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Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

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Period: Mid-20th Century
A rare vintage Italian travertine lighter attr Cerri Nestore, circa 1970
Located in View Park, CA
A very rare vintage Italian travertine lighter in bulbous form, attributed to Cerri Nestore, circa 1970. Wonderful condition but will need lighter fluid. Hand-carved in Italy.
Category

Italian Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Travertine, Metal

Tapio Wirkkala Stainless Steel Puukko Knife with Leather Sheath Hackman Finland
Located in London, GB
Tapio Wirkkala Puukko Knife by Hackman Finnish Design This vintage Puukko knife, designed by renowned Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala and produc...
Category

Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stainless Steel, Brass

Rosary Catholic Reliquary Box Crucifix Pendant with Relic of some Saint
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage reliquary contains relics of a Saint. It is made of metal. It's 1 7/8" high (with hanger) in size, that making it easily worn. It is part of a Rosary. It was found at an...
Category

German Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Italian Typewriter "Olivetti Linea 88", Design Ettore Sottsass, 1966
Located in Palermo, IT
Italian typewriter "Olivetti Linea 88", Design Ettore Sottsass, 1966 Good condition. Features: Standard manual typewriter. Keyboard: 46 keys, corresponding to 92 symbols. Ribbon: 13...
Category

Italian Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Modernist Chess Set by the Carl Auböck workshop, Vienna, 1960s
Located in EVERDINGEN, NL
A stunning solid cast iron chess set designed by Carl Auböck III in the 1960s. This is an authentic first generation set. The pieces are very tactile, ...
Category

Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Sterling Silver Manta Ray/Bat Ray & Yellow/Green Quartz Crystal Pendant Necklace
Located in Warrenton, OR
Sterling Silver Manta Ray/Bat Ray & Yellow/Green Quartz Crystal Pendant Necklace, Stamped. This is a unique pendant necklace! The sterling silver ray is stamped on the back and the c...
Category

Unknown Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Quartz, Sterling Silver

Giordani pedal car Studebaker model, Made in Italy 1950s
By Giordani
Located in Palermo, IT
Giordani pedal car Studebaker model, Made in Italy 1950s Family item, belonged to my grandfather, passed down for generations. Good condition, small signs of aging.
Category

Italian Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace with Rutilated Quartz
Located in Warrenton, OR
Sterling Silver Necklace with Rutilated Quartz Pendant UPDATE: Due to agreement with 1stDibs, we'll be staying through the end of the year. This is a lovely, unique pendant necklace!...
Category

Unknown Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Quartz, Sterling Silver

Art Deco Smoking Accessory, Black and Chocolate Sundae Bakelite, circa 1930
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Art Deco Bakelite smoking ensemble is the perfect piece for collectors. The piece was crafted in France circa 1930. The all-in-one tobacco accessory features a cigarett...
Category

French Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

Antique Fox Figural Cigar Cutter, silvered Metal 1930s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1930s or older silvered Metal Cigar Cutter. Very rare large size cigar cutter in the form of a fox. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. It has its all origin...
Category

German Folk Art Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Charles DICKENS. A Christmas Carol. FACSIMILE EDITION - IN A FINE ONLAY BINDING
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: DICKENS, Charles. TITLE: A Christmas Carol In Prose Being A Ghost Story of Christmas. PUBLISHER: London: Bradbury and Evans, 1846. (c.1950) DESCRIPTION: FACSIMILE EDITION...
Category

British Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Vintage Brass Menorah
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage brass menorah in a lovely star shape.
Category

Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Religious Statue Jesus Christ in Art Deco style by belgian artist André Taeckens
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 1930 / Religous statue Jesus Christ / André Taeckens (1906-1965) / plaster, wood / Art Deco Plaster Art Deco statue of Jesus, mounted on a beautifully crafted wooden stand...
Category

Belgian Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster, Wood

White Brionvega RR126 Radiophonograph & Record Player by Castiglioni, Italy 1965
Located in Roma, IT
Fabulous Brionvega RR126 a.k.a. the “Musical Pet”. This iconic radio phonograph and record player was designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Fully original, in ...
Category

Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Old Rotary Telephone Red Copper Bakelite KTAS 1930s
Located in Poperinge, BE
Rare old rotary telephone made of black lacquered steel, copper-plated steel, brass and a bakelite receiver, probably by KTAS, model unknown but in the style of the D30, Denmark, ca ...
Category

Danish Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass, Copper

ALFRED DUNHILL 1949 Desk Aquarium Lift Arm Petrol Lighter Perspex Lucite & Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Standard Aquarium desk lighter designed by Dunhill. Very rare standard size Aquarium desk petrol lighter, designed by Alfred Dunhill back in the 1949. This mechanical lift arm light...
Category

English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Large Antique Sacred Heart of Jesus Earthenware Wall Sculpture, Glazed Stoneware
Located in Lisse, NL
* Kindly note that we arrange the shipping ourselves to ensure a smooth, secure, and reliable delivery. This allows us to provide the best possible service and care for your purchase...
Category

Dutch Gothic Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Earthenware

1960s, Stunning Green Alabaster Smoking Set by Romano Bianchi
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous green alabaster smoking set by Romano Bianchi with ashtray, box and table lighter, everything is handmade carved. Made in Italy. This smoking set is in excellent condi...
Category

Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Alabaster

Soldier on Horse Pull Toy Vintage Folk Art Ore Mountains, German, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This old hand carved wooden Soldier and horse on wooden wheels Toy, was made in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) in Germany. It remains fully functional. Crafted in Germany during the ...
Category

German Folk Art Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Original Catalog – Picasso Peintures 1955-1956 at Galerie Louise Leiris, 1957
Located in Barcelona, ES
Original Exhibition Catalog – Picasso Peintures 1955-1956 at Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris, 1957 Artist: Pablo Picasso Exhibition: Picasso Peintures 1955-1956 – Galerie Louise Leiri...
Category

Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Old Rotary Telephone Bakelite Bell Telephone Company 1942
Located in Poperinge, BE
Cool vintage rotary telephone by Bell Telephone Company, Belgium, dated inside 1942. This beautiful and elegant model has a bakelite horn and...
Category

Belgian Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

FORNASETTI Butterfly Poker Card Game Set Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage butterfly poker card game set box, screen print on wood, with two decks of playing cards, eight dices and chips / Designed by PIero Fornasetti, made in Milan Italy by Fornase...
Category

Italian Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Vintage Mahjong Case, Chinese, Gaming Set, Locking Form, Mid Century, Circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Mahjong case. A Chinese, mahogany and celluloid gaming set, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Fascinating locking case, redol...
Category

Chinese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

RR126 Radiophonograph & Record Player by the Castiglionis for Brionvega 1965
Located in Seattle, WA
Brionvega RR126 A.K.A. the “Musical Pet”. Designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965. Originally from Italy Both the machine and the Dual 1226 record player has been se...
Category

Italian Post-Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

1960s Stunning Smoking Set in Ceramic by Rosenthal. Made in Germany
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Stunning Smoking Set in Ceramic by Rosenthal. Made in Germany The table lighter works perfeclty. This smoking set is in excellent condition. Dimension : Ashtray 5,51 x 3,93 x ...
Category

Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Onyx

Mid-Century English Hand-Cranked Gramophone With Records, 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century English hand-cranked gramophone with records, 1930s Intact and in good condition
Category

British Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Vintage Heiser Parade Saddle with Bohlin Sterling Silver Accents C. 1940’s
By Edward H. Bohlin
Located in Bernville, PA
Parade saddle by Heiser of Denver with Bohlin sterling silver. Beautiful tooling on the leather and seat marked Hieser, Denver. Name plate marked Kenny Unger Cold Water. Tip of belt ...
Category

American Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Sterling Silver

Vintage Black Dial Telephone Bakelite PTT Ericsson Type 1951
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage rotary or dial telephone, made entirely of Bakelite, designed in 1951 by Ericsson for the PTT, the design is based on its art deco style predecessor, the Ericsson model 1931....
Category

Belgian Art Deco Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

Scale model made in the 1950s of a 15th-century Spanish galleon
Located in Milan, IT
Scale model made in the 1950s of a 15th-century Spanish galleon. Planked hull, 3 masts with sails and 23 guns. Measurements 56x10x42.5 inche 22x3.9x16.8 cm The Galleon was a mighty w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Genuine Old Apothecary Medical Bottles Jars Set Brown Amber Glass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful set of 9 authentic apothecary bottles or jars, in brown amber blown glass with thick glass stoppers, circa 1960s-70s. This set is very characterful and is full of nice old...
Category

Belgian Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Mid Century German Grundig 2440 Table Top Tube Radio Stereo
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century modern circa 1960s Grundig Werke model 2440 walnut bakelite tube radio, made in Germany. Serial #1322605287 Dimensions: 9" x 21.5" x 12"h
Category

German Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bakelite

1960s Vintage Original Disney Snow White & Seven Dwarf Rubber Squeak Toy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Set of Snow White and the seven Dwarf squeak rubber toy made by Ledraplastic Italy in the 1960s. These toys have a peculiar asymmetric position of the ears making it particul...
Category

Italian Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

Quad Electrostatic Loudspeakers, Rare Midcentury Modern Set Collectors Speakers
By Design Acoustics, Quad Manufacturing 1
Located in Antwerp, BE
The original ESL decorative pieces of art objects electrostatic speakers in its range in production between 1957 and 1985, has been hailed in Sound & Vision as one of the most import...
Category

English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Sailor Scottish Terrier Drinking Beer Cigarette Box, 1950s
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Midcentury sailor Scottish terrier drinking beer cigarette box, France, 1950s. Wood, metal and synthetic. Glass eyes. Measures: Height 8.2" (20.8cm), width 9" (22.9cm), depth 5.3" (1...
Category

French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Brass Steering Wheel Cigar Cutter, Vintage Austria, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful cigar cutter to stand beside your Humidor. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal on a marble base. A beautiful nice collectible item or just a ...
Category

Austrian Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Large brass nautical compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Large brass liquid compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam from the 1930s. Eight-twenty rose complete with goniometric circle. Compass diameter cm 21.5 - 8.5 in, height cm 10.5 - 4.1 in...
Category

Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Mid-20th Century English Model of a Ship Wreck in a Bottle
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century model of a ship wreck in a bottle, English. Haig & Haig printed & in the glass. Greyish glass. An American ship dashed against a French Village on a rocky coast. Ver...
Category

English Folk Art Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Felt, Glass, Wood, Paint

W & M Sterling Silver Navajo Turquoise Ring
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Stunning Sterling Silver W & M Turquoise Ring .75 diameter x .5 W size 8 Preowned vintage condition Refer to images
Category

Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Sterling Silver

Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe Souvenir Building Architectural Model
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur and Arc de Triomphe souvenir building sculpture. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and a marble base. This item ...
Category

French Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Parke-Bernet NY Florence H. Crane, Castle Hill, Important English Furniture, 1st
Located in valatie, NY
Parke-Bernet NY Florence H. Crane, Castle Hill Ipswich Mass, Important English Furniture, 1st Ed. Chicago industrialist Richard Teller Crane Jr., heir to Crane Co., and his wife, Flo...
Category

American Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Rosary Catholic Reliquary Box Crucifix Pendant with Relic of a Saint
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage reliquary contains relics of a Saint. It is made of metal. It's 1 1/2" high (with hanger) in size, that making it easily worn. It is part of a Rosary. It was found at an...
Category

Italian Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Large Shop Counter Display 20th Century
Located in London, GB
A large 72cm high Victorinox Swiss army knife, shop counter display, Mid 20th century in date. The knife with opening and retracting blades, over a tapered square base with inscript...
Category

Swiss Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Vintage 1960s Souvenir Building Architectural Model Berlin Bear, Metal Statue
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A classic decorative Berlin bear statue. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. This item was bought as a souvenir in Berlin and was made in the mid-20th c...
Category

German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 Brass Furniture Leg Embellisher, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of two brass decorative embellishers imitating feline paws. Designed by unknown manufacturer, circa 1930. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category

Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Huge Lot 106 Barclay Manoil Podfoot Lead Toy Soldiers US Military Army Figures
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of 106 mid century die cast lead, podfoot style toy soldiers by the Barclay Manufacturing Company. "The Barclay Manufacturing Company was an American metal toy company based in New Jersey that specialised in diecast toy cars and hollowcast toy soldiers. Due to their common availability at five and dime stores, collectors often refer to Barclay's toy soldiers as "Dimestore soldiers". Barclay Manufacturing was formed by Leon Donze and Michael Levy in about 1922. In its heyday Barclay produced 500,000 toys a week, making them the largest toy soldier manufacturer at that time in the United States. In 1939 Barclay acquired another toy soldier company, Tommy Toy and its art deco sculptor Olive Kooken. Some of Barclay's first vehicles were slush cast white metal made in the 1930s. Also about this time, and into the 1940s, the company made a variety of military vehicles – tanks, trucks with cannon and other cars painted brown. Despite the inroads of plastic toy soldiers, Barclay kept manufacturing theirs in metal. Following the war, Barclay changed the helmets on their soldiers to the M1 Helmet. In about 1951 Barclay conserved metal by eliminating bases on their soldiers, which collectors nicknamed podfoot soldiers because each foot appeared as a flattened rounded blob. These were painted similar to figures in American comic books of the time – olive drab uniforms with green helmets with "enemy" soldiers in red uniforms with white helmets. In 1960, the lead soldiers...
Category

Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Lead

Cabinet of Curiosities Sculptural Artwork, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Exquisite cabinet of Curiosities showcasing a stunning collection of plaster figures and pieces, reminiscent of a Classic sculpture museum. Olot has been a hub for sculpture and rel...
Category

Spanish Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster, Wood

POE. Tales Of Mystery And Imagination. FIRST RACKHAM TRADE EDITION - 1935
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: POE, Edgar Allan. TITLE: Tales Of Mystery And Imagination. PUBLISHER: London: George G. Harrap & Co., Ltd., 1935. DESCRIPTION: FIRST TRADE EDITION. 1 vol., small folio, 9...
Category

British Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Jaguar XK 120 Roadster 1950, Rare Collection Car, A+ Condition incl. Expert Op.
By Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
We offer you the chance of buying this breathtaking, rare Jaguar XK 120 which had its first road legal in february 1950. There has been built only a very little number of these cars,...
Category

British Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Lot of 34 Mercury Glass Christmas Ornaments, Vintage German, 1910s - 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare vintage and antique ornament collection. The size given in the dimensions section refers to the larger Santa Claus in red Coat seen in the first pic...
Category

German Folk Art Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mercury Glass

Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe Souvenir Building Architectural Model
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A decorative Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Coeur and Arc de Triomphe souvenir building sculpture. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal and a marble base. This item ...
Category

French Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Metal

Vintage Red Deer Antler Handle Cigar Cutter Germany 1960s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage cigar cutter with handmade red deer antler handle. One of a kind item. Highly collectable piece. Manufactured by a unknown Company in Germany. Manufactured in Germany in prob...
Category

German Folk Art Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Triumph Typewriter, Germany, 1930
Located in Palermo, IT
Triumph typewriter, Germany, 1930 Found in a notary's office, signs of aging.
Category

German Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Jacques Adnet Chess Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning and rare original chess board and set of thirty-two game pieces were designed by French designer Jacques Adnet (1901-1984) in the 1950s. The bi-color leather board disp...
Category

French Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather

Vintage Onyx Marble Turntable Telephone 18 Carat Gold Italy
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful and high-quality onyx marble rotary or dial telephone with 18 carat gold-plated elements, marked Onix Telephone at the bottom, Made in Italy, circa 1950s-60s. Very decorat...
Category

Italian Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Onyx, Marble, Gold Plate

La Bible “Illustrations for the Bible” by Marc Chagall
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
[Verve (Vol VIII, Nos. 33-34] 30 lithographs, including the cover (18 in color). Text in French by Jean Wahl and Meyer Schapiro. No dust jacket. some damage to the spine but lithogra...
Category

French Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Plaster Praying Virgin Traditional Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional religious plaster figure of a praying woman. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with ...
Category

Spanish Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plaster

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, First Edition, 1952
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Hemingway, Ernest, The Old Man and the Sea. 1952, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. First Edition. Rebound in blue Morocco leather with custom embossed stamp on the front, raised ba...
Category

American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Paper

Mid-Century Aries Green & Gold Leather and Velvet Traveling Backgammon Set
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century traveling professional backgammon set by the renowned manufacturer, Aries. Aries was highly regarded for its leather quality. Even companies like Hermes used Ar...
Category

Mexican American Classical Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Vintage America Nautical Maritime Model Sailboat Scooner Yacht Clipper Boat 45"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid to late 20th century hand made model sailboat. Painted white with dark brown deck and canvas sails. Named "America" with American eagle at stern. Dimensions: 45" x 8.75" x 44.7...
Category

Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Lot of 61 Britains Toy Soldiers Deetail Scots Guards Highlanders Band Mounties
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of 61 circa 1960s - 1970s Deetail plastic toy soldiers by Britain Ltd. Lot includes Royal Canadian Mounties (two on horseback), Scots Guards, Scottish Highlanders including pipes and drums (one on horseback), and seven guardhouses. "The "W. Britain" brand name of toy and collectable soldiers is derived from a company founded by William Britain Jr., a British toy manufacturer, who in 1893 invented the process of hollow casting in lead, and revolutionized the production of toy soldiers. In 1907 the family proprietorship, William Britain & Sons, incorporated as "Britains, Ltd". The Britain family controlled the firm until 1984 when it was sold to a British conglomerate, Dobson Park Industries. They combined the operations with an existing line of toys and renamed the company Britains Petite, Ltd. In the early 1950s Britains was associated with W. Horton Toys and Games which made the die-cast Lilliput ranges of small-scale, rather generic, cars and trucks and other vehicles. In 1959, Britains acquired Herald Miniatures which produced plastic figures designed by Roy Selwyn-Smith. In the 1950s, besides soldiers, a variety of vehicles began to appear, mostly in the military field. In 1966 safety regulations in the United Kingdom combined with rising costs halted the production of lead toy soldiers. Britains shifted most production of Herald plastic to Hong Kong from 1966. In 1971 Britains started Deetail plastic figures with metal bases that were initially manufactured in England but later outsourced to China. In 1973 Britains introduced New Metal models, which are die cast in a durable alloy. Initially these sets were aimed at the British souvenir market. In 1983 Britains responded to a growing collectors' market by introducing additional models and limited edition sets. In 1997, Britains Petite, Ltd was bought by Ertl Company of Iowa, a maker of die-cast toys. Ertl was subsequently bought by RC2 LLC, another American die-cast miniature and plastic kit maker. At this time, production of toy soldiers was moved to China. In 2011, Japanese-headquartered toy company Tomy acquired RC2 which included the Britains die-cast farm miniatures range. In 2005, the W. Britains brand was acquired by First Gear...
Category

Mid-20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic

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