Cane an Very Interesting Toy Soldier Company, many people got their first experience when the Cane figures were imported into the United States in the 90’s. This company has made many different figures. Some of the figures were copies of other companies while other were new original production. Erwin Sell has done research and cull from various books and blogs information on this company. Adding in photos we have a very interesting look at this company.
Cane an Very Interesting Toy Soldier Company History
CANE WAS AN ITALIAN COMPANY FROM Bologna ITALY .
Original owner name Giovani Cane
Formed in 1967 from the company “Cairnei Toys S.R.l.”, Bologna-based company with over 20 years of experience in manufacturing (initially craftsmanship in terracotta and then in plastics) with toys, puppets, dolls and figures from the Nativity scene. Towards the end of 60s, change name to simple CANE for toys products .
With commercial/export-import legal name from Giovani Cane Z& Son to as Giocatoli SR I later .
Designed Luis Minarelli did the Logo using the Dog character animated figure base in the owner name and meaning if it (CANE) means Dog in Italian too.
Cane an Very Interesting Toy Soldier Company The Beginnings
From 1967-1979 ,Many sets were cloned and copies of Marx and ELASTOLIN. Scale were in the 54/60 mm to 70/75 mm scale approx range.
First production was in 1968 approx for the plastic soldier sets
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In the late sixties, CANE produced its figures in nice boxes display and were painted by hand. This range was called Plasticrom and the logo was a dog dressed as Bersaglieri and charging with the Italian flag.Later were sold unpainted in blister card packing type .
The logo was changed by 70s with a less “aggressive” funny looking dog.
Cane an Very Interesting Toy Soldier Company What They Made
CANE did copies others brands as well did its originals , particularly copied were the 120 mm(6 inches) Marx brought back to size of 65-70mm approx , but also Turks/Vikings from Elastolin in some poses
They also did a original designed production line sets in 54mm and 70mm.
Such as… U.S. cavalry, Alpini Troops, Italian Bersaglieri, Vikings different poses, musketeers and pirates that were original sculpted by Elio Simonetti ;the best master sculptor of Fontanni who was hired by Cane to do it.
NOTE –Elio Simonetti possible worked as artist for other italian companies .
Original CANE non copied/cloned sets are.
-The US cavalry 6 poses(With Custer pose) also done in grey and blue as US civil war were done in 54 mm in 1976 by ES
-WW1 OR II Alpine in 1972 in 60mm by ES
-WW I OR II Bersalieri in 1973 in 60 mm by ES
-Viking 70MM were done in two sets often confused.
-First set of vikings was released with 3 poses done by Elio Simonetti and 3 others were copies from Elastolin/Hausser
-Second series was using all 6 poses now complete set made by Simonetti ,the Elastolin poses were not longer produced and or mold send out sold.BARABELLI did sell some of them using their packing.
-The Pirates and Musketeers 1976/77 in 65/70 mm by ES. His last work for company along rare Napoleonic set
–PIRATES/MUSKETEERS are only set that had 5 poses ,with pirates been apparently or psooble a “woman”?(pose with hands in heaps and not facial hair )
A rare 60/65 mm scale US cavalry pose set base on Britain swoppet line set poses was done early till Simonetti designed the new 6 poses set in more 54 mm scale and more alike US cavalry Custer depiction set . The early CIVIL WAR set mold was then sold and appear being sold under other makers/brands by 70/80s with some being pack from France and Spain as well.”The figures are still around easy under other brand and or loose lots.
CANE APPARENTLY LAST DESIGNED SETS WAS.NAPOLEONIC SET .
It has a pose of Napoleon and officers/Soldiers ,set of 5 poses -Created by Elio Somonetti.No factory data found about it any sources so far .But definitely sold under CANE factory painted and not painted as well.
ALL FOLLOWING OTHER CANE SETS HAVE 6 POSES and were base in direct cloned poses from Elastolin and Marx.
Generally made in the 70/75 mm scale.
3 poses of first issues set of Viking.(This set was launch mix with 3 first pose made by Simonetti) as mentioned before .
Turks/Janissary – 6 poses from Elastolin- direct copies.
Indians from Marx 6” direct copied
Marines/US infantry from Marx 6” cloned poses
Japanese From Marx 3” or/and 6” poses-direct copies
Knights ,from Marx 6” direct copies
Cowboys,from Marx 6”,direct copied
Romans ,base from MARX WOW ,but not directly copied,they varied in some body armor and weapons plus slight poses differences.
Cane an Very Interesting Toy Soldier Company Figure Production
DATE and years release base in 1974 CANE catalog. Extracted from Italian Book-catalog entry in the internet
In Italian languages.
1310 (1792 , 1030): Bersaglieri ,1973, 6 pose, concezione originale di Elio Simonetti per Cane’.
1311 (1793, 1031): Alpini , 1973, 6 pose, concezione originale di Elio Simonetti per Cane’
1312 (1794, 1032): Vikinghi , 1971, 6 pose, copie da sculture di Elio Simonetti per Fontanini.
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1313 (ex 205, 1795, 1033): Romani , 1967, 6 pose, copie Marx .
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1314 (1830, 1034): Turchi, 1971, 6 pose. Copie, a volte liberamente riassemblate, di Elastolin.
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1315 (ex 204, 1831, 1035): Crociati, 1968, 6 pose. Copie dei soldatoni da 6 pollici della Louis Marx.
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1350 (ex 206, 1832, 1070): Cow Boys , 1967, 6 pose, copie Marx.
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1351 (ex 207, 1833, 1071): Indiani , 1967, 6 pose, copie Marx .
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1352 (1834, 1071): Nordisti , 1ma versione 80 mm. 1971, 6 pose inizialmente copie Britain (come i Sudisti ma colore blu). Nel 1974 le 6 pose vengono rifatte in seconda versione su concezione originale di Elio Simonetti per Canè (catalogo 1072).
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1353 (1835, 1073): Sudisti , come i Nordisti ma colore grigio.
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1354 (ex 208, 1870, 1074): Marines, 1967, 6 pose, copie Marx.
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1355 (ex 203, 1871, 1075): Giapponesi, 1970, 6 pose, copie dei “Japanese” Marx
- 1374-1474 (ex 1841,1076) Pirati 1976,5 pose,1 ma versione su concezione originale di Elio Simonetti per Cane
- 1378-1476 (ex 1857,1077) 5 pose , concezione originale di Elio Simonetti per Cane.
Cane an Very Interesting Toy Soldier Company Some Questions
There is a “note” in one internet page where i get this information that indicate the first set of viking (using three cloned poses from Elastolin )was launched ahead to market as set was announced in previews catalog with the total 6 later poses that were still not finish yet.
Designation was to make = copy three figures from Elastolin to launch it out.
Soon later the full(more common set) of 6 original CANE designed by Simonetti poses was release.
Both sets were released under same number. The early is less common,yet it was copied or molded obtain by Barabelli and others that sold it and reissued till late 80s .
Nice job on the article. I like the copies of Elastolin and Marx 6 inch scales down. I wish I had them! The Simonetti sculpts are greatly detailed, well proportioned but fanciful and non-action. I can’t imagine the average boy being enthralled with that 3 Musketeers set! Does someone have a photo of the Cavalry set with Custer?
I had sent all pictures of every set to admin from my collection,included Custer’s set used as civil war set ,he may post rest in other post probably.
The Cane alpine and specially Bersagieri are in best action poses sets in my opinion too.I had sold over two dozen sets before …
The Siomonetti art style are typical renaissance style more than action toy figures ;his best action sets were actually for Fiontanini company in the 8 pirates and African pigmy sets I will think. I have both sets minus one pirate pose.
Most his art and those his co-artist were dedicated to nativity and Italian XV-XIX centuries rural and social civilian life figures ,they had been replicated by other brands and in other material as well Chinese.
The CANE sets with exception of ALPINI,BESAGLERI and early fist US civil war set are not hard to find ,neither too expensive today at even mint sets ,unless the early painted ones in box that are high priced by collectors.
CANE ,Musketters,PIRATES and Custer sets were copied on HK made in silver plastic colored same way they did with Britain and lone star.HK copies are in a bit less scale but some were mounted in odd bases .
I have few of then loose and are not hard to find around at eBay least.
best
Tom.
Here ;meanwhile is a Custer set sold as confederated of last blister packs from late 70s .
this seller had then in blue too ….
Custer is the one with banner
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cane-Soldatini-6-cm-SET-6-SUDISTI-Art-1073-MOC-anni-70-/252567811850?hash=item3ace36f70a:g:LtAAAOSwpLNX8iij
A close up pictures I send to admin of loose poses show their great detail, still poses are the classic statue style of Simonetti art carving ..
best
best…
Thanks Erwin! The Cavalry set is very nice. If I had to pick the worst pose though it would be Custer. The other poses are very good and look like they could fit in with TSSD Cavalry. Looking back at the photos in the article the Custer set is there with other sets just didn’t come out well because of glare.
Unfortunately, the Custer figure makes him look like Little Prince Fauntaroy, preening and prancing around. Sort of like the role Johnny Depp played in Pirates of the Carribean.
But a very good, informative article, Erwin.
Erwin Great stuff! I really enjoyed learning about this company. Well done, my friend.
Looking at the ACW group (with the flags) the kneeling guy who is pointing, is a direct copy of the Britains Swop Artillery Crew figure.
This is him as a CSA figure.
http://www.britains-toy-soldiers.com/archive/photos/britswop/4435.jpg
Thank You Bill.Yes as post indicate all the 6 poses are base in the first ACW Britain swappets poses.Three have smaller variations compered to original Britain.
The artillery poses full set of swapped line were copied by HK too in solid poses too .
Best..
Thanks Paul and Erwin for putting this article together. I have gotten some of these figures over the years, mainly by accident as I stumbled across them. I did pick up a few of the Vikings this year. I got some from Paul, the Elio Sominetti sculpted ones. I am looking for the Elastolin clones to add to my collection. I have some of the Hong Kong Elastolin clones of Vikings. Thanks again, Mike.
Plastic Warrior covered this company about three years ago
We are doing various articles on companies that been covered before in other medias. While some of our information may cover the same areas, many times we will find new information to enhance our knowledge of the subject. Also while we have promoted these other media for most of our readers this is the first time they have seen this information. Finally in our review of a subject we may also find corrections of the know information.
I appreciate these articles because I don’t get Plastic Warrior Magazine, have never seen most of the old PFPCs, and Playset Magazine tends to cover American companies. Some of us haven’t seen these before. Admin, like you said, there are updates and additional information turning up that either wasn’t available or wasn’t covered by the others.
I appreciate that Cane redid some of the Marx poses in the more popular 54mm or 60mm. These have more interest to me than the larger figures.
Jon
Maybe you should subscribe to Plastic Warrior if you are interested in non US figures
I agree getting Plastic Warrior is a treat for me when it comes in the mail.
Yes, I probably should.
I am inquiring into subscription amounts as of now. This forum has peaked my interest in the European manufacturers and especially Admin and Erwin’s contributions, so you have a good idea, Peter!
Erwin, who made the ring hand Elastolin copied Romans and Vikings?
These guys shown in the article all have molded on weapons.
The figures that I have all have open hands with separate weapons supplied.
Different company?
Bill they are HK made generic. I have few loose poses and see the blister cards .
I also have one Indian in green with loose plug in spear from HK .
Hong Kong also did then in non plug in weapons version (Indians, Huns ,Viking and romans)
The Elastolin base Prince Valiant set and some knights were also made in HK in painted version as far I know or seen, I had 4 ,now only two as get read of double.I had not seen then unpainted…
Yet Prince Valiant had been copied-cloned by other Europeans marks as well too .
Best…
Ive got some of the Viking figures in 60mm, Or they look like 60mm to me and I would like to have brought more like the Turks for instance. They are really nice figures in good poses, But most of them are to tall for me. Once they go over 60mm its a No from me.
Great information from Erwin as usual.
I’d like to find some of those Marx Marine copies to see if they would look OK with Austin/TSSD Marines.
The marines and Japanese by Cane are very common from Italian eBay sellers.
They will be a bit taller verus TSSD.They will match better Ideal, Arburn, Marx 60/65mm scale.
Best…
Hi, liked the artikel.
I found some Old CANE toy (i think) , not solidiers, i like to sendt you a picture of it, it is farm-animals in original packech, i think the brand /logo is Cane, can you help me. Your page is the only place i can find enyting about cané. My quistion is… Is it a toy a have to keep or can it go to the trachcan? Alle the Best to you from Martin
Cane logo has usually a dog in it inside a large letter (C) ,see second photo up of pirates packing above please .There other logos used with a different dog inside also .