King & Country
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“KING & COUNTRY DISPATCHES”
September 2016
September 2016
WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER ... and that means cooler weather here in Hong Kong and a long journey ahead of me to THREE of my favorite American destinations ... Los Gatos, California ... Chicago, Illinois and, of course, San Antonio, Texas.
Los Gatos means my annual weekend “get-together” with Mike & Myzska Hall of SIERRA TOY SOLDIERS, not only one of that rare breed of ‘bricks ‘n’ mortar’ toy soldier stores in North America but one of the finest toy soldier shops in the world!
I arrive on Friday afternoon 16 September in beautiful Los Gatos and will spend all-day Saturday the 17th meeting and talking with many of SIERRA’S regular K&C collectors from all over Northern California. After the store closes many of the collectors stay on for a fun “Q&A” session where we share ideas, suggestions and all kinds of info about the hobby in general and K&C in particular. Mike & Myzska also provide complimentary drinks and snacks for all attendees.
If you are around Los Gatos on Saturday 17 September make a date now to come along during the day ... in the evening ... or both. The folks at SIERRA TOY SOLDIERS will make you very welcome!
On Monday 18 September, bright and early, I fly out of San Francisco for Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and “The Chicago Toy Soldier Show” . I make no apologies for ‘plugging’ this great show. King & Country and myself have been taking part in this annual event for over 30 years!
The “CHICAGO SHOW” is still the biggest and best toy soldier show of its kind in the world because it has both ‘room trading’ before the full-scale Sunday event and, of course, the ‘Sunday Event’ itself. Manufacturers, dealers, traders and collectors come from all over America and the rest of the world to this multidaycelebration of toy soldiers.
Manufacturers like K&C bring our latest releases plus upcoming items that everyone can preview in advance of the launch date. The ‘Chicago Show’ is also a great social gathering ... You meet up again with old friends and make new ones. PLUS, you get to eat, drink, sleep and talk toy soldiers from dawn till dusk (and beyond).
For those of us who love the hobby and enjoy sharing it with others “Chicago” is the place to be in late September. Here are a few details:
Venue :
The Hyatt Regency Schaumburg,1800 East Golf Road, Schaumburg IL. 60178
Dates & Times:
The Official Show:Sunday 25 September 2016
10:00am till 3:30pm
10:00am till 3:30pm
Admission: US$8 (only charged on Sunday)
Other Details: Most dealers begin arriving on Wednesday/Thursday 21/22 September.
K&C will be there on 19th. but that’s another story .
Room Trading:
Begins as early as Wednesday 21 thru till Saturday 24. Rooms open up usually after breakfast time and stay open at least until dinner time and often later.
The amazing variety of what’s on offer as well as the chance to talk ‘one-on-one’ with your favorite toy soldier maker or dealer is not-to-be-missed. If you love toy soldiers don’t miss the “CHICAGO SHOW” ...
After Chicago it’s down to San Antonio but enough of my travels ... Here’s what you really came for!
1. BEING RELEASED THIS SEPTEMBER
a) “Pike & Musket”
Perhaps in this case it should be renamed “Drums & Drummers” ... Collectors of this series have requested different colour variations of these English Civil War drummers to be used with different regiments ... Here they are ...
PnM069 “Phillip Skippon’s Regimental Drummer”
Raised in London for the Earl of Essex’s Parliamentary Army they were easily recognized on the battlefield by their red coat with blue cuffs.
PnM070 “Henry Tillier’s Regt. Of Foote Drummer”
Henry Tillier was of a French Huguemont family and an officer in Charles 1’s army when it fought in Ireland in 1642. In 1643 he was promoted Colonel and raised his own regiment from the Dublin garrison which crossed over to England in 1644 on the King’s side. Their green coats marked them out as proud Irishmen ... as is our drummer.
AVAILABLE: Early September