Native Costume: Russia

These 7 cm. composition figurines from the "Native Costume" set were produced in Germany in 30s/40s (presumably by Leyla). These figurines depicting Russian native costumes were exported to U.S..

Soldiers of the Wehrmacht during field maneuvers

Elastolin and Lineol Wehrmacht soldiers produced in Germany in 30s/40s.

Robin Hood against the Sheriff of Nottingham

This epic battle was shot at ruins of the St Saviour's Priory in Glendalough (Ireland). These two sets of plastic soldiers were produced by LOD.

Bing Windup Battleship

This  four-funnel hand-painted tinplate battleship with clockwork mechanism driving the three-bladed propeller was produced  in 1910 by Bing (Germany). Length 540 mm, Width 105 mm.
This battleship is displayed at Imperial War Museum in London.

Liberation of Paris (Part 2)

More sets of paper soldiers released by l’Office central de l’imagerie Paris (illustrated by Roland Forgues) in 1944/45.  

Charles de Gaulle and General Leclerc and Arc de Triomphe

Les soldats français à l’Hôtel de Ville

Paper soldiers : Liberation of Paris

The Liberation of Paris took place during World War II from 19 August 1944 until the German garrison surrendered the French capital on 25 August 1944.
These paper soldiers were issued by Editore Office Central de l’imagerie Paris.

German soldiers training

Elastolin and Lineol soldiers are performing shooting drills under the Leyla feldwebel supervision. (German composition soldiers from 30s).

Following the Saint Kevin's Way.

The Saint Kevin's Way is a pilgrim path in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is 30 kilometres long and begins in the village of Hollywood, crosses the Wicklow Gap, and ends at the remains of the medieval monastery in Glendalough.

Marolin figurines

In 1900 Richard Mahr, along with his wife Minna, founded their company in Steinach (Germany). Their humble beginnings started with the production of figurines and seasonal collectibles in the kitchen of his parents’ home. The secret of their success was a self invented paper-mâché that he named Marolin.  The secret recipe of this unique art form was a guarded and well kept secret by every company, until now. Today, all production at Marolin is made the traditional way Richard Mahr started.

Please use the link below to  download Marolin 2020 pdf catalog (28 pages):

Rocking horse, 18th century

Probably made in the factory in Peter Street, Waterford, this rocking horse belonged to Simon John Newport (1756-1843) - an Anglo-Irish Whig politician who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland. Children learned to ride a horse as part of their education, standing on a block to mount. Girls learned to ride side saddle on this horse (Bishop'e Palace Museum (Waterford, Ireland)) .

Any plans for the weekend ? :)

Unknown makers of composition soldiers: Mars - Hindenburg

Mars-Hindenburg Company specializing in the paint manufacturing was established in Nuremberg in 1900 by Weghorn and Recht. When the First World War was declared in 1914, the company dedicated itself to the military toy figurines, marketed under the twin brands MARS and HINDENBURG. The 90 mm composition figures were naively made and have a thick almond-shaped stand. This production ceased in 1918. Around 1934/35 the company manufactured figurines in 65 mm scale and stamped by MARS logo. The production was completely stopped in 1945.

I have only one Mars - Hindenburg composition soldier with MG 08 in my collection.

First World War trench diorama at the Bishop's Palace museum in Waterford (Part 2)

First World War trench diorama at the Bishop's Palace museum in Waterford (Part 2).

First World War trench diorama at the Bishop's Palace museum in Waterford

The creators of the diorama, Liam Walsh and Rober Beegan, show the carnage of WW1 trench warfare experienced by the soldiers of Ireland near Ypres Belgium .

Robin Hood's outlaw band...

More photos of the LOD's Robin Hood set in Wicklow mountains.