Honestior set
This set is the next page in our humble encyclopaedia on uniformology, heraldry, genealogy, vexillology, phaleristics and the allure of the Belle Epochs. We have endeavoured to embody it in the painted white metal of the miniatures. With the first bursts of large-calibre shells of the Great War, this noble epoch fell into oblivion. Millennia-old empires and dynasties perished in the fire of revolutionary turmoil, European nations lost millions of their most honourable representatives, generals, officers, soldiers - real men. In our historical memory will forever remain vivid images of brave hussars and dragoons, lancers and cuirassiers, Scottish riflemen, jägers, grenadiers. In the trench mud and the roars of technological progress they will become a single grey-green camouflage mass. So let's remember once again the proud allure and the Guards' march of the noble era, which has gone forever. It's all in this set.
History knows no subjunctive mood, but let us remember for a moment - could this catastrophe have been stopped?
In 1899, at the initiative of Russia, the first ever conference of European powers on disarmament was held. The Hague, the small homeland of Hugo Grotius, the famous Dutch theorist of international law, became the venue of the conference at the suggestion of St Petersburg. The growing international tension, the intensification of the arms race between Germany, England and other powers convinced Nicholas II that the peaceful skies should be tried to save through diplomacy and negotiations. In fact, the Russian side made the first attempt in history to create
a pan-European security system.
At the time of the conference, Europe was on the brink of a major war. Formed only in 1871, the united Germany pursued an aggressive policy, seeking its own voice in the concert of the old colonial powers. Growing sentiments of militarism, espionage and xenophobia were also characteristic of neighbouring France - Paris craved revenge for its loss in the Franco-Prussian War. The further the British Empire went, the more it risked losing its leading position in the world's oceans. The growth of European militarisation worried the ruling circles of St Petersburg: the Russian economy and industry did not have the money to compete on equal terms with the other powers in the arms race. Therefore, Nicholas II invited the countries of Europe to discuss the issues of general disarmament and guarantees of lasting peace between countries.
The international conference was held in the royal Forest Palace in The Hague and took place from 18 May to 29 July 1899, its participants were 26 countries. And although the parties failed to resolve the main issue - pan-European reduction of armaments and military budgets, and the idea of Nicholas II about the real reduction of armaments and military budgets was not embodied in real agreements, the forum was not wasted. The conference in The Hague led to the establishment of an international court, which still exists today. As a result of the forum, delegates adopted documents related to the customs of land and sea warfare and the principles of peaceful resolution of armed conflicts. The most progressive were the declarations related to the prohibition to use asphyxiating and
poisonous gases, bursting bullets, as well as to throw projectiles from balloons. The Hague Conference had a significant impact on public opinion in Europe. It gave an effective impetus to the pacifist movement on both sides of the Atlantic.
Although the initiative of Nicholas II could not prevent the catastrophe of the First World War, the treaties adopted in 1899 and 1907 are today valid acts of international law. History knows no subjunctive mood....
Each tin soldier is handmade by the finest craftsmen in the industry.
Here are all 24 miniatures from the set.
(please click on the picture to learn more about each miniature and the character depicted)
John Campbell
Henry Fitzalan-Howard
Douglas Graham
Henry Somerset
Algernon St Maur
Michael Nikolaevich
of Russia
Vladimir Baryatinsky
Varden Tsulukidze
Agénor de Gramont
Louis Charles
de La Trémoille
