One of the best pieces at the Chicago Show... (1 Viewer)

[mikemiller1955]

John's whaleboat/barge with 37 figures plus stand...
this was one of the best pieces at the show...

there is a lot of speculation on the cost of this behemoth...

several times over the years...
I have spoken to John about the topic of the financial burden on collectors buying figures...
John is sympathetic...

I have seen him gift rare out of stock figures to collectors many times...
I have seen him repair damaged hard to find figures to salvage them...
he told me a long time ago the reason he quit limited editions was because it put an undue hardship on the collector to buy fast before it sold out...

I'm sure he realizes this whaleboat is a huge financial commitment to collectors...

to sell 37 figures in one lot to a collector...
is like buying a small series...

I have seen a lot of estimates from collectors on another thread...
I think John will make this more affordable than most people think...

his WWI London bus passengers are available at less than $29.00 apiece...
needing to buy 37 of them for one boat...
a price break might be in order...
I'm betting he will make these cheaper...

there will probably be 3 sets of 4 each Marine rowers...

and probably 6 sets of 4 each Grenadiers...

I bet they will be less than $120 per set...

sets of 6 figures may even be cheaper...

I hope he offers volume discounts of 6-8 figure boxes...

I think "turn key cost"... $1,200 or less...

that's my guess...

I also hope he might add a kneeling Marine manning the gun on the bow one day...

I know there will be a lot of basic similar sculpts of Grenadiers...
I can't see them very well in the photos...
but there is not too much you can change on a sitting figure...

I know he can't vary much on the color schemes on the Grenadiers...
but he might have some leeway on the painting variations of the Marines...

hopefully he has made enough slight adjustments/variations on the faces...arms...legs...holding their guns...heads turned...etc...
so it won't look too repetitive...
similar to how he did the rowers for the Ranger's whaleboats...

I really would hate to see a piece like this clone-ish...
it's just too nice...

either way...

I'm buying one fully loaded...

this is a total showpiece...

the kind of piece you wouldn't sell...
and would regret not getting...

this is gonna be one sweet shelf diorama...

 

[Obee]

Yes, I'd have to agree with you about this being one of the best

I wonder if John could be 'persuaded' to make some seated Napoleonic Royal Marines??

I'm sure that this type of boat was still used 50 year later, and the sailors wore the same clothing, so only one new figure to sculpt ????

Looking forward to seeing the painted figures in a diorama next year

John

 

[ivanmoe]

Can't help but agree. Jenkins goes deeper into a range than any other manufacturer that I've been exposed to. If some of the subject matter seems arcane at times, I'd have to suggest that the onlooker simply doesn't get John's vision.

-Moe

 

[mikemiller1955]

one last thought on this before I crash...

I kind of hope he offers a "super special" price...

on the entire outfit in one single purchase...^&grin

that might be the most affordable way to sell such a big piece...

 

[lancer]

One more thought: It would be nice, if possible, to have a figure holding a furled flag, sitting in the stern. This is a superb creation. -- Al

 

[mestell]

I also agree with you Mike . . . . . I don't even collect FIW and am thinking seriously about getting this show piece because its so unique and would make such a nice stand alone display . . . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[Combat]

A fantastic piece. I do hope there is a little variation with the figures instead of releasing all the same poses for the rowers and grenadiers. I think you can get away with using the same figure multiple times in a smaller set but it looks increasingly unnatural when you reach twenty or more. I doubt many will ante up $1K+ all at once. So hopefully John ensures the figure sets are available over time. If the unpainted master looks that great, I can only imagine how the final product will look. Great stuff as always.

 

[BHogan]

Outstanding! Price is a little bit steep, but still a very excellent piece. I'd like to see a similar set with Royal Marines released for the Peninsular War / War of 1812 series.
Cheers,
Brendan

 

[Fraxinus]

Does anyone know which regiment is depicted?

 

[mikemiller1955]

Does anyone know which regiment is depicted?

did not think to ask...

I asked if it was for Ticonderoga...

and Paul Herman said it was for St. Francis...

I think???:redface2:

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

I wasn't there, but since we got such great coverage from other attendees my opinion is that this and Britain's 88 were the stars of the show. The boat is a work of art. I can see it in my house displayed in a glass case so I can just look at it everyday like one of my military prints. I hope business is good this holiday season because I need one.

 

[Fraxinus]

Does anyone have a close up on one of the grenadiers (front view)? - looking for the cap details that will allow the regiment to be guessed at.

Not knowing is so, so frustrating!!!



Thanks

 

[Combat]

did not think to ask...

I asked if it was for Ticonderoga...

and Paul Herman said it was for St. Francis...

I think???:redface2:

I would guess Plains of Abraham and likely a regiment that John has already started in that line. But that is just a guess.

 

[marco55]

Would like to see a French version.
Mark

 

[lancer]

I would guess Plains of Abraham and likely a regiment that John has already started in that line. But that is just a guess.

PoA was my guess, as well. -- Al

 

[theBaron]

It is indeed a beautiful piece! It's as striking as the Leuthen churchyard.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Fraxinus]

If an existing PoA then I think we have the 28th (yellow facings), the 47th (white facings, but they were really dressed in the uniforms of the 50th/51th - the French captured their "true" 47th uniforms while in ocean transit), or the 60th (blue flacings). Because of the uniform switch, I am going to dismiss the 47th. The 28th is viable, but because the 60th is applicable to both Quebec and Ticonderoga, leaning towards the 60th.

In all likelihood, time will prove me wrong, yet again!!!

 

[mikemiller1955]

the barge was in Paul Herman's room...

I spoke to him about it...

I'm almost positive he told me it was St. Francis...

 

[chalklands]

Hi,
Beautiful model.
Two thoughts from me....
1. I'd rather see what transpires from this one before thinking of other variations.....How well this one sells is the acid test before plans are made for any more I think.

2. If a load of figures are released, in for the example the first six months, I wouldn't want to fully crew my barge and then find that there are more releases after six months and I haven't got any room for them. So an idea of what to expect is important I feel. Although, there may be figures John hasn't even thought about yet.

Pete

 

[19th Light Dragoons]

It looks like Quebec, how about the Louisbourg Grenadiers. Would like to see a figure of Wolfe with a young officer reading "the paths of Glory lead but to the grave".

Cheers
Edward