Napoleon1er
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2010
- Messages
- 3,083
I rarely weigh in on this for a variety of reasons, but I feel like things are sufficiently calm right now for me to say a few words without appearing to dive into a brawl. I began collecting toy soldiers at a very young age with a couple of cheap Britains ceremonial figures I found at a train show with my father. I later picked up a boxed set of ceremonials at Epcot, which is when I found the Club advertisement and purchased a membership in 2005 at age 10. I saw other manufactures online, but their figures didn't have that magical, delicate feel that Britains had. Maybe it was the tendency to use more outlines and shading, maybe it was the bulkier proportions, I couldn't tell you. That is around the time I attended my first show. Meeting Richard Walker and Ken Osen was what really hooked me into this hobby. They took the time to talk with 10-year-old me and treated me with as much respect as the old men who approached their table. They talked to me about my interests and about figure production and gave me tips on diorama building. They corresponded with me via email and even asked me to write an article for the Standard. Their generosity with time and treasure was deeply meaningful, and it brought me into this wonderful hobby that subsequently introduced me to many wonderful friends and mentors, including a dear friend and mentor who has been one of my greatest teachers and who I see as significantly responsible for my academic/professional success.
I also have a pretty good idea of how spiteful and petty the toy soldier world can be sometimes. From the military to my the Jewish community, I know quite a bit about group dynamics, and the toy soldier world rivals every group I have experienced for its inane drama. I speak with Ken and Ericka Osen on a somewhat regular basis, and from time to time I respectfully and constructively offer criticism. For example, while I know that many factors contribute to the rising prices, I also know that the margin system in the toy soldier world is deeply flawed and hurts both customers and dealers and will eventually come back to bite manufactures. I also know that Ken and Ericka are profoundly good, caring, and hard-working people. I have heard of Ken speaking harshly once, for good reason, and even in his hottest Detroit moment, his temper did not approach the malice that many people regularly display here. He and Ericka deeply care about the product they produce: its accuracy, its quality, its moral implications. They strive to constantly improve, not simply because they want to do justice tot he company's storied name, but because making quality goods is a matter of self respect and respect for history in their minds. For those who actually followed the saga of WBritain's numerous sales and the struggles it has faced in recent years, these delays are unfortunate but eminently relatable.
I have waited a lot longer than however long y'all have been waiting for the 88 for luxury products. It gives me great pleasure to support artists and craftspeople as well as small-scale, ethical business people, so I have waited years and years for things I did not need because I would prefer that such artists and craftsmen prioritize impatient people who will make their lives difficult than me, who has all the time in the world. Very few things give me greater joy than arraigning figures on a diorama I have just finished; it recalls my fondest memories of making model train layouts and dioramas with my late father. That said, I would melt my entire collection in a split second, well over 1000 figures, possibly significantly more, if it meant helping out one of the kind people I have met in this hobby.
Sandor Farkas
I also have a pretty good idea of how spiteful and petty the toy soldier world can be sometimes. From the military to my the Jewish community, I know quite a bit about group dynamics, and the toy soldier world rivals every group I have experienced for its inane drama. I speak with Ken and Ericka Osen on a somewhat regular basis, and from time to time I respectfully and constructively offer criticism. For example, while I know that many factors contribute to the rising prices, I also know that the margin system in the toy soldier world is deeply flawed and hurts both customers and dealers and will eventually come back to bite manufactures. I also know that Ken and Ericka are profoundly good, caring, and hard-working people. I have heard of Ken speaking harshly once, for good reason, and even in his hottest Detroit moment, his temper did not approach the malice that many people regularly display here. He and Ericka deeply care about the product they produce: its accuracy, its quality, its moral implications. They strive to constantly improve, not simply because they want to do justice tot he company's storied name, but because making quality goods is a matter of self respect and respect for history in their minds. For those who actually followed the saga of WBritain's numerous sales and the struggles it has faced in recent years, these delays are unfortunate but eminently relatable.
I have waited a lot longer than however long y'all have been waiting for the 88 for luxury products. It gives me great pleasure to support artists and craftspeople as well as small-scale, ethical business people, so I have waited years and years for things I did not need because I would prefer that such artists and craftsmen prioritize impatient people who will make their lives difficult than me, who has all the time in the world. Very few things give me greater joy than arraigning figures on a diorama I have just finished; it recalls my fondest memories of making model train layouts and dioramas with my late father. That said, I would melt my entire collection in a split second, well over 1000 figures, possibly significantly more, if it meant helping out one of the kind people I have met in this hobby.
Sandor Farkas
its a pity WB didn't do something along the lines of this fantastic range.
