king & Country toy soldier show (6 Viewers)

[hoogri]

I have ben two times to the show in Chicago and can tell
london is the best fair!!!!.
what the Chicago exchange is the roomsales, that is the strength of the fair
The fair itself is not so good
sorry but that is my opinion .
richard .

 

[UKReb]

I have ben two times to the show in Chicago and can tell
london is the best fair!!!!.
what the Chicago exchange is the roomsales, that is the strength of the fair
The fair itself is not so good
sorry but that is my opinion .
richard .

Richard

I remember you telling me that in the bar at last December's show in London when I told you I was thinking seriously of attending the Chicago gig.

I simply adore the London show but would still like to attend the Windy City and intend doing so as long as I dont have to catch the same flight as Rob and Simon. On reflection Simon I could live with for eight hours....but a ginned up Rob and all that Winston, Monty and Arnhem is a flight too far for me

Only kidding mate I luv ya really

Reb

 

[jazzeum]

Although i haven't been to London, what distinguishes Chicago from any other show is the room trading. No other show has the number of people doing that and for three to four days no less. It gives a chance for the movers and shakers globally as well as individual collectors from every corner of the globe to get together. The actual show is good (maybe London is better) but the room trading make Chicago unique.

 

[Tony Neville]

Although i haven't been to London, what distinguishes Chicago from any other show is the room trading. No other show has the number of people doing that and for three to four days no less. It gives a chance for the movers and shakers globally as well as individual collectors from every corner of the globe to get together. The actual show is good (maybe London is better) but the room trading make Chicago unique.

Brad Agree

Chicago is worth going for the Wednesday to Saturday......maybe even thr Thursday to Saturday. The show i feel is flat compared to the room trading and a hell a lot of people dont even do the show or if they do they are in and out in minutes.

London event no room trading......those that have been there will understand why!! plus i dont trust London hotel cleaning staff to leave stock out in my room like in Chciago!!

London show is a good all day event asa toy soldier show. A lot more individual dealers / 'cottage' industry guys. And obviously being in London a great way to see London as well.

My 1st error i did for Chicago the first year i went was i thought i would get to see Chciago!! Schaumburg is not near Chicago! Its like having a show in Standstead and calling it the London show!

So my 10p worth is Chciago great few days for the trading and a quick look at show. I would stay in Chicago for two days ( i satyed at the Wessex hotel) and then go over to the show for the Thursday to Sunday.

London is great for the Show and a central location for siteseeing. If you are looking for the best one i would say do the London show in December as you get the Britains event on th eFriday and the K&C UK event on the Saturday.

Tony

 

[Rob]

Richard

I remember you telling me that in the bar at last December's show in London when I told you I was thinking seriously of attending the Chicago gig.

I simply adore the London show but would still like to attend the Windy City and intend doing so as long as I dont have to catch the same flight as Rob and Simon. On reflection Simon I could live with for eight hours....but a ginned up Rob and all that Winston, Monty and Arnhem is a flight too far for me

Only kidding mate I luv ya really

Reb

' A GINNED UP ROB ' I'm getting a rep as some sort of old soak here!!.And don't worry about me boring you Bob,if its a choice between talking to the chaps or the Hostess then you lot can amuse yourselves!

Would like to do Chicago one day,sounds great and would get to meet many forum folk there.I think both Chicago and London have their advantages,Chicago's unique room trading sounds cool and is over a number of days.London on the other hand does have I understand a wider range of products with many different types of TS sold by numerous sellers,with K&C UK and Clive being the only ones selling King and Country and Figarti.

So Bob,do you want isle or window?When I go to America I normally eat so much Cheesecake I have to fly home in the luggage hold anyway!

I understand you are AWOL in London next month Bob,but you can buy me a Gin in June mate

Rob

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Brad Agree



My 1st error i did for Chicago the first year i went was i thought i would get to see Chciago!! Schaumburg is not near Chicago! Its like having a show in Standstead and calling it the London show!


Tony

That's quite an exaggeration coming from someone who lives north of Hartlepoole and isn't even on the coast

Terry

 

[10TH LA.]

What dates is the Gettysburg show held on?

the first one was April 27 2008 at the Gettysburg hotel.....which I drove down to .....I do believe they had one last year....2009....but have not heard anything for this year.....

 

[jazzeum]

Brad Agree

Chicago is worth going for the Wednesday to Saturday......maybe even thr Thursday to Saturday. The show i feel is flat compared to the room trading and a hell a lot of people dont even do the show or if they do they are in and out in minutes.

London event no room trading......those that have been there will understand why!! plus i dont trust London hotel cleaning staff to leave stock out in my room like in Chciago!!

London show is a good all day event asa toy soldier show. A lot more individual dealers / 'cottage' industry guys. And obviously being in London a great way to see London as well.

My 1st error i did for Chicago the first year i went was i thought i would get to see Chciago!! Schaumburg is not near Chicago! Its like having a show in Standstead and calling it the London show!

So my 10p worth is Chciago great few days for the trading and a quick look at show. I would stay in Chicago for two days ( i satyed at the Wessex hotel) and then go over to the show for the Thursday to Sunday.

London is great for the Show and a central location for siteseeing. If you are looking for the best one i would say do the London show in December as you get the Britains event on th eFriday and the K&C UK event on the Saturday.

Tony

Tony,

I'd agree about the show itself. On the day of the show I leave generally early; I take about an hour look around and then it's off to the airport. If you've done the room trading Friday and Saturday, for the most part you've seen everything there is to see. Now, I know some people say that some dealers don't do the room trading and there are some surprises on Sunday, but, generally, you can almost skip the show. I know a few people like myself who do that such as Gary (from St. Louis) and Hawkeye.

From what I've seen on the Forum, the London show may still have a lot of good stuff for sale. For example, Martyn always seems to pick up some interesting Trophy whereas you hardly see Trophy at Chicago or any other US show for that matter. The same may be true of K & C.

Also, Tony is right about Chicago; a misnomer. You're basically in and about the Hyatt Regency non-stop. As Andy says, "you eat, breath and live toy soliders" non stop. It's an experience hard to beat.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I know it is not a show, but I am very proud of the job Larry Lo, Hans Hedrich, Mark Hoffman and myself have done organizing the New York Toy Soldier Symposium, an event, to my knowledge, unique in the hobby. While the event is not about selling, it is a chance for the manufacturers (from the biggest, like K&C, through cottage industries), dealers and distributors to get together with collectors from around the world in a completely social setting, with very good food and drink (provided gratis at the expense of the hosts), and good fellowship. Three (and often 4-5, depending on how long the attendees wish to stay in New York) days of getting to know people, exchanging ideas, and just having a great time. Most years (this one included) there is a show Sunday morning we all attend in New Jersey (fairly big, but no comparison to the OTSN or London shows) so you can get your buying fix if you really need it. In my opinion (and I am obviously biased) it is every bit as fun and essential event to attend as the OTSN and London Shows.

 

[Tony Neville]

That's quite an exaggeration coming from someone who lives north of Hartlepoole and isn't even on the coast

Terry

very funny terry!

And i dont even come from Durham myself!! so all gets confusing!

 

[MCKENNA77]

Take it from a dude who has been to a fair share of these:

1. Brad is right, if you want to "eat, breathe, and live toy soldiers" then Chicago is for you.
2. Keep in mind though, the "Chicago" show is not in Chicago. Its in Schaumburg which is a very typical American suburb(chain food eateries and you have to drive a car to get any where). Not thats there is anything wrong with that, thats just the way it is.
3. Chicago in my opinion has the most shear volume(dealers, soldiers, collectors, etc). A lot of people just go to experience the room trading. Which trust me, nothing is traded. Dealers set up shop in their hotel rooms while customers come in and look around and talk shop. Some people dont even stay for the show as they just want/love the room trading experience.
4. While Chicago does have the most dealers it doesnt have the most diversity. For example there a lot of toy soldier dealers in America who carry K&C. So a large majority of them set out almost the same/identical K&C as other various dealers. You do usually see a lot of repeat stock shown.
5. Since Chicago is spread out over a couple days and there are a lot of collectors who meet up with old friends there, it is more of a camaraderie type of event.
6. The London show is by far the most diverse. Every dealer table there has something totally different to show and offer then the next table. There is no room trading event and the show is over the course of just one long day(saturday). A room trading event at the Royal National would be like trying to eat a soup sandwich.
7. Additionally, the Royal National sits right in the heart of London. A 15 minute tube ride can have you at almost any London attraction in tube zones 1 or 2.(Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abby, Buckingham Palace, Imperial War Museum, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, London Eye, Trafalagar Square, St Pauls Cathedral, etc). You can even walk to the British Museum in about 5 minutes from the Royal National.

In short, if you want to travel and experience other things then just toy soldiers - well London is for you. The London Show and the sites make for an awesome visit dude. If you want experience sites for the Chicago Show, well you'll have to pack it up and take into the City.

Everyone is different. Everyone travels different and everyone wants a different experience.

Just my take on it.

Keep it silly.

 

[Rob]

Excellent description Chris.Both I imagine are full on Toy Soldier experiences.Can only speak for London (until I get to Chicago)but I do agree about the diversity in London.There can be very few producers,scale or topic not represented here.Apart from K&C UK the only other seller that seems to have retired stuff is I believe a museum from I think Holland or maybe Belgium(???),they have quite a bit.

Also I humbly suggest you havn't seen a K&C layout until you've seen what the guys at K&C UK do.It is wonderful to behold!.On top of this the December evening event is right amongst this layout, allowing you to browse and make those late night purchases,after a few glasses of wine of course

Must say the room selling sounds very interesting in Chicago,am definitely going to make it one year.

Rob

 

[Rob]

How big is the Westcoaster compared to Chicago?

Rob

 

[jac28]

Tony,

I'd agree about the show itself. On the day of the show I leave generally early; I take about an hour look around and then it's off to the airport. If you've done the room trading Friday and Saturday, for the most part you've seen everything there is to see....

I believe you've hit exactly on why the show itself doesn't seem that great - most of us have been doing room trading for several days...so we've seen 90% or more of the offerings already, or are out of money - or both! If it was just a stand alone - one day show, I believe it would be packed all day..

Having said that - I love the room trading and wouldn't want to change a thing..

Jim

 

[glossman]

Tony,

I'd agree about the show itself. On the day of the show I leave generally early; I take about an hour look around and then it's off to the airport. If you've done the room trading Friday and Saturday, for the most part you've seen everything there is to see. Now, I know some people say that some dealers don't do the room trading and there are some surprises on Sunday, but, generally, you can almost skip the show. I know a few people like myself who do that such as Gary (from St. Louis) and Hawkeye.

From what I've seen on the Forum, the London show may still have a lot of good stuff for sale. For example, Martyn always seems to pick up some interesting Trophy whereas you hardly see Trophy at Chicago or any other US show for that matter. The same may be true of K & C.

Also, Tony is right about Chicago; a misnomer. You're basically in and about the Hyatt Regency non-stop. As Andy says, "you eat, breath and live toy soliders" non stop. It's an experience hard to beat.

Brad,

Thanks for a very informative post.

Just what I needed to know about Trophy at OTSN Chicago.

Raymond.

********

 

[glossman]

Take it from a dude who has been to a fair share of these:

1. Brad is right, if you want to "eat, breathe, and live toy soldiers" then Chicago is for you.
2. Keep in mind though, the "Chicago" show is not in Chicago. Its in Schaumburg which is a very typical American suburb(chain food eateries and you have to drive a car to get any where). Not thats there is anything wrong with that, thats just the way it is.
3. Chicago in my opinion has the most shear volume(dealers, soldiers, collectors, etc). A lot of people just go to experience the room trading. Which trust me, nothing is traded. Dealers set up shop in their hotel rooms while customers come in and look around and talk shop. Some people dont even stay for the show as they just want/love the room trading experience.
4. While Chicago does have the most dealers it doesnt have the most diversity. For example there a lot of toy soldier dealers in America who carry K&C. So a large majority of them set out almost the same/identical K&C as other various dealers. You do usually see a lot of repeat stock shown.
5. Since Chicago is spread out over a couple days and there are a lot of collectors who meet up with old friends there, it is more of a camaraderie type of event.
6. The London show is by far the most diverse. Every dealer table there has something totally different to show and offer then the next table. There is no room trading event and the show is over the course of just one long day(saturday). A room trading event at the Royal National would be like trying to eat a soup sandwich.
7. Additionally, the Royal National sits right in the heart of London. A 15 minute tube ride can have you at almost any London attraction in tube zones 1 or 2.(Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abby, Buckingham Palace, Imperial War Museum, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, London Eye, Trafalagar Square, St Pauls Cathedral, etc). You can even walk to the British Museum in about 5 minutes from the Royal National.

In short, if you want to travel and experience other things then just toy soldiers - well London is for you. The London Show and the sites make for an awesome visit dude. If you want experience sites for the Chicago Show, well you'll have to pack it up and take into the City.

Everyone is different. Everyone travels different and everyone wants a different experience.

Just my take on it.

Keep it silly.

Great post. Thanks for sharing your experiences in Schaumburg and London.

Raymond.

********

 

[jazzeum]

Brad,

Thanks for a very informative post.

Just what I needed to know about Trophy at OTSN Chicago.

Raymond.

********

Regarding Trophy, I don't recall seeing much and I remember when talking to Hawkeye (Greg), he said there wasn't much around.

 

[Iron Brigade]

Brad,

Thanks for a very informative post.

Just what I needed to know about Trophy at OTSN Chicago.

Raymond.

********

Dear Raymond:
As I advised you just after the OTS Show @ Shaumburg, IL, USA in late September 2009 there was no Trophy sets that I saw. The editor of TS&MF magazine also advised me that he saw very little if any Trophy at that particular show. You may be better off trying to get Trophy sets off of eBay or else perhaps go to London, UK.
Your friend, Gary M. 2/23/2010

 

[glossman]

Dear Raymond:
As I advised you just after the OTS Show @ Shaumburg, IL, USA in late September 2009 there was no Trophy sets that I saw. The editor of TS&MF magazine also advised me that he saw very little if any Trophy at that particular show. You may be better off trying to get Trophy sets off of eBay or else perhaps go to London, UK.
Your friend, Gary M. 2/23/2010

Dear Gary,

I try to get as much information about the Chicago, WestCoaster and London shows as possible from various sources.

It is good to do homework so as to get the "mostest" out of the respective shows which do involve "longish" trips.

In my response to Brad, I was referring to his experience at OTSN Chicago 2009 in relation to finding Trophy sets in the pre-Sunday room trading phase.

Once again, my sincere thanks to you and SH for your kind assistance on Sunday.

Kind Regards, Raymond.

*****************

 

[Warrior]

What dates is the Gettysburg show held on?

There will be two shows this year in Gettysburg; April 25th at the Gettysburg Hotel, aka, the Best Western at one lincoln square from 10am till 3pm and July 16th through the 18th at the Wyndham Garden hotel just down the road from the Gettysburg Hotel, both are very good events not to be missed...................