Recent paucity of vintage Wm. Britains sets (1 Viewer)

[Arnhemjim]

The following is solely intended as an observation, nothing more, nothing less. Having perused photographs taken at recent “toy soldier” shows both in the United States, Great Britain, and elsewhere, I have discerned the comprehensive absence of any of the iconic red boxes of vintage (1893-1966) Wm. Britains Ltd. toy soldiers on display. Before making that assessment I went back and very carefully observed a reasonable sample of images, and the contents of the tables, as well as underneath, when visible. The exception being that other than where photographs were available, I must omit their presence/availability at “room” sales. However, logic would strongly indicate that if not on the main floor of a show, not likely to be elsewhere.

Additionally those few auction houses, both here (United States) and abroad, who are still offering Britains, have significantly lowered the expected estimated price range on all but the scarce and rare sets. At the same time those same houses have substantially increased both the fees to the buyer, as well as the seller, for all sales. Observed realized prices in recent auctions, have appeared to be reduced by the buyers, in order to partially offset the increased auctioneer’s fees.

Comments anyone?

Arnhemjim
Arizona Territory

 

[Warrior]

The demand for those sets are at an all time low and those who are interested in them are not willing to pay the prices those sets used to fetch.

Collectors interested in those sets would range from age 60 to 90; they are running out of room, have pretty much all the sets they'd want at this stage of the game, are running out of disposable income and sadly, are getting sick and passing away or going into assisted living.


Whenever I come into vintage Britains sets, I'll put them out at shows for 5.00 to 10.00 a figure and hope for the best.

So, you don't see them at shows due to a general lack of interest at this point.

That's my .02 on the matter for what it's worth.

 

[Arnhemjim]

The demand for those sets are at an all time low and those who are interested in them are not willing to pay the prices those sets used to fetch.

Collectors interested in those sets would range from age 60 to 90; they are running out of room, have pretty much all the sets they'd want at this stage of the game, are running out of disposable income and sadly, are getting sick and passing away or going into assisted living.


Whenever I come into vintage Britains sets, I'll put them out at shows for 5.00 to 10.00 a figure and hope for the best.

So, you don't see them at shows due to a general lack of interest at this point.

That's my .02 on the matter for what it's worth.

Hello Warrior,
Sincere thanks for your confirmation of my assessment, appreciate both the candor and objectivity. The fact that it took this long for anyone to even respond to the query, corroborates the very real facts of life. My first scan of your response mistook sets at $5.00 to $10.00 dollars, a momentary hiccup! Your profile of the remaining Britains collectors is personally spot on (79 years), except am still in good health ("knock on wood") and am not currently contemplating assisted living. Although my "bride" is Community Relations Director at one of the better retirement facilities in the area. Obviously helps with the disposable income bit. If you are at all inclined you may want to glance at some of my "ancients" at; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com .

Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory (Where the climate, both political and physical, keeps the guns and ammo safe)

 

[Warrior]

Hello Warrior,
Sincere thanks for your confirmation of my assessment, appreciate both the candor and objectivity. The fact that it took this long for anyone to even respond to the query, corroborates the very real facts of life. My first scan of your response mistook sets at $5.00 to $10.00 dollars, a momentary hiccup! Your profile of the remaining Britains collectors is personally spot on (79 years), except am still in good health ("knock on wood") and am not currently contemplating assisted living. Although my "bride" is Community Relations Director at one of the better retirement facilities in the area. Obviously helps with the disposable income bit. If you are at all inclined you may want to glance at some of my "ancients" at; http://arnhemjim.blogspot.com .

Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory (Where the climate, both political and physical, keeps the guns and ammo safe)

Sure, not a problem; to be frank, the situation is a sad fact of life. I recall my very first trip to Chicago with Bill Murphy back in 1996 and how he had an entire room full of vintage Britains and the room was mobbed for three days with buyers paying top, top dollar for their treasures and they were thrilled to get the sets.

As the hobby slowly greys (or is it grays; I always get those two and "strait" and "straight" mixed up), the vintage Britains sets will continue to decrease in value/demand/popularity, it is what it is.

The collectors I do sell the occasional vintage Britains set to are some of the nicest, most decent and honorable collectors in this hobby and I enjoy my interactions with them, most of them are part of "The Greatest Generation", many of whom gave up their tomorrows so we could have our todays.

I get a bit down in the dumps this time of year as I think about my eight uncles, all of whom served in WWII and only one is still with us, he was a carpenters mate on an LST in the Pacific.

 

[jazzeum]

Although not quite the same, other than that the process has been considerably accelerated, the same could be applied to older King & Country. Sets from their glossy phase (1984-1997) now sell for a fraction of what they sold for five or six years ago and sets from their initial matte stage also sell for a fraction of what they used to sell for. As George and I have discussed many time, those who want these older sets have them, by and large and those who don't, are not initerested in them.

One of King & Country's most celebrated sets, The First of the Few (RAF pilots), a very charming early set, used to sell in the hundreds. Now, you almost can't give them away.

 

[tdubel]

Although not quite the same, other than that the process has been considerably accelerated, the same could be applied to older King & Country. Sets from their glossy phase (1984-1997) now sell for a fraction of what they sold for five or six years ago and sets from their initial matte stage also sell for a fraction of what they used to sell for. As George and I have discussed many time, those who want these older sets have them, by and large and those who don't, are not initerested in them.

One of King & Country's most celebrated sets, The First of the Few (RAF pilots), a very charming early set, used to sell in the hundreds. Now, you almost can't give them away.

One sold at vf for near 250. It all depends on the buyer. But in general the market is softer.
Tom

 

[jazzeum]

These are things I'm noticing on eBay (as well as some of my sales on some of the older K & C), which can be different than Shows, that is true.

 

[kilted vampire]

Warriors assesment is indeed spot on. We are flooded with all kinds of older vintage toy soldiers and are having a dickens of a time selling them. Some really great dime stores too. Just sitting there at a fraction of what they brought five years ago. It is a good time to buy if a person has an interest in vintage.