Monday

April 11, 2022

 

Yes, during the Golden Age of the Pandemic,

this was when "Villaging" was weekly, and had

more than one topic, like today's "Coach is Here".

 

 

Stories can add so much to your village, so

here's some background, so you can create your

own story for a building or area of your village.

It will make your display much more interesting

and fun for those you share it with.

(Remember, fantasies don't have to be true)

 

 

This was the "Featured Building" then.

For those who missed all the excitement and

fun, we've resurrected a reprint just for you.

                 (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

 

 

OK, let's get started.    3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .

turn back time now . . .

 

This week's featured building is the #58302 of

Department 56's Dickens Village Series. It was

introduced in 1997 at $65 and retired in 1997.

Starting the English theme this week, here is

"East Indies Trading Co."

 

Most collectors believe the D56 "East Indies Trading

Company" represents England's "East India Company"

so that's what I'll refer to, for this week's building.

 

The East India Company was formed to trade in

the Indian Ocean region, initially with the East

Indies (India and South East Asia), and later with

Qing China. The company ended up seizing control

of large parts of the Indian subcontinent , and

colonized parts of Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

 

It had its own flag and coat of arms.

 

And Money!

 

The company rose to account for half

of the world's trade, particularly in basic

commodities, including cotton, silk, indigo

dye, salt, spices, saltpeter, tea and opium.

The company also ruled the beginnings of

the British Empire in India.

 

Red Dragon fought the Portuguese at

the Battle of Swally in 1612, and made

several voyages to the East Indies.

 

During its first

century of operation, the focus of the company

was trade, but following the 1st Anglo-Mughal

War, the company interests turned from

trade to territory during the 18th century.

 

 

In the first century and a half, the EIC

used a few hundred soldiers as guards.

The great expansion came after 1750,

when it had 3,000 regular troops. By 1763,

it had 26,000, and by 1778, it had 67,000.

 

Madras Army East India Company

 

The military arm of the East India Company

quickly developed into a private corporate

armed force used to gain geo-political power

and expansion instead of its original purpose as

a guard force. The navy also grew significantly,

vastly expanding its fleet. Although heavily

armed merchant vessels, called East Indiamen,

composed most of the fleet, it also included warships.

 

East India Ship Under Sail

 

By 1803, at the height of its rule in India, the

East India Company had a private army of about

260,000, twice the size of the British army, with

Indian revenues of over 13 million pounds (about

230 million pounds today). It was dissolved in 1874.

 

East India House  -  London Headquarters

 

The Canadian version #58306. Available only

during 1997/1998 in the Dickens Village Series.

Introduced at $65 and currently listed at $145.

Pretty good, eh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oops, take your umbrella down too soon?

Now THAT'S a train story !!

C'ya next time

 

 

 

Another Example of TVC's version of: