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Robert Harrop
Trumptonalia.
Robert Harrop has the distinction of producing the largest number of individual Trumptonalia items.
And,in a merchandising sense,they practically carried the brand almost single-handedly from 1998 to when regular production of Trumptonshire items ceased in 2014. Cont. ....
Harrop are a small British company that produce collectable figurines.
Either licensed products based on tv shows,or their own in-house creations.
And whilst they mainly work in ceramics,they've also used pewter and cold cast bronze.
The photo above shows the first 15 Trumptonshire figures they produced in February 1998.
A mix of Camberwick and Trumpton,with Windy predictably being "001".
Since when they've rolled-out statically-posed portraits for every character in all 3 series.
As well as modelling most of them again in countless situations and poses from specific episodes.
Not forgetting all the buildings and vehicles .... musical versions .... a monocrome series to reflect the original broadcasts in black & white.
Oh,and all the characters from the Quaker Oats ads.
And even special excursions outside the world of ceramics with examples made of bronze and pewter.
All of which demonstrates just what a fantastic merchandising concept Trumptonshire is of course.
But everything has its limits.
And there's a finite number of times you can keep going to Windy's well before it runs dry.
With regular production ceasing in 2014,except for isolated one-off specials.
Although,truth be known,the jam was clearly being spread way too thin long before then.
As it seemed like the only justification for a new figure was something as mundane and fleeting as Windy scratching his bum in episode 9.
( spoiler alert ... he didn't and no such figure exists.)
But if Windy had actually done that then there would've been a figure of him doing it !
And I can only refer you to the "2012 Christmas Specials",where things finally moved on from being progressively desperate and descended into full-blown "monkey tennis". Evidence here
Admittedly it's hard to say exactly what harm it did,other than tweeking the sensibilities of someone like me who never even bought one.Because ....
1. They attracted a very loyal following.
2. No-one can question the standard of finish and attention to detail.
3. And they've helped to prop up what's left of the British ceramics industry,nevermind the retail outlets they supply.
All of which means it's probably churlish to even raise the subject.
But I have,because it's hard not to feel whistful when you think of all the much-loved things that have simply been flogged to death over the years.
And if I was a completeist Robert Harrop collector I'd personally have felt that many of the releases were a bit like a casino installing slot machines in its' hotel rooms ....
ie. you know they're taking the mickey,but you just can't stop yourself filling it full of cash - even though no-one's actually putting a gun to your head to do it.
But whatever you might think about that,I hope we can at least all agree that any quality British manufacturer deserves our support wherever possible.
So,why not pop along to their website and see what's currently on offer ! www.robertharrop.com
Above
The army truck thumb,
gives an idea of the quality and finish.
Ensure your browser is showing you the full size.
My sincere thanks to Robert Harrop for both the pics on this page.
