One of the most remarkable Lilliput Lane collections ever has been lovingly created by Julian Best and his family. Their various display cabinets, files and boxes of memorabilia are in danger of taking over the whole house, but Julian's enthusiasm and the family's obvious delight in their shared interest in Lilliput Lane more than make up for having to accommodate such a massive collection.
Julian's love of miniature houses began in the 1980's when friends living in Spain gave him a little whitewashed villa. The following Christmas eve Julians's parents bought him The Croft. His Mum, Ann jokes, "It was only meant to be a last minute stocking filler!" But Julian was hooked, and joining the Collector's Club in March 1986, his Dad, Clive says, "The scene was set for some serious collecting." And it most certainly was! In order to keep track of their collection Julian maintains an extensive computer database; however, he also has the most amazing personal knowledge of every single cottage they have. Without hesitation he can tell you about where and when each one was purchased.
Looking at their older pieces is slightly bemusing as there appear to be many 'duplicates'. As if reading your mind, a huge grin spreads across Julian's face and he explains, "They're all different, each one has a slight dip or paint variation, some have different backstamps or labels on the bottom and some are actually different weights!" And, of course, he's right because there is'nt a single thing he does'nt know about any of his hundreds of cottages.
Out of such a wonderful array Julian finds it hard to pick favourites, but admits to treasuring his American First Collection. His Adobe Village is probably the most special as it travalled all the way from Washington State, USA, from an American collector who has since become one of many friends Julian has around the world through Lilliput Lane.
One of their regular 'Lilliput trips" is to Skirsgill, and becoming well known around Penrith has brought unexpected dividends as well. One of Julian's luckiest finds was Gulliver 1986 which came to him without box or label - upon inquiring he found that he had just aquired the original figure which had been used by Lilliput's sales team in the early days!
The pleasure that Lilliput Lane has brought to Julian and his family is heart-warming to see, and it looks as though his famous passion may live on in the next generation . Brother Simon and his wife Michelle have recently had a little daughter. Uncle Julian has already bought baby Rebecca her first cottage, but he cheekily says, "I'm keeping it for her until she is sixteen when she will be able to appreciate Lilliput Lane as much as I do.
'This article reproduced from the Lilliput Lane Collectors Club magazine, Gulliver's World, Issue 3 1999 with kind permission of Enesco European Giftware Group Limited. Copyright 2000 EEGG Ltd.'