American West (1 Viewer)

[Mister Dave]

I have recently succeded in liberating an old set of Time Life books about the Old West from my parents home. I used to scour these intently as a kid, and certain paintings and illustrations especially have burned firmly into my brain. Having looked through them a bit now, I see a lot of these paintings are by a gentleman named Charles Schreyvogel who was a contemporary of Remington. These are really the sort of images that I am thinking of when I started this thread. These are mostly military subjects, but as I've said before, I'd really love to see accurately depicted Native Americans and Frontier Folks as well.

MD

 

[trooper]

Know what you mean Mister Dave, I too have that series of books and for many years have wanted to make a series of figures based on the photographs in them. Unfortunately all the makers with whom I have broached this subject seem to think that the Hollywood version of figures would be more popular than the historical. Lone voices in the wilderness I'm afraid.

 

[Mister Dave]

Know what you mean Mister Dave, I too have that series of books and for many years have wanted to make a series of figures based on the photographs in them. Unfortunately all the makers with whom I have broached this subject seem to think that the Hollywood version of figures would be more popular than the historical. Lone voices in the wilderness I'm afraid.

I'm afraid this is the same impression I have had, and judging by the fairly luke warm traffic on this thread (apologies to those who've chimed in), I fear this may be a widespread sentiment.

It's really too bad, as the possibilities are endless. For example, in looking for good images of the several paintings I attached on my last post, I have found literally hundreds of paintings by Schrevogel, Remington and several other gentlemen that could each inspire good TS ideas in this genre, then multiply by hundreds and it boggles the mind.

Perhaps we are relegated to seeking custom pieces, or hoping for a manufacturer who does smaller runs of items to get involved in the future. In the meantime, I'll be happily collecting the Black Hawk figures and having a look at the Grattan series next time I am near enough to Eyota to stop by the TF HQ.

MD

 

[trooper]

On the military side every maker seems to be unable to think beyond Custer and the Little Big Horn. Understandable maybe, due to the number of films and books devoted to the subject, but who has ever made a set depicting Fetterman, Beecher's Island, the Wagon Box fight, Adobe Walls or Apache Pass?

 

[damian]

Damian, as I had tried Patrick's old Email address and had it returned I phoned him just before my last post. He gave me the Email address I posted telling me it was his office address. I presume that means his 9-5 job at the bank so maybe it was rejected as they are closed on Sunday. Suggest you try again during working hours. Otherwise his phone number is 02087671525 preceded by the UK code of course. Hope this helps, if not send me your request and I shall make sure he gets it. Alan

Thanks Alan.
I just saw your response today.

 

[UKReb]

On the military side every maker seems to be unable to think beyond Custer and the Little Big Horn. Understandable maybe, due to the number of films and books devoted to the subject, but who has ever made a set depicting Fetterman, Beecher's Island, the Wagon Box fight, Adobe Walls or Apache Pass?

With all due respect who today has even heard of Fetterman; Beecher's Island; the Wagon Box fight; Adobe Walls or Apache Pass?

You can bet your bippy I have but unfortunately that don't count for much

Reb

 

[trooper]

Well, that makes two of us Reb, it's a start. And with your vast influence, (not to say bank balance), it could lead on.

 

[Mister Dave]

On the military side every maker seems to be unable to think beyond Custer and the Little Big Horn. Understandable maybe, due to the number of films and books devoted to the subject, but who has ever made a set depicting Fetterman, Beecher's Island, the Wagon Box fight, Adobe Walls or Apache Pass?

Yes, these are the sort of historical events that a range of TS done in depth would allow us to portray nicely. A good variety of soldiers fighting, standing, riding, etc....along with some nicely done civilian scouts, hostile and friendly Native Americans, and so on would allow for a wide variety of scenarios. I still remain convinced the popularity of this era among collectorsin general is much greater than represented on this particular forum. The fact that ACW is clearly a huge area of interest among TS collectors in general is a good illustration of this phenomenon too.

MD

 

[trooper]

Suggest you have a word with Little Legion, it sounds the sort of thing he might be interested in, and if he threw himself into it the way he has done with the Zulu War it could be the answer to all your prayers. I'll mention it to him as well, I shall be seeing him at the London Show.

 

[damian]

Suggest you have a word with Little Legion, it sounds the sort of thing he might be interested in, and if he threw himself into it the way he has done with the Zulu War it could be the answer to all your prayers. I'll mention it to him as well, I shall be seeing him at the London Show.

Now look here. We AZW fans have Mike Norris chained to his workbench already. If he doesn't get round to finishing off a storehouse and Hospital, Rocket battery, pontoon etc we will cut his gruel ration by half again.
Since re-introducing Victorian labor practices we have got our gun limber out of him.
We won't allow you lot to go round distracting him with a whole lot of cowboy and Indian nonsense. The very thought of it.

 

[Mister Dave]

Now look here. We AZW fans have Mike Norris chained to his workbench already. If he doesn't get round to finishing off a storehouse and Hospital, Rocket battery, pontoon etc we will cut his gruel ration by half again.
Since re-introducing Victorian labor practices we have got our gun limber out of him.
We won't allow you lot to go round distracting him with a whole lot of cowboy and Indian nonsense. The very thought of it.

Uh, oh, maybe too late already Damian. I found this fellow on LL's website recently.

This is the only item on his Western page at the moment. Trooper, if you or any of the other fellows in London for the next show should happen to get a chance, please ask Mike about this subject.

MD

 

[damian]

Uh, oh, maybe too late already Damian. I found this fellow on LL's website recently.

This is the only item on his Western page at the moment. Trooper, if you or any of the other fellows in London for the next show should happen to get a chance, please ask Mike about this subject.

MD

I think he has always had a small range of 7 th Cavalry and Native Americans as well as ACW stuff. It is in the MKL catalogue from 2000.
To get back to the cultural aspects of the Western I have always been a fan of the sub genre of reggae and ska music dedicated to the Wild West. Lee Scratch Perry recorded a whole host of numbers like "The Return of Django" , " Clint Eastwood" etc. ALl celebrating the impact of the Western on life in Jamaica.
Great stuff.

 

[Aleš]

Well we have King and Country (Real west) and give them a chance to see what else will they come up.If it is correct what they say,they say that they wannt to take a period from 1830-1860 (before the Civil war) so they must cover 30 years of real west,which mean Apache,Comance,Kiowa,....war party on the civilians,pioneers,miners,bufallo hunters,....i hope they will make something of this i mention.

 

[Mister Dave]

Well we have King and Country (Real west) and give them a chance to see what else will they come up.If it is correct what they say,they say that they wannt to take a period from 1830-1860 (before the Civil war) so they must cover 30 years of real west,which mean Apache,Comance,Kiowa,....war party on the civilians,pioneers,miners,bufallo hunters,....i hope they will make something of this i mention.

I guess we will see about this so-called Real West range. As it stands, those 3 troopers are going to gallop right past the un-horsed Indians and they will be off and away. The wolf's head figure looks quite nice. Maybe we will be surprised with reguar additions to this range, though I suspect as with most of K&C's secondary ranges this won't occur more than once or possibly twice per year.

MD

 

[Aleš]

I guess we will see about this so-called Real West range. As it stands, those 3 troopers are going to gallop right past the un-horsed Indians and they will be off and away. The wolf's head figure looks quite nice. Maybe we will be surprised with reguar additions to this range, though I suspect as with most of K&C's secondary ranges this won't occur more than once or possibly twice per year.

MD

Well,i already know what kind of diorama i will make.I will use some figures from Alamo(Mrs Dickinson and daugter,than two or three from Alamo) and i will put them like they are pioners and the indians attack them.And than the US cavalry will come to help them.
I will also use some of the Black Hawke figures so it will be quite nice diorama.I know i will have a lot of good time planing the indian attack on this pioners and than rescue from Us Cavalry.
But later i hope King an dCountry will produce more units,more diferent tipe of figures so i can expand all that.Maybe if there is enough figures i can make diorama Us cavalry attack indian vilage,or indians attack Fort,....i also hope they will make blue soldiers on foot because if they do not than it will be poor diorama(indians on foot),blue soldiers on horse,....there is no room for interesting battle.

 

[Mister Dave]

Well,i already know what kind of diorama i will make.I will use some figures from Alamo(Mrs Dickinson and daugter,than two or three from Alamo) and i will put them like they are pioners and the indians attack them.And than the US cavalry will come to help them.
I will also use some of the Black Hawke figures so it will be quite nice diorama.I know i will have a lot of good time planing the indian attack on this pioners and than rescue from Us Cavalry.
But later i hope King an dCountry will produce more units,more diferent tipe of figures so i can expand all that.Maybe if there is enough figures i can make diorama Us cavalry attack indian vilage,or indians attack Fort,....i also hope they will make blue soldiers on foot because if they do not than it will be poor diorama(indians on foot),blue soldiers on horse,....there is no room for interesting battle.

I had not thought of this, but a very good idea I must say.

Cheers,
MD

 

[Aleš]

Thanks Mister Dave.
Well i will use (for pioneers) Mrs.Dickinson and her daughter,Jesse B.Bowman,John Davis,John W Tomson-all from Alamo and i will use them for pioneers.One of them (Thomson i think) it have an axe in hi shand which will make a great fighting duel with the indian also charging with axe and shield in the other hand so when i will put this two together i hope it will look like indian protect him with shiled and prepare to strike with axe which will make this very nice diorama showing hand to hand combat.I hope it will look nice

 

[Aleš]

this two will make good fighting duel i think

http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/detail.aspx?ID=1655


http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/detail.aspx?ID=4474

 

[Mister Dave]

I guess we will see about this so-called Real West range. As it stands, those 3 troopers are going to gallop right past the un-horsed Indians and they will be off and away. The wolf's head figure looks quite nice. Maybe we will be surprised with reguar additions to this range, though I suspect as with most of K&C's secondary ranges this won't occur more than once or possibly twice per year.

MD

As I've already stated in a thread up in the K&C area, I have seen these figures up close during a recent visit to TFT and am quite impressed with them. I also picked up the printed leaflet for this range which fills in some gaps for me in terms of the future of this range.

MD

 

[Aleš]

did you find out any new about the plans for this series,what the new figures will look like,when we can expekt new figures,how much new figures,...?