Comments on: Billy & Charley’s Leaden Men

By: Debenie

Debenie — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 17:52:22 +0000

These remind me of the lead figures we used to make as children, melting down old sash weights and using toy soldiers etc to impress into sand as a mould. Probably very inadvisable given leads poisonous qualities, but good fun.

By: Bailey Jones

Bailey Jones — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 16:29:38 +0000

The Sean Greenhalghs of their time. I love these little figures.

By: Jennifer Newbold

Jennifer Newbold — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 13:31:22 +0000

I had not realised that Billy and Charlie made little lead men, too! They might have been rogues, but what delightful rogues…! They were true artists.

(“Surly” looks a little like Sean Connery.)

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 13:09:37 +0000

I am smitten. The Surly Knight. Oh, my.
Shams, or not — these are wonderful examples of folk art, as only YOUR culture can express.
Loved discovering these wonders today.
Thank you, GA

By: Mathilde Grange

Mathilde Grange — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 09:01:28 +0000

Fantastic sham!

By: Annie S

Annie S — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:24:33 +0000

They may have been forgeries in the true sense but I think they are great pieces of work – love them!

By: Cherub

Cherub — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:06:45 +0000

They’re very charming, my favourites are Aghast and the Surly Knight.

By: Robin

Robin — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:03:27 +0000

I love Billy and Charley’s ingenuity and imagination. And yours, dear GA, with your inventive captions.”Blood-thirsty” is hilarious– a court jester… turned ad hoc executioner?

By: Richard Cleaver

Richard Cleaver — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 07:36:18 +0000

What a wonderful tale. With no harm intended other than to make a (dis)honest living the story has now transcended into folklore and brings a smile when recounted. The further irony to above is that there are now reported to be ‘fakes’ of the ‘fakes’ in circulation. How Billy and Charley would laugh.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 07:09:12 +0000

I stumbled upon Billy and Charley years ago, when I bought an authentic pilgrim’s badge and was doing some research. What an interesting (and enterprising) pair they were! I especially thank you for the link to Philip Mernick’s website, which is fascinating unto itself.