How the hobby has moved on
- Thread starter Babelfish
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Colin_Fraser
PlanetFigure Supporter
I think the Tradition brick and mortar on London is long closed. The stock and lines were purchased by a gent from the Baltic region and I think he only does airmail. Too bad.
I recall annual trips to London in the 60's and 70'svand visits to John Tunstill's Soldiers on the Lambeth Road, Seagull in Kensington, UnderTwo Flags, Tradition, Suren and a little booth under Charing Cross Bridge (I think). All sadly gone now. I still have the odd dream about being a kid loose in these shops.
theBaron
A Fixture
The London store is indeed closed, for a couple of years, now, but production still continues and sales are via Internet/mail order. Here's the main URL to the website: http://traditionoflondonshop.com/
As was noted, there was a branching-off a while back--long before the recent decision to close the London store--with the launching of Tradition of Scandanavia. There is an article on the history of Tradition, at this page at the website: http://traditionoflondonshop.com/Ab..._storesid_11=7024a21009f5e4e65f37685a48ad848a
Upshot is, you can still get most of the Tradition lines, except for the classic custom Stadden figures in 54mm (56mm, really). They were discontinued about 12 or 15 years ago, due to a lack of demand. I think I was the last person to order a custom figure, back in 2000. When you consider that so many figure painters today turn their noses up at the old Staddens, and how easily and cheaply you can find many of the figures from that catalog, on the secondary market, I can see why Tradition decided not to sell them. They still have the molds, and I live in hope that they might start offering them again.
Prost!
Brad
As was noted, there was a branching-off a while back--long before the recent decision to close the London store--with the launching of Tradition of Scandanavia. There is an article on the history of Tradition, at this page at the website: http://traditionoflondonshop.com/Ab..._storesid_11=7024a21009f5e4e65f37685a48ad848a
Upshot is, you can still get most of the Tradition lines, except for the classic custom Stadden figures in 54mm (56mm, really). They were discontinued about 12 or 15 years ago, due to a lack of demand. I think I was the last person to order a custom figure, back in 2000. When you consider that so many figure painters today turn their noses up at the old Staddens, and how easily and cheaply you can find many of the figures from that catalog, on the secondary market, I can see why Tradition decided not to sell them. They still have the molds, and I live in hope that they might start offering them again.
Prost!
Brad
yellowcat
A Fixture
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- May 8, 2009
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Remember this at your local department store. Those were the good old days. A model kit cost 50 cents? Check out the Aurora built ups on the far right top shelf. I remembered saving all my money for the Tamiya 1/35 motorized tank kit and the Lotus 49 Ford F1 1/12 motorized car kit.
DEL
A Fixture
For me the place was the Clyde Model Dockyard in Glasgows beautiful A Listed Argyle Arcade. The Arcade was built in 1827 in the 'Parisian' style.
These photos are seperated by about 50 years. Sadly with the closure of Jamiesons in May this year the city has no dedicated model shops left other than the commendable efforts being made by one guy and some enthusiastic friends who run a small shop dedicated to Railway modelling.
These photos are seperated by about 50 years. Sadly with the closure of Jamiesons in May this year the city has no dedicated model shops left other than the commendable efforts being made by one guy and some enthusiastic friends who run a small shop dedicated to Railway modelling.
Ron Tamburrini
A Fixture
Ron Tamburrini
A Fixture
Colin_Fraser
PlanetFigure Supporter
Some pictures of shops, books and mags that jogged my memory.
A glass one to look after while she was fighting?I remember beautiful woman used give me the eye
Graham
A Fixture
mick3272
A Fixture
On a serious note if that is possible? The biggest leap this hobby has taken is the age of the internet with forums like this, Can you just imagine all the information sheets flying around Royal mail passing info on to PF members. RM shares would go through the roof.
Mick
Mick
theBaron
A Fixture
I'm just old enough to have seen the last display of Britains at our local department store, Hess Bros. in Allentown, and I still remember it fondly. It was Christmas in 1968, I was four. They were the Deetail figures, though. The hollowcast toy soldiers were pretty much off our market by that time. Lead bad, y'know.
Prost!
Brad
Prost!
Brad
mick3272
A Fixture
My old dad had a massive collection of Britains Soldiers both Infantry and Calvary along with Bands, the lot he must of had 500/600 plus, Also in the mix were some cannon that you could fire match sticks from. I was allowed to play with them but under supervision. In 1963/4 I think. His Battalion was posed to Aden, whilst he was away mum allowed me to play with the soldiers, I used them as targets for the match stick firing cannon. He was not best pleased to find out on his return that 50% of his army were headless. But on a positive note the match stick ammo came in handy to hold their heads in place.
After that I was only allowed to play with Airfix 1/72, until I started to buy my own.
Mick
After that I was only allowed to play with Airfix 1/72, until I started to buy my own.
Mick
DEL
A Fixture
Looking at the Woolworths photo brings back a memory from maybe 50 years ago.
Remember going into a store in Shawlands Glasgow and they were selling what if my memory serves were approx 200mm vinyl soldiers.
I particularly remember a Japanese infantryman with the ubiquitous round steel rimmed glasses.
I thought they were the greatest things ever and seem to recall that the detail was wonderful.
Remember going into a store in Shawlands Glasgow and they were selling what if my memory serves were approx 200mm vinyl soldiers.
I particularly remember a Japanese infantryman with the ubiquitous round steel rimmed glasses.
I thought they were the greatest things ever and seem to recall that the detail was wonderful.
I agree on this one as it's much easier to meet folks with similar interests and passions and to share information. Here I've encountered real artists and some of whom also love real motorbikes.
Another thing is internet shopping. It has killed the model shop as we knew it for sure and that was one meerting place which has gone. On the other hand the internet provides a lower cost platfrom for smaller maufacturers to sell their wares, a lot of which is excellent and there are some great companies I've got to know of through this forum.
Cheers
Huw
Bassman
PlanetFigure Supporter
Great subject! It brings back a lot of great memories for me, and my trips to the UK, oh before the children came. Loved the all soldier shops mentioned, along with the ones I enjoyed here in the states.
Too bad that era is gone, but we still have a large community to share those memories with, which is a very, very good thing.
Best Regards,
Rod
Too bad that era is gone, but we still have a large community to share those memories with, which is a very, very good thing.
Best Regards,
Rod
