2014 OTSN - Pat's Pictorial Parade (1 Viewer)

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

Once I successfully weaved through the minefield of Hocker temptations, I realized it was getting late. And, as you know, the vendors close their rooms early on Saturday in order to prepare for moving all their merchandise downstairs. I was almost in a panic mode trying to decide where I should go next. Then, it struck me. I should go to Paul Herrmann's room.

When I arrived at Paul's room, he turned and saw me and said, "Not you again. We are closed." I responded with "That's okay, Paul. I do not collect figures made of silly putty." And, thus we began our conversation. You see, Paul and I are good friends and we take every opportunity to insult the other one. It is all in good fun. Paul is a kind and sensitive man, but you could not know that if all you observed was some of our conversations. Paul is one of those people who loves to laugh and he has a keen sense of humor. He is a gentleman worth knowing and if you have the opportunity to meet him, do so, but do not mention my name. :wink2:

The problem with my visiting Paul's room is we spend so much time interacting and laughing that I have little time remaining to take photos. Under the circumstances, I did the best I could, but I only left with five photos of his room and they are not particularly good photos. Nevertheless, you will find them below.


Photo 135 - Here is a photo of Paul and, as you can see, he is surrounded by boxes full of goodies. To the best of my knowledge, he is the only Little Legion dealer in the U.S. He had some really neat stuff in his room.


Photo 136 - Presented below on the box is one of the Little Legion sets he had for sale. I thought the set told a story and I love single sets that can tell such a story.


Photo 136 (3) - Here is a closer view of the same set.


Photo 138 - Here is another nice arrangement of figures. Unfortunately, the photo is a bit dark.


Photo 139 - And, another nice group of figures.


Keep watching this space. I still have a few show photos to share with you, but I am uncertain if I can post them tonight. I will post them as soon as I can.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[zblang]

I love these types of threads - thanks so much Pat for all the photos. The only part I dread is that last post that says, that's all i have.....

 

[VIRIATO]

Thank you so much for these wonderful photos.

Regards,
Paulo

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

As I mentioned in previous post, the time was growing late and my wife and I had a dinner engagement scheduled with friends. While in Paul's room, I looked at my watch and realized I only had enough time remaining for a visit to one more room. I wondered, "Should I visit the King and Country room or the Britains room?" After a moment's thought, I chose the Britains room. Why that room? I knew other forum members usually covered the wonderful dioramas featured in the K&C room plus the Britains room was closer to my location. So, off I went to the Britains room.

Upon arriving at my destination, I knew I had made an excellent choice. There were many dioramas to view and the room was not crowded, which allowed ample opportunity to take some nice photos. You will see them below. However, Brad (Jazzeum) also took some extremely nice photos in this room and Brad's photos can be found in the matte Britains forum. If you like what you see below, you will like Brad's photos.

Photo 140 - Anyone interested in a Zulu uprising?


Photo 141 - Defending Rorke's Drift.


Photo 142 - Another angle of Defending Rorke's Drift. The battle rages!


Photo 143 - WWI Allied Trench.


Photo 144 - WWI figures, both allied and axis, by W. Britains. You might note the excellent backdrop to this display.


Knowing how short my time was, I quickly snapped a few more photos of the wonders that could be viewed in the Britains room. Some additional photos will follow in my next post.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

My available time for photography was growing shorter and shorter and dinner with friends was looming sooner and sooner. And, the only way I knew how to handle the situation was to take photos faster and faster. Had I not done so, I probably would not have obtained the photos you see below.


Photo 145 - The British are in a defensive posture although I am completely ignorant regarding who they were fighting. Oh, well. It really does not matter, it is still an excellent diorama.


Photo 146 - I am not sure what I intended to include in this photograph. I knew I liked the gate and the fountain, but the photo needs to include more figures. Such are the issues created when you get in a hurry.


Photo 147 - At least I got a decent photo of the fountain. I thought this fountain was an extraordinary touch.


Photo 148 - An event taking place somewhere along the Nile River.


Photo 150 - Wow! More Zulu action! It looks like the Zulu's may have the upper hand here.


Based on what I said above, I bet you thought this was going to be the last group of photos I took in the Britains room. Well, no, it is not. Even though I was in a hurry, I managed to snap a few more as I went out the door. You can view these photos in my next post.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

The group of photos you see below really are the last few photos I snapped as I exited the Britains room. After all, I had a dinner engagement to attend and I did not want to be late!


Photo 151 - Here I am back at Rorke's Drift! I seem to be going in circles. Rushing around the room snapping photos at a rapid rate has left me disoriented and dizzy. I need a guide to help me find the way out of this room!


Photo 152 - I remember this excellent French and Indian War diorama! It was just inside the door! I may find my way out of this room yet!


Photo 153 - If you looked closely, you could see a number of Eastern Woodland Indians hiding in the cover on the other side of the stream. Golly! Was this a nice diorama or what!


Photo 154 - As I exited the room, I turned and quickly snapped a photograph of our gracious host, Ken Owen. Ken always has a smile on his face and always enjoys talking about history and toy soldiers and he is a friend to all toy soldier collectors. He is responsible for most of the dioramas you have seen in the Britains room. I think we should give him a great round of applause!


Now, I am on my way to a wonderful dinner with some excellent friends. And, at this point, you might ask if this is the end of my photographic journey. If you have enjoyed this thread, I encourage you to check it again tomorrow. If you have not enjoyed the thread, do not bother checking tomorrow as it most likely will not improve. ^&grin

See you down the road...

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :wink2:

 

[kogu]

Really a wonderful thread, Pat.
Thank you very much for showing us all the great stuff from the floors at the Hyatt.
A real treat.
Konrad

 

[jazzeum]

Pat,

Great stuff. Loved every photo, especially of some of the people that make this hobby possible, like Ken.

Brad

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

Thanks to all of you for a fantastic job on the show coverage. I look forward to these posts every year, and all of you did an amazing job. It's the next best thing to being there.

 

[jazzeum]

I really like the look of some of the Britain's WW I figures. I think they look super.

Brad

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

As you can see, in spite of my rush to meet friends for dinner, I still managed to snap a few more photos. Once I left the Britains room, I passed the Barzo exhibit which was in the small lobby in front of the elevators. I assumed other forum members would take similar photos and post them, but I wanted to make certain you were able to view the display. Therefore, as I hurried past the display, I took a few photos. You will find them below.

Barzo always has an impressive display of plastic at the show and it is always worth viewing. When I study the display, I can visualize years of painting all those figures. However, that task will have to be left to younger collectors.

Photo 155 - The display depicts Ben Hur's Chariot Race. Look at all those spectators who cry out to be painted!


Photo 156 - This photo provides a closer view of the chariots.


Photo 157 - A second Barzo display was placed immediately next to the Chariot Race. This second display demonstrated how one could use the figures and the accessories to make the Roman Coliseum, complete with some wild and hungry bears.


Photo 158 - This photo provides a closer view of a couple of the chariots and of some of the spectators. I was impressed with the variety of poses of the spectators.


At this point, my wife and I were on our way to meet our friends for dinner. When we returned to the hotel, most of the rooms had closed for the evening. The vendors were busy packing their goods in preparation for the official show the next day.

You might keep an eye on this thread. It is possible there might be a few more photos to share. We shall see I can find more in the next couple of days.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[VIRIATO]

Thanks to all of you for a fantastic job on the show coverage. I look forward to these posts every year, and all of you did an amazing job. It's the next best thing to being there.

Yes indeed, couldn't have said it better!


Paulo

 

[VIRIATO]

Gentle Friends,

If If you have not enjoyed the thread, do not bother checking tomorrow as it most likely will not improve. ^&grin

,

Pat :wink2:

Very funny^&grin. IMHO if you like toy soldiers you like this thread...

Paulo

 

[VIRIATO]

I really like the look of some of the Britain's WW I figures. I think they look super.

Brad

Yes they do. No lack of choice for WWI nowadays though...:rolleyes2:

Paulo

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

In my last post on this thread (post #71), I mentioned I might find a few more photos taken at the show. And, so I did. Also, in my last post, I indicated I was in a hurry to meet friends for dinner. And, so I did. As a result of a lengthy and relaxing dinner, I returned to the hotel too late to photograph any additional items that evening. However,...

There was still Sunday, the official show day, in which to capture a very small number of exciting bits of toy soldier delight. The photos you see in this post and the two posts that follow will complete my photographic tour of the show.

My show strategy includes a budget for purchases, which I spend rapidly during the room trading segment of the event. But, I have learned from experience that when Sunday arrives, a few new dealers appear who were not present or active during the room trading. Also, in spite of my efforts, I find it impossible to roam all the rooms during room trading and there are vendors on Sunday whose rooms I never entered. These two conditions potentially result in new discoveries. Consequently, I always reserve a portion of my budget which becomes available to me on Sunday. If I find new items that interest me, great! If not, I either save some money for another day or I can expend it on items I passed on during the room trading. In short, mining the rooms for toy soldier treasure is only one step in the process of experiencing and exploring all the available items at the show. It is possible to find other treasures on Sunday.

I mentioned in earlier posts that I do not carry my camera with me while shopping the rooms. The camera becomes an annoyance during room trading because it can swing into displayed items, fall off my shoulder while examining figures, or any number of other irritating events. Be that as it may, I carry it with me during the Sunday portion of the show. And, yes, it is an annoyance to me on Sunday, but I put up with it just in case I find something too tempting to photograph that was either not available or that I had missed earlier. With all of the above said, let me show you the few photographs I took on Sunday.

Photo 160 - The official show opens Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. The photo below was taken at approximately 9:20. As you can see, quite a line has formed. And, you cannot see the show entrance from this distance. To get some idea of the distance from where I am standing in line to the show entrance, notice the couple walking in my direction on the left side of the photo. They are just entering the hotel lobby. The show entrance is further down the hallway from which the couple has just emerged. In other words, the couple is approximately halfway between myself and the entrance to the show. And, there is 30 minutes to go before the show opens! The line in which I am standing will continue to grow for the next half hour.



Photo 162 - This figure of a mounted Crow Warrior initiates an interesting show story. This figure is made by a new company that will soon be producing some interesting figures. I brought home some information about the company, but I have not yet located it among my newly acquired treasures. At any rate, these figures were not for immediate sale. They were available to allow collectors to see the products this new company will be producing. The new products should be available for purchase within a few months. In my opinion, the figures were nicely sculpted and skillfully painted, but they are not quite of connoisseur quality. However, the proposed prices make them a very attractive item to include in your collection. Each figure is attached to labeled base. The price of each mounted figure will be $200.00 and the price of each foot figure will be $100.00. In either case, in my opinion, these figures will potentially be excellent buys. Unfortunately, like any new company, there will be a few wrinkles to work out. As a case in point,...

Notice the animal skin draped across the horse's back and on which the Crow Warrior is seated. I thought I spotted a problem here and I asked one of the fellows behind the table to identify the skin for me. His response was to say, "It is a Tiger skin." In return, I said to him, "I am surprised. To the best of my knowledge, tigers did not live in North America at a time when horses would have been available to the native people." The fellow quickly spoke in a different language to another colleague behind the table and I was then told, "The skin is from a different animal," but this different animal was not identified for me. But, to my satisfaction, the two fellows were rapidly taking notes based on my observations and I believe they will make appropriate adjustments in their figures in order to present them in a manner this is correct for the time and place. They only need time to further research their subjects.

Having told this story, remember this is a new company and they have things to learn. The quality of their sculpting and painting is relatively good and the pricing is excellent. Keep an eye on them, because I think they will quickly get their house in order and offer to us some interesting and high quality products.


Photo 163 - The reverse side of the Crow Warrior figure.


Photo 164 - I was very drawn to this figure of a mounted Dakota Warrior, which leads me to Part II of my story. As I was examining these figures, I was quietly told that at exactly 3:00 p.m., the ending time for the official show, these folks were going to give away each figure, one figure to a person. Their plan was incredibly generous! I immediately determined to be at the right place at the right time to capture this little beauty. And, I was.........almost. ^&grin Remember, I was quietly told the figures were to be given away? Well, it appears I was not the only person who was quietly told of this event. Nevertheless, I stationed myself in the exact location to quickly pick up the figure when the clock struck 3:00 p.m. AND, when the clock did strike 3:00, I picked up the Dakota Warrior only to be told it was reserved for another person. Okay, I said to myself, "Choose another of the mounted Indians!" I picked up my second choice to be told, "We are saving that one for another person." To make a long story short, I picked up six different figures only to told they were going to somebody else! I thought " WHERE IN THE DICKENS IS THIS MYSTERIOUS SOMEBODY ELSE?" Finally, I closed my eyes and simply picked up a random foot figure and I heard a voice tell my, "You can have that one." Well, I could not complain. The price was right and the figure was quite nice. Unfortunately, the figure is still packed among my things and I have forgotten the title of the figure. I will let you know what it is when I finally unpack all my new stuff.


Photo 165 - The reverse side of the mounted Dakota Warrior.


Stay with me. I have more photos to post.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

My photographs of the Sunday show continue below.

Photo 166 - Another of the interesting mounted figures that is planned to be released by this new company is this Apache Warrior. It, too, was intended to go to another collector. ^&grin You cannot say I did not try to acquire one of the mounted Native people!


Photo 167 - The reverse side of the Apache Warrior.


Photo 168 - There were many beautiful things to see in the show. At one point in my browsing, I happened upon a series of small dioramas created by John Updike. John is most talented and I could not resist photographing some of his excellent and, is some cases, amusing creations. Below is a beautiful diorama titled, "Noon Camp Chuck, 1879."


Photo 169 - A view from another angle of the Chuck Wagon scene.


Photo 170 - And, yet another view of the Chuck Wagon scene. This view includes a scenic backdrop.


Hang tight! There are just a few remaining photos.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

Below are the last five photographs I took on Sunday. After passing John Updike's dioramas, I was too tired to try to photograph anything else. After four very full days, carrying that camera, plus a very full and heavy tote bag, down very crowded narrow aisles on Sunday simply wore me out.

Photo 171 - I could not resist trying to get a shot of the buzzards on John Updike's Noon Chuck diorama.


Photo 172 - A closer view of the campfire at the Noon Chuck.


Photo 173 - A closer view of the Chuck Wagon.


Photo 175 - A Western Saloon diorama by John Updike.


Photo 176 - Another of the John Updike creations.


I hope you have enjoyed my photographic journey through OTSN 2014. It was a huge amount of fun and I hope to again attend next year. Will I see you there? I hope so.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[jazzeum]

Thanks again Pat for your superb photos and commentary. If I had done a job half as good as you did, I would have been quite satisfied.

Brad

 

[OldDragon]

Thank you again Pat for the wonderful photographs and commentary ... Very much appreciated.

Bests
OD

 

[aujj65]

A great thread Pat! Many thanks again for all the time, effort and fun you had taking the photos. {bravo}}

Jeff :salute::