Inspired by Tony's Little Big Man article I've drafted in this little Lifeguard.
Packed in a plastic tube he hails from the Sixties I would say. I found him decommissioned in a charity shop 50p bin.
I do like this little fella and he reminds me completely of my Action Man Lifeguard when I was a kid.
He's got the red tunic and big gold buttons, the blue trousers with red stripe, black boots and wide belt.
Best of all though is the huge fur helmet - the bearskin - with gold chain chinstrap.
The plastic gold-coloured rifle is pretty neat too.
I wonder if this uniform would fit Bradgate's Little Big Man?
These sixties novelty dolls occupy that strange place on the fringes of the toy world labelled 'fancy goods', rather like those toilet-roll knitted-cover Sindy's.
Frequently these novelty dolls are sadly discarded in their tubes in charity shops and most often found dressed in costumes from around the world like American Indian or Bavarian boy.
I haven't seen my soldier many times so this time I brought him home to Moonbase.
Have you anything like this?
I remember having one of these as a nipper, Woodsy. We had a colourful Scottish piper as well. Weren't they collectively called 'Dolls of the World' or something like that? They're up there along with plastic gondolas and Marin Chiclana Flamenco Dancers, as the best of period kitsch. I still see them at the carboot. So far I've resisted the temptation to buy and begin another collection. Sadly I can't say the same about the cheesy Marin Flamenco Dancers, who I guess are my true guilty pleasure and draw me like a moth to a flame. I have a number of these pouting plastic ladies packed away... I really don't know why though? :)
ReplyDeleteget those Spanish ladies out and send us some pics Tone!
DeleteWhat a blast from the past! I had one of these as a kid. Bought by Mum on a trip to London when I was little from one of the many tourist shops along Oxford Street.
ReplyDeleteHey fab Yorkie, glad it brought back fond memories. I hadn't realised it would have been a London souvenir as well.
DeleteThis doll is not a Life Guard, which is a British Household Cavalry regiment. He is clearly wearing the uniform of the Foot Guards, making him an infantryman. The buttons in pairs mean he is a member of the Coldstream Guards. However the rifle does not look anything like the semi-automatic SLR (Self Loading Rifle) in use at the time. Still a nice doll, and a good souvenir of London.
ReplyDelete