Dulcop and RES Zorro Figure Sets from Italy in a previous comment Peter Evans mentioned that Dulcop did Zorro and Sergeant Garcia. Erwin Sell has done some research and share it with us .
Dulcop and RES Zorro Figure Sets from Italy The Information
The Dulcop Zorro figures were commissioned to be made by Giopi or G-PI(one of actual makers for Ferrero/Kinder plastic toys along with RES) .They also did a line of swoppet figures for Dulcop of western figures Giopi also did their own western line as well.
The Dulcop Zorro figures are on the left while the Kinder Zorro Figures are on the right. The Dulcop and Res Zorro set poses are two different molds. Dulcop the was issue first in better detail. The Zorro figures were listed in 1973 catalog. RES sets poses are in more 1.35 scale and less detailed show up in 1975.
However there was a strong production relationship among both makers.
I have provide picture of Dulcop(Made by GIOPI) and Kinder(Made by RES) figures. Both are from two different molds but definitely designed by the same scupltor .
The way to tell the difference between the two sets Dulcop have green bases while Kinder have orange bases.
RES also made the sets to be sold by Italian food line brand ICA. The figures showed in ICA’s chips packs in early 90s as well.
An unknown cloned swoppet copies were made in Hong Kong later as well.
GIOPI launch a line of western figures as well US civil war sold in line catalog and with food products as well.
GIOPI later transfer production to Hong Kong and figures were marked Hong Kong on the base only
This picture is of an Giopi advertising sales sheet. As you can see it is advertising civil war, cowboys and Indians.
Admin note the first photo is from my collection. My zorro is missing his mask.
Ahoy there, I have 2 zorro figures that look like the ones in the photos. Mine are black with removable cape and sword. The base is molded on to the figure, there fore you cant remove the base, I believe the same figures have been on ebay a few times. Also with the set came a 1/2 dozen or so Mexican soldiers. One I believe is Seargent Garcia. I also have a mounted zorro. He came with white mounted mexicn soldiers. On Zorro’s base it says ,1985 0r 1986 zorro produtions.
Hi Lesa.f
Those are the regular Dulcop series. Still reissues around from various dealers.it included mounted poses as well .
Best ….
Lester, CLICK & SCROLL DOWN for pics of blister card package and figures from this set:
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/toysoldierhq/Italian.html
Res Plastics also made a Zorro figure which came in plastic capsules/eggs (but not always in kinder chocolate eggs, you could also get the capsules in free standing street dispensers – you put your money in the slot, turned the handle and out popped the egg). The Res zorro is similar in pose to the Dulcop one, a single piece casting with separate cape but it is noticeably smaller and has a rounded base, also it came with a selection of weapons on a sprue which included a whip.
Yes ,RES x Kinder are nice figures .
The RES figures were cover after this post with DULCOP swoppet Zorro poses set as well.
http://www.stadsstuff.com/?p=8814
There two more swoppet surprise series made copy all of same .One small 1.35 scale approx run by GIOPI and other cloned from by a Hong Kong firm as well.
Both appear to be sold x food crackers/ship brands pack MARAJA .
Lester.Sorry I spell wrong your name.
And actually the mold of Zorro solid poses and soldiers was done early. What I mean is you have last issues produced and sold of them.
The swoppet line from Dulcop of Zorro set and Tarzan appear in 1973/74 announced first .
Best regards…
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dulcop-Zorro-vs-Sgt-Garcia-and-Lancers-7-60mm-unpainted-plastic-toy-soldiers-/262908025934?hash=item3d368a1c4e:g:-f0AAOSwCU1YwfN7
This is the Dulcop set that I have. The Mexicans look like they either had a hotfoot or went to a hoedown. Or perhaps had beans for dinner!!!
Fencing positions perhaps ?
comic relief commandantes
I agree. ihave never got over that the Mexican figures were so bad. The Zorro is excellent and what Marx should have done. a foot and mounted figure
Personally to me that only pose do not rest any to rest of set done by Dulcop.
(talking about solid poses sets).
The mounted are very well done and actually lancer has the arm in action versus lancer from Marx.
Sargent Garcia is in full action poses on Dulcop versus quite non action in Marx, other soldier is fine as well.
Marx did much poses and waste in most .
My opinion..
My thoughts…
The solid Dulcop set was based upon a cartoon Zorro show and the “Garcia” is I think Gonzales from the cartoon. The two mounted figures look great with Timpo Viking spears as lances.
Original painted Dulcop sets come w two lances .I have full painted set.
When reissued and some blister later card sets where sold w swords only.
Garcia ,Is the fat guy fighting with sword .In the painted first and second generation 1973/1974 series they came with name in base above plus words(DULCOP)-made in Italy plus lance and swords some times mix or not and old style two poses horses in nice base plus separated saddle.
Others figures says Mexican soldiers and Mexican lancer in base each.
Blister pack with Disney license logo on it pup in 1977 before the 1981 TV shows and were sold well in to 1985 when they stop production of the set till reissued after.
Third generation not painted sets that come with new horses (more common used and sold as reissued later) have figures in new base with out name)
About cartoon Zorro show has to be from early 70s as the figures were released and announced first in 1972 DULCOP sale catalog.
As far I red ; this ,Robin Hood and Tarzan set are base in comic magazines from Italy early 70s .
The same goes for all SF Atlantic sets base in Japanese SF Mazinger, Voltus-V and others comics magazines very popular in ITALY by then.
Best regards..
Timpo spears are a good subsititue for the orginial weapons. I have used them with Britains Herald foot knights stand with spear.
As Erwin has mention the solid Dulcop figures were not done for the cartoon but the television show. American westerns were quite popular in Europe. I have seen several different version of Rusty from Rin Tin Tin from Spain. Cofalu made a couple of unauthorized Zorro figures. I know as Zorro productions sent me a cease and desist on an cofalu I put up. So I put it up as bancit with a whip. LOL
Yes is funny Cofalu did two Zorro poses, then use some cowboys painted as Zorro too to increase pose variation, but they don’t looks bad, I have some.
Starlux did in 60 Zorro too with the houses .I never owned them.
Spaniards firm for some odd reason did not cover much it ,but there two small brand that did .Comansi in 80s made one and these I think are base in Kents mentioned cartoon .I Have to read more about it as belong to later PVC series carton heroes I never got hand on.
Lone ranger was not cover much by Spaniards either.
Lone Star LR and Zorro are nice. I do not have those …
Jecsan ,PECH HERMANOS and Comansi did Rin tin Tin series with entire charter and dog poses plus plenty soldiers and forts .I have most them too.
That is what the Dulcop solid figures remind me of; cartoon characters! I kept trying to make them fit in the Disney live action series, but they are just too comical. The two Zorros and mounted figures match up well with the Marx figures. I could have used a bit less of the “hot foot” for those two soldados!
The old Dulcop Zorro. My favorite. He’s on foot, and fighting with a sword. Love the separate cape and sword, because other swords look good as well. He’s a great figure.
I think I found out about him thru Paul IIRC, I actually bought him thru your old lists along time ago.