“Books & Shows” (2 Viewers)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Elsewhere on the Forum the subject of bookstores came up and, alas, the demise of many of them.

It got me thinking and comparing them to “Toy Soldier Shows” of all things. There are some similarities…

A while back, after the last Chicago Show there was quite a debate about how good or bad that particular show was.

Quite a few of the negative remarks about the show were from guys who never even attended the event! Others were from those who had a convenient excuse for not going or did not want to spend the money on travelling and accommodation –understandable perhaps. Some commented that with the internet now, Toy Soldier Shows were irrelevant and unnecessary.

Speaking personally, Toy Soldier Shows (like real, live bookstores) are about the total experience. They are a lot more than just buying and selling toy soldiers. It’s about the friendship, the camaraderie, the sheer joy of meeting up again with old friends (and making new ones) and, for a few days being a little boy again. From early in the morning till late at night it’s laughing, joking, crying (when you’ve missed out on that long looked for set) and just hanging out with a bunch of guys that enjoy what you enjoy.

That’s just a few of the many reasons the outpouring of love and genuine affection a lot of us felt for Larry Lo has been so spontaneous. I met Larry at toy soldier shows and at Louis’ symposium many times. I’ve been just as fortunate to meet other great guys over the years at shows and events. That’s why I would urge as many of you as possible to get up out of your seats and make a real concerted effort to attend a Toy Soldier Show.

Sure the internet is useful but it’s no substitute for the “real live thing”…an honest-to-goodness Toy Soldier Show. The “West Coaster” is now just a few weeks away –if you can, don’t miss it!

Best wishes and…hope to see some of you there.

Andy C.​

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Nothing but true facts about attending shows in person.For myself at the very minimum attend the Texas Show in San Antonio in May (Memorial Day Weekend) always much to do with the surrounding added attractions and gets
better and better every year ! Hoping to add the West Coaster to my trip list ! Attending shows in person gives an added rush of excitement to the Hobby that makes it all quite worth while......IMO ^&grin

 

[Mr Scott]

Hi Guys,

Elsewhere on the Forum the subject of bookstores came up and, alas, the demise of many of them.

It got me thinking and comparing them to “Toy Soldier Shows” of all things. There are some similarities…

A while back, after the last Chicago Show there was quite a debate about how good or bad that particular show was.

Quite a few of the negative remarks about the show were from guys who never even attended the event! Others were from those who had a convenient excuse for not going or did not want to spend the money on travelling and accommodation –understandable perhaps. Some commented that with the internet now, Toy Soldier Shows were irrelevant and unnecessary.

Speaking personally, Toy Soldier Shows (like real, live bookstores) are about the total experience. They are a lot more than just buying and selling toy soldiers. It’s about the friendship, the camaraderie, the sheer joy of meeting up again with old friends (and making new ones) and, for a few days being a little boy again. From early in the morning till late at night it’s laughing, joking, crying (when you’ve missed out on that long looked for set) and just hanging out with a bunch of guys that enjoy what you enjoy.

That’s just a few of the many reasons the outpouring of love and genuine affection a lot of us felt for Larry Lo has been so spontaneous. I met Larry at toy soldier shows and at Louis’ symposium many times. I’ve been just as fortunate to meet other great guys over the years at shows and events. That’s why I would urge as many of you as possible to get up out of your seats and make a real concerted effort to attend a Toy Soldier Show.

Sure the internet is useful but it’s no substitute for the “real live thing”…an honest-to-goodness Toy Soldier Show. The “West Coaster” is now just a few weeks away –if you can, don’t miss it!

Best wishes and…hope to see some of you there.

Andy C.​

Andy

Following on from your comments I would like to suggest 'Brick and Mortar' Toy Soldier shops are similar to Book Shops.

I feel lucky that I have a Toy Soldier Shop nearby that I happened to visit today.

Whilst my wallet is a touch lighter and I now (unplanned) collect two new ranges, the personal interaction is one of the main reasons I enjoy the hobby so much.

Unfortunately there are no Toy Soldier Shows in Australia, however there always remains a small thought in the back of my mind of the planning to attend either London or Chicago (or even the West Coast Show).

On a different note I have always thought you should have a small picture of the contents of each box so that I can easily recall what goes in which box, but after todays effort I am glad all boxes look the same such that the dear wife cannot easily determine if my collection has suddenly grown (note you need to square everything away before she gets home).

Cheers to Shows, Bookshops and the local Toy Soldier Shop.

Scott

 

[wayne556517]

Hi Guys,

Elsewhere on the Forum the subject of bookstores came up and, alas, the demise of many of them.

It got me thinking and comparing them to “Toy Soldier Shows” of all things. There are some similarities…

A while back, after the last Chicago Show there was quite a debate about how good or bad that particular show was.

Quite a few of the negative remarks about the show were from guys who never even attended the event! Others were from those who had a convenient excuse for not going or did not want to spend the money on travelling and accommodation –understandable perhaps. Some commented that with the internet now, Toy Soldier Shows were irrelevant and unnecessary.

Speaking personally, Toy Soldier Shows (like real, live bookstores) are about the total experience. They are a lot more than just buying and selling toy soldiers. It’s about the friendship, the camaraderie, the sheer joy of meeting up again with old friends (and making new ones) and, for a few days being a little boy again. From early in the morning till late at night it’s laughing, joking, crying (when you’ve missed out on that long looked for set) and just hanging out with a bunch of guys that enjoy what you enjoy.

That’s just a few of the many reasons the outpouring of love and genuine affection a lot of us felt for Larry Lo has been so spontaneous. I met Larry at toy soldier shows and at Louis’ symposium many times. I’ve been just as fortunate to meet other great guys over the years at shows and events. That’s why I would urge as many of you as possible to get up out of your seats and make a real concerted effort to attend a Toy Soldier Show.

Sure the internet is useful but it’s no substitute for the “real live thing”…an honest-to-goodness Toy Soldier Show. The “West Coaster” is now just a few weeks away –if you can, don’t miss it!

Best wishes and…hope to see some of you there.

Andy C.​

For some of us Andy that's all we have and can afford,i have never been to a TS shop to buy anything and the closes thing i have ever to a show was when Brett and yourself popped over here for a night.
That was special to me and i agree it is heaps better to talk to a fellow collector than just the net but sadly for some of us that's as good as it gets.
John organizes meetings of fellow collectors over here and its a great day,so i envy those who can go to the big shows yearly and im also very grateful to those who spend the time to take pics and then upload them on here so for those of us who can't and probably never will get to these big shows.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

For some of us Andy that's all we have and can afford,i have never been to a TS shop to buy anything and the closes thing i have ever to a show was when Brett and yourself popped over here for a night.
That was special to me and i agree it is heaps better to talk to a fellow collector than just the net but sadly for some of us that's as good as it gets.
John organizes meetings of fellow collectors over here and its a great day,so i envy those who can go to the big shows yearly and im also very grateful to those who spend the time to take pics and then upload them on here so for those of us who can't and probably never will get to these big shows.

I think you made some Good points Too Mate ! :wink2:

 

[Guy]

The nearest shows for me are London or Paris ( Paris only once a year - in a private shop- and around Xmas, very inconvenient time)
London is a possibility but Andy; what do you prefer ? that I spend my money on expensive travelling and even more expensive hotels ( London is the most expensive place on the planet) or that I spend my money on Toy Soldiers, let me know your choice
guy

 

[wds0855]

I hope to make the Chicago show someday. And the one in San Antonio. I agree, attending a show in person is the way to go.
I hope all the existing shows can continue to "hold on".

Walt

 

[Jack]

I have not been to a show myself although have enjoyed many social get togethers with other collectors. I said to one of the group the other day that making friends with him had cost me a small fortune. Being part of a group and having access to a shop has given the collecting a momentum that visits to the post office could not possibly have provided. I wonder if attending shows works in the same way.

 

[Rob]

I have not been to a show myself although have enjoyed many social get togethers with other collectors. I said to one of the group the other day that making friends with him had cost me a small fortune. Being part of a group and having access to a shop has given the collecting a momentum that visits to the post office could not possibly have provided. I wonder if attending shows works in the same way.

Jack, you really must join us in London one year, would be good to have you with us. Also as you don't drink you could explain to the please officer when the barmaid complains!:wink2:

Rob

 

[Jack]

Jack, you really must join us in London one year, would be good to have you with us. Also as you don't drink you could explain to the please officer when the barmaid complains!:wink2:

Rob

If I was there she might not complain!!

 

[Rob]

If I was there she might not complain!!

^&grin^&grin

She longs for a foreign gentlemen instead of these drunken English brutes.....do you know of any gentlemen you could bring with you mate?!!:wink2::salute::

Rob

 

[wayne556517]

^&grin^&grin

She longs for a foreign gentlemen instead of these drunken English brutes.....do you know of any gentlemen you could bring with you mate?!!:wink2::salute::

Rob

^&grin

 

[ivanmoe]

"Books & Shows"...and hobby stores:

http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/End-of-the-line-for-hobby-store-a-replica-of-a-5135091.php

The causes for these developments are several in nature and manifold in effect, acting as it were to compound one another. I can feel a hatchet coming to the back of my scull for suggesting this, but an interstate Internet tax would almost surely help B&M in the USA. "Why drive 125 sm to San Antonio when I can have hobby items delivered to my front door, tax and shipping free," goes the refrain? I'm likely as bad about this as anyone on the forum, so the comment certainly isn't made in judgement. Still, it's gotta make us question the status quo.

-Moe

 

[Phantom Warrior]

"Books & Shows"...and hobby stores:

http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/End-of-the-line-for-hobby-store-a-replica-of-a-5135091.php

The causes for these developments are several in nature and manifold in effect, acting as it were to compound one another. I can feel a hatchet coming to the back of my scull for suggesting this, but an interstate Internet tax would almost surely help B&M in the USA. "Why drive 125 sm to San Antonio when I can have hobby items delivered to my front door, tax and shipping free," goes the refrain? I'm likely as bad about this as anyone on the forum, so the comment certainly isn't made in judgement. Still, it's gotta make us question the status quo.

-Moe

I'd love to have a toy soldier shop nearby to see the items before I bought them and to talk toy soldiers. And nothing is tax free in Canada anyway no matter if I order from another Province or from the US. And I can get free shipping only in Canada. So I would consider it an advantage to have a full sized B&M store in Toronto.

Terry

 

[gk5717]

I am 110% in agreement with Andy in regards to going to shows. I intend to go again this year to OTSN.
He did make comments tho about this past years OTSN, and he did state that some of the negative ones were from people that never even attended the show and again he is right on the mark.
Now I have attended OTSN for the past 22 consecutive years and last years (2013) show was like none of the others. It was for lack of a better term "dead". Even the shows at the height of the recession in 08 & 09 were lively.
I,m just hoping last years was just an off year and not sign of the times. I will say this about the 2014 show, I never stay for the actual Sunday Show, I will be there only Thursday & Friday and leave Saturday instead of Sunday. 2013,s Saturday was abissmal.
Gary

 

[waynepoo]

^&grin^&grin

She longs for a foreign gentlemen instead of these drunken English brutes.....do you know of any gentlemen you could bring with you mate?!!:wink2::salute::

Rob

The dinner we have each year with Andy and a 'Bricks and mortar' are our 'show' I guess and it is right about the social advantage of this as the friendships that have resulted from a common interest are great. As to Jack knowing any gentlemen who would accompany him to London Rob the answer is no as he knows only dodgy characters.......:wink2:
Wayne.

 

[Panzer ace]

I am feeling kind of guilty. I am only an hour flight away from the Westcoaster from my home in California and a 20 minute drive from my home to the Texas Toy Solider Show in San Antonio. Not to mention the fact that from my home in California I am only a 10 minute drive away from Sierra Toy Solider and again only a 20 minute drive to Kings X from my home in San Antonio.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I am 110% in agreement with Andy in regards to going to shows. I intend to go again this year to OTSN.
He did make comments tho about this past years OTSN, and he did state that some of the negative ones were from people that never even attended the show and again he is right on the mark.
Now I have attended OTSN for the past 22 consecutive years and last years (2013) show was like none of the others. It was for lack of a better term "dead". Even the shows at the height of the recession in 08 & 09 were lively.
I,m just hoping last years was just an off year and not sign of the times. I will say this about the 2014 show, I never stay for the actual Sunday Show, I will be there only Thursday & Friday and leave Saturday instead of Sunday. 2013,s Saturday was abissmal.
Gary

I went to the 2009 show in Chicago - I wanted to go and meet the collectors on Treefrog, the manufacturers and the dealers. I had a great time and did get to talk to the manufacturers, collectors and dealers. It was worth the travel expense. I also spent 3X what I had intended to spend on toys. I still have the memories of that great trip - it's the only big show I have gone to. The experience was so good, I wondered whether another trip could possibly be as good as that first one. It's sad to hear that 2013 was such a poor year. What made it so bad??

Terry

 

[jager7080]

I went to the 2009 show in Chicago - I wanted to go and meet the collectors on Treefrog, the manufacturers and the dealers. I had a great time and did get to talk to the manufacturers, collectors and dealers. It was worth the travel expense. I also spent 3X what I had intended to spend on toys. I still have the memories of that great trip - it's the only big show I have gone to. The experience was so good, I wondered whether another trip could possibly be as good as that first one. It's sad to hear that 2013 was such a poor year. What made it so bad??

Terry

Terry ,

I was @ the Chicago show this year...I went on Sunday , i live within 45 minutes of the show...I had not attended one since 00,01...But being on the forum had helped me return to it...I got the chance to meet Howard aka Northgatewoods...
But i did notice that at least on Sunday the crowd was very thin @ least from what i had experienced in the two shows i had attended...
I had a good time , ran into an old friend who collects & is not on the forum...The only thing i wish is that i could identify people from the forum while i was @ the show...Howard told me there were other forum members there but i did not have an oppurtunity to meet them...I did see Andy , but he was engulfed by other people in conversation so i did not get the chance to speak with him @ the show...
I plan on going again this year...

Joe

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Terry ,

I was @ the Chicago show this year...I went on Sunday , i live within 45 minutes of the show...I had not attended one since 00,01...But being on the forum had helped me return to it...I got the chance to meet Howard aka Northgatewoods...
But i did notice that at least on Sunday the crowd was very thin @ least from what i had experienced in the two shows i had attended...
I had a good time , ran into an old friend who collects & is not on the forum...The only thing i wish is that i could identify people from the forum while i was @ the show...Howard told me there were other forum members there but i did not have an oppurtunity to meet them...I did see Andy , but he was engulfed by other people in conversation so i did not get the chance to speak with him @ the show...
I plan on going again this year...

Joe

You can i.d. forum participants. I got some tips before I went from experienced Chicago veterans. Scour the Treefrog Forum threads for photos of past shows and get-to-gethers. That way you will get to recognize some faces. Wear a Treefrog pin and lookout for others wearing them. Make rounds of the manufacturers and dealers rooms because that's where people cluster. And don't forget the bar. Once you have met a few people, they will introduce you to more than you will be able to remember. The best days to meet people are Thursday, Friday when the hardcore collectors show up and it isn't so crowded.

Terry