Bob Walker 5th Annual Open House (1 Viewer)

[ucla1967]

Bob Walker held his 5th Annual Open House to view his Northern California toy soldier collection in November. He has an amazing collection of approximately 20,000 toy soldiers which is almost exclusively made up of 54mm glossy, traditional toy soldiers. They include Britains, Mignot, Lucotte, Courtney, Hocker, Hiriart, his own home casts, and many others. Bob not only has toy soldiers, but also paintings, prints, and militaria, all artfully displayed.

The first photo shows Bob flanked by my wife, Jean, and me in his library. My wife is a very good sport to have agreed to have her picture taken given the very bright red mark on her forehead. Against her better judgement and my insistence, she was helping me take down a 10 foot long closet organizer which hit her in the head, slicing off a patch of skin. Again, as has been the case in our 44 years plus of marriage, she was right and I was wrong.

The second photo shows collector and dealer Scott Morlan (one of the co-founders of the West Coaster Show) in the British Hallway. The third photo shows Bob Phillips (a retired police homicide watch commander from Orange County) in the Diorama Room.

 

[ucla1967]

Here is series of photos showing just the top shelf of the British Hallway. You can see how Bob has integrated various toy soldiers with porcelin figures, and regimental badges to make a very striking display.

 

[ucla1967]

Here are photos from the French Room. Note the decorative border at the ceiling which Bob made of French military figures.

 

[ucla1967]

These photos are close-ups of Segom plastic French Napoleonic figures. There were actually more, but this gives you the idea.

 

[ucla1967]

Still in the French Room, the first four photos show Mignot, Lucotte, and Vertunni. The last photo shows Hiriart, Britains, and Bob's own figures.

 

[ucla1967]

Mignot regimental flag bearers. Also, Mignot's rare (I believe only ten sets were made) funeral of Napoleon.

 

[ucla1967]

The first photo shows Turkish Infantry that are Bob's own figures. Behind them are several Hiriart Turkish sets including an Artillery Gun Team, Navy, Camel Corps, and Lancers. The second photo is a Neal Rhoad's Turkish gun team followed by Hiriart lancers. The third photo shows part of Neal's gun team (on the left) and the gun and cassion of a Hiriart gun team. The fourth and fifth photos are also from Neal and show a Balkans War Bulgarian gun team.

 

[ucla1967]

These photos show various Metal Shed sets, among others including composition figures, a Hiriart World War I German Band next to a pickelhaub helmet, and the Hiriart 10th Sudanese Battalion next to the Metal Shed command tent.

 

[Obee]

Thanks for posting the images of Bob's collection.

WOW !!! is all I can say, and I sure wish I could have spent a few hours inspecting his troops too.

I love the Napoleoncis, and seeing Bonaparte's funeral procession, I have seen another in France last year, and the Compiengne Toy Soldier Museum, its most unique.

The idea of theme rooms is a great way of arranging the soldiers, and so you can concentrate your thoughts on one era at a time.

WONDERFUL :tongue::tongue::tongue:

John

 

[ucla1967]

Thanks John, I am glad you liked the photos. I have attended four of the five annual open houses and can assure you that a few hours does not due justice to Bob's collection. I still have more photos from the Carriage House plus three more rooms to go.

 

[ucla1967]

Continuing on, the first photo shows various composition figures from World War I in Africa. The second photo shows a Hiriart World War II mounted German Army band and Hiriart World War II German cavalry. The third photo are Italian Carabinieri that Bob made---they could be from the Italo-Turkish War. Next are Hiriart World War I Alpini mountain Infantry. Finally, various Hiriart sets from the Spanish Civil War including F.E.T. & J.O.N.S. Militia, Falange de Navarra, Spanish Infantry, and Requete Navarro.

 

[ucla1967]

The first photo is an Ethiopian mountain artillery set which was made by either the late, Neal Crowley, or Neal Rhoads. The next photo shows a Hiriart World War I Turkish Artillery Gun Team with Hiriart sets in the background including World War I Turkish Infantry and Turkish Camel Corps in Palestine. The third photo is a Hiriart Greek Evzones band followed by unknown Evzones. The fourth photo is of between the world wars Hungarian Dragoons. The fifth photo has Hiriart sets of World War II Finns in dress uniforms and combat uniforms. To the right of them in white parkas is a set of Finns from Captains and Cavalry. The ski troops may be Mignot.

 

[ucla1967]

(1) Japanese troops from the early 20th Century---possibly Bob's own figures. (2) Part of a 30mm SAE World War II diorama. (3) Hiriart World War II Italian Bersaglieri. (4) Hiriart Italian Ascari from Libya in 1929 and a Hiriart Ansaldo CV33 tankett. (5) Belgians---Britains and others.

 

[Iron Brigade]

Really interesting photos!

"Iron Brigade"

 

[ucla1967]

Really interesting photos!

"Iron Brigade"

Thanks. The collection is even more interesting when you can view it in person.

 

[ucla1967]

The center piece of the Medieval Room is a large 1/32 scale castle that Bob designed and built over several years. Each "stone" on the facade is actually a hand-cut piece of cork which was glued onto the castle. Also note the table the castle sits on with the various coats of arms. Bob never does anything half way or just good enough.

 

[ucla1967]

More castle details and medieval helmets.

 

[ucla1967]

More from the Medieval Room including elephants, Greeks, Romans, Persians, and wooden castles. I really like the Persian gate and walls.

 

[lancer]

Thanks for all the time and effort in posting this remarkable collection, Mike. It must be quite something to see in person. -- Al

 

[ucla1967]

Thanks for all the time and effort in posting this remarkable collection, Mike. It must be quite something to see in person. -- Al

It is my pleasure to do it. Most collectors will never have the opportunity to see such a massive collection in person, so this is the next best thing. His house is really more like a toy soldier museum than anything else.