Posted on: Saturday, August 21, 2004
ISLAND TREASURES
Toy soldiers once were generals' planning aids
By Brenda Reichel
Q. I inherited from my dad a set of what I think are lead army soldiers. They are in various uniforms and conditions. Some of them look like they are French soldiers, and the others are from when my dad was at West Point. What more can you tell me about my toy soldiers? I have others in my collection that are from England.
— M. Shklov, Honolulu
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser During the late 1800s and into the 1900s, young children discovered that the figures were great to play with. Many of the lead soldiers were made in France, and the most sought-after were the British soldiers.
Your lead soldiers were made in France, and the West Point cadets were made in the United States. Their value can range from $5 each to upward of $125 to $400 for more rare figures.
If you have the original box and complete sets of soldiers, the value can go higher.
Collector Peter Dale buys and sells toy lead soldiers. See his Web site, www.britains-toy-soldiers.com. Brenda Reichel is a graduate gemologist and owner of Carats & Karats Fine Jewelry. Have a family treasure and wondering what it's worth? Send your questions, with a photo of the item, to Brenda at Carats & Karats, 1254 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96814; or flawless@lava.net.
A. Lead soldiers were used by the heads of the military to lay out battle plans in the 1800s. They would lay out the battle and the topography to see how the battle might be played out depending on how the opponent would move his armies.
Lead soldiers, which once were used to map battle plans, became popular toys in the late 19th century.
