2009 Bucks County Toy Soldier Show-some pics (1 Viewer)

[theBaron]

Hi, all! Here are some pictures I took last Sunday at the Bucks County Toy Soldier Show in Langhorne above Philly.

I was at the show to man a table to advertize our own show, the MFCA show, in May, but I also got to get through and take a look.

A couple of years ago, the show's promoter, Ed Gries, invited a group of collectors of 12"-1/6 scale figures to participate, so both large-scale and traditional-scale figures are represented.

Two shots of the "GI Joe room", as I like to call it, this one, on entering the show:

and more of the vendors of large-scale figures:

From there, it was onwards into the toy soldier dealer area. Lots of hustle and bustle:

and

More to follow...

 

[theBaron]

Lots of variety; here was a table of Del Prado figures:

and a mix of older toy soldiers-dimestores, hollowcasts, solids, and some model kits as well:

The Murphys of Hobby Bunker were there, with one whole wall of the room taken up with their tables. Here's one of their displays, featuring their cast foam buildings:

and a selection of figures, here, heavy on the John Jenkins line:

and King & Country, among others:

and here, Del Prado was featured:

More to follow...

 

[theBaron]

Remember the recent thread, lamenting how plastics are looked down on in the hobby? Well, once again, I find only signs of keen interest at the shows. Many vendors had nothing but plastic:

Here's another shot of a small selection of a vendor with nothing but plastic, these were old Marx figures:

even playsets-here, the old Marx "Fighting Knights" set:

I forgot to note what the dealer was asking for it, though, sorry!

More to follow...

 

[theBaron]

More new old toy soldier sets:

and current Britains sets:

various other makers:

and these sets:

More to follow....

 

[theBaron]

More contemporary sets. Here's the Mahdi's army:

and more new Britains:

and another new Britains set that is right up my alley, but I passed on it:

This is the Imperial German field artillery review order set. The seller had it marked $185, but on a table with a sign that everything was 50% off. Still, I already have 7 or 8 of these, so I passed, that time.

More to follow...

 

[theBaron]

Here are the tables from Al Green's Green's Collectibles, a fixture at shows here in the East Coast:

Lots of Frontline, Pickelhaube Miniatures, Britains, LeMans, etc:

And here's more of the variety of 12" figures to be found:

including this GI Joe commemorative piece, a Naval Academy football player:

Last post to follow...

 

[theBaron]

Part of the fun for me at the shows is meeting collectors and dealers in person. This one is in our backyard, so some of the other MFCA members are usually there. Here's Bob Shoulberg at his tables:

Bob casts and paints his own figures, with sculpting farmed out to various artists. Bob is a past treasurer of the club, as am I, and was also active on our show committee. I also got to catch up with Mike Ferguson, also of the society, and also a past treasurer. His line is Soldiers Unlimited, though he's not casting anymore these days.

And here is my catch from the show, a set by yet another MFCA member, Fred Klotz, from his Present Arms line, from the series "Off to the Front":

You may have seen these figures; the series represents German soldiers marching off in August 1914, and the civilians cheering them off. For Fred, there's a personal connection, because one of his grandfathers served in the Imperial army as an artilleryman. In fact, Fred sculpted this figure, in memory of his grandfather:

Unfortunately for us collectors, he stopped producing the line some years ago. But we're swapping figures, my castings of figures he'd like, for some of the remaining Present Arms castings that he has stored.

So, there's a quick look at the Buck County show. Thanks for looking, and I hope you enjoyed it!

Prosit!
Brad

 

[thebritfarmer]

It always great to see photos of the shows that forum members go to and this is no exception. I wish we had some TS shows in Canada I'd love to be able to have a good rummage around to see what is out there.

 

[VIRIATO]

Part of the fun for me at the shows is meeting collectors and dealers in person. This one is in our backyard, so some of the other MFCA members are usually there. Here's Bob Shoulberg at his tables:

Bob casts and paints his own figures, with sculpting farmed out to various artists. Bob is a past treasurer of the club, as am I, and was also active on our show committee. I also got to catch up with Mike Ferguson, also of the society, and also a past treasurer. His line is Soldiers Unlimited, though he's not casting anymore these days.

And here is my catch from the show, a set by yet another MFCA member, Fred Klotz, from his Present Arms line, from the series "Off to the Front":

You may have seen these figures; the series represents German soldiers marching off in August 1914, and the civilians cheering them off. For Fred, there's a personal connection, because one of his grandfathers served in the Imperial army as an artilleryman. In fact, Fred sculpted this figure, in memory of his grandfather:

Unfortunately for us collectors, he stopped producing the line some years ago. But we're swapping figures, my castings of figures he'd like, for some of the remaining Present Arms castings that he has stored.

So, there's a quick look at the Buck County show. Thanks for looking, and I hope you enjoyed it!

Prosit!
Brad

What lovely figures!

Paulo

 

[The Lt.]

Thanks Brad for the time spent taking us to the show with your photos. Sure would have been nice to be able to join you.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Nice images of the show.
I noted the GI Joes. I refer to them as Battle Barbies.
Regards
Brett

 

[wds0855]

I was at this show also. I have attended the show every year it was held.
It seemed that the dealer attendance this year was down quite significantly. I usually spend $100 to $200 at this show each year. This year I only spent the $5 admittance fee. I was looking for some King and Country WWI figures as a gift for someone and I could not locate 1 figure in this range. At past shows there were multiple dealers with this period from K&C. I am hoping next year the show returns to it past "roots". I would not like to see this show evaporate. Did anyone else think this show was on the "thin" side this year?

Walt

 

[Evzone]

Hello Baron, many thanks fpr posting the pictures, I particuarly like Fred Klotz's Present Arms line, from the series "Off to the Front". Is there any more information on this range?

 

[theBaron]

I was at this show also. I have attended the show every year it was held.
It seemed that the dealer attendance this year was down quite significantly. I usually spend $100 to $200 at this show each year. This year I only spent the $5 admittance fee. I was looking for some King and Country WWI figures as a gift for someone and I could not locate 1 figure in this range. At past shows there were multiple dealers with this period from K&C. I am hoping next year the show returns to it past "roots". I would not like to see this show evaporate. Did anyone else think this show was on the "thin" side this year?

Walt

Well, we missed George (Warrior), I thought he might have been there, but he wasn't. And there was another dealer, by the name of Green-not Al Green, who was there-who paid for tables but didn't show up. His tables were along the right wall, as you entered the hall.

I can't remember, but I think Rich Dutkin has had tables at the show in the past, too, he wasn't there this year.

As for the number of dealers, well, this actually has always been a smaller show, mixing some of the bigger dealers, with some of the smaller guys who sell part-time as an adjunct to their collections.

And as for K&C, did you stop at Hobby Bunker? They were along the entire left wall of the room, and they had a whole display of King & Country. Part of what they had is in the pics. Ed Gries had some on his tables, too, individual figures.

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

Hello Baron, many thanks fpr posting the pictures, I particuarly like Fred Klotz's Present Arms line, from the series "Off to the Front". Is there any more information on this range?

Sadly, Fred discontinued the line several years ago. He sold the sets primarily through another member of our club, Mel Aria, who was a toy soldier dealer in Philadelphia. Fred still has the molds, but hasn't had time to cast anything in a long time. You can only find the sets and individual figures now, second-hand. I've bought some on eBay as well. The sellers had no idea of their origins, and the people who bid against me may or may not have known, but probably were collectors of Imperial German figures, like me.

I think there may be another dealer who sells copies, too, because I've seen them sold by him, and it was implied that they were that seller's own figures. I asked Fred about that once, but he seemed reticent about discussing it.

I should add that Jim Hillestad has a display of the entire series in his museum, too. That's where I first saw the whole line in one display, and he told me about how Fred made them. It was ironic, because I knew Fred's name, from being in the MFCA, but I never knew that he made that line.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Leadmen]

Thanks Brad for the photos and report on the show. I appreciate viewing distant shows. Will the show next May be back at Valley Forge? John

 

[Evzone]

Sadly, Fred discontinued the line several years ago. He sold the sets primarily through another member of our club, Mel Aria, who was a toy soldier dealer in Philadelphia. Fred still has the molds, but hasn't had time to cast anything in a long time. You can only find the sets and individual figures now, second-hand. I've bought some on eBay as well. The sellers had no idea of their origins, and the people who bid against me may or may not have known, but probably were collectors of Imperial German figures, like me.

I think there may be another dealer who sells copies, too, because I've seen them sold by him, and it was implied that they were that seller's own figures. I asked Fred about that once, but he seemed reticent about discussing it.

I should add that Jim Hillestad has a display of the entire series in his museum, too. That's where I first saw the whole line in one display, and he told me about how Fred made them. It was ironic, because I knew Fred's name, from being in the MFCA, but I never knew that he made that line.

Prost!
Brad

Thanks for the update, sounds like I'll have to put it down to a missed opportunity and keep an eye on e-bay.

Cheers

 

[theBaron]

Thanks Brad for the photos and report on the show. I appreciate viewing distant shows. Will the show next May be back at Valley Forge? John

Hi, John, yes, we'll be back at Valley Forge in 2010, we were able to negotiate a contract for the next three years at a more reasonable price. At the end of that contract, we'll evaluate again whether to stay. One significant factor is that development may resume in Wilmington, to build a hotel adjacent to the Chase Center. If that development is completed, that removes a big disadvantage to that location and makes it more attractive.

Prost!
Brad

 

[wds0855]

Brad, have you considered using the new Oaks Convention center, which is just about 5 minutes North of Valley Forge?

Walt

 

[theBaron]

Brad, have you considered using the new Oaks Convention center, which is just about 5 minutes North of Valley Forge?

Walt

I don't think we have, Walt. Do you know if there is a hotel close by?

I went to school a couple of miles up the road from there, at Ursinus College, in Collegeville ("So named due to Ursinus College being located there" according the PENNDoT marker-probably written by a grad), but the area has changed dramatically since then (1986), and I haven't really looked around there.

Apart from the cost, the next biggest consideration is exhibition space and hotel rooms adjoining, if possible.

I'll bring it up with the rest of the show committee and see what the response is. Thanks for the tip!

Prosit!
Brad