History in Miniature:
The St. Petersburg Collection™

by Thor O. Johnson and Tor N. Johnson

Russian-made miniatures in The AeroArt St. Petersburg Collection™ are world famous for beautiful painting, elegant sculpting and overall fine artistic merit. Our new book set presents the fascinating story of bringing these miniatures to the international marketplace.

With the publication of History in Miniature: The St. Petersburg Collection™, AeroArt Publishing establishes the visual record of the pioneering odyssey to create The AeroArt St. Petersburg Collection™, a unique assemblage of extraordinary connoisseur Russian miniatures, for presentation to collectors worldwide.

Featuring a personal recap of the company’s development and growth from 1992 to 2004, the book set will entertain collectors with its entertaining narrative as well as biographical sketches of our most prolific Russian contributors, several names and signatures that have become familiar to collectors of these masterpiece miniatures.

Additionally, History in Miniature: The St. Petersburg Collection™ shares insight associated with the creation and production of profiled subjects from many historical time periods represented by these award-winning figures.

The second volume in the two-volume deluxe boxed set is a ‘must have’ for collectors of these extraordinary figures as it provides a pictorial list of more than 1500 figures released between 1992-2004 by The AeroArt St. Petersburg Collection™.

About the Authors

Thor Johnson, President of AeroArt International, was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, coming to America as a young boy. After his Air Force years and 30-year aviation career encompassing the globe, Thor was inspired by his lifelong personal interest in military miniatures. Thor encouraged soldier makers in Russia to produce a higher standard for ‘toy soldier’ production. His efforts over the past 15 years established The St. Petersburg Collection®, the premier source for some of the world’s finest military miniatures. Thor’s business acumen and team-building skills, combined with his artistic sense of excellence, and enthusiasm to satisfy collectors of military miniatures, led him to expand his company into publishing complementary material. In his initial book endeavor, The Crusades, every aspect was designed with his vision to provide the reader with a comprehensive and beautiful account of a complex historical period that is still relevant today. Publication of History in Miniature: The St. Petersburg Collection™ presents the miniatures and their artisans from a personal perspective of Thor and his team on both sides of the Atlantic.

Tor Johnson has been an important member of AeroArt International for the past ten years. He has enhanced his artistic and creative enthusiasm with technical, graphics, and photography skill through personal and formal education. His AeroArt experience complements his international experience designing both websites and printed material. As AeroArt’s Director of Publications, Tor has created the AeroArt advertising material, many catalogs, its internet presence, as well as its first book layout The Crusades. Tor’s writing, photography and layout design for History in Miniature: The St. Petersburg Collection™ provides a beautiful and informative presentation to the reader.

Reviews and Accolades

“one of the finest military miniature books ever… Volume Two is an indispensable softbound photographic catalog of figures…” Russ Bednarek, Old Toy Soldier Magazine

Technical and Price Information

• Copyright 2005 AeroArt International Publishing
• ISBN 0-9725298-1-0 (2-Volume Set)
• Dimensions: 9.25” x 12.375”
• Weight: ~9 lb.
• Retail Price: $139.95 (USD)