Edmund''s Traditional Toy Soldiers (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

At the Chicago Show last week, I was informed by Edmund that this would be his last Toy Soldier Show. Edmund produces his own traditional, glossy, toy soldiers, which are very nice. Edmund, however, makes the most exceptional hand painted regimental colors and other flags I have ever seen in the hobby. Over the years, I have purchased perhaps a dozen sets of his wonderful figures and standard bearers, usually relating to New York Volunteer Regiments from the Civil War (5th New York, 14th New York, 39th New York, 79th New York) or revolutionary war (New York Volunteers) or other primarily Italian or Scottish immigrant regiments in the Civil War. Since this was his last show I bought several sets at once, including a 23 figure, 10 standard bearer set of the Texas War of Independence (I lived in Texas for about 8 years, and used to pass the San Jacinto Monument every time I drove from Beaumont to Houston), the 55th New York Lafayette Guard from the Civil War, the Cherokee Rifles from the Civil War, and the First Division Color Party from WWI. Here are some photos:

 

[zblang]

I love those figures! The huge flags he does just pop!!!

 

[jazzeum]

Sorry to hear that. Although I never purchased any of his figures as it didn't fit in with anything I had, they were terrific.

Is he not attending any more because he's retiring or because he's decided not to attend shows anymore?

 

[theBaron]

This thing all things devours:
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.

 

[zblang]

My understanding is that it’s not just that he’s not doing shows, but retiring from the business all together. I may have misunderstood though.

 

[tdubel]

Ed is a super nice guy who has decided to retire. Talking with him and understanding is that he has started to run out of subjects/sets that interest him as well as the slow down of glossy soldiers. I think that a culmination of events (age, subjects, demand, time, etc) has brought this decision. If you have been a regular customer, I believe there is still an option to special order as time permits. The general production and open for business and shows is now retired.

 

[jazzeum]

My understanding is that it’s not just that he’s not doing shows, but retiring from the business all together. I may have misunderstood though.

It’s a sign of the times where shows are on the decline.

In the past few years, the number of dealers who do room trading seem to shrink and shrink.

 

[ucla1967]

I have know Ed for about 25 years. At the last West Coaster Show this year, he informed me that he was retiring for some of the reasons cited above. At that show, a number of collectors bought sets from him with the realization that it was now or never. My good friend Bob W., for example, bought several arm loads of his sets. I didn't buy any since I already have 31 of his ACW sets on display and really don't have room for any more. Ed's pending retirement is just another example of the continuing number of manufacturers, dealers, and collectors who are retiring, have passed away or have stopped collecting as they reach their golden years.

 

[ucla1967]

Here are five examples of Edmund's ACW sets:


1ST SPECIAL BATTALION (WHEAT'S TIGERS)

1ST VIRGINIA CAVALRY REGIMENT

14TH NEW YORK REGIMENT

17TH VIRGINIA REGIMENT (WARRENTON RIFLES)

33RD VIRGINIA REGIMENT (BROOKLYN GRAYS)

 

[ucla1967]

Five more Edmund's ACW sets.


44TH VIRGINIA REGIMENT (RICHMOND'S ZOUAVES)

53RD OHIO REGIMENT

69TH NEW YORK REGIMENT (MEAGHER'S ZOUAVES)

GARIBALDI GUARDS

UNIDENTIFIED UNION ZOUAVE REGIMENT

 

[Louis Badolato]

Good idea Mike.:smile2: I'll take some individual photos of each of my Edmunds sets (all but two of which presently have color bearers, and I special ordered colors for those two regiments, the 79th New York Highland Guard and a Confederate Louisiana Regiment composed of Italian American Volunteers, at the Chicago Show) and post them.

 

[ucla1967]

Five more sets.

 

[maddadicus]

I have over 300 of his figures including some 30 special, made for me, Custer Last Stand and Buffalo Soldier figures. I will miss his contributions to my joy...

 

[Louis Badolato]

I have over 300 of his figures including some 30 special, made for me, Custer Last Stand and Buffalo Soldier figures. I will miss his contributions to my joy...

So let’s see some pictures!

 

[ucla1967]

Here are all of Edmund's 31 ACW sets in my collection displayed on two shelves.

 

[ucla1967]

Second shelf.

 

[maddadicus]

So let’s see some pictures!

I am retired and should not have to work so hard...but will work on this..

 

[BHogan]

Very nice figures. I didn't realize that the Confederate army had such fancy uniforms.

Brendan

 

[ucla1967]

Very nice figures. I didn't realize that the Confederate army had such fancy uniforms.

Brendan

At the start of the war in 1861, the state militia regiments on both sides had fancy uniforms which did not last long as the war progressed. Both sides fairly quickly reverted to the much more practical uniforms that we are more familiar with.

Mike

 

[Louis Badolato]

Good idea Mike.:smile2: I'll take some individual photos of each of my Edmunds sets (all but two of which presently have color bearers, and I special ordered colors for those two regiments, the 79th New York Highland Guard and a Confederate Louisiana Regiment composed of Italian American Volunteers, at the Chicago Show) and post them.

Okay, here are my Edmunds New York Volunteer Regiments, displayed on the actual regimental colors of the 14th New York (Brooklyn Chasseurs a/k/a "Red Legged Devils"):

The 3rd New York Volunteers from the War Of Independence


The 5th New York (Duryee's Zoaves)


The 14th New York (Brooklyn Chasseurs a/k/a "Red Legged Devils")


The 39th New York (Garibaldi Guard)


The 55th New York (Lafayette Guard)


The 79th New York (Highland Guard)