"New range of miniature transfers." Topic

Just discovered a new range of transfers designed to enhance the "personalisation" of miniatures. Being supplied in the form of a downloadable file, they can be sized to any scale between 90mm and 6mm, and printed in any combination of colours. The first designs to be marketed seem to be intended equally for Military and Naval modelling, Codes #1 through #24 being devoted to tattoos c.1600-1950. Familiar designs like anchors, hearts, swallows and skulls are at the lower end of the price-range, while a dancing-girl or full-rigged ship works out at about the price of a 28mm figure (heroic). Top of the range designs like a Triumph of drums, weapons and standards (more than fifty nations represented) will set you back slightly more than a Napoleonic Austrian regiment at 1:50 ratio. The Hunter, Horse, Hounds and Fox pattern may be printed in reverse if desired, and comes with three options of posture for the dogs.

The manufacturers' prospectus lists three further installments of this imaginative range, the first being due for release next month and covering "wristwatches and other portable timepieces for micro-modelling", with a period of only 1800-1970. There are illustrations of literally hundreds of patterns of both Roman and Arabic numerals, as well as of Hour, Minute and even Second hands. Detail is crisp and precise throughout the range, and in the final illustration – an early design of Digital Watch – it is possible to read the time, the day, and the date.

Enquiries to Produits Picpus, au coin de la Rue de Blague, Garscadden.

Ha ha ha ha

FYI -The name Picpus features in one of the classic mysteries in the Maigret series. Bruno Kremer was excellent as Inspector Maigret in the TV version (French language.) The company must have at least one fan of the mysteries by Georges Simenon.

If they really want to sell a lot, they should do decals of eyes… ;-)

They do! Eyes appear as part of the "Face-Pack" PDF download, and can of course be of any colour, sized according to the miniature. For the 6mm scale there is the option of printing off the whole face (again, in any chosen hue and tone) and glueing it directly to the casting. Not only can a unit be represented with a natural-seeming variety of complexions, there is the option of further customising appearances by the addition of powder-stains, cuts and bruises, slashes and/or healed scars. For the Naval Gamer, the Customer Advisor, M. Henri de Tete Vide, helpfully advises that for one-eyed sailors, "the Gamer, he is able to choose to apply 'un petit tache de couleur' in order to show the true arrangement of the Pirate Couture". I understand that a Colonial Range is envisaged, with the characteristic Maori swirling patterns already having been researched.

I will make enquiries about the name "Picpus".

Robert Le Diable
April 1, 2020.