Citadel Miniatures
Citadel Miniatures is a subsidiary of Games Workshop that produces plastic, metal and resin miniatures and terrain for the various game systems produced by its parent company, including Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer Fantasy Battles, Warhammer: The Horus Heresy, Warhammer: Age of Sigmar and Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game.
History
Citadel Miniatures was established in 1979 by Games Workshop founders Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson, in partnership with Bryan Ansell, a co-founder of Asgard Miniatures.[1] Ansell had left Asgard Miniatures in September 1978 to form the new venture, which initially operated as an independent company. In its early years, Citadel produced miniatures under licence from Ral Partha, alongside original designs intended for use in tabletop wargames and role-playing games.
The company was originally based at 48 Millgate Street, Newark occupying the ground floor of the Newark Folk Museum. In 1980, the company moved its operations to 10 Victoria Street, Newark.[2a] In September 1981, Citadel Miniatures was absorbed by Games Workshop following the dissolution of the partnership between Ansell and the company.[2b] After Ansell’s initial departure, Duncan Macfarlane assumed the role of manager. However, Ansell was reappointed as managing director in 1982, and Macfarlane left the company in August of that year.[3a]
In 1983, the first edition of Warhammer was released, marking a significant milestone in the development of Games Workshop’s independent intellectual property.[5] The following year, in July 1984, Citadel Miniatures relocated from Newark to Chewton Street, Eastwood, near Nottingham.[4] Shortly thereafter, the second edition of Warhammer was published.
In 1985, Bryan Ansell became Group Managing Director of Games Workshop, and soon after, the company’s main offices and operational headquarters were consolidated with Citadel Miniatures at the Eastwood site, further integrating miniature production with Games Workshop’s core business.[3b]
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf 11, pg. 4
- 2: Talking Miniatures: Volume 2
- 2a: Alan Merrett, pg. 324
- 2b: Alan Merrett, pg. 325
- 3 Dice Men: The Origin Story of Games Workshop
- 4: Talking Miniatures: Volume 1, Rick Priestley, pg. 119
- 5: White Dwarf 41, pg. 8
