Curious to get a show of hands on how many folks here would like to see David make some new sets (my preference would be new Napoleonics) in 2012. We haven't had any new Napoleonic sets since sets 149 and 150 in Dec. 2008 - 3 long years ago. I'm pretty sure he has some stuff close to being done for last few years, but just hasn't finished those out. I'd like to see a gentle lobbying effort for new sets next year. I think he would enjoy making them and it would be nice if we could say there is some real interest for that.
Imperial 2012 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter dkelly
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Dragoon
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Yes I think it would be wonderful if Imperial would continue to expand their Napoleonic line.
That being said, it would also be helpful if they would at least have a website that would show these new sets to their collectors around the world. Also having a dealer here in the States and at least one in Europe would be very helpful to collectors. If the Cowes are no longer interested in stocking dealers on spec, they could at least use them to take orders on new sets as they come out.
That being said, it would also be helpful if they would at least have a website that would show these new sets to their collectors around the world. Also having a dealer here in the States and at least one in Europe would be very helpful to collectors. If the Cowes are no longer interested in stocking dealers on spec, they could at least use them to take orders on new sets as they come out.
VIRIATO
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DMNamiot
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hi Guys,
Adding to the line would be great but I would really like to see him add to the Sudan or Crimean Lines. Cant have enough of either of these in my opinion. Would also be thrilled to see a dealer in Europe so I cold get them easier.
Dave
Adding to the line would be great but I would really like to see him add to the Sudan or Crimean Lines. Cant have enough of either of these in my opinion. Would also be thrilled to see a dealer in Europe so I cold get them easier.
Dave
johnnybach
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Adding anything at all into the line-up would be good - but what IS really missing with this great line - is a web-site. This would only have to be a list really - as I'm pretty sure collectors here, could soon fill in the pictures - well, somewhere like here!
A dealership in Europe would be good - and I'm pretty sure the Treefrog organisation would suit our American chums!
And - oh! yes - they wouldn't even need to paint them for me - as I would like a go at some of them, myself. Now, how easy is that?
jb^&grin
A dealership in Europe would be good - and I'm pretty sure the Treefrog organisation would suit our American chums!
And - oh! yes - they wouldn't even need to paint them for me - as I would like a go at some of them, myself. Now, how easy is that?
jb^&grin
kilted vampire
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Adding anything at all into the line-up would be good - but what IS really missing with this great line - is a web-site. This would only have to be a list really - as I'm pretty sure collectors here, could soon fill in the pictures - well, somewhere like here!
A dealership in Europe would be good - and I'm pretty sure the Treefrog organisation would suit our American chums!
And - oh! yes - they wouldn't even need to paint them for me - as I would like a go at some of them, myself. Now, how easy is that?
Oddly enough one of my friends in NZ got me a set of unpainted Zulus. How he got them he never said. They came out brilliantly.
johnnybach
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Hi KV - I wasn't aware that they were ever available as castings. Maybe they came out through a side-door? Lucky you - anyhow. I'm going to NZ to see my Grandchildren this year, and intend to pop in to see the guys at Regal, who I believe used to work for Imperial at one time, before setting up on their own.
You hear so many conflicting stories about Imperial - they closed - they're open again etcetera. I'm going to try and get the definitive story on them - and try and find out just HOW you can get hold of any. When I was there last time, I tried to find out about their current status in a large Toy Shop in Christchurch, which is also on South Island. Sad to say - they had never heard of them! jb
You hear so many conflicting stories about Imperial - they closed - they're open again etcetera. I'm going to try and get the definitive story on them - and try and find out just HOW you can get hold of any. When I was there last time, I tried to find out about their current status in a large Toy Shop in Christchurch, which is also on South Island. Sad to say - they had never heard of them! jb
Well, hi to you all, this being my first ever posting altho have been a collector of Imperials for a number of years....
I think the Imperial Productions situation needs to be explained as to why David produces so few new sets....I live in Wellington NZ and see David regularly. You have to realise just how small this company really is! It literally comprises David (who does the modelling, sculpting and casting), his wife Kaye (who does most of the painting) and one daughter part-time who comes in and does the packing and mailing...that is pretty much it! They struggle to keep up with demand for what they have already so David has no time for new projects, altho he teases with what he could produce, much as he would like and he does feel embarassed for his regular customers(!) that he can't produce more new items for.
Their home, shop and workshop is the only retail outlet for their items so general model shops in NZ barely know of them and in fact rarely sell any model soldiers whatsoever! David has no need or interest in having a retail or designated dealer overseas as it was pressure placed by previous dealers that caused his health scare some three years ago when Imperials closed for about 18 months or so - they are very much alive and well and producing and I seem to spend much of my time correcting ill-founded abay dealers who persist in trying to jack prices by claiming Imperial Productions are no longer in business - frustrates David immensely! I believe there were some unfortunate business dealings that left David with a sour taste and hence is wariness to commit to a dealer relationship. If you know anything about the "Officers and men" series produced for a US Museum you'll know what I mean...
You also need to realise that David and Kaye, definitely not being unkind, are not exactly young without giving too much away so this is a totally home-based operation and they have absolutely NO intention of going down the mass-produced, King & Country type, overseas (China) production ever....so what you have is a genuine, hand-painted individually made item and I never cease to marvel at the quality of their product - have you actually looked closely at the hand-drawn lines on the ACW trousers etc and the flag detail? Astounding...
I've attached some photos from the Imperial premises but no promises as to how they'll turn out! I think at their peak, pre-illness, the company was up to about a staff of 21 but that is now long gone.
David is a very clever man, no doubt at all and he has other interests including landscape watercolours for which he also has a constant demand and no trouble whatsoever in selling! They are very, very good but out of my price-range...
So I hope this gives you some background on Imperial Productions and it may be that we will just have to treasure what we have and hope to find to fill in the blanks in the future...when time comes to finally close up shop once-and-for-all it pretty looks like that will be that...
I can also help out regarding the unpainted Imperials...David does NOT usually supply unpainted items but I happened to come across several sets through a NZ auction site being sold by a second-hand dealer....seems these sets were "misappropriated" by a previous employee and David didn't even realise they'd been taken but we worked out the who etc! I've had my sets painted by Kay and only have one unpainted set of pipers left which are of novelty value I guess. The theft then explains how these few unpainted sets came into circulation...
Bit of a ramble but hope is of interest....
Regards
I think the Imperial Productions situation needs to be explained as to why David produces so few new sets....I live in Wellington NZ and see David regularly. You have to realise just how small this company really is! It literally comprises David (who does the modelling, sculpting and casting), his wife Kaye (who does most of the painting) and one daughter part-time who comes in and does the packing and mailing...that is pretty much it! They struggle to keep up with demand for what they have already so David has no time for new projects, altho he teases with what he could produce, much as he would like and he does feel embarassed for his regular customers(!) that he can't produce more new items for.
Their home, shop and workshop is the only retail outlet for their items so general model shops in NZ barely know of them and in fact rarely sell any model soldiers whatsoever! David has no need or interest in having a retail or designated dealer overseas as it was pressure placed by previous dealers that caused his health scare some three years ago when Imperials closed for about 18 months or so - they are very much alive and well and producing and I seem to spend much of my time correcting ill-founded abay dealers who persist in trying to jack prices by claiming Imperial Productions are no longer in business - frustrates David immensely! I believe there were some unfortunate business dealings that left David with a sour taste and hence is wariness to commit to a dealer relationship. If you know anything about the "Officers and men" series produced for a US Museum you'll know what I mean...
You also need to realise that David and Kaye, definitely not being unkind, are not exactly young without giving too much away so this is a totally home-based operation and they have absolutely NO intention of going down the mass-produced, King & Country type, overseas (China) production ever....so what you have is a genuine, hand-painted individually made item and I never cease to marvel at the quality of their product - have you actually looked closely at the hand-drawn lines on the ACW trousers etc and the flag detail? Astounding...
I've attached some photos from the Imperial premises but no promises as to how they'll turn out! I think at their peak, pre-illness, the company was up to about a staff of 21 but that is now long gone.
David is a very clever man, no doubt at all and he has other interests including landscape watercolours for which he also has a constant demand and no trouble whatsoever in selling! They are very, very good but out of my price-range...
So I hope this gives you some background on Imperial Productions and it may be that we will just have to treasure what we have and hope to find to fill in the blanks in the future...when time comes to finally close up shop once-and-for-all it pretty looks like that will be that...
I can also help out regarding the unpainted Imperials...David does NOT usually supply unpainted items but I happened to come across several sets through a NZ auction site being sold by a second-hand dealer....seems these sets were "misappropriated" by a previous employee and David didn't even realise they'd been taken but we worked out the who etc! I've had my sets painted by Kay and only have one unpainted set of pipers left which are of novelty value I guess. The theft then explains how these few unpainted sets came into circulation...
Bit of a ramble but hope is of interest....
Regards
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johnnybach
Major General
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Hi ac5112 - I'll just call you Ace, okay?
Thanks for the lowdown on Imperial - nice to know that they are still a going concern. I intend to hire a Camper - and take my Grandchildren on a tour of South Island when I'm down under soon. Good to see the pictures of the shop - as I would love to pop in - and see what's on offer. As an amateur painter myself, I also fully appreciate the skill and artistry I have seen on some of the few Imperial figures I've seen (your story explains why they are so rarely seen about these days). I don't normally buy painted versions of anything - as I like to buy castings and have a go at them myself. If I do manage to get there however, I think I'll make some exceptions this time.
Thanks for the story Ace - and good luck to the Imperial brand. johnnybach
Thanks for the lowdown on Imperial - nice to know that they are still a going concern. I intend to hire a Camper - and take my Grandchildren on a tour of South Island when I'm down under soon. Good to see the pictures of the shop - as I would love to pop in - and see what's on offer. As an amateur painter myself, I also fully appreciate the skill and artistry I have seen on some of the few Imperial figures I've seen (your story explains why they are so rarely seen about these days). I don't normally buy painted versions of anything - as I like to buy castings and have a go at them myself. If I do manage to get there however, I think I'll make some exceptions this time.
Thanks for the story Ace - and good luck to the Imperial brand. johnnybach
Hi Johnnybach
I also neglected to mention that David is a bit of a technophobe hence the lack of a website....he has a fantastic reference library of books dating back to the 1800's that he uses (Drum will back me up on Davids computer skills!). I think he is worries about creating too many(!) new sales through a website that they simply wouldn't be able to cope with - as most of you know, when you order there's an expectation of a "bit" of a wait but is always worthwhile and never disappoints. There's not too much stock kept on hand and most sales are made-to-order & I still don't know how they produce them for the prices charged....
It all adds to the exclusivity (exclusiveness?) of the product!
Don't forget that Greytown is in bottom part of the North Island also!
Have a look at the New Zealand website (that keeps e-bay out of NZ) = www.TradeMe.co.nz and search under "models" and then "military". You'll rarely find Imperials there but Regal often has listings under the usernamegumtree2 though none there at present. Lots of interesting stuff available on the site if the vendor permits overseas buyers but the buyer is usually required to direct deposit into a NZ bank account and PayPal not often used!
Spent several weeks in the South island on holiday this year so if you need recommendations on model shops/car & plane museums etc, depending on your own interests, happy to give my quids worth!
Andy C./ac5112/ace
[h=3][/h]
I also neglected to mention that David is a bit of a technophobe hence the lack of a website....he has a fantastic reference library of books dating back to the 1800's that he uses (Drum will back me up on Davids computer skills!). I think he is worries about creating too many(!) new sales through a website that they simply wouldn't be able to cope with - as most of you know, when you order there's an expectation of a "bit" of a wait but is always worthwhile and never disappoints. There's not too much stock kept on hand and most sales are made-to-order & I still don't know how they produce them for the prices charged....
It all adds to the exclusivity (exclusiveness?) of the product!
Don't forget that Greytown is in bottom part of the North Island also!
Have a look at the New Zealand website (that keeps e-bay out of NZ) = www.TradeMe.co.nz and search under "models" and then "military". You'll rarely find Imperials there but Regal often has listings under the usernamegumtree2 though none there at present. Lots of interesting stuff available on the site if the vendor permits overseas buyers but the buyer is usually required to direct deposit into a NZ bank account and PayPal not often used!
Spent several weeks in the South island on holiday this year so if you need recommendations on model shops/car & plane museums etc, depending on your own interests, happy to give my quids worth!
Andy C./ac5112/ace
[h=3][/h]
Drum
Specialist
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2007
- Messages
- 287
I wish he would go ahead and discontinue making most of his past military sets, if only so he could spend less time making the same guys over and over and more time creating new sculpts. David Cowe's skill at sculpting is far more rare and special than even the spectacular painting. The sets they are producing today are among the finest ever produced by Imperial... but it is time to give those older sets a rest and make us some new figures.
You would not have Botticelli painting Venus again and again and again.
:tongue:
D
You would not have Botticelli painting Venus again and again and again.
:tongue:
D
Totally agree with Drum. I call David twice a year or so to catch up. I don't want them to be a huge company or mass produce sets. I want them to enjoy what they are doing. However, it is disappointing he hasn't made any new sets in a couple years. I was probably one of his best customers, but now that I have all the Nap and Crimea sets not much to look forward to. I know he has other sculpts in the wings. I just hope we see some of those in the coming year.