Knights of Avalon

 

William Carman  1909-2003

Bill Carman spend most of his life immersed in history at the Imperial War Museum and National Army Museum where he was Deputy Director. He started selling his figures from about 1947 in a London toy shop. Although he had been casting is own since the early 1920's. 

According to the author John Garratt his casting was greatly improved in about 1937 when he was schooled by the masters Courtenay and Ping. His love of toy soldiers lead him to be one of the founders of the British Model Soldier Society.

He produced only a few knights and his figures are not so animated, but have a charm of their own. Christies sold a large selection of his casting molds in 2004 and I wonder if his figures will have a new lease of life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christies Auction Photo's

Henry v111 and troops, Queen Elizabeth and troops ,troops of James 1

William the Conqueror

 

 

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13th Century Knights

15th Century Knight Ralph Nevil

Black Prince

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographs and text is copyright robert hill

2009 all rights reserved