Raphael Tuck & Sons, Ltd.
The British Army Infantry. London, Paris, and New York: Raphael Tuck & Sons, Ltd., [1904]. Royal Art Novelty Series No. 182.
Painted by acclaimed military illustrator Harry Payne
Boxed set of die-cut stand-up paper soldiers, complete. Issued as part of Tuck’s “Royal Art Novelty” line and printed in full color. The set includes six distinct regiments: Coldstream Guards, Gordon Highlanders, Royal Engineers, Infantry of the Line, King’s Royal Rifles, and Blue Jackets of the Royal Navy.
Each group is illustrated with finely detailed chromolithographed figures, designed to be slotted and stood upright for display. Original pictorial box with printed title and publisher’s imprint: “By Royal Warrant. Raphael Tuck & Sons, Ltd., London, Paris, and New York.” Painted by the esteemed military artist Harry Payne, whose name appears in the lower margin of the figures.
Condition:
Complete. All soldier groups present. One rifle tip and one head have been expertly reattached. Original box reinforced internally with archival paper at a few slit tears; lid and base structurally sound. Lithography bright, with only minor wear consistent with age. A scarce and well-preserved example.
Listed in the Raphael Tuck & Sons' Ltd. Christmas & New Year Catalogue for 1904–1905, p. 144. One of the most desirable of Tuck’s early boxed military paper toys, especially complete and intact.
About the Artist: Harry Payne
The figures were painted by Harry Payne, a prominent English military artist active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He—together with his brother Arthur—produced a wide range of military illustrations and postcards for Raphael Tuck & Sons. Notably, Payne’s work was highly regarded and featured on royal commissions during the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria (1887) and other significant events
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