New To Collecting (1 Viewer)

  • Thread starter TheBlackGrandson
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TheBlackGrandson

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Hello Everyone,

I am new to collecting toy soldiers and so I have some newbie question(s) if you don't mind. First, is there a good general catalogue of toy soldiers especially pre-1970? I've notice that Britain's for instance often have a number associated with them. I am assuming that the number corresponds to some form of reference number or perhaps I am wrong? Second, do you all have any suggestions for good books and Magazines for a novice? I've been a long time collector of many things (coins, stamps etc.) and I know a good reference is a good place to start but I don't want to spend a fortune on something that is not worth it as far as informational purposes etc. Third, I've picked a theme I would like to collect "American Indian" generally as I have fond memories of playing with the Cowboy and Indian figures of my youth. Does anyone else collect along this theme?

Thank you in advance for any answers! I look forward to starting to this new hobby and I hope I am not missing a thread that says "Newbies Read This First". I looked for one but couldn't find it...
 
Welcome...there are a lot of very knowledgeable collectors on this forum, hopefully by perusing the different areas, you will link up with several that can help you depending on the manufactures you are interested in.

Regarding references, if you have a good local library or book store you might be able to look at some books on the subject or find sources online. Richard O'Brien and James Opie are two writers who come to mind, that have written some good reference books.

Good Luck !
 
Ah yes welcome, there is a section under the chat lounge section to register as a new collector. Are you plastic or metal person ?, the prices vary considerably. There a lots on here that like the Wild West, a good place to start your collecting, no doubt it brings back memories of earlier days, as kids, everyone had Cowboys and Indians. Hope you enjoy your time on this forum. :salute::, Robin,
 
There's a lot of good toy soldiers reference links on Bill Hocker's site wmhocker.com in the Toy Soldier Resources section, not to mention quite a few nice glossy western sets made by Wm Hocker. :smile2:

Welcome to TreeFrog.

B. :salute::
 
WElcome to the hobby and to the forum!

If you're looking for general reference books on toy soldiers, I recommend Richard O'Brien's "Colleccting Toy Soldiers", particularly the 3rd and 4th editions. The 1st and 2nd editions cover toy soldiers from around the world, starting in the 1st, with additions and revisions, in the 2nd. In the 3rd and 4th editions, he split the content into American-made toy soldiers (3rd) and toy soliders from around the world (4th edition). They are excellent references, up through the mid-90s, by which time newer makers like King & Country and Frontline had established themselves.

For Britains, there are several excellent books out by a couple of authors. One is James Opie, and the other is Norman Joplin. If you search their names, at Amazon, for example, you'll find their comprehensive, detailed books listing Britain's output in the classic period, and in the new era.

As far as magazines go, there are three to recommend: Old Toy Soldier, formerly, Old Toy Soldier Newsletter, a quarterly publication, and the oldest still in circulation, its content consists primarily of info on American-made toy soldiers, especially the old dimestore toys, and classic Britains, as well as a lot of auction news; Toy Soldier & Model Figure, a glossy monthly, that covers all aspects of the hobby, both new makers and classic toy soldiers, metal or plastic, and also painting and casting info; and Toy Soldier Collector, a bi-monthly publication, similar to TS&MF in terms of its content.

There is another magazine, now out of print, but worth tracking down, Toy Soldier Review, which used to be published by Bill Lango's Vintage Castings. Bill is also the promoter of the East Coast Toy Soldier Show, held every year in Hackensack, NJ-this year's show was last Sunday. Bill stopped publishing the magazine about 10 years ago or a little more, but it's well worth reading, if you're interested in older toy soldiers. In their day, TSR and Old Toy Soldier Newsletter were the two major publications on the hobby, at least in the US.

If you're interested in collecting Indians, have a look in the Painting forum and look for threads by johnnybach. John has posted several threads to illustrate how he took old, beat-up figures and renewed them with new parts and an excellent paint job, and you'll enjoy seeing them, I'm sure.

Again, welcome to the hobby and to the forum, prosit!
Brad
 
Howdy Pardner! and welcome to the hooby and this forum.

From reading your post - I picked up that you too like old Toy Cowboys and Native Americans??

Well, me too. I'm just a little different from the mainstream collector, however, as I like to find my old "Hollowcast" figures as specimens in need of a little care and attention - and usually, a repaint. These are possibly the ones you describe as remembering from your childhood.

They are indeed great fun - especially for me - when you can bring them back from sometimes battered condition to almost like new. Have a look at some of my posts - which you can find under the heading "REPAIRS" - to see what I mean.

There are many makers nowadays that make what you may be after - but for my bucks - you can't beat the oldies. Names like Britains, Johillco and Timpo spring to mind - all makers of the old hollow metal figures (Hollowcasts) that you may remember.

There IS an excellent book by James Opie called "The Great Book of Hollowcast Figures" - which you might consider - which gives details and pictures of all of these older figures. Have a look on Amazon for a good used copy - as I think it's out of print - but there are usually plenty available.

I'm not sure where you might find figures to buy in the USA - but I get most of mine (to repair) from all sorts of places - such as boot fairs - old toy soldier sales - and my favourite place - Dorset Soldiers ( UK) Shop. The owner is Giles Browne - and is particularly good and knowledgeable on Cowboys and Native American figures. He keeps plenty of stock in his shop - and has an excellent online service. Just drop him an e-mail to find out what he has available - in restored states too - if that's what you prefer. Here's the link to the website: http://www.dorsetsoldiers.com/

You will find details of where to e-mail on the first page.

Hope that all helps - so long pardner. :D johnnybach

P.S. Is this the kind of thing you're after???? Some of my restored figures.

 
Maybe some inspiration for you. Robin.
 

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Wow! Those are some amazing Cowboys and Indians! I didn't think repaired pieces could be so wonderful... and thank you for the information! :salute::







johnnybach said:
Howdy Pardner! and welcome to the hooby and this forum.

From reading your post - I picked up that you too like old Toy Cowboys and Native Americans??

Well, me too. I'm just a little different from the mainstream collector, however, as I like to find my old "Hollowcast" figures as specimens in need of a little care and attention - and usually, a repaint. These are possibly the ones you describe as remembering from your childhood.

They are indeed great fun - especially for me - when you can bring them back from sometimes battered condition to almost like new. Have a look at some of my posts - which you can find under the heading "REPAIRS" - to see what I mean.

There are many makers nowadays that make what you may be after - but for my bucks - you can't beat the oldies. Names like Britains, Johillco and Timpo spring to mind - all makers of the old hollow metal figures (Hollowcasts) that you may remember.

There IS an excellent book by James Opie called "The Great Book of Hollowcast Figures" - which you might consider - which gives details and pictures of all of these older figures. Have a look on Amazon for a good used copy - as I think it's out of print - but there are usually plenty available.

I'm not sure where you might find figures to buy in the USA - but I get most of mine (to repair) from all sorts of places - such as boot fairs - old toy soldier sales - and my favourite place - Dorset Soldiers ( UK) Shop. The owner is Giles Browne - and is particularly good and knowledgeable on Cowboys and Native American figures. He keeps plenty of stock in his shop - and has an excellent online service. Just drop him an e-mail to find out what he has available - in restored states too - if that's what you prefer. Here's the link to the website: http://www.dorsetsoldiers.com/

You will find details of where to e-mail on the first page.

Hope that all helps - so long pardner. :D johnnybach

P.S. Is this the kind of thing you're after???? Some of my restored figures.

Click to expand...
 
Thanks everyone for the info and advice! I can see I am going to enjoy this hobby and forum! :salute::
 
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