HM About HM

HISTORICAL MINIATURES BY GEORGE GRASSE
	ABOUT HISTORICAL MINIATURES
*WOLF WFNUS1 7^th U.S. INFANTRY REGIMENT*	GO TO HM'S HOME PAGE	*GEORGE GRASSE*

Historical Miniatures by George Grasse produces fine hand-painted, museum quality-military miniature art for the collector.

Products for sale appear on a number of different lists. For miniatures, either painted by George Grasse or sold in kit form, you need to visit one of two sections. If you know the manufacturer, it's best to go to "Featured Products". If you prefer to see all of the manufacturers for a given period, you need to visit "Historical Periods". Most of the products will be presented in a full-color, catalog format. Each miniature has two prices shown and to understand what these prices mean, you need to visit "Explanation of Prices Displayed". In other cases, some manufacturers that we carry do not have full-color catalogs on our website for a number of reasons; so, we simply list these figures in the appropriate Historical Periods section. Eventually, they will conform to the "manufacturers" format whether or not we have photos.

Supplies are found in the "Supply Section" and include paints, brushes, fillers, and more. Books that have to do with uniforms are found in the "Reference Materials" section.

Other items for sale are found in "The Attic" and usually consists of overstock and miscellaneous items. These items are typically shipped at cost plus packaging. We recommend that you send email for Attic items so that we can hold them for you and tell you what the total order cost will be.

First, you need to visit the Mail Order Form page and review how to fill it out. At various places on the form, you can double-click for further information. Second, you need to print the form. Third, from the various product lists and pages reviewed on the website, you can enter the order information onto the mail order form. Fourth, you need to calculate the total order amount (again, review the Mail Order Form screen), prepare a check or money order payable to "Historical Miniatures" in U. S. funds, and mail it to us.

Mr. Grasse was born and raised in San Francisco, California, served three years in the U. S. Army with the 9^th U.S. Cavalry in Germany as a sergeant, graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and worked for several years as a systems analyst in the greater San Diego area. Historical Miniatures was started in 1980 to serve as an outlet for Mr. Grasse's military miniature art which had evolved from childhood modeling to miniature figure painting. In the early years, HM was a part-time avocation with sales generated from local area shops and a long-running magazine ad in Military History magazine. Since 1988, Historical Miniatures has been a full-time vocation. Moved from the San Diego area to Lexington, Virginia, in the Fall of 1999.

ABOUT THE MINIATURES

The miniatures range in scale from 54mm to 120mm and are cast in either metal or resin, the latter having become increasingly more popular in the last few years. Miniatures, or figures, are generally mounted on walnut bases as individual subjects or as vignettes that include two or more figures. The walnut bases rest on a felt covering. About 95% of all Mr. Grasse's work is "custom-painted-to-order"; that is, a collector specifically orders individual or vignette items for his collection. Miniatures are generally prepared from stock castings, selected from a variety of manufacturers from the Europe and the United States. In some cases, stock figures are customized to create original, one-of-a-kind subjects. Some figures are greatly enhanced with special ground work or settings. Customization requires an additional fee over and above the painted price shown in the price lists. In this case, prices are quoted before work begins.

ABOUT 1:48 SCALE AIRCRAFT MODELING

This is my other passion, in particular World War I aircraft. I am by nature a student of military history in general, the American Civil War in particular, and World War 1 aviation especially. Since early 2007, I resumed 1:48 scale WW1 airplane modeling and have applied all of my rules about historically accurate miniatures to airplanes. As a result, since early 2008, I have done research into WW1 and Between the Wars (1919-1940) aviation as a top priority next to painting miniatures. Occassionally, I have dabbled in armor and artillery scale models. For more information click here for the Modeling Index.

ABOUT HISTORICAL MINIATURES JOURNAL

This is yet another passion: to write. I got so interested in World War I aviation beginning in 2007 that I hoped to be able to publish a book. The more I studied aviation history, the more I discovered bright ideas about a book. I researched heavily into subject after subject and found ten great aviation authors who had already covered it thoroughly. Soon, I wondered if I could ever find something that was, as yet, undiscovered. Then the light went on and it occurred to me that I have several interests and I have a website. So, I put together the first issue and published in August, 2008. There are four main articles: 1) World War 1 aviation modeling in 1:48 scale, one aircraft is researched, built, and presented with photographs; 2) American Civil War Zouaves in 54mm scale, in which I specialize, are researched, modified, built, and shown, one regiment per issue; 3) a brief photographic tour of battlefields I have visited; 4) modeling tips for miniatures and for scale WW1 aircraft. I do include an editorial at the end so I can voice my opinions about the miniature and WW1 scale modeling industry. For more information click here for Historical Miniature Journal.

To support the hobbyist, Historical Miniatures offers kits, supplies, and reference materials. All of the price lists in the Military Miniatures section include a column that indicates the cost of the unpainted kit. Supplies, including paints, brushes, and other relevant materials, are found in the Supply Section. The Book Section includes listings for new and used books. Gift Ideas is designed to help the gift shopper with truly unique miniatures suited as one-of-kind gifts or additions to existing collections for birthdays, Father's Day, the holidays, and special occasions. Lastly, we are offer "The Attic" as a catch all for the sale of used but interesting items including old kits, figures, used books, used games, and more.