An amazing collection !!!! (1 Viewer)

NEVINSRIP

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I have not been posting here lately, due to some personal issues and the death of my father a few weeks ago. I just have not been in the toy soldier mood.

All of that changed today.

Monday, I got a call from a voice from the past. A collector that I had known, and was friendly with, back in the early Eighties, called me out of the blue. He told me that he was about to move to a warmer state and wanted to know if I was interested in buying his collection. Apparently, he did not want to take it with him. I had not seen this guy in maybe 20 years, but he was a fellow Bussler ACW collector and I thought "Why not?". It couldn't hurt to take a look. Besides, he was asking for very little money.
I knew he had a ton of Busslers and that he was a prolific figure painter. So we made arrangements to meet today and when I pulled up I got the shock of my life.
Not only did he have Busslers, but he had about 500 Britains Swoppets, 25 cannons and crews, several caissons and cannons, 150 or so mounted, all of the Britains Western Town plastic buildings in duplicate and about 75 Timpo Swoppets both foot and mounted. And that's only the beginning.

Inside of 8 plastic tubs were approximately 1,000 painted Bussler ACW figures, many of which were painted by the Gettysburg Toy Soldier people. It is stunning to see!!
An additional 6 tubs contained Bussler, I/R, Shenandoah and Musket Miniature castings and parts. There are a dozen unpainted Bussler caisson and cannon teams. There are also 50 various artillery pieces of assorted brands still in unopened packages.

There was so much that it filled up my 9 passenger van.

This was a lifetime of one man's collection. Without a second's hesitation, I paid what was asked. I would be embarrassed to admit what he asked for, but that's what he wanted, so I happily paid him.

I'm gonna have some fun this weekend, sorting it all out. This is, by far, the largest ACW collection of figures that I have ever seen.

And now they are mine.

Life is really strange. Nothing can replace losing my Dad, but he was 87 and it was his time to leave this Earth. It's just that the timing of this is so great, that you have to think that it can't just be an accident. Maybe it is. But, I would rather believe that it's not.
 
Goes to prove money isn't everything, I'm sure your friend was happy his collection went to someone that would appreciate it.
 
My condolences on your loss Nev - and congratulations on your find.

Now - do you have a camera? Would love to see a few pics - in due course ^&grin johnnybach
 
My condolences on your loss Nev - and congratulations on your find.

Now - do you have a camera? Would love to see a few pics - in due course ^&grin johnnybach

I'll take some pix on Tuesday or Wednesday and put a few up here.
 
Good lad - I ( and I have a sneeky feeling - so will lots of other people) will look forward to seeing them. jb^&grin:cool:
 
Condolences for your loss, and a tip of the hat for the great deal. I'm sure it could not have gone to a better home, particularly now, when you need it. I am looking forward to the pictures!
-Sandor
 
Sorry to hear about your news........
My step-father-inlaw had a similar story. He's really into metal-detecting, like a week after he lost his father, he found a Civil War US belt buckle, it was crazy.
I think he would agree that something like that isn't accidental or coincidental.....
 
Sorry about your Dad Nev, but what a great gift he has given you, and I don't believe it was a coincidence at all. I would like to think your Dad has a big smile on his face seeing the joy on yours at being given such a great collection. Nice.

Kiwi
 

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