A completely updated edition of the classic guide, by a leading authority in the field: “For the toy soldier collector, an absolute must have.”—Miniature Wargames James Opie’s highly popular Collecting Toy Soldiers was an inspiration for anyone involved in the hobby. Decades later, this is a completely new companion updating the experience for the twenty-first century collector. James now gives the reader the benefit of his long experience as one of the world’s leading authorities on toy soldiers, figures, and models, and a lifetime as a passionate collector himself. Collecting Toy Soldiers in the 21st Century contains comprehensive advice on all aspects of collecting, fully illustrated with new pictures. Guidance for every budget includes price trends and pitfalls to avoid when buying or selling at auction, at shows, online, or privately. Sharing informative and often-amusing anecdotes, James illustrates just how satisfying it can be to explore this blend of history, tradition, nostalgia, and play, whether on the grandest scale or with the most limited of funds.

This serves as an update of the author's successful Collecting Toy Soldiers (Collins, 1987; pbk edition, New Cavendish, 1991). In it James Opie gives the collector the benefit of thirty years' experience as the world's leading authority on traditional toy soldiers (as opposed to model soldiers used in wargaming etc) and a lifetime as a collector himself.

This is the first full-colour history of the world-famous toy soldiers to chart the whole story of their development from Victorian table toy to 21st Century collectable. Prior to 1893 the family toy business of the Britain family was struggling as the toy industry was dominated by German manufacturers and importers. Then came the fateful decision first to import, then to design and manufacture, toy soldiers, an area the German firms were particularly strong in. Britains Toy Soldiers were born and soon their boxes stamped with the slogan 'Best Quality English Make' were being eagerly opened by little boys across Britain and then around the world. The rest, as they say is history and it is all captured here by James Opie, the world's leading expert on the subject, as he lovingly traces the varying fortunes of arguably the most famous British toy company. Illustrated with lavish colour photographs, many of them featuring items from the author's own collection, the book includes feature sections such as collectors' favourites and prices, high-value and famous sets, artistic highlights, quirks and mysteries. It is without doubt the most authoritative book on the subject and will be welcomed by the thousands of devoted collectors world wide as well as many more with fond memories of childhood battles with these beautiful toys.

“Amazing . . . A must-have must-read bible for lovers of toy history and in particular toy soldiers. Absolutely glorious!” —Books Monthly Humans have made and collected toy soldiers from time immemorial. They amuse and comfort us, awaken our curiosity, turn aggressiveness into creativity. In The History of Toy Soldiers, Luigi Toiati, himself an avid collector and manufacturer of toy soldiers, conveys and shares the pleasure of collecting and playing with them. Far from a dry encyclopedia, it leads the reader through the fascinating evolution of the toy soldier from ancient times to the early twenty-first century. The author, as a sociologist with an interest in semiotics (the study of signs), offers truly original insights into why different types of toy soldiers were born in a given period and country, or why in a given size and material. The author’s writing is packed with factual detail about the different types of toy (and model) soldiers and their manufacturers, but also with anecdotes, nostalgia, wit and his enduring passion for the subject. Six hundred beautiful color photographs, many depicting the author’s own collection, complete this delightful book. “Toiati creatively delivers exhaustive details, captivating anecdotes and a sense of nostalgia that exudes the fundamental childhood joy of playing with toy soldiers combined with adult collectors’ wonderment at their charms.” —Toy Soldier & Model Figure “A book that will enter the annals of Toy Soldier collections as one of the best and most complete books on this topic.” —IPMS/USA “A great journey of exploration.” —Miniature Wargaming

John Franklin has been collecting traditional toy soldiers for over sixty years, mostly Britains but, as the title suggests, including other interesting additions. In this book he shares some of the in-depth knowledge gained through experience and countless hours of careful research, but most of all the passion and enthusiasm for his hobby. He explains how he was inspired to collect soldiers, like so many, in early boyhood and how a hobby grew into an obsession. The various chapters then examine themes he followed in his collecting, such as Britains Special Painting Orders and Indian Army Pipe Bands for example, or address questions regarding the manufacture or identity of specific sets that he has researched or, in some cases, is still seeking the answer to. It is packed with anecdotes, useful technical information and helpful advice for the collector but it is above all a proud tour of inspection of a sixty-year labour of love. Over four hundred photographs, show much of the author’s magnificent collection in a parade of miniature pomp and splendour.

Tracing developments in toy making and marketing across the evolving landscape of the 20th century, this encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference guide to America's most popular playthings and the culture to which they belong. From the origins of favorite playthings to their associations with events and activities, the study of a nation's toys reveals the hopes, goals, values, and priorities of its people. Toys have influenced the science, art, and religion of the United States, and have contributed to the development of business, politics, and medicine. Toys and American Culture: An Encyclopedia documents America's shifting cultural values as they are embedded within and transmitted by the nation's favorite playthings. Alphabetically arranged entries trace developments in toy making and toy marketing across the evolving landscape of 20th-century America. In addition to discussing the history of America's most influential toys, the book contains specific entries on the individuals, organizations, companies, and publications that gave shape to America's culture of play from 1900 to 2000. Toys from the two decades that frame the 20th century are also included, as bridges to the fascinating past—and the inspiring future—of American toys.

This new, thoroughly updated fifth edition of Bradt's Serbia remains the most acclaimed guide available to a country which in recent years has welcomed an increasing number of foreign tourists to discover its attractive rolling countryside, lively cities, excellent food and friendly people. Development of tourism infrastructure continues apace in Serbia and this new edition reflects all the changes and trends of recent years, including Belgrade's increasing popularity as a weekend break destination, the continued evolution and rising quality of accommodation across all price brackets in both the capital and beyond, the development of Belgrade's Savamala riverfront area, the rise in popularity of bird-watching holidays, the possibilities for wine tours, and the increase in visitors to the EXIT festival held annually in Novi Sad and to the Guca trumpet festival in central Serbia. Particularly notable since the previous edition is Serbia's dramatic improvement in English-language facilities for visitors, with many towns and cities now having tourist information centres with helpful staff, all of which are detailed in this guide. Written by an expert author, the Bradt guide to Serbia offers up-to-date background information on the country's geography, history, economy, politics and people, as well as a strong emphasis on culture and the arts - music, literature, cinema and art - and on natural history, including a thorough overview of Serbia's best wildlife sites. Comprehensive and up-to-date listings of the best places to stay and eat according to budget are covered, along with reliable public transport information to enable you to travel independently with confidence. This guide recommends facilities and places of interest that will hold appeal for all types of visitor - from impecunious young travellers seeking a fun-filled city break to older visitors who prefer a slower pace and wish to immerse themselves in local tradition. Despite burgeoning interest, Serbia remains one of the least known corners of Europe. Belgrade and second city Novi Sad are lively, cosmopolitan and welcoming, while rural Serbia, with its hidden monasteries and gorgeous countryside, is an undiscovered gem. With the Bradt guide you will be able to discover all this intriguing country has to offer.

When did maturity become the ultimate taboo? Men have gone from idolizing Cary Grant to aping Hugh Grant, shunning marriage and responsibility well into their twenties and thirties. Gary Cross, renowned cultural historian, identifies the boy-man and his habits, examining the attitudes and practices of three generations to make sense of this gradual but profound shift in American masculinity. Cross matches the rise of the American boy-man to trends in twentieth-century advertising, popular culture, and consumerism, and he locates the roots of our present crisis in the vague call for a new model of leadership that, ultimately, failed to offer a better concept of maturity.

The Collector’s Voice is a major four-volume project which brings together in accessible form material relevant to the history and practice of collecting in the European tradition from c. 1500 BC to the present day. The series demonstrates how attitudes to objects, the collecting of objects, and the shape of the museum institution have developed over the past 3000 years. Material presented includes translations of a wide range of original documents: letters, official reports, verse, fiction, travellers' accounts, catalogues and labels. Volume 1: Ancient Voices, edited by Susan Pearce and Alexandra Bounia Volume 2: Early Voices, edited by Susan Pearce and Kenneth Arnold Volume 3: Imperial Voices, edited by Susan Pearce and Rosemary Flanders Volume 4: Contemporary Voices, edited by Susan Pearce and Paul Martin

The material culture of persecution : collecting for the Holocaust exhibition at the Imperial War Museum / Suzanne BardgettLyricism and offence in Egyptian archaeology collections / Stephen QuirkeContested human remains / Jack LohmanExtreme or commonplace : the collecting of unprovenanced antiquities / Kathy Walker TubbUnfit for society? : the case of the Galton Collection at UCL / Natasha McEnroeKnowing the new / Susan PearceThe global scope of extreme collecting : Japanese woodblock prints on the Internet / Richard WilkAwkward objects : collecting, deploying and debating relics / Jan GeisbuschGreat expectations and modest transactions : art, commodity and collecting / Henrietta LidchiExtremes of collecting at the Imperial War Museum, 1917-2009 : struggles with the large and the ephemeral / Paul CornishPlasticswhy not? : a perspective from the Museum of Design in Plastics / Susan LambertTime capsules as extreme collecting / Brian DurransCanning cans, or, What you can do with tins : an interview with Robert Opie / J.C.H. King.