At that time military figures were all the rage and a number of toy manufactures had jumped on the bandwagon.
21st Century, Blue Box, Dragon and many more companies turned out some pretty impressive figures. It was a good time to be a military fan.
Sadly Sideshow abandoned its military line a few years later and instead concentrated on movie, TV and comic book characters.
Too bad because Sideshow’s military figures were some of the best produced.
One such figure: General Ulysses S. Grant, was produced as part of Sideshow’s American Civil War Brotherhood Of Arms Legendary Icons collection.
When I was teaching high school one thing I noticed lacking was a comprehensive study of American history.
While some teachers attempted to teach it historically accurate, most of the teachers instructing the course were very politically biased and many of the textbooks failed to go into a lot of detail on the important events in American history or world history.
All too often the study of the American Civil War boiled down to the issue of slavery. While slavery played an important part in the war it was not the only reason that South succeeded from the Union.
It’s important to realize that the Civil War pitted neighbor against neighbor, family against family and brother against brother. It tore this country apart and only the combined rationale from both sides eventually healed most of the wounds inflicted by the war.
Many of the military leaders on both sides were good men caught up in a conflict that never should have happened.
When General Lee surrendered to General Grant both men had respect for one other and no malice was demonstrated-only quiet resignation that a great and unnecessary conflict decimated both the South and North.
It’s taken decades for the nation to heal. Inequalities still exist in some areas and unfortunately racial tensions still occur. But things are getting better and hopefully one day things like race will no longer be a consideration.
General Ulysses S. Grant commanded the Northern Yankee forces during the Civil War. Later he would become President of the combined Union.
Sideshow Collectibles did its homework and presented a wonderful 12-inch figure fashioned after the General.
Included on the inside of the packaging is a long historical text piece outlining Grant’s life and career.
Historical accuracy played an important part in the design of the figure.
Clothing, accessories and documents are recreated faithfully.
Grant’s face was faithfully reproduced using reference photos as a guide. His stern face, piercing eyes, heavy brows, short dark hair and full beard and mustache give the figure an authoritative look.
The figure comes dressed in a dark blue Union long coat with gold buttons, three closed stitched pockets, high collar and three gold cuff link sleeve buttons.
Underneath Grant wears a small collar blue wool shirt with six gold buttons.
Long blue pants with pockets and button up crotch are held in place with a black belt with a silver and gold buckle belt with eagle insignia.
Grant wears well worn full lower leg black boots with spurs and a Union officer leather cap. An additional pair of regular black shoes is also included.
Accessories include period binoculars with a case, a whiskey metal and leather hip decanter, two maps and a black tube map holder and Grant‘s signature half-smoked cigar.
It’s a remarkable historically accurate articulated figure beautifully sculpted and painted wit no rough edges, tight articulation and a case spotlighting archival Grant photos and an inner figure cocoon and viewing panel.
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