Three Most Wanted Sets (1 Viewer)

[W T Allison II]

Hi Everyone: I think the three most wanted sets in terms of collectability and rarity are (1) Arab Dhow (2) the "Victoria" and(3) the Boxer Chinese Imperial 12lb Gun Battery(BS18). I have never seen no. (3). What do you think?

 

[HAWKEYE]

Hi tommy, those are some rare ones. I think you could add the mameluks ne14,14a,14b,14c to the list. Mike said that he thought there might have only been 12 of each made. Also i would think the newer camels from the sudan range i rare espesially ds71 down but not out where the camel is falling.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Wasn't there a Napoleonic flagbearer that sold for an insane amount of money recently? and the La Haye Sainte set has to be another.

 

[damian]

Some of the later sets where just not around long enough before Trophy stopped trading to be produced in large numbers. I am sure that is what happened with the Duke of Brunswick Standard Bearer. It sold for over 1000 USD.

 

[boerboy]

Tommy,

Thank you for opening a thread for such an interesting subject,.
I should say that not all rare sets are desirable and vice versa.

IMHO Victoria gunboat is quite desirable but not rare, Arab Dhow is scarce and desirable but not rare ...

All elephant & camel related pieces are very desirable but not rare to say at least...I could go on and on on this subject

I think all BB (Big Red Box sets for 24 figs) are desirable and rare. The Boer War Traction Engine is rare and desirable, the Royce-Royces are scarce, the Citadel figures are rare but not very desirable...

I would be very skeptical about rarity of some pieces sold at eBay for big money..I did a research on Napoleonic "Kissing the Eagle" set. It was designed by Trophy for Maison Military. Trophy originally painted about 10 of them and they were for sale around 2003 for 52 GPB, but at the same time you could buy this set as a kit for 25 GPB!...so nobody knows how many are around and I guess not everybody can tell if it was painted exactly by Triophy or not

I am really looking forward hearing other forum members views on "rare and desirable".

Al

 

[damian]

I got my Boer War Tractor about two years ago mint from MKL. Lynn mentioned in passing that he had a few in stock. So I am not sure about rarity there either. I agree with you about e bay and not judging rarity in e bay sales. How many Victoria, Eagles and Leopards were made I wonder?

 

[boerboy]

Well, I wished I knew about the Traction engine I still need one
I also think that there is a difference between the US and the UK Trophy markets.
I was told by Trophy former dealers that 30 pieces of each ship had been made, but I personally think that Trophy made more then 30 "Victoria"s.
I have seen many Sudan vessels for sale but just a few Eagles and Leopards...
Al

 

[W T Allison II]

Well, I wished I knew about the Traction engine I still need one
I also think that there is a difference between the US and the UK Trophy markets.
I was told by Trophy former dealers that 30 pieces of each ship had been made, but I personally think that Trophy made more then 30 "Victoria"s.
I have seen many Sudan vessels for sale but just a few Eagles and Leopards...
Al

Al: I think you are correct about the production numbers of the boats including the "Lion". Those are numbered on the bottom of each hull. I think the traction engine is one of the most detailed figures I have seen and one of Len's best. So I guess no one has seen the Boxer artillery set?

 

[GICOP]

Hi Tommy

Excellent idea for a thread.

Unless a collector aims to pick up as much Trophy of any era I think it must boil down to the particular campaigns that a collector specialises in.

My top three are:
1. Dr Watson at Maiwand - Afghan War
2. The Only One - Zulu War
3. The Defence of Rorke's Drift (First version) - Zulu War

My three wants are:
Tel el-Kebir (Big Box set)
The Battle for Abu-Klea Wells (Big Box set)
Khalifa's Charge (10 Dervish on Camels)

Cheers

Martyn

 

[boerboy]

Al: I think you are correct about the production numbers of the boats including the "Lion". Those are numbered on the bottom of each hull. I think the traction engine is one of the most detailed figures I have seen and one of Len's best. So I guess no one has seen the Boxer artillery set?

Tommy,
I have seen this set a few times I guess, one set is in display in my friend's collection, I should have a picture of it somewhere ..I will have it posted if I could find it in my archives.
Al

 

[theweinz]

Great thread! I want so many, however, I would like one of the big boats, the Traction Engine Gun, and I really want US3 the Dynamite gun!
JW

 

[boerboy]

Many Trophy sets were "unloaded" at eBay this week .. all "rare" sets (as per their sellers) ...obviously some people decided to cash their "Trophy gold" I wonder if usual Trophy buyers would be able to digest all this stuff... if not then I guess Trophy bubble is gonna burst soon
Al

 

[tdubel]

AL,
unfortunately, that bubble is going strong. I have a celing that seems to get jumped a lot! Most Trophy is the "gold" of the toy soldier hobby.

Tom

 

[boerboy]

AL,
unfortunately, that bubble is going strong. I have a celing that seems to get jumped a lot! Most Trophy is the "gold" of the toy soldier hobby.

Tom

Well, Tom ..with these high prices, we will see a lot of Trophys are going for sale soon...it's just simple free market rule: demand and supply ...how many "Trophy whales" do you think we have at eBay?...5? 10 at most...once they are done: the prices will go down I think...because there no shortage of Trophys on regular market (with exception of eBay) .. from my experience at least...but maybe you are right and I am wrong we will see it soon
Al

 

[damian]

Well both Gettysburg special editions have been languishing on e bay for a while now. So it is variable. But I have only seen the Victoria, The Dhow and the Gunboat on e bay over the last four years. I have never seen the other three boats.

 

[boerboy]

Well both Gettysburg special editions have been languishing on e bay for a while now. So it is variable. But I have only seen the Victoria, The Dhow and the Gunboat on e bay over the last four years. I have never seen the other three boats.

damian
The Gettysburg special editions should be in $600-700+ range not in $1,500
I have not seen any other boats at eBay neither...funny enough I bought one of my "Victoria"s for $500 at eBay: the guy listed it in 2 a.m by BuyItNow! and described as "Big military boat with figures"...so working late at the Net sometimes pays off
Al

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Tommy

Great idea for a discussion. I have a few of the Trophy figures but they usually do go for far more than i am willing to spend. I have never seen the Chinese Gun set but it would be very interesting to see one so Al please post that photo. Also Al that pick up of the Boat and figures for 500 was a total steal! I have made a few pick ups like that over the years due to being a night owl but they are certainly few and far between.

Dave

 

[damian]

damian
The Gettysburg special editions should be in $600-700+ range not in $1,500
I have not seen any other boats at eBay neither...funny enough I bought one of my "Victoria"s for $500 at eBay: the guy listed it in 2 a.m by BuyItNow! and described as "Big military boat with figures"...so working late at the Net sometimes pays off
Al

Good for you. However I think you still owe us some photographs of your fleet of steamships.

 

[Martin Tabony]

This is an interesting thread but, if Ken Jackson was to make the "three most wanted sets". Would they still be the most wanted?

Martin

 

[LEN3966]

Morning,I dont think the rarity of this figure was affected by our closing down.All dealers standing orders were cleared,but the anticipated rush didnt happen,if the release was around the time of one of the premier model shows we would have done better sales wise.
Another standart bearer did really badly in the quantity sold,it was a simple figure and flag ,but I thought it was attractive and a trifle unusual WA2CV Officer and Standard of the Regiments of the United Provinces,This was an amalgamation the Belgian Legion and the regular Dutch Army.Does anyone have one ,I have apicture in the archives if required.
Len