model soldier / Franco-Prussian War, 1870 - 1871.

Large set of model soldiers, numbering some thousands, 29 boxes in total. Depicts Franco-Prussian War, 1870 - 1871. Mostly lead, some tin, painted. includes Medic Camp, Infantry, Cavalry, Grenadiers, Lancers, Dragoons, Band, Hussards etc. Some original boxes (C.G.M., Paris, France). Gift 802. Previously exhibited in the Dublin Civic Museum, 1983, as the 25th Anniversary Exhibition of the Irish Model Soldier Society, presided by F.Glenn Thompson. From the catalogue - This parade of metal figures representing the French Army of the Emporer Napoleon III were presented to the National Museum of Ireland in 1937 by Madame Ellen O'Scanlon. Her grandfather, Colonel John O'Scanlan of Castlerea, commanded the Irish Ambulance Corps in the Franco-Prussian War. these antique figures were made in Germany by J.C. Allgeyer of Furth. The firm was founded by Johann Christian Allgeyer, who began work as a maker of children's clocks, but prior to 1800 turned to the manufacture of model soldiers. His son and grandson respectively carried on the work but on the death of the latter in 1896 the firm closed down. Allgeyer exhibited in Munich in 1854 and in Paris in 1867 being awarded medals on both occasions. Not unlike the firm of Heyde of Dresden in appearance, the range included Medievals, the Prussian Guards and then soldiers of many nations. It is interesting to note that up to 1890 they were the only makers of soldiers whose figures were imported into France.;