Collecting When Is Enough, Enough (2 Viewers)

COLLECTING WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH.

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Cardigan600

Cardigan600

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Yo Troopers, read all the threads look at all the photo's you guys put up & Dioramas, some really great stuff. To you guys I am the Sprog (New Recruit) only been collecting 6 months and all ready the boss is saying how many cabinets do you want lol. The target when I started collecting was to get a set 4 or 5 of each British Cavalry regiment from the 19th Century (not an easy task) Some regiments were never made, the Old Britains sets are getting priced out for the ordinary Trooper, but also besides collecting the Cavalry always had it in mind that one day my son will be able to sell them for a good price if he is not bothered about Toy Soldiers, so always try to get the best available with the boxes. When there wasn't any cavalry going for sale decided to fill in with a few Scots Pipe Bands which are really excellent. Now reading between the threads so to speak some of you Troopers have been collecting for years, I ask myself where on earth do they put them all, how many soldiers do they own, so the question is (WHEN IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH) read somwhere one guy had 50,OOO, another guy had so many he kept them in tins in a shed outside, so is that collecting or hoarding
Would like to hear your comments on when do you STOP.
Bernard.
 
Good question Bernard and one that would vary from collector to collector. Personally I think that once you have run out of space to display them in cabinets, shelves etc... then enough is enough. What joy could possibly be obtained from keeping them in boxes stuffed inside a shed, basement or whatever. I agree at that point it is more hoarding than collecting. Unless you were really fastidious I would imagine you may not even remember what you have in your collection either.

But to each his own as they say. :D
 
I am assuming the choices you provide are in the number of figures??

This is a good question and one I have had to answer myself. I became rather panicked about this last year around this time and realized there was no way I could keep up with the pace KC was retiring items. I was trying to sprint in a full out marathon. I ran into KC the traditional way, got hooked on WW2, had to have the Normandy stuff. But, as I have become more interested in other periods of time, I moved to other eras- where I am now, my interests are currently in the ancients- particularly Rome, Greece and Egypt and then AWI. WW2 will always be there but to a lesser extent.

Here is how I approached this thing because after about 70 sets or so, I got to wondering where my collection was headed. Here is how I answered the questions:

1.) First of all, how do I want to display this stuff?? In static dioramas?? in boxes and untouched?? Just in glass cases?? Each possibility offers it's own set of choices. I decided to go with static displays. One weekend, I taped off the basement and setup "mock" layouts that I would like to do. Once I figured out how much room I had, I could begin to ask the question.......

2.) ... what periods do I want to collect?? Now that I figured out how much room I had (or didn't have), I was able to develop a game plan for what lines to collect. As such, I brainstormed everything that was appealing to me and then tried to figure out what I would like to fit and where. By doing that, I was able to "trim the fat" out of the collection and dropped the KC Eastern Front lines, Iwo lines and East of India Samurai collection. This has also helped me decide to not plunge into buying the Afrika Korps line or the WW1 line so far- I realize that by just going into those lines, I am spending money at the expense of other dios. I also dropped various plastic figures I had as well. Once I was happy with the periods I wanted to collect the next question was.............

3.)....what figures do I get?? I am not a fan of buying one company exclusively at the expense of others though I do have my favorites within certain time periods. I sketched out some ideas given the current catalogs with certain time periods. I decided how I wanted the diorama to look and then developed a "buy list". Every month KC retires something I need, I figure I have 90 days to get if it is a ww2 item and usually longer if it isn't.

I got concerned given that I wanted to collect static dioramas, I would morph into a "Scenics" collector. That is true to some degree. However, I have found that by buying one scenic piece (or so) a month, I am able to get some nice toy soldier pieces and not feel the pinch moneywise should KC decide to blast me with ten billion retirements in a certain month.

So there you have it. I am fortunate to have the space to maintain roughly 14 static dioramas, with the 5 biggest ones eventually ending up on tables covering a full sheet of plywood. If you aren't, then I suggest you really take a look at the space you have available and do what you can. I personally never understood buying toy soldiers to leave stuffed in the boxes and never be displayed, but that is just me. By sticking to my plan and buying in this fashion, I haven't been duped into the "retired" frenzy where people are paying huge markups on certain sets. To me, most of this stuff, especially WW2 items, will always come back around again- why not get it later on when I got the money- good advice from my buddy Damian here on the forum.

By following this game plan, I realized I am now able to walk away from the WW2 Normandy material and buy up some of the Bulge stuff as I see fit. My WW2 purchases this year are a tiny fraction of what they used to be in years past. Another thing about this approach- by collecting Rome and the ancients, I am not buying sets that are "hot" right now and there are tons of good deals to be had. Just look at the Conte Roman Bireme that I bought this year- I could only imagine the outcry if KC were to unleash a $400 limited edition of 200 pieces, German Wartrain- there would be global panic!! :D So far as I know, the biremes are still out there at sale prices.....

So, sorry so long but there you have it. I think all collectors need to ask themselves these same questions and if the collector is honest with themselves, they will find the answers to those questions rather interesting. I have found that by doing this, I have been able to take my time, rather than jumping on the "Strictly limited" or "only 750 pieces" sales pitches and buy the items that really appeal to me. I am 35 years old and am planning on being in this hobby for a few more years- what's the rush to get everything now?? I have never been more focused with my collecting purchase dollars and it has allowed me to step back and enjoy the pieces I get rather than saying "Whew, glad I covered this months retirements, what's next??"

STANDS ALONE!!
CC
 
I can't see an end to it really, for I always would like to get many things and must wait till I can afford them a few at a time. But I see the physical constriction as a limiting factor. Once you can't fit anymore, its my signal to offload all the things I really have not maintained an interest in.

But if I had a large space and funding, I would be tempted to build a large collection. I do not know how it would go however. Sometimes when I see so much just sitting there lifeless and dusty, I get a negative feeling about it.
 
I believe it was Supreme Court Justice Stewart who once stated in a decision that he can't define obscenity, but he sure knows what it is when he sees it.

I similarly think, that no toy soldier collector can tell you when "enough is enough". You will know when the time has come.

Dick
 
I am relatively new to the figure side of military miniatures but I think CC covered it very well. I also like to put the figures in action displays so what I intend to collect will be based on what scenes I would like to create. I see that covering many different eras and wars that are of interest to me and also based on the visual appeal of the figures I can find to cover those potential scenes. From what I can tell, the quality is getting better and better so there are far more options than budget and space allow.:cool: I guess that that means I will have many retirement based gaps in some of the lines I collect but that doesn't bother me so long as I have been able to create the scenes I enjoy.
 
Good topic Bernard. I think you will find several major themes recurring here. I am fairly continuously wrestling with this issue and it is a function mostly of how much space do I have/will I have in the future, money, and hopefully most importantly, what am I most interested in and what do I anticipate I'll still be excited to display and look at years from now.

My collection has changed dramatically many times over in the last 3-4 years since I started collecting toy soldiers again. I have hung on to most of the classic Britains sets my parents brought home from trips to the UK during my childhood in the 70's and early 80's. I've also hung on to some of my plastic Deetail figures from the 80's. Other than that, almost everything has been fair game to reinvest.

I'll admit that I am currently recollecting a range that I used to own, then sold to purchase something else. Has anybody else done this? :eek:

I am trying to stay focused on subjects that really excite me and that make for handsome 12-30 or more figure shelf displays behind glass (cats and kids make me nervous...also don't like dust). Mostly interested in British themed subjects from Napoleonic era to late Victorian period, and FIW. I love the looks of many WWII, WWI, and ACW products but just cannot dedicate the time, space or resources to collecting them the way I'd like to. Also, despite the excellent quality of the work, cannot stay excited in ranges of figures representing individuals from various units and time periods long enough to stay committed to them. Again, I sort of have this 12-30 or more figure shelf sized story default paradigm in mind.

I am not a stranger to selling things on Ebay to keep my collection on track. Generally don't make huge profits, but am able to come up with funds to reinvest in other things that way. I also don't have enough resources to buy up things mostly to sell, though can certainly see the upside of that. Sorry to ramble, but you asked............:)

MD
 
I plan to keep going until the money, space, metal and paint run out, or Alzheimer's kicks in, whichever comes first.

I suspect, though, that I'll wind up giving things to a collector from the next generation, as guys who have gone before have done for me.

Great topic for a poll!


Prost, beianand!
Brad
 
Yo Troopers, some really great answers so far, really enjoying reading about how you guys go about your collections and the amount of thought that you put into it, keep it coming its great stuff. But looks like the hoarders are opening a big lead up, so keep your tin boxes incase any of the Troopers run out lol.
Bernard.:rolleyes:
 
thebritfarmer said:
Good question Bernard and one that would vary from collector to collector. Personally I think that once you have run out of space to display them in cabinets, shelves etc... then enough is enough. What joy could possibly be obtained from keeping them in boxes stuffed inside a shed, basement or whatever. I agree at that point it is more hoarding than collecting. Unless you were really fastidious I would imagine you may not even remember what you have in your collection either.

But to each his own as they say. :D
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I have to agree with your excellent post BF.
I can't imagine any joy to be had from hoarding - but as you say, each to their own.
In common with Chris, I also had to take a long hard look at what I was collecting and come up with a strategy that satisfied my interests. I also have more or less ditched WWII - with certain exceptions.
I know that Bernard posed a general question, but I'm primarily a K&C collector so please bear with me during the following discussion;

AA. WWII K&C and Figarti
The Desert War is my main interest here and I'll continue to cherry-pick at the various items available. I'm not interested in picking up retired items just because they're retired. Nor am I interested in completing any particular range.
I am interested in the (possibly) less popular theatres of WWII conflict such as Vichy Morocco/Syria, pre-war and early-war Pacific, Malaya, China, etc. Not much available here, although I do have a nice Flying Tigers display that BF has made some positive comments on.

BB. WWI K&C
I've resisted this so far, but I can see me getting involved to a certain degree next year. I really like several of the 1914 German releases and will be unable to resist this range once K&C get to the Middle East conflicts. Turks ANZAC's, etc.

CC. SOHK/IC K&C
This has been and shall continue to be number one as far as I'm concerned (with the proviso in item HH below).
I now have almost everything I want in these ranges. Will be easy to keep up with future releases without breaking the bank. Not really interested in retired items, other than a very special few.

DD. FIW K&C (AWI), Frontline, John Jenkins, Conte
This is a wee sideline for me really. Decision to get some figures for this conflict was without a shadow of doubt due to the photo's I've seen on this forum - plus I love the "Last of the Mohican's" movie.
Assuming everything I ordered recently actually turns up and I get my hands on them in two weeks time, then I'll have almost all I want in this era and future purchases will be very few and far between.

EE. Ancient Greeks & Persians East of India
A new collecting focus for me. Very impressed with the figures and shall certainly complete my Phalanx - only 5 more sets to obtain and this shall be achieved. Interested to see what new releases will come out, but they're not necessarily must-haves.

FF. Zulu War and Museum Range Britain's Matte
I have a few of these on order and again, ought to get my hands on most of them in a couple of weeks time. In common with FIW, I don't want to get into this in a big way. Just a couple of vignettes are what I'd like, plus the figures may come in handy for future projects.

GG. Napoleonics K&C
I have a fair few already including all the Scots Greys which for me was a must-have. These will be cherry-picked in future. Have to get the RHA sets and the Russian artillery set though.

HH. Crimea K&C UK
Apart from SOHK/IC which were originally obtained for my wife, this has become "The Flagship" of my collection and will be the main focus for my collection in future. Probably around 75% of my total purchasing within the hobby will be concentrated on this range alone.
Now, this pre-supposes that I end up being uninterested in the two new ranges we've been told are on their way from K&C.
If one of these new ranges invokes the words Kandahar, Ghazni, Kabul, Peshawar, Gandamak, Chitral, Swat, and so on - then I'll be bankrupt by this time next year...:eek::eek::eek:

So, getting back to Bernard's original question, when is enough, enough..??
Probably never. But I'll certainly be slowing down and only getting those figures and accessories that I really want.
How will I make space (which is at a premium) for future additions to the collection..?? By being quite unsentimental and giving the majority of my FOV AFV's and the majority of my non-Desert K&C figures to my nephews.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings

Cheers
H
 
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Harry-

always good to hear from you- good on you for sticking to the SOHK/ IC lines- they are really cool.

Please note that in the ramblings of my post, I have reserved a space for any Bannockburn releases that one of these companies may get around to sometime!! :D I am hoping you saved some room there in Dalian for the return of the Highlanders.
 
I made a rule for my self about two years ago that I would keep nothing that I could not display NICELY in my cabintets have four large oak cabinets with glass shelves and sliding doors. Would have plenty of space because I am very pickey on what I collect if JJD didnt come around. There went the space! One problem is takeing pictures since I put the background of my cabinets in glass when I take a picture you get some toy soldiers and of course my fat head! If I want nice pictures I have to take things out and then put them back in big pain. I clean the cabinets out once a year move my shelves around and decide what I can live without and that goes on ebay. I use the money to purchase new items I like. My wife calls the time I clean my cabinets out playing with my toy soldiers. She loves to call her friends and tell them Joel is playing with his soldiers again. She thinks shes funny! Anyway I never wanted to store things in my closet if I cant display it there is no use in having it. Great thread!
 
maloyalo said:
I can't see an end to it really, for I always would like to get many things and must wait till I can afford them a few at a time. But I see the physical constriction as a limiting factor. Once you can't fit anymore, its my signal to offload all the things I really have not maintained an interest in.

But if I had a large space and funding, I would be tempted to build a large collection. I do not know how it would go however. Sometimes when I see so much just sitting there lifeless and dusty, I get a negative feeling about it.
Click to expand...

I hope that negative feeling does not last for long. My feelings are the exact opposite everytime I look into my cabinets I feel like a kid. My toy soldiers where the most important toys for me as a kid birthdays Xmas etc. Aunts and Uncles would say can we buy him something else and my Mom would say no he wants toy soldiers heres the list. My Grandparents where great they never asked they new Timpo,Britians and Marx and thier grandson would be happy. I need the toy soldier feeling in my life even if its only for a couple minutes every once in a while.
 
Currahee Chris said:
Harry-

always good to hear from you- good on you for sticking to the SOHK/ IC lines- they are really cool.

Please note that in the ramblings of my post, I have reserved a space for any Bannockburn releases that one of these companies may get around to sometime!! :D I am hoping you saved some room there in Dalian for the return of the Highlanders.
Click to expand...

Chris,
You seem to have access to the man at the top in East of India. Why not ask him what the chances are he might break into late 13th/early 14th century European troops? With a focus on :D...."North Britain"....:D

Cheers
H
 
Harrytheheid said:
Chris,
You seem to have access to the man at the top in East of India. Why not ask him what the chances are he might break into late 13th/early 14th century European troops? With a focus on :D...."North Britain"....:D

Cheers
H
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I think I did if memory serves, a few months back and he was just too focused on the Romans. He also seemed somewhat amenable to the Trojan wars we recommended.
 
Perhaps when the wife says if you bring one more toy soldier in here I'm leaving.......hmmmmmmm....what if I did bring that one more in...perhaps it would kill two birds with one stone...:rolleyes:


WELLINGTON
 
I am rather fortunate when it comes to collecting toy soldiers. When the wife first met me I was into muscle cars and motorcycles. After she foolishly committed herself to me I was buying books as if they would never print another. I then progressed - or regressed - to diecast aircraft and armor which quickly filled the space I had allotted to me. When I started buying toy soldiers she gazed upon them... took another look... and said, "Incredible, these are tiny works of art." I am still golden but for how long....? :D

I buy what I like and store nothing at the moment - except some of the aircraft and armor I can't bear to sell. With that being said, I know we'll be buying a larger house soon so I will have more room to work with so why limit myself. I don't buy everything indiscriminately but I will buy and store what I love for the future. My collection is constantly in flux - I sell what I don't want any longer and buy that which catches my fancy. I am happy. :D

Eric
 
For me collecting is something I enjoy but also have to keep
myself in check a little bit [mad collector gene] As a kid I collected
toy soldiers ,weetbix cards ,coins ,marklin ,sticks:D you name it.
So I keep the size of my collection pretty static ,
I almost never sell glossy sets but with the wave after wave of matte figures coming out i,ve never lost any sleep letting stuff go because month after month their is always something as good or better coming along.
 
They are mine my precious. Gollum loves the ring, my precious. Gollum never lets the ring go my precious. Good Gollum keeps the ring. Yesssss Yesssss soldierssss yesss come to Gollum
 
damian said:
They are mine my precious. Gollum loves the ring, my precious. Gollum never lets the ring go my precious. Good Gollum keeps the ring. Yesssss Yesssss soldierssss yesss come to Gollum
Click to expand...

Damian,
Put the helium gas bottle down - Down I said......:D:D
 
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