Miniature Figurines was founded by Neville Dickinson back in 1964. Neville, one of the founder fathers of the Wessex Wargames Club. (Telephone: Ian Gould 02380 730912) started from the basement of No. 5 Northam Road, Southampton. With a casting machine and vulcanizer he set about making his own figures.
Not long afterwards, Dick Higgs fresh from Art College in Portsmouth. Started to design the figures that he required for his army. And asked Neville if he would cast them for him with the statement. “As long as I get what I want you can do what you like with the rest”.
Well it didn’t take long for the word to get about that Dick’s. Designs were worth having and the pair of them were in business.
Minifigs™ moved to 100A St. Mary Street in 1967 and I remember Dick. Sat in the shop window designing and dealing with customers and Neville looked after the production side of things.
Incorporated in 1968
The business was finally incorporated in 1968 and is generally regarded as the oldest established war games manufacturer still in existence.
The company grew and moved to larger premises in 1972. This was 28/32 Northam Road, Still in Southampton, and it’s fair to say this is where Minifigs™ really took off. In 1973 Minifigs™ America was set up in Pine Plains, New York 12567.
The company led the world in design, quality and sheer quantity of figures available in any range.
Dave Higgs, current owner and principal designer, joined the design team in 1974. At this stage the company was just thinking about 15mm figures. But Dave’s job was to redesign. 25mm English civil war, Seven years war, Hundred years war and finish off the additions to the Napoleonics.
Valley of the Four Winds
It was during this period that Dick created the “Valley of the Four Winds” and various other fantasy ranges such as “Mythical Earth”. In 1986 Minifigs™ secured the licence to manufacture and distribute the Ral Partha range of Fantasy which took the world by storm.
So here you had the firm that did everything that was worth having. Minifigs™ ruled the world, it was a nice feeling.
The Eighties and Nineties however were decades of mixed fortunes for the hobby. Many of our competitors did not survive but despite computer games and magic cards. We are proud to still be serving the war gamer. Neville Dickinson retired in October 97 and Dave Higgs took over.
Miniature Figurines 12mm World War Two range
On the home front, (i.e. Historical figures), Minifigs™ launched it’s 12mm. (N gauge model railway scale) World War Two range in 1998.
As of 2007, this consists of:
- American
- British
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Russian
- Italian
These are accompanied, a very user friendly set of rules.
Miniature Figurines 12mm Moderns range
The 12mm Moderns range launched at the beginning of 2004 and currently covers the armed forces of:
- America
- Australia
- Britain
- Israel
- Russia
- Vietnam
- West Germany
This allows the gamer to play conflicts such as. the Vietnam War, The Cold War, the Arab-Israeli Wars and the Gulf Wars. Again, these accompanied by a very user friendly set of rules.
In September 2009, Miniature Figurines was sold to Caliver Books.
Website Address: http://www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk/
Phone Number: 01159 382111
Fax:
Address: Miniature Figurines, 40A Percy Street, Eastwood, NG16 3EP, UK
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