Miniature Kits of Exceptional Quality Are Available in Antique Shops

While visiting a local antique shop recently I spotted a House of Miniatures kit in a display case. I wondered to myself what that was doing there. Why would a perfectly good miniature kit be in a display cabinet in an antique shop? After visiting a few more antique shops I did happen to spot a few more miniature kits in them also. That caused me to do a little research.

I had been awarded several miniature kits at different miniature events over the past several years. One was a Heritage Collection Miniature Wood Furniture Kit 189 to create furniture for a living room. The box indicates that the kit is by Realife Miniatures and also has the Scientific Models, Inc. logo. The box has not been opened and is in perfect condition. The kit includes all materials to make a 1 inch scale loveseat, desk, wing chair, coffee table and lamp table. A little research revealed that this kit is from the mid to late 1970's. In 1972 Scientific Models, Inc. stopped producing model airplane kits and became the maker of Realife Miniatures, a line of period doll house furniture.

Another kit I received as a door prize at another miniature event was The House of Miniatures Chippendale Wing Chair/Circa 1750-1790 kit which has a logo which includes the X-ACTO symbol in a gold seal printed on the front of the box. The kit is an unassembled, precision machined, wood kit which includes components for 1 chair including the fabric, padding, assembly and finishing instructions. The box is sealed and in very good condition. I discovered that this kit was produced in 1976.

Also received as door prizes at another miniature event are the Shenandoah Design, Inc. Boston Rocker kit No. 3109 New England circa: 1830 and the Tiered Server kit No. 3003 both from The Colonial Collection. The box states that The Colonial Collection consists of 1/12 scale wood kits of some of the best examples of the works of the early Colonial cabinet makers. These country craftsmen developed a style of furniture that is still popular today .These kits are in boxes that are not wrapped or sealed, all of the parts and instructions are inside, however the boxes are a bit agedBoth kits were designed by John R. Adams whose printed signature is on the front of each box. Although I did not find an exact date for these kits I did discover that John R. Adams had been a former electronics sales manager for Lockheed Corporation and began the Shenandoah Designs, Inc., as reported in the August 26, 1984 Anchorage Daily News, to specialize in reproducing mini Chippendale, Pennsylvania Dutch and Shaker furniture.

All of these kits are examples of artistically created, realistic reproductions of furniture form specific periods of American History. I have a feeling that they once belonged to a miniaturist with good intentions of creating the furniture but did not find the time to begin the projects. I was a bit apprehensive when I received the kits that I would be unable to finish the kits well. However after being involved in finishing many kits since then I feel more able to begin these projects. These kits look as if the end product will be of exceptional quality. The projects may be time consuming but the time spent will be enjoyable. The craftsmanship of these kits and the quality of the materials make them extremely attractive. It is very difficult to find such well crafted kits in today's miniature market. After completing these projects I may be tempted to scour antique shops for more of these older kits.