Toy Soldier Collector Magazine

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The man in the tower

Paul Stocker chats with Matthew Thair, the creative genius behind White Tower Miniatures

I first met Matthew Thair at a British Model Soldier Society show back in 2003, where he was exhibiting an amazing collection of all kinds of Robin Hood figures. That was a sort of premonition because when I next met him at a show a few years later, he was selling Robin Hood figures he had started making. Matthew’s long interest in Robin Hood has been as strong an influence on his output as a manufacturer as it was on his own collection. But he has other interests and these, such as the Wild West, also influence his growing range of figures sold under the White Tower Miniatures brand. Matthew’s approaching the end of only his third year as a manufacturer but he can already boast an extensive catalogue of fine figures.

PS: How did you turn from a collector into a full-time manufacturer?

MT: Even as a collector, I was converting figures for people for a long time and I designed and commissioned some of the Replicants range of plastic figures. When I wanted to give up working in advertising, it was my wife Jo who encouraged me to produce my own range of figures.

PS: Was it difficult to decide on what figures to produce?

MT: Not at all. I’ve always been particularly inspired by pictures of Robin Hood and the Wild West included in such things as Robin Hood and Buffalo Bill annuals. Having a background in graphics, I really love the many wonderful pictures produced in books and magazines over the years and a lot of my figures are based on them.

PS: Where did the ‘White Tower’ name come from?

MT: It seemed an obvious choice really. The company is London based and I thought the historical associations were appropriate, especially for the Robin Hood and Norman figures.

PS: A lot of your Wild West figures are based on contemporary photographs aren’t they?

MT: Yes, they are. I wanted them to be as authentic a representation of the characters as possible, and I thought that would be a different approach. That’s still my aim although I am branching out with other characters like Tom Mix and Hopalong Cassidy. They are fun to do.

PS: Where are most of your customers?

MT: I have a lot in the UK and the USA but they are all over the world really. Reviews in TSC have certainly helped spread the word about my figures to a wide audience.

PS: How does a new figure come into existence?

MT: For the figures it starts with an idea that appeals to me, most likely as a result of coming across a new picture of a Robin Hood or Wild West character that I really like. In the case of the buildings and scenic accessories it’s all about coming up with items which help bring the figures to life, without taking up too much display space. The Wild West saloon, which is much larger than the other items, was deliberately designed to go at the back of a shelf.

PS: Then what happens?

MT: I usually produce some sketches of the figure I want to make. It’s very important to get the anatomy and balance of the figure right if the pose, particularly an action pose, is to be convincing. I might produce the master figure myself, but I have also used six other sculptors since starting the business as I’m really a converter rather than a sculptor. The master then goes to a company in Nottingham (PS – seems very appropriate) for the production of the mould and the actual casting.

PS: Is it the same process for the buildings and scenic accessories?

MT: Not quite. The masters for these items are made by a dental surgeon in California with whom I first made contact through the hobby. He’s very meticulous. For example, he makes all the masters for wooden items in wood, so that when they are produced in resin they have a convincing grain. The models themselves are produced by a company in Derby.

PS: You’ve made a couple of very interesting one piece castings of a figure carrying another one. How easy were they to produce?

MT: They were a challenge but I enjoyed it. Other people like Conté Collectbles have done it but I think many makers avoid it because it is hard to get right. They are a perfect example of how important it is to get the anatomy and pose right for the figure to work.

PS: All your figures are available painted. How do you produce the painted figures?

MT: I do all the painting myself, in small batches. This can occupy quite a few hours at a time. I also produce the box and package art myself.

PS: I particularly like the more recent ‘Ivanhoe’ range. How did they come about?

MT: It was really to extend the Robin Hood range into a new area. Robin Hood, or ‘Locksley’ appears in the Ivanhoe story and I always liked the MGM film from the 1950s. And the medieval knights are very colourful.

PS: Have you plans to expand that range?

MT: Yes I have. I’ve produced the duel between Ivanhoe and Bois Guilbert but I wanted to portray the joust between Ivanhoe and Prince John’s knights at the start of the story and the film. And I wanted to tackle this in a different way to what I’d done before. What I’m planning is a series of mounted tournament knights which can be assembled from a wide range of different body parts, heads, arms and horses. In effect, this will be a ‘pick and mix’ series, allowing collectors to choose the poses they want. Of course, since the figures represent classic 12th Century knights, they’re not restricted to the Ivanhoe story. For example, some different heads would easily turn them into Teutonic knights.

PS: Have you any plans for entirely new ranges?

MT: I certainly have although I don’t want to say too much at the moment. But one totally new range is the ‘Haukur’ range of Viking figures, which were inspired by my interest in re-enactment groups, and which represent actual re-enactors.

PS: Are you finding things more difficult in the present economic climate?

MT: Not really, so perhaps I’m quite lucky although I can’t say I’m making a real profit from the business yet but perhaps that’s not surprising after less than three years. And the companies producing my castings and buildings are still very busy indeed.

PS: Does the business allow you any spare time at all?

MT: Oh yes. I go to historical re-enactment events, I play drums in two bands and I practice art therapy with the disabled. And I still really enjoy doing all the research in books or on the internet for more new figures.

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