HISTOREX collection of figures by PIERRE CONRAD

[Plastic Max]

A seller from France has recently listed a collection of over 70 figures on Ebay, with "PLASTIQUE - SUPERBE FIGURINE D'ARTISTES - HISTOREX - CONRAD" in the title, and "TOUTES CES FIGURINES SONT REALISEES EN PEINTURE FINE PAR LES FRERES FIGURINISTES CONRAD, A PARTIR DE KITS HISTOREX OU AUTRES" in the description. Having contacted the vendor, he wasn't able to confirm that these figures are by the late Pierre Conrad (nor the name of the brother?), they seem to be in the style of his models I'd only seen before in old Historex catalogues. I didn't ask how they had been acquired. The vendor did give permission to publish the photographs here for interest, and I will add them over the next few days. To start, most of the bases have been signed as shown in the first photo below. Incidentally, prices appear very reasonable for a piece created by one of the most well-known Historex master artists (although a few have minor damage, noted by the seller).

 

[Warren SMITH]

Thanks for sharing.. will certainly take a look..

 

[Nap]

They are certainly a great find if all by Pierre Conrad ...hope they go to the right person

Thanks for sharing ..nice to see pictures

Nap

 

[OldTaff]

I remember seeing some of these on Lynn Sangster's Historex stand at the Model Engineer Exhibition back in about 1972/3/4 . Max Longhurst's work was on display, too, and he was demonstrating his method of sponge-painting horses, as I recall. Spent nearly all day fascinated by it all.

Alan

 

[Plastic Max]

More pictures added, in the first post, and more here... more to follow...

 

[Nap]

Loving seeing these pictures ...like looking through the Historex catalogues ......I remember seeing some of these and picking my jaw off the floor

Cheers for this thread

Nap

 

[Plastic Max]

Another set of photos from this collection.

 

[OldTaff]

Great stuff ! Pierre Conrad, like other members of his family, was in the Republican Guard (Garde Republicaine) , so it's no wonder there was a proliferation of mounted figures.

Alan

 

[Plastic Max]

Great stuff ! Pierre Conrad, like other members of his family, was in the Republican Guard (Garde Republicaine) , so it's no wonder there was a proliferation of mounted figures.

Alan

Just a few foot figures, in the last two pictures below. Although most of this collection seems to be from Pierre Conrad, some of these cavalry pieces are not quite in the same style, and the Airfix Rifleman and Foot Guard below are clearly stamped "C.CONRAD" - maybe a brother, as the seller mentions in the text notes on Ebay?

All the mounted figures are listed on Ebay individually, the foot figures in groups as pictured here, and each listing has more photographs from different angles and close-up pictures.

The seller has them for sale on a "buy-it-now" basis, and seems to be open to "best offer" (judging by those already sold - I don't know if that's higher or lower than the price tag). Maybe I should add that other than having contacted the seller for permission to use the photographs, I have no prior connection nor vested interest in the Ebay sale. But I'm very tempted to purchase one or two.

 

[Edorta]

Excellent collection, really nice .

Military miniatures painted by Eduardo Garcia

 

[OldTaff]

The "C" mentioned is Charles Conrad, and his style was slightly different to Pierre's. It would have been nice to see the boxed dioramas made by Eugene Leliepvre and Renee Gillet, the prime movers of the Historex brand. Their work was evident in the very early catalogues. Lynn Sangster had a number of these in his collection....don't know what became of them after his demise.

Alan

 

[Richard Baxter]

The C Conrad could also be Pierre's son Cyrille, they do look as though they were created by a younger less experienced hand.

 

[OldTaff]

You could well be right, Richard,....I'd forgotten Cyrille !

 

[NeilW]

any link to ebay?

 

[Richard Baxter]

Hi Neil,

Go to www.ebay.fr and copy/paste PLASTIQUE - SUPERBE FIGURINE D'ARTISTES - HISTOREX - CONRAD into the search box.

Richard.

 

[bucsfan21]

Thanks for posting! Pics bring back memories! I too looked through several of the Historex Catalogues and appreciated these pics. Can't imagine the hours
spent painting these kits. Definitely a labor of love!

Terry Martin-Member of the Atlanta Military Figure Society of Atlanta, GA

 

[ometz]

Agree with prior observations that these bring back memories of why I became enamored of the hobby. As a resident of the U.S., I note that postage costs from France are almost insanely high compared with other EU countries and Great Britain, but love looking at these "golden oldies."

 

[The Riveteer]

Good post. These figures definitely have a place in modelling history, but is it only me that feels that what was, when I started in this hobby, considered to be the pinnacle of modeling kits, now sadly only look ; well, - just a bit too Historexy?
David

 

[OldTaff]

Definitely of their time, David, without a doubt . It was the likes of Ray Lamb, Sheperd Paine, Max Longhurst, and many others both here and in the US that showed what could be done with Historex conversions and animation. Inspiration blossomed, as we know, and we now have the incredible and varied creations from superb artists from all over the globe. I'm 75 and still get great pleasure and inspiration from SBS's and trying to emulate other's creations. I feel I am still the goggle-eyed child I once was, gazing in the windows of Gamages , Hamleys , and the Greenhill miniatures in Burlington Arcade,

Alan

 

[The Riveteer]

I feel I am still the goggle-eyed child I once was, gazing in the windows of Gamages , Hamleys , and the Greenhill miniatures in Burlington Arcade,
Alan

I used to make excuses for the trip from Manchester to London when model soldier shops were rare as hen's teeth so I could visit Under two Flags. I also remember an arcade miniatures shop but can't remember where it was, what it was called or how I ever found it. I probably got the address from Military Modelling and just sought out the nearest tube station, which I seem to remember being very near by. I assume that was Greenhill Miniatures, but were there any other arcade based shops around at that time?

David