Gentle Friends,
Attending OTSN is a great adventure as recent posts testify. The excitement is intense and the pleasure is sublime. When I am able to attend the show, I find myself drawn to several specific rooms and I spend the greater majority of my time in these rooms, which is dangerous as I usually leave with some purchases.
There have been many wonderful photographs posted on the forum by members sharing the excitement and imparting new information. We have seen many photographs of wonderful dioramas, exciting new releases, and great special events. Like other collectors, I took a few photographs of the products found in the rooms that I always visit. I thought I would like to show you some of the excellent figures I found in them.
The first series of pictures I wish to share present sets of figures found in the room of Mr. William Hocker. I have been a Hocker fan for some time and I marvel at the accomplishments of this man. He is a one person operation who produces a wide variety of figures and lines. He is an amazing individual who is soft spoken, gracious, and who possesses a twinkle in his eyes that betrays the presence of the child within. He has a deeply devoted following, almost all of whom have a similar twinkle in their eyes.
In a recent conversation I had with one of Mr. Hocker's greatest fans, it was stated that Mr. Hocker has no idea of how intelligent he is. I agree with this comment. When you view his work you see the toy-like quality of toy soldiers of the past, combined with creativity and imaginative play. For example, his set of Washington crossing the Delaware is actually a pull toy. When you pull the set across the floor, the soldiers row the boat. A set of artillery that is pulled by a six horse team possesses off-set wheels, so when the set is pulled across the room, the artillery rocks and the traces move as if being pulled down a bumpy dirt road. Only the imagination of a child, an inventive creativity, and the eye and mind of an engineer can produce such wonderful collector toys. What is even more amazing is the application of his talents to such a wide variety of figures.
In the next few frames, I will show you some of the wonderful sets he had for sale in his room. There is a sameness about my pictures, so look closely to see the huge variety of his figures. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
Attending OTSN is a great adventure as recent posts testify. The excitement is intense and the pleasure is sublime. When I am able to attend the show, I find myself drawn to several specific rooms and I spend the greater majority of my time in these rooms, which is dangerous as I usually leave with some purchases.
There have been many wonderful photographs posted on the forum by members sharing the excitement and imparting new information. We have seen many photographs of wonderful dioramas, exciting new releases, and great special events. Like other collectors, I took a few photographs of the products found in the rooms that I always visit. I thought I would like to show you some of the excellent figures I found in them.
The first series of pictures I wish to share present sets of figures found in the room of Mr. William Hocker. I have been a Hocker fan for some time and I marvel at the accomplishments of this man. He is a one person operation who produces a wide variety of figures and lines. He is an amazing individual who is soft spoken, gracious, and who possesses a twinkle in his eyes that betrays the presence of the child within. He has a deeply devoted following, almost all of whom have a similar twinkle in their eyes.
In a recent conversation I had with one of Mr. Hocker's greatest fans, it was stated that Mr. Hocker has no idea of how intelligent he is. I agree with this comment. When you view his work you see the toy-like quality of toy soldiers of the past, combined with creativity and imaginative play. For example, his set of Washington crossing the Delaware is actually a pull toy. When you pull the set across the floor, the soldiers row the boat. A set of artillery that is pulled by a six horse team possesses off-set wheels, so when the set is pulled across the room, the artillery rocks and the traces move as if being pulled down a bumpy dirt road. Only the imagination of a child, an inventive creativity, and the eye and mind of an engineer can produce such wonderful collector toys. What is even more amazing is the application of his talents to such a wide variety of figures.
In the next few frames, I will show you some of the wonderful sets he had for sale in his room. There is a sameness about my pictures, so look closely to see the huge variety of his figures. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
