I just received an e-mail from Historex Agents in England, informing me that Ray and Norma Lamb are closing production of their classic Poste Militaire line of military figures. If you’re not familiar with this line, let me assure you that they are considered by many to be among the finest military figures available. Well, I guess they won’t be available for long! Has anyone heard if someone else plans on taking over? I hope so, as the loss of this line of figures leaves a huge void in this rather specialized corner of the hobby.
That is a shame. The first PM kit I built was, as it happened, sculptor Derek Hansen’s last piece for PM, a 90mm Roman Centurian. It’s was as beutifully cast as it was sculpted. Hopefully a company like Andrea or Pegaso will pick up the molds. I’d hate to see all of those great kits just dissappear.
I agree completely. My first PM figure was the Cuirassier Trumpeter, which I liked so much that I recently stripped my “beginner’s” paint job off of it and am currently re-painting it. That is a 20 year old figure and it really stands the test of time. Someone with some personal connections told me that some of PM’s Franco-Prussian War figures may reappear under the “Elite” label. Here’s hoping another company will do the same with some of their other figures.
Their figures and catalogs were beyond compare…the Indian busts started a trend; I still have the mounted Samurai, I bought from the late Jim Beaver back when he was serlling kits out of his house in Long Vallry, N.J. - maynbe one day I’ll get ambition again and dedicate the painting to Jim…
Chris Brosnahan
Ray Lamb closing production? This is a dark day indeed. My first figure was one of his that I picked out at my local hobby shop because of the depth of the detail. I’ll have to see what I can turn up at the area shops before their stocks are depleted.
That’s a shame. I think PM probobly was the first to take figure production out of the realm of “tins” and was the progenitor for companies like Andrea and Pegaso. They set the standard early and only made the industry have to hit the frounf running to keep up. The result is the high quality figures and sculpting that we see today from so many companies.
What renowned figure painter or sculptor has not said they were influenced in some small way by Ray Lamb?
I’m sure we have not seen the last of their product in some shape, manner or form.