Game of Thrones - failed Testors licence minis by Tom Meier

 

Back in the late noughties I picked up a bunch of these wonderful sculpts by the legendary Tom Meier, one of my favourite sculptors. I came across them again last week and asked if anyone knew anything... Jacob Fathruckner of Ral Partha Legacy gave me this;

As I recall, Testors had a license to produce the Song of Ice and Fire properties, before Darksword got involved.  They released a 54mm set or two, and then had Tom sculpt this range.  I think there was some kind of management change at Testors, or at least change of direction on this kind of project, and this line was shelved.  When Darksword picked up the license from Martin, he suggested that they use Tom as their sculptor.

There is more on Google of course, I suppose I should have gone there first but I always prefer to use the hive mind.

The Testors Game of Thrones project was an officially licensed line of miniatures, dioramas, and wargaming rules announced in 2005 based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. However, the ambitious line was largely canceled in 2007, resulting in only a single rare release.

The Planned CollectionThe Testor Corporation originally partnered with Martin to release several highly detailed figure lines designed by master sculptor Tom Meier. 

The comprehensive roadmap included:

Pre-painted figures: 1/18 scale resin figures.

Metal Signature Pieces: 54mm metal figures and finished dioramas.

Miniature Wargame: A skirmish game featuring 28-32mm pewter figures, with rules focused on conflicts like the Night's Watch and the Wildlings.

The "Ruby Ford" Release;

Only one product actually made it to the market: the limited-edition "Ruby Ford" pewter diorama. This highly sought-after 54mm scale collectible depicts the final battle between Robert Baratheon and Rhaegar Targaryen at the Battle of the Trident. It was released in two formats—an unassembled kit and an unpainted pewter display piece, with a total production run limited to 1,500 pieces worldwide.

Despite strong initial interest and quality sculpting, packaging, shipping, and breakage issues plagued the release of the Ruby Ford diorama. Combined with changing priorities and personnel within the Testor Corporation, George R.R. Martin ultimately pulled the license in April 2007, and the remainder of the miniature line was scrapped. Today, the "Ruby Ford" piece is a highly prized artifact for collectors of A Song of Ice and Fire memorabilia.

George R.R.Martin's own website shows these snippets;

https://georgerrmartin.com/testor-corporation-releases-ruby-ford-limited-edition/

https://georgerrmartin.com/for-fans/knights/the-knights-of-the-seven-kingdoms/

Most information of course from the man who knew;

https://georgerrmartin.com/miniatures-miniatures-and-more-miniatures/

Below are the images of mine. They are simply beautiful sculpts, as to be expected from the hands of Tom.

A set did sell on eBay at some point although I don't have a membership so couldn't tell you when or how much etc.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/game-thrones-miniatures-x8-tom-meier-428028497

Below are the various images picked up at the time and are all for informative purposes only. Copywrite belongs with the respective owners and I will, of course, remove anything if it is problematic.

I did collect the Darksword miniatures and the range is still going strong although I don't think there have been any new releases since a Kickstarter a few years back? Annoyingly the Kickstarter minis didn't come blistered with individual figures as they normally do. I might have waited to get them from retail if I'd know... grrrr etc.

Their full range is at the link below. I really must sort out what I'm missing.

https://www.darkswordminiatures.com/product-category/miniature-lines/george-r-r-martin-masterworks/

As always, leave a comment or shoot me an email on;

enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk