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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