Britains Plasters 1934 and 1935

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THE CHARLES BIGGS BRITAINS COLLECTION FOREWORD Charles Biggs has enjoyed an association with Britains models for more than forty years and is one of the world's leading experts in the design and production of metal models. In 1947, Charles started his apprenticeship as a hand die-sinker and engraver for Wilmore & Sons, later going to Britains in 1956. The start of his long and illustrious career there coincided with Dennis Britain's crucial purchase of 55 of Herald Miniatures. In 1957 Charles helped to formalise the first Britains design department. The ingenious Swoppet range was the first direct result of the new department. He was later rewarded with the position of Chief Designer. In 1984, Charles was made Director of Design by the new owners, Dobson Park plc, and further diecast releases were made. In 1993 Charles founded 'The Charles Biggs Model Company' while continuing as design consultant during the Britains Ltd hollow-cast centenary celebrations, which he helped to organise. Then he went to the US agents Reeves International's celebration dinner at Valley Forge and gave the keynote speech. Since then he has created thirty-one World War One models in the 'Premier' range and developed a range of metal models exclusively for William Britain. BRITAINS WAX MODELS, METAL MASTERS AND PLASTERS This sale includes an array of original components for the manufacture of Britains figures. When a 1/32 wax same size model was used, a plaster waste mould was produced - destroying the wax - to cast lead into. This produced stable, strong originals. These metal models were then fettled and chased by the engravers as they added very fine detail. A second plaster 'female' pattern was then produced, cast off the metals in a two-stage process, with all the pouring and exit points cast in, strengthened with coats of shellac and dusted in graphite to ease removal from the casting sand. These plaster patterns - were then sent to the foundry and cast in bronze; this was then fitted together and the engraver would clean the figure cavity and replace any detail lost in the bronze rough sand casting method. The engineers would then fit casting cup/cutters, springs and a pair of tongs to enable a skilled caster to produce a casting every four seconds, depending on size and weight. This method of hollow casting, invented by William Britain Snr, had given the firm a great advantage over its rivals, who were still casting more expensive solid figures.

Details

Britains Plasters 1934 and 1935
653 Dumpty Doo Duck, 654 Will Mouse and 655 Dan Crow (G, one protruding piece detatched), 656 Bill Badger, 657 Tubby Bear, 658 Tom Kitten, 619 Small Robins, 620 Robins, 625, 626, 627 Logs for Robins, 822 Robin on Feet, 823 Robin for Culpitt (G-VG) (13)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

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