I like collecting toy soldiers because. (1 Viewer)

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Because it lets me take control and reminds me of when I was a kid. Simmo.:salute::

 

[wayne556517]

I like setting up Dio,s and taking pics of them,plus have to do something with my spare cash plus it keeps me out of the boozer and away from the dogs and horses,well sometimes it does........^&grin Oh yeah and all the nice people ive met on here thanks to TS,s.

 

[OldDragon]

LoL :tongue:

... it just occured to me too, that as a kid, I never did have enuf funds to get all the soldiers I wanted ... very much like today ^&grin

Somethings don't change :salute::

OD

 

[PanzerAce1944]

^&grin The only thing that separates the men from the boys is the price of "our" Toys !

 

[MapleLeaf]

It's in the blood
Can't get away from it

 

[thebritfarmer]

Well to be honest I am not sure why :redface2:. I know they are cool Maybe it's because my inner child still wants to play

 

[lancer]

Doctor, it all started in childhood. First, the toy soldiers, then playing war with the other kids, then reading about military history, then collecting military weapons and equipment, then back to toy soldiers. The cycle of life. So what do you think, Doc? Am I nuts? And that's it in a nutshell, a life long interest. -- Al

 

[Jackaroo]

It reminds me of simpler days, I also enjoy military and for some inexplicable reason it’s loads of Fun!!!

 

[kogu]

because they were THE major toys of my childhood (Airfix, Timpo). After many years of absence the internet came around and the excitement started again with the surprise of what is still available and what is new. The Forum, Toy Soldier Shows, and the resulting friendships do make for a very satisfying hobby.
I love all of them :salute::
Konrad

 

[Grognard]

Because this is ART!

 

[kogu]

Because this is ART!

Absolutely !!!
Because of that too :wink2:
Konrad

 

[Currahee Chris]

LoL :tongue:

... it just occured to me too, that as a kid, I never did have enuf funds to get all the soldiers I wanted ... very much like today ^&grin

Somethings don't change :salute::

OD

HA!!!! Amazing- you hit the nail on the head- probably the most accurate observation I have seen on this forum- funny really!! ^&grin^&grin

 

[lancer]

Konrad's observation about the internet and the Treefrog forum are right on the mark. It was the two of them that got my TS collecting back into full flood again. I discovered the vast amount of stuff available via the internet and then finding TF forum allowed me to communicate with the people involved and be part of the hobby. Without these two factors, my TS collecting would be a minor hobby, indulged once or twice a year, in Gettysburg or at a show, as it was for years before the discovery of TF. ^&grin:salute:: -- Al

 

[Arnhemjim]

I am somewhat surprised that no one in this forum has come up with this perspective, or something analogous, regarding why they collect toy soldiers as an adult. It affords a very personal and “hands-on” opportunity to explore and learn about world military history, expanding your knowledge as an individual. I would like to learn from any member of the forum, willing to honestly admit it, that during the course of their collecting they didn’t explore a book, the internet, even a movie, as the result of figure or set of toy soldiers they had acquired. Personally, collecting has afforded me a tremendous avenue, a learning tool, not only into the hobby itself, but a vista into the totality of history.

 

[Currahee Chris]

..... a learning tool, not only into the hobby itself, but a vista into the totality of history.

Sir- I walk with you into the "vista" ^&grin

The periods I am interested in- Rome especially- have sent me into an uncontrollable fervor at times to go and read books and learn more about the time period. I am also a fan of modern army toy soldiers- whenever I get those guys out and play around it reminds me of that time, seemingly so long ago, when life was so much simpler and enjoyable.

Guess it's the time periods really- the ancients- Greece, Egypt and Rome are from an interest in history, American Rev too. WW2 is more to honor the sacrifices made by my grandfather and his generation. Modern is to remember the good ole days and to honor my buddies who didn't make it back.

My opinion is that there is a substantial amount of collectors who enjoy the history behind their figures but there is a pretty large contingent who collect simply for the hobby- scarcity of figures, value, colors, etc.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I am somewhat surprised that no one in this forum has come up with this perspective, or something analogous, regarding why they collect toy soldiers as an adult. It affords a very personal and “hands-on” opportunity to explore and learn about world military history, expanding your knowledge as an individual. I would like to learn from any member of the forum, willing to honestly admit it, that during the course of their collecting they didn’t explore a book, the internet, even a movie, as the result of figure or set of toy soldiers they had acquired. Personally, collecting has afforded me a tremendous avenue, a learning tool, not only into the hobby itself, but a vista into the totality of history.

You raise a good point as I have bought a couple of books and movies and done various research on the items that I now collect. It isn't the reason that I collect however, my collection really does stem from the cool factor. The LT posted the first snaps of the Britains Zulu figures and I was hooked (until this point I had never even heard of the Zulu Wars)

 

[Louis Badolato]

. . . of the great people in this Hobby, who make get togethers like the OTSN, the Westcoaster and the Symposium such great fun.:smile2:

 

[Mitch]

I can honestly say that I have learned nothing about history from toy soldiers or any of the figures I have bought. I have never bought a set and thought I will learn more about this by going and reading a book. My historical interest bore from my relatives stories which, then made me want to learn more.

Toy soldiers and say 1/6th figures etc bore from the interest and knowledge I have gained not the other way around. I see toy soldiers as a hobby and thats it they are for me, not a primary source of information.

A recent example my wife's family have talked about the civil war everytime we go and see them or, when they come and visit us and I have fained interest they have bought figures for me one set (to see if I would move away from WWII) which, is still in the loft. My interest in this era was recently sparked by a BBC documentary not, by any of the excellent dio's and collections I have seen on here and elsewhere. I would not now go and buy this range due to my interest

The analogy for me seems rather back to front but, if it works for others fine. I know more people interested in history who have then taken up military modelling, collecting soldiers, memorabilia etc but, none who have bought soldiers then become interested in history
Mitch

I am somewhat surprised that no one in this forum has come up with this perspective, or something analogous, regarding why they collect toy soldiers as an adult. It affords a very personal and “hands-on” opportunity to explore and learn about world military history, expanding your knowledge as an individual. I would like to learn from any member of the forum, willing to honestly admit it, that during the course of their collecting they didn’t explore a book, the internet, even a movie, as the result of figure or set of toy soldiers they had acquired. Personally, collecting has afforded me a tremendous avenue, a learning tool, not only into the hobby itself, but a vista into the totality of history.

 

[Currahee Chris]

I can honestly say that I have learned nothing about history from toy soldiers or any of the figures I have bought.

I know more people interested in history who have then taken up military modelling, collecting soldiers, memorabilia etc but, none who have bought soldiers then become interested in history
Mitch

Regarding your first point- Nor will you if you continue to collect King and Country as they are historically ate up like a soup sandwich...^&grin^&grin:tongue: just busting mate.

Regarding your second point below, I believe I have seen it here on this forum. In fact, I visited the Natural history museum in Chicago a couple years ago and decided to buy the Egyptians from KC because I was blown away by what I saw. I then started reading some books about Egypt. I think Jazzeum's interest in the ACW sort of followed the same path ( I believe).

 

[Mitch]

Chris..

Good point and no offence taken as I am not upset when manufacturers are slated for errors. Nice that we end up in the hobby albeit from different routes
Mitch

Regarding your first point- Nor will you if you continue to collect King and Country as they are historically ate up like a soup sandwich...^&grin^&grin:tongue: just busting mate.

Regarding your second point below, I believe I have seen it here on this forum. In fact, I visited the Natural history museum in Chicago a couple years ago and decided to buy the Egyptians from KC because I was blown away by what I saw. I then started reading some books about Egypt. I think Jazzeum's interest in the ACW sort of followed the same path ( I believe).