How many figures constitute a... (1 Viewer)

[sam04]

Hi Pat,

Great topic! I have around 300 figures which I still consider a small collection. They are all Britains, some glossy some matte. Many were relatively inexpensive, but I make no attempt to keep track of how much money I've spent in the past or what the soldiers might be worth down the road.

Many of my favorites aren't necessarily the most expensive or tough to find pieces. The Beefeater my wife bought me is about as common as it gets for Britains. It also happens to be my first soldier and a sentimental favorite.

I guess I would consider a medium collection 500 or so... a large collection 1000 plus? Tough to say... I'll let you know for sure when I get there!

Regards,
sam04

 

[Gideon]

I count the size of a collection by how dang long it takes to pack safely in a move - which I have done twice in the past two years and having helped a few people shift their collections around.

Toilet paper and bubble pack counts help too.

 

[wellington]

My wife thinks one is too many...anyhow...here is the REAL ANSWER at least according to my wife...

1-10: thats nice dear

10-250: you are stupid

250-3000: I don't want to here it

3000-5000: your an idiot


5000-???: I want a divorce and half of it


WELLINGTON

 

[maloyalo]

Fun question!

Small: 1 - 500
Medium: 500 - 5,000
Large: 5,000 - 20,000

'Named' Collection: 20,000 and over.

By 'named' I mean something getting so large it might fill a small museum and cause some stir in the collecting community if you decided to sell it all off.

As a side observation, I noticed once my collection reached a certain size, probably a couple of thousand, that it stopped growing in size. I still added things regularly, but also sold off many regularly, and it has tended to be stable numberwise, or if anything be slowly shrinking.

The things that seem to have affected the size I stopped at have pretty much all been mentioned already. I think the main ones to me were:

1) How much I can afford
2) How much do I really use
3) How much is physically too much, to me, to store and endlessly move around, like I always seem to be doing.
4) Last but not least, marital peace in my lifetime

 

[chiefs70]

All I can say in reading the responses is - WOW! Perhaps it is my background in collecting guitars, motorcycles, die cast aircraft and armor (which take a bit more space, I admit) but the numbers for each level many of you recommend are quite impressive. I can see the logic behind the monetary valuation on size but I never really considered my collections in that manner until the last few days. I imagine I'll eventually reach the airy levels you propose - wife willing.

Eric

 

[jazzeum]

This whole thread strikes me as a bit of one upmanship -- "who has more toys." Is that the point of this? I hope not. Whatever the size of your collection, what counts is the enjoyment it brings you.

 

[chiefs70]

This whole thread strikes me as a bit of one upmanship -- "who has more toys." Is that the point of this? I hope not. Whatever the size of your collection, what counts is the enjoyment it brings you.

Brad-

I can only speak for myself, of course, but considering that I may have one of the smaller collections referenced I don't feel that is the tone. In fact, I have quite enjoyed how the discussion helped me envision the possibilities. I won't be running out and buying 50 more figures in the next few weeks but I admit the fact this hobby gives me a bit of relief from the storage issues of my former pursuits is one of the appealing factors. I tip my hat to the longtime collectors and feel no competition whatsoever.

At the same time, I agree with you that the quality of the enjoyment of one's collection is directly related to the figures themselves - not the number - and I am really happy with my limited focus on the few lines and subjects I have chosen to pursue which is a noticeable contrast from some of my past "collecting" endeavors.

Finally, in my associations with Pat I can attest to the fact that braggadocio is the last thing with which one would associate him. The fact the rest of us - mostly "guys" I am certain - may start puffing out our chests isn't his doing, lol.

Now then, if anyone wants to admire the sweetest motorcycle in the north side of my humble town drop me a line.

Eric

 

[Njja]

Eric

Love to see a photo of your ride!

Njja

 

[redhugh]

A very interesting question, with a very difficult answer.

To those of us married men, your wife can provide a quick answer.......

A small collection is one she doesn't notice.........

A medium collection is one requiring several "gifts" to compensate her displeasure........

A large collection is usually determined by her refusal to enter the room....or
rooms....followed by a "What now"? when a package is delivered!

I long ago learned that occasional sales of items just prior to the arrival of large quanites of new "treasures" made home life easier!

I agree. Chris has definitely illustrated the best way to quantify a collection. Doing it by cost makes everything else equal IMO.
Cheers
H

Nah Harry, I think Njja definition is the most relevant,
No better Barometer of the relevance of the size of the collection than a reading off that standardised, finely calibrated and sensitively attuned instrument called THE WIFE

 

[Harrytheheid]

Nah Harry, I think Njja definition is the most relevant,
No better Barometer of the relevance of the size of the collection than a reading off that standardised, finely calibrated and sensitively attuned instrument called THE WIFE

Well, mine's okay as long as I get her some SOHK every now and then (thank God she seems to have lost interest in LAH). So the calibration doesn't really work in this case.
Naaah, I still vote for monetary value as being the best guide.
Cheers
H

 

[Wraith]

No better Barometer of the relevance of the size of the collection than a reading off that standardised, finely calibrated and sensitively attuned instrument called THE WIFE

Does anyone know where I can get mine recalibrated? She seems to be reading eratically and I keep getting "what now" results.

 

[vandilay]

From nija,s reply
I long ago learned that occasional sales of items just prior to the arrival of large quanites of new "treasures" made home life easier!

I,ve got to say that quote sums up my working strategy .As long as my
better half see's some stuff going the arrivals are over looked.

 

[Capitolron]

You know there are some questions you really dont want to ask yourself !

I started boxing up my Conte Romans to make room for more King and Country displays and I suddendly realize - do I have a big collection?

I agree with Brad that your collection should bring you enjoyment. But, be careful not to disclose your newfound information to your better half....she might want her own collection of jewelry, purses, etc....

hahaha

Ron

 

[maloyalo]

This whole thread strikes me as a bit of one upmanship -- "who has more toys." Is that the point of this? I hope not. Whatever the size of your collection, what counts is the enjoyment it brings you.

Jazzeum, I can see how it may seem so, because its numbers discussion, but I really am not sensing that tone myself. When I read someones post I couldn't tell you how many they have, even 5 seconds after doing so. What I am hearing is how long-term toy soldier nuts have wrestled (usually comically) in many different ways with the multi-headed monster that collecting often leads to. I think after being at it so long, large numbers becomes more of a burden then advantage. My overall collection is actually modest and shrinking, but still becoming more enjoyable to me. It took me a long time to finally figure out, what was fun and what was impulsive accumulating. Some of us have been at it a long time. For me, I have been actively collecting for nearly 40 years. Let a new person, perhaps learn a little from our mistakes. But I wouldn't count on it!

I wish I could remember a term I read in I think 'Military Modeling' magazine back in like 1972.

It said the french actually had a term for someone who became obsessed (raises hand) with ever larger ammounts of something. But I can not find the term. I think it was something like:

Maladie de Nombres

 

[kilted vampire]

I think Welllington is on to something. The gf thinks that I have enough. I do not. There most likely will never be enough. This is but a symptom of a deeper spiritual problem.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Has anyone else noticed just how often the female partner is mentioned in this thread? She figures in almost every post, and often with just a wee touch of fear.....
Aye, the hand that rocks the cradle right enough.....

Cheers
H

 

[Currahee Chris]

I started boxing up my Conte Romans to make room for more King and Country displays.........

BLASPHEMY!!! Caesar will NOT stand for this!! You are going straight to the gladiatorial arena- and not the beautiful colleseum- no sir, one of the border arenas in Libya or Northern Sudan where your rotting carcass will be plucked by the awaiting vultures and other vermin!!

Just kidding bud

I agree with Harry- there is quite a bit of kow towing to the wife- and rightfully so, as I am currently in the pinch. My wife is actually pretty awesome and lets me do pretty much whatever I want. She knows that if I am toy soldier shopping, she is going to get fed pretty well.

I think space is the biggest constraint the collector faces. I have taken measurements of my house where I plan on putting dioramas up. I then visualize the layout I want and buy based on the figures availability, my own personal whims, etc. To me, what is the sense of having a collection if it cannot be on display the entire time? I don't say that to insult anyone, I just think with the sums of money we pay for this stuff, lets put it out there for the world to see.

 

[maloyalo]

Has anyone else noticed just how often the female partner is mentioned in this thread? She figures in almost every post, and often with just a wee touch of fear.....
Aye, the hand that rocks the cradle right enough....

Cheers
H

LOL Definately the funniest thing I have read all week. It would even funnier if it wasn't so true. I didn't realize it so clearly till you said it.

On the surface its all about how to measure armies. But the underlying theme is a demoralized and defeated army in headlong retreat. Its worse then Hemmingway's Retreat from Caporetto!

 

[Rutledge]

One thing I started doing last year as my figures started growing in numbers beyond the "small" stage --- wherever/whatever that may be --- is cataloguing my collection. I built a spread sheet with columns such as these:
Manufacturer /// Item Number /// Item Description /// Price Paid /// Purchase Date /// Period /// Series

I then built separate spread sheets for each series. This helps me keep track of what I have and dont have, where I have gaps, bunches, etc.

Ive found it helpful, but perhaps not something to share with the spouse

 

[sam04]

For me it's not about how many I can collect. Soldiers just look cooler in groups. The bigger the army the better! I think if I spread my collection around the house I wouldn't enjoy them as much.

If my "soldier room" was overloaded with soldiers I could see myself selling some to make room for new finds. It's not an issue yet.

On the other hand maybe I'll decide to let my collection spill into other rooms... I convert the refrigerator into a chilled display case?

I'll have to run that by the WIFE first!