Unreleased TSR Female Fighter by David C. Sutherland III

In my previous post, I was able to share pictures of an unreleased TSR Draconian, sculpted by David C. Sutherland III. This time around I have pictures of another unreleased TSR miniature, a female fighter also sculpted by Mr. Sutherland. One of these little beauties recently sold for $380 on eBay. The one shown below is not that particular mini, but it was also obtained from The Collector's Trove.

The eBay listing for the female fighter claims that only two dozen copies of this miniature were cast. I don't know where that information originated from, but it seems reasonable for a test casting. The listing also suggests it could be an elf female fighter, but I don't see any pointy ears.

Huge thanks once again to my fellow Acaeum collector Brian Beholder for providing these pictures. It is my personal belief that collectors need to catalog and share their treasures, if for no other reason than to ensure that these miniature labors of love aren't lost and their origins forgotten.

Unreleased TSR Draconian by David C. Sutherland III

In December's Lead Market Report, I noted the sale of an unreleased Draconian, sculpted for TSR by David C. Sutherland III. This particular mini sold for $305, way too rich for me but I'm sure it made the new owner very happy. Recently, a fellow collector on the Acaeum forums disclosed he too acquired a Draconian from The Collector's Trove (who auctioned off the aforementioned $305 mini).

My fellow Acaeumite (Brian Beholder) was kind enough to share some nice close-up pics of the Draconian, so I am happy to be able to share BB's pics with you folks. There wasn't much background info other than the eBay listing claims it bears a TSR 1984 hallmark, same as my unreleased Sutherland ogre. To me, it seems likely these unreleased Sutherland minis (Draconian, female fighter, and ogre) were all sculpted around the same time, and were likely test castings, possibly to try out new alloys. Enjoy the pictures!

Do You Recognize This Ogre?

This ogre (if he is indeed an ogre) appears to be an unreleased TSR miniature, most likely sculpted by David C. Sutherland III. It was acquired from a collector who knew and lived near David around 1997, when David lived in Poulsbo, WA and was seeking employment with Wizards of The Coast after they bought TSR. What I'm trying to find out is ANY information with regards to this particular miniature. If you or anyone you know can shed any light on this brute, I would be much obliged.

Was it in fact sculpted by DCS III? If not, then who?

Is it an ogre? If not, then what?

Where was it cast?

Was it intended as a test, an employee-only gift, or for future release?

What line (if any) was it intended for? D&D, AD&D, Dragonlance, Empire of the Petal Throne, etc?

The specs for this miniature are as follows:

Height (top of base to eyes): 1 and 1/2" (38mm)
Height (bottom of base to top of helmet): 1 and 7/8" (47mm)
Height (bottom of base to tip of axe): 2 and 5/8" (66mm)

Weight: 2 ounces (56 grams)

The hallmark on the bottom of the base is clearly stamped/inscribed  © 1984 TSR, Inc.

 Shield front.

Shield back.

The shield is 7/8" high and  5/8" across. There is a peg on the shield arm, but no mounting hole on the back of the shield.

This particular ogre holds a two-bladed axe. The other two variants I have seen hold a single-bladed axe and what looks like a hand axe.

 Posed with the DCS III ogre mage and a DragonTooth innkeeper.

Ogre and innkeeper.

In the pictures, it is shown as I acquired it: mounted on a thin cardboard base and primed. I soaked the base in Simple Green to remove the cardboard and reveal the bottom of the base. The axe is glued/epoxied into the hand. It has now been stripped of primer. Hopefully someone will be able to fill in the blanks for me. Otherwise I guess I need to call in Scooby-Doo and his friends.