
past few years. However, this is mostly
new material that adds considerably to
what has previously been published –
the emphasis is on the Interesting rather
than Britains. Although the main focus is
on the output of that famous company,
this is not a revised tour along the routes
followed so successfully by Opie and
Wallis.

What we have here is a very personal
take on the joys of collecting toy soldiers,
especially (but not exclusively) those
produced by the Lambeth Road factory.
This is based on over 60 years experience,
the author taking us on a journey
from his first modest acquisitions as a
child to the building up of a comprehensive
collection representing the British
army and its colonial allies in its heyday.
John is not just a collector but also a
modeller and expert painter. Many of the
magnificent sets portrayed are examples
of his own work, made to fill gaps left by
Britains. These are mostly converted
from Britains figures and painted in their
special paint style.

The author focuses on a number of varied
but often overlapping themes:
• Britains special painting;
• The Poitier-Smith collection;
• Military bands, including Cavalry
mounted bands, bands of the
Highland and other Scottish
Regiments, and Indian Army Pipe
bands;
• Colour parties, including a special
chapter on those of the Indian Army;
• Britains large display sets;
24
BOOK REVIEW (Continued)
• Britains Parade series, especially the
Black Watch;
• Essays on various other rare and
enigmatic sets such as the legendary
Colonials, Poles, Netherland and
Argentinians “con caso” and Royal
Artillery at the halt series;
• Whisstock Boxes;
• The work of Bill Cranston, focussing on
the British Colonial Indian Army

Although the main emphasis is on Britains
figures, this last topic will be welcome to
those who are already familiar with the figures
produced by Mr Cranston. Unlike the
work of Freddie Green, whose figures were
almost all converted from Britains castings,
Bill Cranston sculpted his own masters.
This is the first in depth review of his work
that I am aware of. His Indian Army troops
are full of character and complement Britains
wonderfully.

This is a very well-illustrated book, with lots
of interesting tales and analysis, peering
into some of the lesser-known aspects of
Britains, as well as a few other toy soldier
makers. This volume will make a welcome
addition to the library of anyone interested
in Britains or the British army in toy soldier
form. Another volume is in the offing. I for
one cannot wait to see what else John has
to say on this fascinating topic.

Toy Soldier Magazine

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The Bookseller