Britains odd/minor series

In addition to their main series of farm, zoo, garden, soldiers, wild west, knights, etc., Britains did several series of other stuff. I've already posted about their cartoon figures, which I did separately because other vintage UK companies made those too, so me or other members can add those there. So this thread is for Britains only, minor and weird stuff, lead and plastic era, starting with some plastic.

The Dancers. These were in two groups, Ballet and National Dancers, and were intended to produce more for girls, as most Britains toys were for boys.
The Ballet set were made 1954-62, and comprised 4 figures (I don't have the Prima Ballerina, so missing from photo) each in 3 main colour versions, Red, Blue & Green, plus mega rare Yellow ones have been seen.
Britains tried again with new, but broadly similar, Ballet Dancers 1978-80.

The National Dancers were made 1958-60. I think they're wonderful figures - mini sculptures.
There were three pairs, Spanish, Ukrainian and Hawaiian.  

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Britains Nativity Set was a short lived disaster, launched September 1958, probably only made one batch, which they were still trying to sell for the Christmas 1959 season, and then gave up. They are very tiny, as can be seen in the photo, where I included the normal Britains scale Maid Marian from their Robin Hood set for comparison. So for these two reasons, they are mega rare now. I found these on eBay by searching for vintage Christmas cake decorations.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

That's all for now.

Nice figurines again      

Interesting series, it is something I never heard about. Starlux made also odd things but alas I have no pics and don't collect them... Well apart from some odd animals and dines   

Very beautiful figures indeed. Britains look also good with humans, modern brands make them a little more toy like. Thanks for sharing and let's dance!

Fascinating   

I never knew this either ! You surely teach us new things here , Dave   
These dancers are beautyful , just look at the Hawaian lady !!!!

  The nativity set as cake toppings ! Can you imagine eating Baby Jesus   
I see these "Cake topping" models a lot on Ebay, - does people put plastic model on their cakes ????
Here we use icing or whipped cream    

SUSANNE wrote:

Fascinating   

  The nativity set as cake toppings ! Can you imagine eating Baby Jesus   
I see these "Cake topping" models a lot on Ebay, - does people put plastic model on their cakes ????
Here we use icing or whipped cream    

It is OK Susanne we in England don’t eat these plastic additions on top of our cakes.

They are re-used on other cakes after being washed!   

Something of a tradition here. My wife has a few and I have bought these decorations from a cake decoration shop. Sometimes they have Britains models and they are cheap. Once bought a Britains turkey hen from one such shop for a £1!

DaveScriv wrote:

Britains Nativity Set was a short lived disaster, launched September 1958, probably only made one batch, which they were still trying to sell for the Christmas 1959 season, and then gave up. They are very tiny, as can be seen in the photo, where I included the normal Britains scale Maid Marian from their Robin Hood set for comparison. So for these two reasons, they are mega rare now. I found these on eBay by searching for vintage Christmas cake decorations.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

That's all for now.

This Nativity set is a wonderful find Dave - congratulations.

Chris

I thought so too - I've never seen another set for sale, or even heard of any examples, apart from those in the new Barney Brown & Peter Cole book (which, for anyone who hasn't yet bought a copy, is excellent). .

Well I had a chance once in an old toy shop to buy one in the mid 1980’s. I saw it on a top shelve and was about to ask to see it when my brother distracted my attention to something else!

This particular example was mint and still in its conical shaped box.

Hopefully, with a bit of luck I might obtain one one day!

Two more Britains odd items, although they are animals - The large scale lead sea gulls.
They were supplied to other, now unknown companies, who mounted them on lumps of polished stone, or on ashtrays, dishes, etc., who in turn sold them to sea side resort souvenir shops.

Britains normal 1:32 scale pelican included to give size comparison.
Front and back views to show paint variations.
The standing gull with closed wings is much rarer (I only have this one) than the outstretched wings gull (I have several more than these), plus other companies made similar gulls.
There are freestanding versions (with their own feet!), but they are rare.
The gulls on a rock are more likely to be found at general antique fairs/flea markets than at toy fairs.
Such sellers never know they're collectable Britains items. Best to just buy the gull and say nothing.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

It is interesting to know that Britains is more than those regular series we know. Actually I enjoy these gulls and they probably work nicely with some modern representations.

DaveScriv wrote:

Such sellers never know they're collectable Britains items. Best to just buy the gull and say nothing.

The seagull are superb