A Question of taste… A Matter of Opinion (1 Viewer)

[Cyber Field Marshall]

Good post, its always nice to hear from Mr. K&C. I agree that collectors should spend less time and energy endlessly debating who is the "best" and just enjoy what they collect and be content with their reasons for doing so. There definitely is an element of artistic license in all these products. Personally I like K&C the best because for me I think they represent the best tradeoff between realism and cost. Sure other manufacturers are cheaper but it comes at the cost of realism and ofcourse some manufacturers are more realistic but they come at greater cost! Thank you for your ongoing participation in our little forum and here's looking forward to 2012's releases.

Wishing you and everyone at K&C a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I second that.... Cheers to the 2012 season. !

 

[Napoleon1er]

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.

Hi Andy,
I have never met you- though I hope to one day. You may have seen my around here, but in case you haven't, I am 16, and go to a military academy in the US (the commandant is actually a RM< commando like you were), and collect mostly Napoleonic figures (a bit of WWI and Sudan), mostly but not exclusively Britains. I have just started to buy a couple K&C (at King's X, I got some Nap in Egypt, WWI, and on eBay I got some 71st and Guard artillery, and Coldstream guards). In my personal opinion, your above statement could not be more true, and comes as a welcome statement of maturity and sense in what can be a very emotional forum. Each maker is like a painter: I love David and Detaille, but these are simply two different styles- some people will cheer David to the last, and nothing can change their minds. Personally, I like Detaille's work more consistently, but David does a number of things that Detaille doesn't, and where as Detaille focuses on large scenes, Davide does specific, often non combat, events. The exact same is true for TS companies!
Many thanks for your great statement, and hope to meet you one day,
Sandor

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Hi Andy,
I have never met you- though I hope to one day. You may have seen my around here, but in case you haven't, I am 16, and go to a military academy in the US (the commandant is actually a RM< commando like you were), and collect mostly Napoleonic figures (a bit of WWI and Sudan), mostly but not exclusively Britains. I have just started to buy a couple K&C (at King's X, I got some Nap in Egypt, WWI, and on eBay I got some 71st and Guard artillery, and Coldstream guards). In my personal opinion, your above statement could not be more true, and comes as a welcome statement of maturity and sense in what can be a very emotional forum. Each maker is like a painter: I love David and Detaille, but these are simply two different styles- some people will cheer David to the last, and nothing can change their minds. Personally, I like Detaille's work more consistently, but David does a number of things that Detaille doesn't, and where as Detaille focuses on large scenes, Davide does specific, often non combat, events. The exact same is true for TS companies!
Many thanks for your great statement, and hope to meet you one day,
Sandor

Napoleon1er, If you get the chance to come to the Texas Toy Soldier Show next year Andy should be in attendance.
Check with Kings X in San Antonio for confirmation on this. He is truly great to chat with.