King & Country
Captain
- Joined
- May 23, 2005
- Messages
- 5,009
Hi Guys,
In another section of the Forum some members are debating, once again, “Who rules what, where and why”… Here’s my tuppence worth… from both a collecting and manufacturing standpoint. I collect and admire a modestly wide range of figures, vehicles, accessories and aircraft from a broad spectrum of companies and individuals. Among my favourites are Britains… Tradition… John Jenkins and Honour Bound… to name but a few! I also have a fair selection of K&C as you might imagine.
All of these companies (and many others) produce excellent work in their own inimitable and unique styles. No two are the same and that’s one of the reasons I like to collect them. Each goes about its business in its own original fashion and according to its own personal ways and means.
Simultaneously, as a former art student (Glasgow School of Art 1967-71) I love paintings and painters. Among my favourites are the Dutch “Old Master” Jan Vermeer… The French Impressionists Monet and Manet… The American Realist Andrew Wyeth and the modern British artist David Hockney… A reasonably catholic collection of painting styles and painters you will, I hope, agree. All of these artists have uniquely different styles and techniques that appeal to a very wide selection of “art lovers” and enthusiasts.
Now, that brings me neatly to Toy Soldiers… Military Miniatures or whatever you like to call them.
I believe, rightly or wrongly, that what we do is more of an art than a science… that means that we think and act more like artists than technicians or scientists. Each manufacturer has her or his own personal vision of the kind of figure we make and the style we like to produce it in. Of course it naturally follows that not every collector will share that “vision” or like what we produce… C’est la vie… c’est la guerre! All of us have our favourites and that’s fine by me.
What is sad is when a few like to profess that any company “rules” the hobby or the business. Neither K&C or anyone else “rules” anything we all do what we do and hope that a few hundred collectors around the world will actually like what we do and buy it and allow us to stay in business for another week or two… I am delighted that this hobby continues to attract new competitors and fresh blood on a regular basis… even in these perilous times!
So, guys as others have politely suggested enjoy what you enjoy… collect what you collect but please don’t go out of your way to start a fight in an empty room!
Best wishes and happy collecting whatever that may be…
Andy C.
In another section of the Forum some members are debating, once again, “Who rules what, where and why”… Here’s my tuppence worth… from both a collecting and manufacturing standpoint. I collect and admire a modestly wide range of figures, vehicles, accessories and aircraft from a broad spectrum of companies and individuals. Among my favourites are Britains… Tradition… John Jenkins and Honour Bound… to name but a few! I also have a fair selection of K&C as you might imagine.
All of these companies (and many others) produce excellent work in their own inimitable and unique styles. No two are the same and that’s one of the reasons I like to collect them. Each goes about its business in its own original fashion and according to its own personal ways and means.
Simultaneously, as a former art student (Glasgow School of Art 1967-71) I love paintings and painters. Among my favourites are the Dutch “Old Master” Jan Vermeer… The French Impressionists Monet and Manet… The American Realist Andrew Wyeth and the modern British artist David Hockney… A reasonably catholic collection of painting styles and painters you will, I hope, agree. All of these artists have uniquely different styles and techniques that appeal to a very wide selection of “art lovers” and enthusiasts.
Now, that brings me neatly to Toy Soldiers… Military Miniatures or whatever you like to call them.
I believe, rightly or wrongly, that what we do is more of an art than a science… that means that we think and act more like artists than technicians or scientists. Each manufacturer has her or his own personal vision of the kind of figure we make and the style we like to produce it in. Of course it naturally follows that not every collector will share that “vision” or like what we produce… C’est la vie… c’est la guerre! All of us have our favourites and that’s fine by me.
What is sad is when a few like to profess that any company “rules” the hobby or the business. Neither K&C or anyone else “rules” anything we all do what we do and hope that a few hundred collectors around the world will actually like what we do and buy it and allow us to stay in business for another week or two… I am delighted that this hobby continues to attract new competitors and fresh blood on a regular basis… even in these perilous times!
So, guys as others have politely suggested enjoy what you enjoy… collect what you collect but please don’t go out of your way to start a fight in an empty room!
Best wishes and happy collecting whatever that may be…
Andy C.
