Peter Gilders collections
I'm still bathing in old school pictureness and after reading an older edition of Battlegames I came across a paragraph by Siggins who wrote that he would love to see a book just full of Gilder eye candy. I must admit I would as well. Since this is the age of ever glossier wargames productions perhaps the time is right. No rules in there to confuse the issue just images with extensive captions. That got me wondering about what Gilder actually had in his collection and to what extent. Any advances on: Napoleonics – I've been told about 9,000 ACW – numbers unknown AWI – numbers unknown ECW – seemed to be small collection Sassanids – 200+ Pony Wars – numbers unknown Sudan – two collections. 400+ Mahdists in first one I've seen images of a WSS collection that look very like Gilder work but have no idea if they were his. Just interested that's all.

Depends how you define 'small' - i have 2-300 of his ECW and that's only a small part of what he had. All of his main collections numbered in the 1000s, John Ray will be able to elaborate on the extent of the AWI collection (again 1000s). You can add (generic) medieval and Renaissance (a gazillion Landsknechts) fron the Hinchliffe era, and Italian Wars from the Connoisseur to your list. He lists his main collections (as of 1978) here: http://unfashionablyshiny.blogspot.com/2009/03/gilder-speaks.html I think the WSS you are referring to could be the later (post-Gilder, mostly Stratagem) Holiday Centre collection (incidentally sold via ebay last year).

Peter also had a large WWII collection in 20mm, I think these passed to Phil Robinson at some point, but where they are now, who knows. Huge Ancients collection, and smaller Dark Ages armies, such as Normans. One point of interest, and this was mainly when he got the holiday centre up and running, was that he purchased lots of painted figures from elsewhere, and simply re based them. Understandable as he wanted to field very large armies at the holiday centre. Many of his Napoleonics were still in service there, at least six years ago, but the ACW had been replaced by other, newer figs. No sign of any Ancients, but I think the Italian Wars were still there. Don't forget that in addition to the soldiers, was his huge amount of terrain, buildings etc.

I aquired the AWI collection in the late 70's. At that time the majority of which was with Peter and Frank Hinchliffe. The numbers shown in the Curt Johnson book was only a small proportion of the collection. Much better painted and more 'specials' came after the publication. After I aquired the part Frank had I visited Peter. To this day I remember the moment when he took me to view his part of the AWI collection....This huge table with lines and lines of painted regiments... I purchased all those of which were in the book and all the best painted and all the special regiments. It was like XMAS.... The new Hessian/Brunswick troops had been transferred to the SYW collection, which at that time was with Phil Robinson. So off I went to visit Phil at his home and purchased all of his AWI conscripts. The total of the above was circa 2200 painted figures, I probably doubled that figure with the help of Peter casting new figures for me. During the 80's I sold it all and replaced it with my own figures. John

Before his Hinchliffe days PG had a collectiion of Hinton Hunt Napoleonics, which appeared frequently in photographs in the 70s in the wargames press and in classic books. Last year I bought the French Cavalry from this collection with a friend - around 220 figures, we now have half each. My avatar is of some of these figures. Clive

As I have stated previously in this forum, Gilder's Sudan collection ended up with American collector Keith Leidy, who used to be his Connnoisseur dealer in the States. Keith also picked up the SYW collection of Phil Robinson (pictured on the cover of Miniature Wargames #48, I think?). Nearly all of the Austrian infantry have pin bayonets soldered onto the muskets (ouch!). I gather from some of the comments that some of the "Prussian" figures (all Hinchcliffe figures) might have been transferred from Gilder's AWI collection. I have had the honor and privilege of playing with both collections at Keith's house. The Sudan collection is simply amazing. I wrote an article about it for Battlegames, during its first year of publication. I remember Gilder running advertisements in the early issues of Miniature Wargames indicating that he wanted to purchase Napoleonic figures in any condition. These were used to beef up his own collection for use at the Wargame Holiday Centre.

Do they still play the Italian Wars at the WHC? That was an impressive collection. I think that one caught my eye more than anything else that he had. I will always remember those wonderful Itallian Wars pictures in the early Miniature Wargames - galleys, other water craft, the large town, the street fighting, etc.

Yup, I bought all of Peters WW2 stuff and Phil Robinsons as well, its never seen the light of day since. (in the same boxes under the table) Peter always needed large numbers of troops, so you could always swap him 3 poor cavalry regiments for his best one. And (dont know whether I am telling tales here) when he was about to sell the Holiday Centre he let me swap a few units for his very best stuff. Not much of what he had left was Peters own work but there was some beautiful stuff there by Doug Mason,Dennis Coleman, Mark Allen etc, so who would pass that up? I am in the process (planning dept) of building a wargames room/shed where I plan to look in some of the boxes :clap:

DaveT, Knowing you I bet the boxes stack HIGH, sorry VERY HIGH! with lots of gems of many periods! Regards John

People might enjoy these pics of Nap Mamelukes: http://itinerantwargamer.blogspot.com/2009/10/while-we-are-waiting.html

Those are awesome. If I hadn't come to terms with the fact I'd never be a master painter long ago I'd probably go burn my paintbrushes.

I have for years wanted a unit of Marmalukes and have looked at most of the manufacturers in 28mm and everytime I come back to photos of this unit and nothing gets even close. This unit must be at least 25 years old and still in my opinion has not been surpassed. The sculpter of the latest Foundry figures should have studied these. I live in hope that the Perries might be persuaded one day.

They are fairly stunning aren't they. The Perrys may well do them one day. Seeing all this Gilder stuff again can't help but make me feel that I wished I had tried some in the days back when…