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After sitting on my desk for a year, the final three Stollenian structures have been painted to completion. From left are: a formerly Lutheran church based on two still extent structures now in the Russian Kaliningrad region (the once German towns of Goldap and Eydtkuhnen right along the Lithuanian border), a single merchant’s townhouse detached from its ruined interior base, and two similar townhouses built as one piece.

If you look closely, you’ll see the dates of construction (so common on old houses in the “old” sections of many cities across the European continent). You’ll also notice that the right most townhouse is also home to Der Traurige Krabbe (The Sad Crab), a favorite haunt of students at Stollen’s Krankenstadt University. I wonder if Immanuel Kant ever spent time daydreaming at that particular tavern?

Finishing these stylized model buildings this evening has made me realize that I never did post a wargaming structures how-to here although one of you asked about this a year or so ago. Mia culpa! So, I’m working on that now and will post it here as soon as it’s finished. I’ve already got the preliminaries down on “paper”. All that remains now is to flesh it out somewhat. In the meantime, it’s back to that final batch of Spencer Smith/Holger Eriksson cavalry.

Comments

Bluebear Jeff said…
Stokes,

As you know I've always enjoyed your buildings.

By the way, any further thoughts on the Stollenkeller as a name for your future game room?


-- Jeff
Anonymous said…
Kant won't die until 1804; he could drop by Der Traurige Krabbe any time before then.
tradgardmastare said…
looking forward to the how to building guide- you have encouraged me to have a go at trying to make some buildings for the Duchy.
Strangely enough I am reading a novel with Kant as a central character at present - no mention of your inn yet.
p.s do holger erikkson fit well with spencer smith in the same cavalry unit?
...I also notice some infantry waiting to be primed?? :o))
Der Alte Fritz said…
You have one of the nicest looking collections of buildings that I've seen in a long time. There is something about them that just "looks right" and it really conveys the archetectural style used in the German Baltic region. The hand drawn windows and doors "work" for me and add to the overall charm. You might want to consider making a few signs that hang from the retail establishments (perpendicular to the wall of the building).

Try to get a look at the market place in Wroclaw (Breslau) Poland for an example of some of the paint colors used in the region. I understand that Talin, Estonia is very quaint and has a lot of the original (probably rebuilt) buildings from the 18th century.

I can't recall anyone ever modelling this part of the world (in wargaming) so this makes your buildings really unique IMHO.
Der Alte Fritz said…
Of course, you realize that you are going to have to make some cobbletone streets and a town square one of these days. You can buy sheets of cobblestone from railroad hobby supply stores.
tradgardmastare said…
Stokes
What about a hunting lodge for secret rendevous and clandestine activities?
A J said…
Excellent work, Stokes. Do you use foamcore for the building shells?
Thanks everyone for your very nice feedback! It certainly helps to mainitain the mental momentum on a project like this one. Another piece follows below that I received via e-mail this afternoon. Enjoy!

Best Regards,

Stokes


"Looking forward to the "Building Buildings" tutorial on your Grand
Duchy of Stollen blog.

Thank you for the effort edvident in your blog site. I think it is the top blog for the Imagi-Nation genre.

And good luck with the house purchase too! A house is the second most expensive thing in your life. The first is your family. Both well worth the investment."

-- Jim Wright
Fitz-Badger said…
I agree, your buildings have an old school/old world charm to them. :-)
guy said…
Stokes,

Great buildings. I have been buying a few of the buildings put out by the German model railway company Faller. There are a number of websites and if you trawl through their models, you might find some further inspiration or alternatively some extra bits and pieces such as signs which might be helpful. The Faller building are a slightly smaller scale than the Revell range but I'm happy with this.

I have almost finished the extra squadron each I have been doing to bring my Prussian curassier regiments up to 40 strong each. This includes my converted kettledrummer for regiment No 2 in their yellowish uniform. I was inspired by the photos on Alte Fritz's blog. Every well turned out army should have one!

Regards,
Guy
Andy Mitchell said…
The architecture of a town tells us a great deal about its inhabitants: so Stollen must be a thriving place, bustling with merchants and confident of its place in the world.

Long live the Duke!
old-tidders said…
Some nice buildings, too add to you real estate. Keep up the good work

-- Allan
tradgardmastare said…
Stokes
My Spanish pics come from a variety of reenactment sites based in California - I think they are by an atrtist called rickman.hope this helps Alan

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