Steven Chong
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
- Messages
- 1,365
Before I summarize the talk by Andy and Richard Walker of Britains, I want to thank Peter and Shannon Reuss of Treefrog Treasures, Mike and Myszka Hall of Sierra Toy Soldier Company, and Tim Tyler of Troops of Time for sponsoring the wonderful dinner. The format was different this year in that Peter was master of ceremonies and had prepared questions and several written questions from the dinner guests.
Question 1: What do you collect?
Richard: K&C ... walked into the Hong Kong store 20 years ago and bought the British Camel Sets, Boxer Rebellion Dragon Gun and Maxim Gun. Also collect Britains and Heyde figures. Richard remembers going to a fair when he was 8 years old and saw one of the stalls had a Heyde WWI German Command Set for $250. He looked at it for a long time and when the vender started packing up the set, Richard's father said Richard was still looking at it but the vendor dismissed the interest implying an 8 year old boy could not afford it. This got Richard's dad upset and he told the vendor he was purchasing the set for his son.
Andy: When Andy was growing up in Scotland, almost every corner had the news shop where his father purchased his tobacco and newspaper. But these shops also had a small cabinet with toy soldiers and Dinky vehicles in yellow boxes. Figures were 6 pence and mounted figures were 1 and something (did not understand Andy's term). At the time, Andy could only afford the Timpo GI figures so he now collects these plastic figures from his youth. He has also started collecting Britain plastic figures from a recent era, remembering them from when he was younger.
2. What is first piece you show visitors?
Richard: Heyde figures as previously explained. Reminds him of his dad and that day at the fair.
Andy: Timpo GI figures because of his childhood.
3. What is your favorite range (done by your company)?
Richard: Its like deciding which child you like more ... Zulu line ... always interested in Rolkes Drift and has figures from three companies including Britains and Imperial.
Andy: WWII Battle of the Bulge and Fields of Battle Fall of France and Dunkirk. One of Andy's uncles was a bagpiper with the British Expeditionary Forces and became a POW for 5 years. Talked about Britain standing alone against might of Hitler's Germany and Churchill as personal hero.
4. What range has been pleasant surprise?
Andy: Berlin'38 ... though Andy knows sensitive nature of this theme, it has become huge success.
Richard: Redcoats ... in 1977, Richard called Ken Osen and said he had joined Britains and wanted Ken to sculpt realistic matte finish figures. Ken said, "But you're Britains (only did glossy at the time) ... call me tomorrow when you have had chance to think about it." Next day, Richard reiterated his request and Ken sculpted a beautiful Robert E. Lee. In 2005, Richard calls Ken again and says back with Britains and want you to sculpt old fashioned Britains' glossy figure. Ken reminds Richard that last time he asked for the opposition. Ken sculpted 1st Foot Guard from 7 Years War and it sold over 6,000, so produced more.
5. If money was no object, what would you make?
Andy: Started by saying this was a business and making money or a return was important, but he would do English Civil War. Second choice would be Battle of Culloden, but John Jenkins did it successfully.
Richard: Borodino with the many nationalities comprising Napoleon's Grand Army. However, it is a buseinss with investors so its Waterloo and Gettysburg.
6. Where do you see hobby going in 10 years?
Andy: Never will return to a mass hobby like in 50's and 60's, but it is now a collector hobby which is only scratching the surface. There are always new collectors and there are potentially millions out there, just have to reach them. Britains and K&C was first to reach out and exposing hobby to others. Andy is very optimistic about future.
Richard: Agreed with Andy's comments and added that hobby was in good shape. Britains will be celebrating its 120 year aniversary next year and he hopes he is doing things that will allow it to last another 120 years. Repeated story from Jim Hillstead where Jim 20 years ago was asked by Bloomingdales to create a toy soldier themed display window. He placed tilted tin on table with toy soldiers marching from tin down steps and battling on floor; and while he was setting up, workers were walking past and not looking, but one worker noticed window, stopped, stared for 10 minutes, then left with a big smile on his face. Have to create these types of opportunities.
7. When designing new themes, how do you decide viability?
Andy: Talk to collectors, market research, dart board ... comes to US 3 times a year, Australia, annual trip to Italy, France and UK and meets with collectors and gets to know what they want to see. Very important to meet with collectors. Treefrog Forum allows collectors all over the world to get together and talk about toy soldiers. Sometimes they generate common suggests. Both Richard and Andy are in hobby, they are collectors themselves and share the interests. Many time they get it right, but sometimes wrong. Millions of ideas at Show.
Richard: Same as K&C ... Richard talks to lots of people, travels a lot to visit collectors ... also lots of feedback from Collectors Club.
Time then ran out.
:smile2:
Question 1: What do you collect?
Richard: K&C ... walked into the Hong Kong store 20 years ago and bought the British Camel Sets, Boxer Rebellion Dragon Gun and Maxim Gun. Also collect Britains and Heyde figures. Richard remembers going to a fair when he was 8 years old and saw one of the stalls had a Heyde WWI German Command Set for $250. He looked at it for a long time and when the vender started packing up the set, Richard's father said Richard was still looking at it but the vendor dismissed the interest implying an 8 year old boy could not afford it. This got Richard's dad upset and he told the vendor he was purchasing the set for his son.
Andy: When Andy was growing up in Scotland, almost every corner had the news shop where his father purchased his tobacco and newspaper. But these shops also had a small cabinet with toy soldiers and Dinky vehicles in yellow boxes. Figures were 6 pence and mounted figures were 1 and something (did not understand Andy's term). At the time, Andy could only afford the Timpo GI figures so he now collects these plastic figures from his youth. He has also started collecting Britain plastic figures from a recent era, remembering them from when he was younger.
2. What is first piece you show visitors?
Richard: Heyde figures as previously explained. Reminds him of his dad and that day at the fair.
Andy: Timpo GI figures because of his childhood.
3. What is your favorite range (done by your company)?
Richard: Its like deciding which child you like more ... Zulu line ... always interested in Rolkes Drift and has figures from three companies including Britains and Imperial.
Andy: WWII Battle of the Bulge and Fields of Battle Fall of France and Dunkirk. One of Andy's uncles was a bagpiper with the British Expeditionary Forces and became a POW for 5 years. Talked about Britain standing alone against might of Hitler's Germany and Churchill as personal hero.
4. What range has been pleasant surprise?
Andy: Berlin'38 ... though Andy knows sensitive nature of this theme, it has become huge success.
Richard: Redcoats ... in 1977, Richard called Ken Osen and said he had joined Britains and wanted Ken to sculpt realistic matte finish figures. Ken said, "But you're Britains (only did glossy at the time) ... call me tomorrow when you have had chance to think about it." Next day, Richard reiterated his request and Ken sculpted a beautiful Robert E. Lee. In 2005, Richard calls Ken again and says back with Britains and want you to sculpt old fashioned Britains' glossy figure. Ken reminds Richard that last time he asked for the opposition. Ken sculpted 1st Foot Guard from 7 Years War and it sold over 6,000, so produced more.
5. If money was no object, what would you make?
Andy: Started by saying this was a business and making money or a return was important, but he would do English Civil War. Second choice would be Battle of Culloden, but John Jenkins did it successfully.
Richard: Borodino with the many nationalities comprising Napoleon's Grand Army. However, it is a buseinss with investors so its Waterloo and Gettysburg.
6. Where do you see hobby going in 10 years?
Andy: Never will return to a mass hobby like in 50's and 60's, but it is now a collector hobby which is only scratching the surface. There are always new collectors and there are potentially millions out there, just have to reach them. Britains and K&C was first to reach out and exposing hobby to others. Andy is very optimistic about future.
Richard: Agreed with Andy's comments and added that hobby was in good shape. Britains will be celebrating its 120 year aniversary next year and he hopes he is doing things that will allow it to last another 120 years. Repeated story from Jim Hillstead where Jim 20 years ago was asked by Bloomingdales to create a toy soldier themed display window. He placed tilted tin on table with toy soldiers marching from tin down steps and battling on floor; and while he was setting up, workers were walking past and not looking, but one worker noticed window, stopped, stared for 10 minutes, then left with a big smile on his face. Have to create these types of opportunities.
7. When designing new themes, how do you decide viability?
Andy: Talk to collectors, market research, dart board ... comes to US 3 times a year, Australia, annual trip to Italy, France and UK and meets with collectors and gets to know what they want to see. Very important to meet with collectors. Treefrog Forum allows collectors all over the world to get together and talk about toy soldiers. Sometimes they generate common suggests. Both Richard and Andy are in hobby, they are collectors themselves and share the interests. Many time they get it right, but sometimes wrong. Millions of ideas at Show.
Richard: Same as K&C ... Richard talks to lots of people, travels a lot to visit collectors ... also lots of feedback from Collectors Club.
Time then ran out.
:smile2:
