Streets of Old Hong Kong Glossy Questions (4 Viewers)

[glossman]

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The King and Country website offers the SOHK series in either gloss or matte options.

I am confused about the scale.

Question 1:

Are all the gloss SOHK sets in 1/32 scale (54mm) ?

Is there a scale difference for early gloss sets (1990's) versus the current gloss sets ?

Question 2:

Are all the matte SOHK sets in 1/30 scale (60mm) ?

Was the switch to matte for SOHK sets made pari passu with a scale change for all ?

Question 3:

As there is no paint finish option for the building facades, are these in 1/30 scale and matte ?

Best Wishes, Raymond.

 

[Iron Brigade]

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the king and country website offers the sohk series in either gloss or matte options.

I am confused about the scale.

Question 1:

Are all the gloss sohk sets in 1/32 scale (54mm) ?

Is there a scale difference for early gloss sets (1990's) versus the current gloss sets ?

Question 2:

Are all the matte sohk sets in 1/30 scale (60mm) ?

Was the switch to matte for sohk sets made pari passu with a scale change for all ?

Question 3:

As there is no paint finish option for the building facades, are these in 1/30 scale and matte ?

Best wishes, raymond.

dear raymond / "glossman": I have just recieved an answer from a "patrick lee" @ k&c hq in hong kong via e-mail that noted there is of course the choice of gloss or matte but only one scale of 1:32! However, this can not be as the more recent years figures from k&c's soohk series certainly have to be 1:30 scale as the ones i recently purchsed in recent years are obviously bigger than the sets i got in mid 1990's. I have sent another e-mail to patrick lee @ k&c hq to get clarification! Best regards, gary / "iron brigade" 01/18/2010 11:20 cst usa

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Hi Glossman,
You can see exactly how tall each figure is on the Treefrog website. We take in-house pictures of each item in front of a ruler so you know immediately what the scale is and if it will fit with your current collection.
We keep the matte version of each SOHK item in stock but can always order them in glossy if a collector prefers.

Regards,

 

[Iron Brigade]

Hi Glossman,
You can see exactly how tall each figure is on the Treefrog website. We take in-house pictures of each item in front of a ruler so you know immediately what the scale is and if it will fit with your current collection.
We keep the matte version of each SOHK item in stock but can always order them in glossy if a collector prefers.

Regards,

Dear Shannon:

Yes, I am certain that all current K&C SOOHK sets are at 1:30 scale ( Matte or Gloss). Your "measuring stick" shown by a standing up male SOOHK figure would indicate 1:30 scale to me.

Thanks, Gary "Iron Brigade" 1/18/2010 @ 4:35 PM CST USA

 

[glossman]

Hi Glossman,
You can see exactly how tall each figure is on the Treefrog website. We take in-house pictures of each item in front of a ruler so you know immediately what the scale is and if it will fit with your current collection.
We keep the matte version of each SOHK item in stock but can always order them in glossy if a collector prefers.

Regards,

Hi Shannon,

Thanks very much for the information.

The ruler beside the figure photos are a great help.

I measure the size of a standing adult figure by taking the distance between the level of the eyes and base of the footwear.

Therefore, the head-dress is not factored into the measurement.

Best Wishes, Raymond.

 

[glossman]

Dear Shannon:

Yes, I am certain that all current K&C SOOHK sets are at 1:30 scale ( Matte or Gloss). Your "measuring stick" shown by a standing up male SOOHK figure would indicate 1:30 scale to me.

Thanks, Gary "Iron Brigade" 1/18/2010 @ 4:35 PM CST USA

Hi Gary,

I would make sense if all the current K&C SOHK sets are 1/30 scale (matte or gloss).

You might have read my preceding post on determining the size of a standing adult figure by taking the distance between the level of the eyes and base of the footwear.

Here are 2 photos of female adult figures (matte) with ruler from the Treefrog Treasures Shop website:

(1) Left Photo: HK144 Tailor Shop Set (matte)

(2) Right Photo: HK096 The Maid Set (matte)

As the bases of the figures are of about equal thickness, this can effectively be cancelled out.

That said, there is a perceptible difference in the sizes of the 2 ladies which appears significant.

I am not sure what to conclude.

Please kindly post the clarification reply from K&C HQ.

Kind Regards, Raymond.

*

 

[Iron Brigade]

Hi Gary,

I would make sense if all the current K&C SOHK sets are 1/30 scale (matte or gloss).

You might have read my preceding post on determining the size of a standing adult figure by taking the distance between the level of the eyes and base of the footwear.

Here are 2 photos of female adult figures (matte) with ruler from the Treefrog Treasures Shop website:

(1) Left Photo: HK144 Tailor Shop Set (matte)

(2) Right Photo: HK096 The Maid Set (matte)

As the bases of the figures are of about equal thickness, this can effectively be cancelled out.

That said, there is a perceptible difference in the sizes of the 2 ladies which appears significant.

I am not sure what to conclude.

Please kindly post the clarification reply from K&C HQ.

Kind Regards, Raymond.

*

Dear Raymond:
I just wrote a real long reply back to you, but it gone lost! I will write a detailed reply back to you via regular E-mail. Suffice it to say for now that since circa 2004 the K&C SOOHK sets are all basically at 1:30 scale with choice of matte or gloss for each set. I am not sure about SOOHK building facades, but choice would show up at their web-site for such sets. Best regards, Gary "Iron Brigade" 1/19/2010 10:10 AM CST USA

 

[thebritfarmer]

I think the facades do not come in a choice of gloss or matte I think they are all matte.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Hi Gary,

I would make sense if all the current K&C SOHK sets are 1/30 scale (matte or gloss).

You might have read my preceding post on determining the size of a standing adult figure by taking the distance between the level of the eyes and base of the footwear.

Here are 2 photos of female adult figures (matte) with ruler from the Treefrog Treasures Shop website:

(1) Left Photo: HK144 Tailor Shop Set (matte)

(2) Right Photo: HK096 The Maid Set (matte)

As the bases of the figures are of about equal thickness, this can effectively be cancelled out.

That said, there is a perceptible difference in the sizes of the 2 ladies which appears significant.

I am not sure what to conclude.

Please kindly post the clarification reply from K&C HQ.

Kind Regards, Raymond.

*

When I look at the two side by side it looks to me like the maid is a young girl (teenager) and the tailor shop customer looks like she would be tall in real life so I think that's why they look so different. I think with civilians even more than military figures they will definitely come in all heights, shapes and sizes.
I did not sell Streets of Hong Kong until several years into being a toy soldier dealer so I will be interested to hear when K&C HQ says on the history of the line etc. too.

Best regards,

 

[jazzeum]

I'm not sure what Andy would say about this particular topic but on other subjects he has said that people are not all the same height, hence the sometimes difference. I believe he recently said this with the new Collectors Club figures.

Another thing to possibly bear in mind is that in the K & C glossy era, soldiers and figures tended to be 1/32 whereas in the exclusively matte era, they are 1/30.

 

[glossman]

I think the facades do not come in a choice of gloss or matte I think they are all matte.

Hi Scott,

The paint finish and scale are not critical for the building facades.

I would expect the current SOHK building facades to be in matte and 1:30 scale.

Thanks, Raymond.

 

[glossman]

I'm not sure what Andy would say about this particular topic but on other subjects he has said that people are not all the same height, hence the sometimes difference. I believe he recently said this with the new Collectors Club figures.

Another thing to possibly bear in mind is that in the K & C glossy era, soldiers and figures tended to be 1/32 whereas in the exclusively matte era, they are 1/30.

Brad,

Yes, I read the answer to the question on the perceived size difference between Bill Slim and T.E. Lawrence.

Thanks, Raymond.

 

[glossman]

When I look at the two side by side it looks to me like the maid is a young girl (teenager) and the tailor shop customer looks like she would be tall in real life so I think that's why they look so different. I think with civilians even more than military figures they will definitely come in all heights, shapes and sizes.
I did not sell Streets of Hong Kong until several years into being a toy soldier dealer so I will be interested to hear when K&C HQ says on the history of the line etc. too.

Best regards,

I am hoping that Andy will post his answers to the questions.

His answers will be definitive.

If he does not, perhaps Gary (Iron Brigade) can post a summary of the replies from K&C HQ.

Thanks, Raymond.

 

[Iron Brigade]

I think the facades do not come in a choice of gloss or matte I think they are all matte.

Dear "The Brit Farmer": Yes, I think you are correct. I do not recall in more recent years when buying K&C SOOHK buildings being asked, "Gloss or matte"? I was only asked about the choice of gloss or matte relative to people figures.
Gary / "Iron Brigade" Wisconsin, USA @10:35 AM CST USA 01/20/2010

 

[jazzeum]

No buildings have ever been made in gloss and I'm not sure that distinction applies to buildings.

 

[Iron Brigade]

Hi Scott,

The paint finish and scale are not critical for the building facades.

I would expect the current SOHK building facades to be in matte and 1:30 scale.

Thanks, Raymond.

Dear Raymond / "Glossman:
I have many K&C SOOHK buildings and facades of buildings. A statement by another Forum member that all K&C SOOHK model buildings are in matte only is indeed mostly true. But do note that my set of HK 071 of the "Tea House" while mostly in matte does have a glossy bamboo or tile roof and likewise for my HK 074 of the "Pagoda" model building which also has a glossy roof while the rest of the structure is in matte.

Best regards, Gary / "Iron Brigade" USA @ 11:48 AM CST, 01/21/2010.

 

[Iron Brigade]

*
The King and Country website offers the SOHK series in either gloss or matte options.

I am confused about the scale.

Question 1:

Are all the gloss SOHK sets in 1/32 scale (54mm) ?

Is there a scale difference for early gloss sets (1990's) versus the current gloss sets ?

Question 2:

Are all the matte SOHK sets in 1/30 scale (60mm) ?

Was the switch to matte for SOHK sets made pari passu with a scale change for all ?

Question 3:

As there is no paint finish option for the building facades, are these in 1/30 scale and matte ?

Best Wishes, Raymond.

Dear Raymond / "Glossman":

As for 1:32 to 1:30 scale buildings for the more current K&C SOOHK sets. Relative to building models in the SOOHK series it would not make much difference if the scale was 1:32, 1:31 or 1:30 as the figures at any of these scales would look OK in front of the model buildings anyway. You would have to ask Andy Neilson via E-mail if you would want further clarification on scale sizes of buildings.

Best regards, Gary / "Iron Brigade" 01/21/2010, 11:55 AM CST USA.

 

[Iron Brigade]

When I look at the two side by side it looks to me like the maid is a young girl (teenager) and the tailor shop customer looks like she would be tall in real life so I think that's why they look so different. I think with civilians even more than military figures they will definitely come in all heights, shapes and sizes.
I did not sell Streets of Hong Kong until several years into being a toy soldier dealer so I will be interested to hear when K&C HQ says on the history of the line etc. too.

Best regards,

Dear Shannon:

I started buying into "My wife's Favorite Display", K&C's SOOHK back between 1994 & 1995. I have most of the very first HK sets starting with sets of HK 001, HK 002, HK 003, etc. The very first #10 or more sets were certainly all at 1:32 scale without any doubt. I have obtained SOOHK sets in most years since 1995 and it seemed that they got a little bigger than 1:32 scale, but not by very much between 1995 & 2000. I would say by circa 2001 to 2004 they tended to get still bigger on up to 1:30 scale at least in some cases. I remember returning a SOOHK figure of a lady as just being too big to fit into my display as a lady figure! But clearly Andy Neilson has intentionally made assorted sets over the years with figures being in assorted levels of tallness as well as weight differences. I just noted today when measuring my set of HK 146 "Flower Lady" or "Flower Shop" that the flower shop lady is right about at 1:32 scale (2.25 inches from bottom of feet to top of head). However, her customer who is bend over looking at some flowers would surely be at or near 1:30 scale if she were fully erect. My set of HK 077 "Booksellers Set" has both the man & woman who are standing reading a book are right about 1:30 scale even with not counting the stand. But the seated figures if they were standing would seem to be at only 1:32 scale or even less relative to the person sitting reading a book. Lastly, I would just note that a new collector should be OK if he or she would buy K&C SOOHK sets from circa 2001 to date relative to size differences not being TOO great.

Best regards, Gary / "Iron Brigade" Wisconsin, USA 1:12 PM CST

 

[Iron Brigade]

Dear Shannon:

I started buying into "My wife's Favorite Display", K&C's SOOHK back between 1994 & 1995. I have most of the very first HK sets starting with sets of HK 001, HK 002, HK 003, etc. The very first #10 or more sets were certainly all at 1:32 scale without any doubt. I have obtained SOOHK sets in most years since 1995 and it seemed that they got a little bigger than 1:32 scale, but not by very much between 1995 & 2000. I would say by circa 2001 to 2004 they tended to get still bigger on up to 1:30 scale at least in some cases. I remember returning a SOOHK figure of a lady as just being too big to fit into my display as a lady figure! But clearly Andy Neilson has intentionally made assorted sets over the years with figures being in assorted levels of tallness as well as weight differences. I just noted today when measuring my set of HK 146 "Flower Lady" or "Flower Shop" that the flower shop lady is right about at 1:32 scale (2.25 inches from bottom of feet to top of head). However, her customer who is bend over looking at some flowers would surely be at or near 1:30 scale if she were fully erect. My set of HK 077 "Booksellers Set" has both the man & woman who are standing reading a book are right about 1:30 scale even with not counting the stand. But the seated figures if they were standing would seem to be at only 1:32 scale or even less relative to the person sitting reading a book. Lastly, I would just note that a new collector should be OK if he or she would buy K&C SOOHK sets from circa 2001 to date relative to size differences not being TOO great.

Best regards, Gary / "Iron Brigade" Wisconsin, USA 1:12 PM CST

P.S. for Shannon:

Per an E-mail from K&C's HQ by a "Patrick Lee" it was noted that back about 5to 6 years ago the SOOHK sets were indeed bigger that the sets made in mid 1990's. However, the person from K&C in Hong Kong did not state the scale size. This would support the idea that the sets in SOOHK have assorted scales between 1:32 to 1:30 depending on the purpose of a given set in this series. Gary / "Iron Brigade" 1:22 PM CST

 

[jazzeum]

Gary,

Patrick is one of K & C's trusted people and you can take anything he says as the gospel truth.


It sounds like you have an impressive collection. Have you seen the photos of Louis Badolato's or Lawrence Lo's collectiom that are posted on the forum. They have the best collection of SOHK that I've seen.