RESEARCH

When displaying your collection or painting your own figures, it pays big dividends to spend a little time researching to ensure accuracy. While some collectors may not see a need for exact detail or historical representation ---after all, who can argue with the charm of the figures being enough? --- an equal amount wish to get as close as possible to authentic figures and scenes. As for my style, I have to admit to having embraced both schools of thought at times and have painted the older style "charming" toy soldiers and have also created dioramas in which I have included small brass clippings to represent the extraordinary amount of shell casings in the dust at Rorke's Drift (of Zulu War fame). Both have given me equal amount of satisfaction and both required research! Older Britians cataloges and some newer publications assisted greatly in capturing the charm and look of the old toy soldier; historical novels and accounts of battles, uniform reference books and contempory prints, sketches and paintings are terrific sources for dioramas.

Listed below are some excellent and highly recommended resource materials:

First and foremost, OSPREY MEN-AT ARMS SERIES: outstanding softcover format packed full of photographs, diagrams and eight full color plates. Along with explanatory text, these 48 page books (over 200 available) span the Ancient World to Modern Warfare; very reasonably priced. These are a staple in my reference library.

OSPREY also publishes:
• ELITE, 64 pages--12 full color-- of famous military forces.
• WARRIOR, analysis of weapons,tactics--64 pages.
• NEW VANGUARD, detailed designs & histories of armored vehicles and artillery.
• CAMPAIGN, highly researched accounts of decisive military encounters. 96 pages.

Other recommended books and sources:
• Warfare in the Classical World by John Warry
• Art of the Toy Soldier, Henry Kurtz
• L'Armee Francaise, Eduard Detaille
• Military Miniatures, Simon Goodenough & "Tradition"
• Toy Soldiers, Andrew Rose
• Various reference books by Tim Newark,John Mollo, Philip Haythornthwaite
• Heraldic Miniature Knights, Peter Greenhill
  Prints by:
  • Charles Waterhouse (Col. USMC, retired)
  • Angus McBride

An outstanding site for information/resources encompassing all facets of Toy Soldiers:

Wm Hocker Toy Soldiers, CA, Bill Hocker

At this time, I do not carry reference material. I plan to provide some limited amounts in the future. Please feel free to make inquiries about any research items you wish to obtain or collect; perhaps I can be of help.

Happy collecting and keep in touch,

Gary P. Phillips