You might wonder what the link is between two small ranges; one Chinese Boxer rebellion and the other a group of Wars of the Roses, Battle of Bosworth Yorkist soldiers. The link is the sculptor and makers, Jan Scroby and husband Frank, who were amoungst the first collectors and dealers in the 1950’s to venture into making glossy, solid figures after WW2. Their Blenheim, Marlborough and Star ranges are well known and collected. Not so well known are the figures they produced on commission. Two of the most prominent toy soldier collectors and specialists; James Opie and Shamus Wade both commissioned figure from them. James wanted Chinese Boxer rebellion figures and Shamus wanted a large commission that became his Nostalgia range, now well known and collected. Part of his commission was a small extra range he called Oojah Cum Pivvi (an Indian term) which included the Bosworth group. Both of these groups are hard to come by, only a limited number being produced. I have been lucky in collecting examples over the years.

Firstly, the Imperialist Boxers. produced between 1974 and 79 for James Opie. Only a few different figures each year, no more than a couple of hundred of each in total but consistently painted in a specific range of colours. They are described using the original catalogue numbers. all figures have separate moveable arms, except the firing figure.

C1 Manchu Guardsman and C2 Chinese Levy with blunderbus. The Guardsman was only painted in these two colour schemes, the Levy figure was painted in five schemes; the four shown and one with a red jacket.

C3 Bannerman with pike, C4 Bannerman with musket and musket rest, C5 Bannerman with umberella. All figures painted in two colour schemes as shown. The Umberella Bannerman seems to have a thinner face than the others.

C6 Kansu Tribesman firing, C9 Boxer charging with pike. The only two action figures commissioned. Only produced in these colour schemes.

C7 Mandarin Officer with standard, C8 Mandarin Office with sword. I haven’t located the officer with sword yet but is the same body as C7 with different arms.

I have added two of the only three European figures included in the comission. British naval brigade. The ratings are almost identical except that one has a cast beard. The officer figure I haven’t found yet, will add when I do.

Click on any of the images to enlarge.

Next is the commissioned set of Ooja Cum Privvy figures of the Yorkist forces of Richard the Third that fought at the Battle of Bosworth. Just five figures; I have all of them but still have to locate the last one from storage. The missing one is another archer; standing with arrow nocked ready to aim.

On the right are two more of the Bosworth figures, one is Richard the third, the other is a man-at-arms with an early gun.

On the left are two of the Bosworth figures, one represents a wounded archer, the other a billman, both wear the livery of Richard the third