collecting toy figures Silver bells of Christmastime James H. Hillestad rings in the Christmas season by taking a look at The Salvation Army -- a popular subject for a number of toy soldier makers through the years Text and Photos: James H. Hillestad he Christmas song “Silver Bells,” first sung by Bob Hope and TMarilyn Maxwell in the 1951 movie “The Lemon Drop Kid,” was in- spired by the imagery of Salvation Army bell ringers standing outside department stores every Christmas season. The title of the Beatles’ song “Straw- berry Fields Forever” was borrowed from The Salvation Army’s Strawberry Field children’s home in Woolton, a suburb of Liverpool, England. The Salvation Army has been depicted by 54-mm toy soldier makers in many countries through the years. FOUNDED IN ENGLAND So, who or what is The Salvation Army? The Salvation Army traces its roots to 1865, when former Methodist minister William Booth and his wife, Catherine, founded ABOVE: Trophy items portraying ABOVE, RIGHT: SSTE/Pageantry Products it as the East London Salvation Army co-founder William Booth figures portraying a Salvation Army contingent. Christian Mission. It leading a rally procession. was one of hundreds BELOW, RIGHT: Salvation Army poster of missions which BOTTOM: Salvation Army stamp. from WWI. arose during the course of the 19th century in England. One of the few to survive and grow, today The Salvation Army has its interna- tional headquarters on Queen Victoria Street in London. LEFT & TOP: Salvation Army soldiers armed with silver bells ring in the holiday season. 14 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE Collector_profile.indd 4 11/10/10 6:47 PM collecting toy figures It operates in 121 countries and is one of His son, Bramwell Booth, overheard In World War I, The Salvation the world’s largest providers of social aid. him and said, “Volunteer? I’m no volun- Army provided first aid stations, ambu- The Salvation Army’s stated mission is to teer. I’m a regular!” lances and refreshments to troops in the perform evangelical, social and charitable The secretary was instructed to cross trenches. Noteworthy were its Doughnut work. out the word “volunteer” and substitute Girls of WWI. The name “The Salvation Army” arose the word “salvation.” from an incident in May 1878. William GROWS DESPITE OPPOSITION Booth was dictating a letter to his secre- MODELED AFTER MILITARY The Salvation Army’s growth did not tary and said: “We are a volunteer army.” The Salvation Army was modeled after come without controversy and opposition. the military, with its own flag, ranks and Because the organization chose as music. one of its main goals the conversion of Its “soldiers” wear a uniform tailored alcoholics, it came into conflict with pub- to the country in which they work. Uni- licans who were losing business to The forms can be white, gray, navy or fawn, and are even styled like the Indian sari in “The Salvation Army some areas. The wearing of uniforms origi- was modeled after nated with Elijah Cadman. At the “War Congress” in 1878, he said, “I would like the military, with its to wear a suit of clothes that would let own flag, ranks and everyone know I meant war to the teeth and salvation for the world.” music. Its `soldiers’ The Salvation Army’s red, yellow and wear a uniform tai- blue flag is a symbol of its war against sin and social evils. The star contains The Sal- lored to the country vation Army’s religious war cry, “Blood in which they work.” and Fire.” The familiar Red Shield serves as the organization’s logo. It had its origins in Salvation Army’s campaign against alco- The Salvation Army’s work during the hol use. Salvation Army meetings were Second Anglo-Boer War in South Africa. disrupted by the throwing of rocks, bones, TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 15 Collector_profile.indd 5 11/10/10 6:48 PM collecting toy figures 16 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE Collector_profile.indd 6 11/10/10 6:48 PM collecting toy figures ABOVE: “Hosanna” group of Sally Ann figures by Dorset Soldiers. (Photo Courtesy of Giles Brown, Dorset Soldiers) LEFT: Salvation Army band by Blenheim. LEFT, BELOW: Salvation Army band and escorts by Trophy. FACING PAGE, TOP RIGHT: Salvation Army poster art. FACING PAGE, TOP LEFT: Salvation Army Doughnut Girls during WWI by D&J Miniatures. FACING PAGE, MIDDLE: Salvation Army bell ringers by the Toy Soldier Centre. FACING PAGE, BOTTOM LEFT: “Keep the Kettle Full” set by Trophy. BELOW: Salvation Army band set made in Hong Kong. (Photo Courtesy of Vectis Auctions Ltd.) TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 17 Collector_profile.indd 7 11/10/10 6:48 PM collecting toy figures ABOVE: Red Shield logo of The Salvation Army. ABOVE, LEFT: Salvation Army women by Alexanders Toy Soldiers. (Photo Courtesy of Nikola Biberovic, Alexanders Toy Soldiers) LEFT: Drum, tambourine and Bible-thump- ing Salvation Army figures made in England by Alexanders Toy Soldiers. (Photo Courtesy of Nikola Biberovic, Alexanders Toy Soldiers) BELOW: Salvation Army band and escorts by Charles Hall. 18 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE Collector_profile.indd 8 11/10/10 6:48 PM collecting toy figures rats and tar. Members were physically Few can think of The Salvation Army ramas depicting scenarios such as a day in assaulted. Nevertheless, the organization and not hear its music. In the early days a park or holiday festivities. grew and flourished. in London, when Salvation Army mem- Among those who have made Salva- In the United States, The Salvation bers were sometimes confronted by un- tion Army figures through the years are Army’s reputation ruly people, a family Alexanders Toy Soldiers, Britains, Dorset was enhanced by “Every Christmas of musicians (the Frys, Soldiers, STE/Pageantry Products, Tro- its charitable relief from Alderbuy, Wilt- phy Miniatures of Wales Ltd., Charles efforts following the season fund-raising shire) began working Hall of Scotland, Blenheim Military Galveston Hurricane bell ringers and as their bodyguards Models, the Toy Soldier Centre, and D&J of 1900 in Texas and and played tunes to Miniatures. ◊ the 1906 San Fran- their Red Kettles are distract the crowds. cisco Earthquake in a visible confirma- The tradition of TOP: Sally Army band by Dorset Soldiers. California. incorporating musi- (Photo Courtesy of Giles Brown, Nicknames for tion of the organiza- cians into Salvation Dorset Soldiers) the organization tion’s outreach ef- Army ministry work include “Sally Ann” evolved into forma- ABOVE, LEFT: A standard-bearer and a in Canada and forts in communities tion of brass bands. bandmaster in a blue tunic were included in “Sally Army” or around the globe. ” They perform in the rare old Britains set No. 1317 -- Salvation “Sally Bash” in the the organization’s Army Band. (Photo Courtesy of Vectis Auc- United Kingdom. campaigns as well as tions Ltd.) Australians rarely use the full name, parades, festivals and Christmas season with the slang abridgement “The Salvos” activities. ABOVE, RIGHT: The Salvation Army even being displayed on shop fronts. The The Salvation Army also has choral band’s blue uniforms rank this old Britains set organization is known as “The Sallies” in groups known as Songster Brigades. No. 1316 from the collection of Philip Dean New Zealand. Not to be overlooked is the playing as being very rare. (Photo Courtesy of tambourines with colored ribbons of Christie’s) BELL RINGERS & BANDS representing the colors of The Salvation Every Christmas season fund-raising Army flag. about the writer bell ringers and their Red Kettles are a visible confirmation of the organization’s COLLECTING MINIATURES outreach efforts in communities around For the 54-mm, painted metal toy soldier James H. Hillestad is the the globe. The Salvation Army deploys collector, Salvation Army figures can proprietor of The Toy Soldier Mu- more than 25,000 holiday bell ringers in make a charming display just by them- seum and shop in Cresco, Pa., USA. the United States alone. selves or when incorporated into dio- TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 19 Collector_profile.indd 9 11/10/10 6:48 PM.