A Candid and Proud Admission (1 Viewer)

[Arnhemjim]

Have finally come to the stark realization that I’m an anachronistic curmudgeon, and at least at this point in time and space proud of it. Feel a kindred spirit with Rodney Dangerfield.

When you report the acquisition of a rare vintage W. Britains Ltd. set in excellent condition and bargain price, and can’t even raise a yawn on this forum, let alone an acknowledgement/appreciation, its past time for reflection.

Am a traditionalist of the Ed Ruby (who’s he?) school, with the majority of my collection being "ancient" (1930s - 1966) W. Britains Ltd glossies arrayed in parade ground formations, interspersed with antique insignia, regimental cap badges and campaign medals. Scale? I don’t worry about any stinking scale!

Not to say having majored in architecture in college, and with dual careers in naval intelligence and defense weapons system engineering, that I don’t have a full appreciation/admiration of the dioramist (sp.) with all the attendant nuances. After seven decades of collecting am comfortable where I am, not having to worry about inconsistencies of a couple of millimeters in scale, or the waffenfarben being the wrong shade of red (to my knowledge, according to TM-E-30-451 there are 13 shades, excluding Waffen-SS).

Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

 

[lancer]

It's true. Glossies don't get the respect they deserve. My fathers old (circa 1925-35) Britains, my Somersets and Regal SoW's have always been my favorites and remain the centerpiece of my collection even though they are now heavily outnumbered by my matte figures. Glossies are where it all began. -- Al

 

[Bessieres]

I'm with you; glossy TOY soldiers are my ideal; never was into the trend for ultra-realistic matt soldiers in such "specific" poses..

Yes, put them in dioramas so you can use all those poses - but it still looks odd because the bases are fat, high and obvious. It totally breaks the immersion - for me anyway.

I always loved dioramas in museums and such - but no bases there...

While I do have glossies in specific poses, my ideal is lines of TOY soldiers marching, at the ready, firing, etc.
Somehow, a line of ultra realistic matts all in one pose look funny - to me anyway.

 

[4th Hussar]

I too am a glossy collector and own only one matte set and that purchase was based onthe subject matter.

 

[ivanmoe]

Glossies don't get the respect they deserve.

I have a friend that I've know since I was in grade-school. He paints his own 30mm figures, all of them glossy. I can't tell you how many pieces are involved, as he quit counting at 12,000. Several times since, he's tried to inventory his collection. However, each time he comes across something that he either hasn't counted when he should have or double counted, he calls off the census in frustration. His figures, mostly Ancients and Napoleonics, are beautiful. I'd no more try and tell him to strip the pieces and paint them in matte colors, than I'd dare to tell my wife to dye her hair blond. His "army" looks great, and so does she. Mac likes the "toy soldier" look, and I like redheads!

-Moe

 

[damian]

I don't collect Old Britains as the price would have been prohibitive but am a committed modern glossy fan

 

[Jack]

I like glossy figures but only have thirty or so although I do need to put in another order with ATS. I have been 'meaning' to for many months. I would have many more except I like the shop experience and rather dislike the anti climax of opening a box of toy soldiers at home by myself. If my shop was able to carry them I would buy more but there just is not the margin. I do like looking at them and will very much enjoy buying some at the London Show in June.

 

[DMNamiot]

As a Glossy guy I totally understand where you are coming from! I have a ton of glossy figures and I prefer them to the matte figures. I do have a bunch of matte stuff as well so I am not totally exclusive but given a choice of glossy vs a matte set the glossy will likely win out. Now I must have missed the announcement of the set you acquired, so for the uninformed please tell me what did you find?

Dave

 

[jazzeum]

I started out as a matte collector (and still am) but have a sizable collection of glossy, principally K & C and Trophy. Each have their place.

I was never interested in old Britains and in my opinion, based on going to shows, they are losing their interest as I very few being sold.

 

[Arnhemjim]

As a Glossy guy I totally understand where you are coming from! I have a ton of glossy figures and I prefer them to the matte figures. I do have a bunch of matte stuff as well so I am not totally exclusive but given a choice of glossy vs a matte set the glossy will likely win out. Now I must have missed the announcement of the set you acquired, so for the uninformed please tell me what did you find?

Dave

This has to be the luckiest Friday the 13th of my life. The description on the e-Bay auction page read; “Britains Regiments of all Nations 334 U.S. Cavalry 54mm, Metal.” The set was in a Regiments of all Nations correct 5 piece cavalry box with correct insert. What in actuality was up for auction was the second version (1925-1941) of Set No.170 Greek Cavalry (albeit unboxed, James Opie rarity index of 75), in excellent to near mint condition. Although there were 9 bidders, I’m not certain how many fully realized what they were bidding on, as the hammer price was less than half that at Vectis Auctions Ltd. for a comparable unboxed set in 2013. See Forum section on "What new toy soldiers you have acquired in the last two weeks?" for photos.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

 

[DMNamiot]

Now that was a great find indeed! I imagine that most of the bidders didnt know what they were. As to what Brad said about the old Britains figures not being popular in the states I would imagine that is probably true but it is certainly not the case at the London Show. The old figures were pretty popular. It was difficult to stay focused on the sets and figures I was looking for at the time.

Dave

 

[Martin Tabony]

Gloss or matt I definately prefer the traditional 1/32nd scale!

Martin

 

[sammy719]

well as a minority here ( I do not own any glossy figures) I have always enjoyed looking at the glossy sets whether at a show/shop or online such as the London show reviews, they bring back the iconic days of collecting and where the roots of toy soldiers began, I would love to have a full set of marching glossies but pennies only go so far in my toy soldier budget, but who knows maybe some day...Sammy