(OT) can anybody help identify these??

[Ross Mann]

Hi Guys and Gals, I recently aqquired a 1950's dinky toy 'Police Hut' with the first 5 doctors (approx 1 inch high) hand painted pewter (I think) die cast figures off eBay UK (Some of you may have seen it.. About a week and a half ago) the lot are not a set (I think) and was wondering if any The resident experts could shed any light on the figurines. They appear to be game pieces they are on little round bases (aproximately 1 cm in diameter) the fifth dr has a cricket bat.. Unfortunately I cannot seem to upload a photo with my device ATM.. Is there a way I can possibly email it to another member for identification?

Thanks in advance.. Ross.

[shellyharman67]

Jul 20, 2014 6:22:01 GMT Ross Mann said:

Hi Guys and Gals, I recently aqquired a 1950's dinky toy 'Police Hut' with the first 5 doctors (approx 1 inch high) hand painted pewter (I think) die cast figures off eBay UK (Some of you may have seen it.. About a week and a half ago) the lot are not a set (I think) and was wondering if any The resident experts could shed any light on the figurines. They appear to be game pieces they are on little round bases (aproximately 1 cm in diameter) the fifth dr has a cricket bat.. Unfortunately I cannot seem to upload a photo with my device ATM.. Is there a way I can possibly email it to another member for identification?

Thanks in advance.. Ross.

25mil Fine art castings ? Or fasa ones from America ?

[stevehoare61]

I remember these, assuming they are the same of course. They started coming out about 1983, and there was quite a range and I think Shelley is correct, I believe they were called Fine Art Castings. I remember buying the busts,of the 5 Doctors that sat into a wooden stand and a few others, including Leela, K9, a Dalek etc. I remember one thing,,,they werent cheap.

[Ross Mann]

Ah, cheers.. There's no markings on them anywhere that I can see (if anyone can tell me where to look?? The obvious places yield nothing!!) I won the auction (as it were) for around 30 pounds ($60 odd in Aussie dollars) Inc postage... Did I do well??? The paint is peeling off it all a bit. But there's enough left on them all (The Police 'Hut' is the same condition) to give you more than a good idea how they looked new/original.

[Richard Bignell]

I don't recall the Fine Art Casting figures having any markings. They were too small for that. They were supplied unpainted so the painted versions you had would have either have been done by the original owner or purchased from one of the dealers who would have supplied finished figures at a premium.

If you do a Google image search for "Fine Art Castings Doctor Who", you'll see quite a few in their raw state.

[shellyharman67]

Ebay always have them as well. Sound defo like Fine Art Castings 25m range. Could also be Fasa as they did that size range as well.

[Ross Mann]

Thanks Guys, I did a little searching based on what you've told me, and they are indeed Fine Art casting products.. I broke em outta the packaging to have another look, they (The Doctor figures) are actually nicely panted.. A little worn, but whoever painted them did a fine job!!

I did a bit of checking on eBay and so far have only managed to find the Peter Davison figure (unpainted) for around $8.00 AU... So I think I may have done ok lol..

Cheers, Ross.

[shellyharman67]

Jul 20, 2014 12:12:14 GMT Ross Mann said:

Thanks Guys, I did a little searching based on what you've told me, and they are indeed Fine Art casting products.. I broke em outta the packaging to have another look, they (The Doctor figures) are actually nicely panted.. A little worn, but whoever painted them did a fine job!!

I did a bit of checking on eBay and so far have only managed to find the Peter Davison figure (unpainted) for around $8.00 AU... So I think I may have done ok lol..

Cheers, Ross.

I went to Who Con 21 in london in 1988. I won at auction the first 6 Drs 80mil tall figures expertly painted for £30 English Pounds On a plinth as well.....

[oj-wake]

Jul 20, 2014 6:22:01 GMT Ross Mann said:

Hi Guys and Gals, I recently aqquired a 1950's dinky toy 'Police Hut' with the first 5 doctors (approx 1 inch high) hand painted pewter (I think) die cast figures off eBay UK (Some of you may have seen it.. About a week and a half ago) the lot are not a set (I think) and was wondering if any The resident experts could shed any light on the figurines. They appear to be game pieces they are on little round bases (aproximately 1 cm in diameter) the fifth dr has a cricket bat.. Unfortunately I cannot seem to upload a photo with my device ATM.. Is there a way I can possibly email it to another member for identification?

Thanks in advance.. Ross.

Sometime in the 1980s the mould for the Dinky model must have been acquired by another company - possibly Fine Art Castings as mentioned - and the model re-released as part of/to tie in with the range of DW miniatures, so in the context given yours seems likely not to be a Dinky original. Not that it matters if you're not a Dinky collector. Presumably a Dinky one has a Dinky mark of some sort inside (no doubt others here can say), which I'm pretty sure the 80s version didn't.

[Ross Mann]

Sometime in the 1980s the mould for the Dinky model must have been acquired by another company - possibly Fine Art Castings as mentioned - and the model re-released as part of/to tie in with the range of DW miniatures, so in the context given yours seems likely not to be a Dinky original. Not that it matters if you're not a Dinky collector. Presumably a Dinky one has a Dinky mark of some sort inside (no doubt others here can say), which I'm pretty sure the 80s version didn't. (Quoted)

The Police hut I have is a dinky one. It has the markings DINKY TOYS MADE IN ENGLAND BY (obscured by construction process) ANO (not sure who made it) LTD inside it (under the roof) I saw the police box you're describing on eBay..(from memory) it looked more like the police box that appeared in Doctor Who.. This police 'Hut' only says POLICE on the sign above the door, the phone door has nothing printed on it. That is printed on the panel below, the st John ambulance is next to it.. (on the other door)

[oj-wake]

Jul 21, 2014 0:42:25 GMT Ross Mann said:

Sometime in the 1980s the mould for the Dinky model must have been acquired by another company - possibly Fine Art Castings as mentioned - and the model re-released as part of/to tie in with the range of DW miniatures, so in the context given yours seems likely not to be a Dinky original. Not that it matters if you're not a Dinky collector. Presumably a Dinky one has a Dinky mark of some sort inside (no doubt others here can say), which I'm pretty sure the 80s version didn't. (Quoted)

The Police hut I have is a dinky one. It has the markings DINKY TOYS MADE IN ENGLAND BY (obscured by construction process) ANO (not sure who made it) LTD inside it (under the roof) I saw the police box you're describing on eBay..(from memory) it looked more like the police box that appeared in Doctor Who.. This police 'Hut' only says POLICE on the sign above the door, the phone door has nothing printed on it. That is printed on the panel below, the st John ambulance is next to it.. (on the other door)

That's interesting. I didn't know there had been two dinky versions. The only one I've seen, and which was reissued in the 80s, as you say only has 'police' on the top sign, has a phone door, a lettered panel below it and the St John ambulance symbol. Is it just these door details that makes yours different? I'd be interested to see it if you have a photo.

The ANO you've seen is presumably the end of Meccano, who made some/all? Dinky toys in England.