Conte appears Gone for Good (1 Viewer)

Conte is an urban legend. Every time his name gets mentioned, the Forum get lots of interest. Like a bigfoot sighting. When I first started collecting, I bought KC WWII, but KC had very little fighting poses, so I bought Conte too. KC eventually won out with their larger and very risky for Andy, figures. I regret not buying the FFL fort/figures & the Civil War cannon battery sets. I don't know what caused Conte's demise, but Conte & KC could have been battling for toy soldier world supremacy. Conte is definitely more than a footnote in toy soldier history.
 
Go for Broke said:
Conte is an urban legend. Every time his name gets mentioned, the Forum get lots of interest. Like a bigfoot sighting. When I first started collecting, I bought KC WWII, but KC had very little fighting poses, so I bought Conte too. KC eventually won out with their larger and very risky for Andy, figures. I regret not buying the FFL fort/figures & the Civil War cannon battery sets. I don't know what caused Conte's demise, but Conte & KC could have been battling for toy soldier world supremacy. Conte is definitely more than a footnote in toy soldier history.
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Like a bigfoot sighting :) :)
 
I went over to the Conte site yesterday and although I’m not a Conte collector I joined their mailing list and received a confirmation back. In addition, I just received an email that I assume went out to all collectors indicating they’re back in action.

As a result, I think it’s a little early to write them off.
 
A post I made on 23 June 2014 is below from a thread 3 pages back titled Any News on Conte. Some great figures in the pipeline.

Gary,

Your mention of a good source is interesting, and you commented that the informant was good in the past. If his previous information was good then your previous comments about Conte in this and other threads seems a bit out of sync with his/her apparent reliability (ie. “In reference to Conte, I think the phrase "dead in the water" applies here” and “ he is no longer a player in this hobby” in this thread are examples).

Some may recall the posting, by the LT, of an email from Richard Conte 23 OCT 13

( http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/for...on-new-figures )

I have edited the information in that message to summarise what was in progress at that point in time and added the plastic playsets (at 7) your informant has mentioned.

1) huge new Norman range which we've been quietly working on. . I think there are about 20 Normans in the pics. There are probably 10 or so additional Normans completed which I'll try to get some photos of in the next few days.

2) to go with our equally large additions to our Viking range.

3) I'll also try to get the 30 + Zulu War figures photographed

4) as well as the 40 or so Romans/Barbarians

5) and the extensive additions ( I think about 45 figures) to the Afghan War Gordon Highlander range.

6) plus Foreign Legion, Earps/Clantons, Robin Hood, the "Non-Vikings" and of course more Civil War.

7) 3 all new plastic playsets, Iwo Jima, Battle of the Bulge & The Marines at Khe Sanh

For those interested the releases at 1 -6 would be close to 200 figures.

Anyway next time you are speaking with your confidential informant could you ask him/her to arrange the above list in order of likely release. For example will the new plastic playsets come ahead of the metal figures mentioned above. I recall Firebat in late 2012 predicting new metal WW2 releases that would be available in early 2013.

If anybody else knows please feel free to comment but in the absence of an actual release from Conte I am afraid any such posts have long ago ceased to be reliable facts.
 
jazzeum said:
I went over to the Conte site yesterday and although I’m not a Conte collector I joined their mailing list and received a confirmation back. In addition, I just received an email that I assume went out to all collectors indicating they’re back in action.

As a result, I think it’s a little early to write them off.
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What Conte site are you referring to?
This one, http://conteco.com/, last updated April 2018?

Walt
 
I saw some great sculpts on his FB page a few years ago of Woodland Indians that I was so hoping he would produce but by that time I knew it probably wouldn't happen.:(
Marklotm2.jpg
 
...what is the underlying issue?....age?....cost?....interest?...why so many years of sculps and promises but no releases???
 
Alexander the Great said:
...what is the underlying issue?....age?....cost?....interest?...why so many years of sculps and promises but no releases???
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A simple answer is there were some heath issues, And depending on who you talk to varying degrees of Conte's ability to manage a business and work with others in the industry. As far as the continual release of coming attractions, I don't know and don't really care till a product is actually released.
If he's just "shouting at the clouds" so what. Let him.

As a toy soldier manufacture he has not produce a figure in years. I would not consider that a operating business. As a toy soldier seller he still is.
As far as Richard as a person. He was always kind to me and that's the only way I can judge him. I hope he and his wife Nancy are well and if he never makes another toy solder it's a loss to the hobby.
 
jazzeum said:
This site, https://contecostore.myshopify.com/

As I said I received an email. See https://us13.campaign-archive.com/?u=a786a8c1fda789b287ef3bcad&id=fe1c732342&e=81d2e644ff
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Curiosity got the better of me so I clicked on Brad's email (computer generated when he signed up by the looks of it) and here it is below. The other link Brad posted has news from 4 May 2018 saying 11 sets were at the factory being made and Conte were back. The 2019 "news" after that relates to seeking feedback on plastic sets. I understand Brad is a lawyer so this must be strong evidence that after about 7 years with no new releases that Conte is back.

Just in case anybody has not noticed this thread in located in the retired manufacturers section.

DEAR FELLOW COLLECTOR
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN OUR TOY SOLDIER LABOR OF LOVE. WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST & SUPPORT.
IT IS GREAT TO BE BACK IN ACTION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING OUR NEW EFFORTS WITH YOU IN THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS. THE NEW , LONG OVERDUE, WEB SITE PROVES THAT AN OLD DOG CAN LEARN SOME NEW TRICKS!!!!


VERY KIND REGARDS
RICHARD & NANCY
 
As I said previously I’m not and have never been a Conte collector, nor did I ever say Conte is back. What I indicated is that there is a website that appears to be active. I also said that I received an email from Conte earlier this week, for which I provided a link. Anybody can draw whatever conclusions they wish from the links I provided.
 
Conte did some great stuff in the naughties. ACW, Romans and Vikings were all better than most other stuff being produced at the time. Highlights were the Viking longboat and Roman galley (I have both and still make wonderful centerpieces to my collection). Living in the UK at the time, when a pound would buy $2, made them very cheap. My Viking longboat came in at around $300, postage included, direct from Vegas! In 2010 I picked up some of the Northwest Frontier, ACW and Zulu figures but that was the end of it. I never did get those Afghan opposition and had to commission Heritage Miniatures and Regal Enterprises to do the business on those bearded tribesmen. .

But after a decade even I would give up on any remaining hope Richard would return. He seemed to fall out with a few people in the industry and there is so much good stuff on the market I am not sure there is now a space for him to operate. I think even in this case the dead cat of Conte will not bounce.

My one regret is not picking up many his play set scenics. I got the battle of Stamford Bridge and Saxon village but little else. Same applies to Barzso play sets where I should have taken the plunge more often than I did.

Life is full of regrets!

Gary
 
Rumors out of China say that Conte has hired some locals and will be coming back into business. Sources are reliable but
seeing is believing. I don't know if its a good time for another maker but we'll know either way if it happens.
Maybe some of the dealers have more information they are willing to share.
 
As Douglas MacArthur said - ''Old toy soldier companies never die; they just fade away.''
 
nysoldiers said:
Rumors out of China say that Conte has hired some locals and will be coming back into business. Sources are reliable but
seeing is believing. I don't know if its a good time for another maker but we'll know either way if it happens.
Maybe some of the dealers have more information they are willing to share.
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I really hope you are right, I like Conte sets, not n era I collect anymore but still appreciate them.
 
NZGary said:
Conte did some great stuff in the naughties. ACW, Romans and Vikings were all better than most other stuff being produced at the time. Highlights were the Viking longboat and Roman galley (I have both and still make wonderful centerpieces to my collection). Living in the UK at the time, when a pound would buy $2, made them very cheap. My Viking longboat came in at around $300, postage included, direct from Vegas! In 2010 I picked up some of the Northwest Frontier, ACW and Zulu figures but that was the end of it. I never did get those Afghan opposition and had to commission Heritage Miniatures and Regal Enterprises to do the business on those bearded tribesmen. .

But after a decade even I would give up on any remaining hope Richard would return. He seemed to fall out with a few people in the industry and there is so much good stuff on the market I am not sure there is now a space for him to operate. I think even in this case the dead cat of Conte will not bounce.

My one regret is not picking up many his play set scenics. I got the battle of Stamford Bridge and Saxon village but little else. Same applies to Barzso play sets where I should have taken the plunge more often than I did.

Life is full of regrets!

Gary
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Gary, you are totally right.
This manufacturer has done great things mainly in buildings and diorama accessories. The amazing Normandy Church and Priory and the FFL Desert Fort are the things I don't have and would like to see done again, if only someone had in mind to replicate them... (unfortunately the Barzso Nottingham Castle is another thing that I have lost).
The Roman Galley and the Viking Ship are two other fantastic collectibles, perhaps the best ever produced for those thematics.
However with today's costs perhaps the prices would no longer be as affordable as they once were.
May be in the next life!
Cheers
Carlo
 

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