One Collector's Voice (1 Viewer)

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sceic2

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I know that JJ reads these posts as he has mentioned them in some of the emails that he and I have exchanged. The reason why I am posting these comments here on the forum and not emailing them to JJ directly is that I want to see how many other collectors share the same thought.

I was speaking to George (Warrior on the forum and owner of Minuteman Toy Soldiers) on the telephone for a couple of minutes yesterday and some of our conversation concerned JJ and the wonderful work he does. We both shared a concern that John was thinking about "branching-out" into different periods of history. While I cannot speak for George, I can speak for myself and only relate some of his comments from our conversation. We both felt that the period JJ is working on now has far more potential for some really great historical sets. There are enough units and figures in the Seven-Years War that JJ could produce six or seven sets per month for at least the next decade. The Seven-Years War was not just fought in North America but raged throughout a great deal of Western Europe as well. This type of variety, is as far as I know, is not produced by any toy soldier maker.

If JJ begins to focus on another time period or periods, I personally think that the unique aspect of JJ’ work will be diluted. While his great sets, if done in other time periods, would be well worth collecting, I would like to see him concentrate on the Seven-Years War exclusively. This concentration would, IMO, continue to make his product very desirable for collectors.

I could be very wrong in a business sense. I don’t have the market information that I would assume that manufacturers have or have access to. This is just one collector’s opinion. What do others think? I know a number of you also have “found” JJ and are willing to continue to invest in future releases, so please if you share or do not share this opinion, let us know. I think this kind of response would be helpful to JJ to continue to produce great and wonderful sets.
 
Michael

If John wants to go and do a another timeline of figures how does that "dilute" what he is doing now with the French and Indian War?

I would have to believe that JJ would need to do a different line to expand his business and attract more collectors.

There is a great demand for his products now - but, this will flatline as time goes on and the hard core collectors get their all the figures that is available. JJ had a chance to keep the "exclusivness" of his line by limiting the production numbers - but, he decided not to do that and has expanded number of sets on the market. This will have an effect later on the business side - the old laws of supply and demand - you know...

So to keep collectors interest - I am sure he will need to take on a new line of something? You dont want to be just a "one trick pony"?

JJ is doing a great job of providing top quality products in this F&I Range and I agree the list of possibilities for future releases are endless. Look forward to what comes next.

Ron
 
Michael-
I would be very interested in a European extension of the JJ French-Indian line. As discussed on the other thread, there are a lot of great possibilities including Frederick the Great and his many battles. Not sure, however, that JJ must necessarily choose between continuing with the seven years war and also doing something else. I think he said he planned to wrap things up by 2009. So that means as many as another 150 sets could be in the works at the current pace (30 months x 5 sets per month). I'm sure it won't be that many, but it is still a whole lot of French-Indian figures even for us diehards. Something else might liven things up down the road. I agree that JJ has found a great niche and should not venture into the modern era with future lines.
 
I think to more simply restate what my thoughts are would be to say, just look at the possiblities of the Seven-Years War. Not very many makers have even attempted to do the period let alone define it properly. Has any maker ever made at a minimum of 50% of the Napoleonic possibilities? I would like to see in my life time, well in the next 44 years I hope (I AM go'na make it to 100), one period of time, other than the 20th century, where makers have almost completed the time period with a the variety of sets they release.

So far JJ has done two North American battles, just think of the ones still left "untouched" here and in Europe. Stay with the Seven-Years War and the opportunities for variety are still very much available.
 
sceic2 said:
I think to more simply restate what my thoughts are would be to say, just look at the possiblities of the Seven-Years War. Not very many makers have even attempted to do the period let alone define it properly. Has any maker ever made at a minimum of 50% of the Napoleonic possibilities? I would like to see in my life time, well in the next 44 years I hope (I AM go'na make it to 100), one period of time, other than the 20th century, where makers have almost completed the time period with a the variety of sets they release.

So far JJ has done two North American battles, just think of the ones still left "untouched" here and in Europe. Stay with the Seven-Years War and the opportunities for variety are still very much available.
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Michael

I agree with you and your thoughts - its great to have this series to collect!

I watched the last of the mochians last night - great flick and wonderful story. A lot can be done with this period.

Hopefully - we will see more and more new sets that we all can collect.

However, JJ probally going to have to have other lines to round out his business - IMO.

Ron
 
I think that the quality of the work of JJ will push him, sooner or later, to cover other(s) era(s).

In my humble opinion, doing WWI or WWII, would be a big mistake.

But the Zulu War or Sudan Campaign or Indian Mutiny or Boer's War or Boxers Rebellion or North West Frontier would be terrific.

Pierre.
 
I have most of John's sets. IMO he has a stone cold lock on F&I Campaign, Seven Years War. He is the only source I would consider for this interesting time in North American History. I understand what Michael is saying. I think John's needs to find a niche like he has and go with it!
I do however, like the Idea of a Matte Zulu Wars or Sudan Campaign. He would sell the product. His stuff is hot right now and my favorite.
 
I understand the support for a particular period that has been neglected but the fact is that it's diversify or die in most business ventures. For example I'd never buy his seven year war figures but I'd get any WWII figs off him in a heart beat.
 
I'd like to see Mr. Jenkins stay with the 18th century, he's got a great eye for that period. Like others have already said, there are many other battles of the F&I War still to do, And the Seven Years War is practically untouched by other makers. For something other than that I'd like see him do the Jacobite Rebelion and Battle of Culloden.
 
Capitolron said:
What about Napoleonics or American Revolution??
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These would be great, but do you think JJ needs to do something that hasn't been so well covered by others? KC, Britains and others are all over this. Maybe a variation like the War of 1812. If he did Napoleonics, it would be great to see him focus on one campaign or battle (Waterloo?). Maybe Spain or Russia.
 
Combat said:
These would be great, but do you think JJ needs to do something that hasn't been so well covered by others? KC, Britains and others are all over this. Maybe a variation like the War of 1812. If he did Napoleonics, it would be great to see him focus on one campaign or battle (Waterloo?). Maybe Spain or Russia.
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Combat

You have the great idea - have JJ do those Allies for British and French that Andy doesnt want to do - that would be very cool with the JJ design British and French Troops :cool:
 
Seeing how beautifully JJ does Native Americans maybe he could do a series on the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Aztecs vs. Conquistadors. Very colorful, and nobody else is doing it.
 
Capitolron said:
What about Napoleonics or American Revolution??
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I would love to see him do some napoleonics!!!!:cool: But something different then the usaul british AGAIN!!! How about the 1813-1814 campaign War of nations and have various nations to choose from,Russains,prussains austrains,barvarian,swiss,ect.ect. You could have all those nations to choose from and all the smaller nations involved as well.:cool:
 
I only have a few of Johns figs- but what is clear is that because he loves the period the figures he makes are top notch. It is the difference between work vs a job perhaps? His figures have that natural charm that sculptors work years to develop- natural poses and each figure is in itself a 'perfect sculpt' with period accuracy.

I say let him follow his muse- whatever he makes it is going to be VERY nice :D
 
Dragoon said:
Seeing how beautifully JJ does Native Americans maybe he could do a series on the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Aztecs vs. Conquistadors. Very colorful, and nobody else is doing it.
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Yea - I really like that Idea ! :cool:
 
Big Miller Bro said:
I only have a few of Johns figs- but what is clear is that because he loves the period the figures he makes are top notch. It is the difference between work vs a job perhaps? His figures have that natural charm that sculptors work years to develop- natural poses and each figure is in itself a 'perfect sculpt' with period accuracy.

I say let him follow his muse- whatever he makes it is going to be VERY nice :D
Click to expand...

Deep Big Very Deep. Words of wisdom.
 
I like Dragoons idea of Conquistadors. Spanish, Portugese or any European country that sailed the sea to explore and conquer the new world would be greet to see. The PC game AGE of Empires I, II, III are awsome games filled with great ideas for toy soldiers, I would love to see it come to life
 
I think that whatever John choses to do (stick with F & I or branch out), he will continue to be a huge success. I'm all for him covering the F & I war to the fullest extent and then going from there in whichever direction suits him.

He is introducing numerous collectors to the F & I war and I think that is terrific, as Pierre correctly stated, why do stuff that has been done and done well already, the quality of his figures means no matter what conflict he addresses down the road when he feels the time is right, it will be well represented.

He has brought museum quality wargaming figure paint jobs to the toy soldier world and I commend him for that............
 
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