Lessons Learned (1 Viewer)

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

Recently John (NJJA) posted a note in which he shared some of the lessons he as learned from his many years of collecting toy soldiers. His lessons, which I think are quite valuable, provide much food for thought. For those of you that may not remember his "lessons" post, let me refresh your memory. Here is John's post:



1. Admire, don't envy! When you see someone that has something you

would love to have let it give you something to strive for. Don't be annoyed

because they started before you, or have deep pockets, remember its the

collector that does his homework that often comes up with the prize!

2. Don't fall in love with everything! In most cases the fun of the hunt is

greater then the possesion of the item. What is one more item amongst

hundreds of items. Yes certainly some things may have a special place in

your collection, but learn to allow your collection to help you stay in the

game.

Its not about how much you have, it about what you do with what you

have been given.


John's thoughts made me wonder what other lessons have been learned by the collective members of this forum. The combined total collecting years represented by the membership must be very, very great.

While I cannot be as eloquent as John, I would like to add a lesson or two I think I have learned. I would express the first one in the following way:

Your collection is best enjoyed when it can be shared with other appreciative collectors. What I have learned from other collectors on this forum has expanded my knowledge, sharpened my collector's eye, established new bonds of friendship, and enhanced my appreciation of my personal collection. This lesson could not have been learned in a vacuum. Interaction with other collectors has made this lesson possible.

Another personal lesson learned:

Recognize that your collection is unique. It is an extension of your personality, experiences, and interests. Since it is unique, you can experience the joy of how special your collection really is, be it large or small. In short, no two collectors have exactly the same collection. Every collection is special. Be not envious of collectors with more valuable and larger collections and respect collectors who own smaller, less valuable collections. In every case, the collection is unique and special to its owner.

I could probably list a few more of my personal lessons learned, but I would rather invite others to share the lessons they have learned. If you have learned some lessons through collecting toy soldiers, please consider sharing them with us.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Njja]

Pat:

I agree with you 100% speaking with other collectors on the Forums, and

having the oportunity to see all the wonderful collections, and enhance our

knowledge about the manufacters, production and process, has greatly

improved this entire experience!

Happy Collecting to all!

Njja

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

This thread has given me pause to think about why I collect toy soldiers. I think you have both really summed it up well when you note that all of our collections are unique to us and reflect something about why we do this. I really enjoy the hunt too and as Pat can attest by the nick name he bestowed on me I try to be frugle with my funds.

As you all know I am a collector of the Durbar series and have recently figured out that I need 2 sets to have a complete set of Britains Line but even though I have seen the two sets I need repeatedly I have yet to pick them up due to the prices they were asking. Now I may just break down and go for it but I probably will bide my time and stike when the right ones pop up. Some folks would probably see this as silly but its part of the fun for me because the hunt is more than half the fun and I may not want it to end just yet.

I also may be a bit of an oddity on this site because I dont collect WWII or King and Country but thats not to say that I dont find those collections especially Louis's to be fantastic to look at and discuss. So to the notion of envy idea I have to say Pat is spot on here! I am really glad that we have a forum where we can talk about these collections and sometimes see pictures so we can share our enjoyment and better yet discuss this hobby. Anyway just thought I drop my 2 cents worth in.

All the best

Dave

 

[Capitolron]

I agree with all of you - THE HUNT is the fun and also picking up stuff you didn't even knew that exsisted.

One thought - only buy what you are interested in - don't try to play the game of "it will be worth more later" - because it might not.

Toy Soldiers to me tell a story of our history and reflect the pride you put into a display.

Those are my thoughts

 

[sam04]

I enjoy the hunt as well. I spend a lot more time looking for soldiers to buy than I do admiring the ones I already have!

I collect Britains from various lines, most of which aren't particularly valuable except to me.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Sam

Come on over to the Britains thread and tell us what you collect and favorites etc.

All the best

Dave

 

[Chuck Harris]

The best thing I've learned collecting toy soldiers is getting to meet and know so many wounderfull people spread all over the world.
This forum has helped bring so many of us togeather. A person like myself who no longer gets around as well as I use to it been great.

 

[Combat]

1) If you see something that knocks you out - then buy it and don't feel guilty. This applies even if it costs more than most normal people would consider sane.

2) Never buy an inferior figure or vehicle just because no one else makes it at the time. Sooner or later it will come along in a better quality and you will kick yourself for wasting the money.

3) Don't buy everything in a particular line or series if you don't like something. Space will be an issue at some point even if dollars are not.

4) Most importantly - this is supposed to be fun. Take time to enjoy what you have collected and don't worry so much about what is next or how much you have spent. Leave that to your wife.

 

[Louis Badolato]

The best thing I've learned collecting toy soldiers is getting to meet and know so many wounderfull people spread all over the world.
This forum has helped bring so many of us togeather.

I'm with Chuck. Its all about good people.

 

[Capitolron]

I'm with Chuck. Its all about good people.

HERE HERE - Good People.

 

[sceic2]

Most importantly - this is supposed to be fun......or how much you have spent.

I have a point regarding what you said about how much I have spent and the fun of this hobby of ours is so have patience with me, as it will take me some time to explain what I am saying

I have two large 4-inch D-ring binders that are completely packed with page after page after page of my collection. These binders contain my inventory system to keep track of my collection. I use MS Word as my base software. I keep my inventory arranged by manufacturer and then by each series that particular manufacturer sells. I keep each section separated from all the others by a divider page.

I copy a picture of the set (men, vehicles, or whatever) from a web site that has what I consider to be the best picture (some sites have smaller pictures and they don't look as good as the sites that have the larger pictures). If I cannot find a picture, then I use my digital camera and take a picture. I prefer the manufacturer's pictures simply because I am a horrible photographer I then size the picture onto the MS Word document so that I can have two columns per page. Under each picture, on the first line, I put the manufacturers item number and my cost to acquire it and on the second line the name of the item. I also note the quantity I have of each set.

And now finally, the point. I have never totaled my costs. I can (including shipping) account for every purchase. I have been very meticulous in keeping track of my collection. But, I am afraid to If I know exactly how much I have spent, I am afraid that guilt may kick in and take over my collecting habits. And…Since I am doing this for fun. I don’t care what the total is. I may do it some day, if I have collected everything that I possibly can…which is almost impossible to imagine. All I know is that the amount is considerable and growing. But again, I’m doing this for the fun

 

[kilted vampire]

OK , so for me it is fun. The hunt is definitely part of it. I enjoy you guys though I have not met any of you. There is talent, knowledge, humor and camaraderie. When it comes to the painting , I enjoy stretching my abilities and sharing the fruits of my labors. With Napoleonics and the Durbar there is a variety of color that catches my eye.

Sorry Wade I never met a toy soldier I did not like.

 

[Capitolron]

HERE HERE - FUN FUN

It is the chance meet new people (by internet) and discuss our passion of our hobby. This forum is great and something I have enjoyed.

 

[hhenry]

These binders contain my inventory system to keep track of my collection. I use MS Word as my base software. I keep my inventory arranged by manufacturer and then by each series that particular manufacturer sells. I keep each section separated from all the others by a divider page... I copy a picture of the set (men, vehicles, or whatever) from a web site that has what I consider to be the best picture (some sites have smaller pictures and they don't look as good as the sites that have the larger pictures).

Very organized! I would like eventually to do something similar. I recall seeing some years ago a computer application available for purchase that had all the Britains new models in it. It was too expensive though.

Which site do you use to download Britains photos?

 

[sceic2]

Which site do you use to download Britains photos?

To obtain a photo of a Britians set may take some patience and Yahoo or Google. I first start with Treefrog, Sierra, Michigan Toy Soldier, Hobby Bunker or several other dealer sites. I then search the web using the model number preceeded by "Britains".

It takes several search attempts on a few of the harder to find numbers and you must be willing to look at each of the pages that the search engine displays. The search engine results sometimes return with pages that are no longer accessable on a specific web site. For some reason a server still allows access to a withdrawn page if you are searching but you can not access these pages via their home page of origin. I keep a pretty extensive list of bookmarks for dealers of the various makers that I collect. Sometimes it takes an hour or two to find a specific photo.

However, I am not looking for the really old sets, glossy', or any ranges other than WWII for Britains. If it's other ranges that you are looking for, your on your own pal

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Hugh,

I do the same as Michael and find websites that have good clean shots that arent too distorted and cut and past to a word document or publisher so I can have a decent picture to go with the set information. Takes a bit of time but is well worth the effort.

All the best

Dave

 

[hhenry]

Hi Hugh,

I do the same as Michael and find websites that have good clean shots that arent too distorted and cut and past to a word document or publisher so I can have a decent picture to go with the set information. Takes a bit of time but is well worth the effort.

All the best

Dave

Thanks Michael and Dave, Sounds like this is the way to go, at least until they are posted on the new Britains website (hopefully) or a new book comes out by Joplin or Opie.