Retired First Legion (1 Viewer)

[Alexander the Great]

Greetings to the forum members.

I am new to collecting toy soldiers and first legion (although a plastic modeler for many years).
I have a question about availability, when a figure is retired does that mean that it will never be available again?
For example I started my collection buying Gordon Highlanders and just noticed that the flag bearers are retired, what does this mean exactly (that I will not be able to complete my collection?).

Thank you for your help and support for a new member.

 

[Gebhard]

Hello,
The short answers to both of your questions would be yes and yes.

When a figure is sold out its gone for good, the sculpt may show up some day as a repainted figure to represent a different unit like they did with the Bavarians some years back.

When a new unit is released the Standard Bearers are always the First figures to sell out, this happened to their first release which were the Napoleonic Bavarian figures as well as the latestest release the Polish wingded hussars and I think this is a trend that will always continue for several reasons.

My advise as always is GO FOR THE STANDARD BEARERS FIRST if possible, but as in your case starting a collection after they are gone thats not an option. I'm sorry to say you really only have one option and thats to go the avenue of the secondary market. There have been collecotors who have had success finding long retired standard bearers this way, Zack comes to mind.

Hope this helps, happy collecting and welcome to the forum and to the wonderful world of First Legion. regards Gebhard

 

[BHogan]

Yes and no to answer your question. All toy soldier companies produce their figures in limited quantities. After these quantities have been sold out, they become "retired" and are usually no longer manufactured. In some instances, "retired" figures have been produced again if there is sufficient demand. I you're looking to pick up "retired" figures, your best bet is usually to peruse various toy soldier shop's websites and the forum's for sale page. Otherwise, you can always check eBay, but it's usually more expensive than buying off a retailor or another collector here.

Hope this helps!

Brendan

 

[Alexander the Great]

Hello,
The short answers to both of your questions would be yes and yes.

When a figure is sold out its gone for good, the sculpt may show up some day as a repainted figure to represent a different unit like they did with the Bavarians some years back.

When a new unit is released the Standard Bearers are always the First figures to sell out, this happened to their first release which were the Napoleonic Bavarian figures as well as the latestest release the Polish wingded hussars and I think this is a trend that will always continue for several reasons.

My advise as always is GO FOR THE STANDARD BEARERS FIRST if possible, but as in your case starting a collection after they are gone thats not an option. I'm sorry to say you really only have one option and thats to go the avenue of the secondary market. There have been collecotors who have had success finding long retired standard bearers this way, Zack comes to mind.

Hope this helps, happy collecting and welcome to the forum and to the wonderful world of First Legion. regards Gebhard

Thank you very much Gebhard, much appreciated!

 

[Alexander the Great]

Yes and no to answer your question. All toy soldier companies produce their figures in limited quantities. After these quantities have been sold out, they become "retired" and are usually no longer manufactured. In some instances, "retired" figures have been produced again if there is sufficient demand. I you're looking to pick up "retired" figures, your best bet is usually to peruse various toy soldier shop's websites and the forum's for sale page. Otherwise, you can always check eBay, but it's usually more expensive than buying off a retailor or another collector here.

Hope this helps!

Brendan

Thank you Brendan!

 

[jazzeum]

One of the reasons standard bearers sell out first is because less are made.

Although a figure may sell out that doesn't mean you won't be able to locate it. I have found that posting your request in the classified section of the Forum can yield concrete results. For example, last year I was looking for the Russian Hussars from the Napoleonic range and was able to purchase slmost all of them through the Forum.

eBay is not as successful a venue because, as a rule, most collectors do not resell their figures. You should still keep your eye on eBay though.

I haven't found looking dealers' websites to be fruitful. Moreover, many dealers don't update their listings regularly so what may appear to be in stock in actuality is not.

Brad

 

[lenswerks]

I was looking for mail where I had ask Matt about the Standard Bearers since someone else mentioned they had heard there might be more made.
I think it was about the Gordon Highlanders and Matt mentioned he might make more of the Standard Bearers, but not the drummer.
I usually do not buy if I cannot get the Standard Bearers so this was an exception for me.

It has been over a year so maybe and maybe not.

As long as folks buy them w/o the Standard Bearers I doubt there will be more made and that is why I will not do that again.

 

[spartan71]

The Gordon Highlanders was the first real extensive line, if I am not wrong, with a whole lot of choices in pieces right of the gate. But just pretty much gathering dust without the Standard Bearers. It was a line that I would have gotten, but pretty much, never going to happen without the Standard Bearers....
I can never understand why,. There should always be an over abundance of the Standard Bearers, because without it a line is pretty much dead.

 

[Alexander the Great]

The Gordon Highlanders was the first real extensive line, if I am not wrong, with a whole lot of choices in pieces right of the gate. But just pretty much gathering dust without the Standard Bearers. It was a line that I would have gotten, but pretty much, never going to happen without the Standard Bearers....
I can never understand why,. There should always be an over abundance of the Standard Bearers, because without it a line is pretty much dead.

I noticed that the owner of First Legion (Matt I believe) is actively reading this forum. Perhaps he can provide some information to us.
We of course do not know what it takes to produce, the cost involved etc. But it looks like there is interest to buy these specific figures.

 

[Vezzolf]

The Gordon Highlanders was the first real extensive line, if I am not wrong, with a whole lot of choices in pieces right of the gate. But just pretty much gathering dust without the Standard Bearers. It was a line that I would have gotten, but pretty much, never going to happen without the Standard Bearers....
I can never understand why,. There should always be an over abundance of the Standard Bearers, because without it a line is pretty much dead.

Absolutely Agree with your post.....As far as I am concerned if Standard Bearers are made in limited numbers and sold out then the line is pretty much DEAD in the water for me and many others....Standard bearers must be re-released or made available to provide stimulus and interest to enter a new range..... or to purchase remaining figures..... or to purcase duplicate marching or fighting figures of that range......No Flag Bearers = No sales of other figures in the range.......VERY SIMPLE TO COMPREHEND.

 

[Gebhard]

Thank you very much Gebhard, much appreciated!

My pleasure, always willing to help out fellow First Legion collectors anyway I can. Unfortunately this is the reality of the situation you find yourself in. regards Gebhard

 

[Vicknor]

With regards to re-releasing until everyone is satiated, there are a few issues with this.

First there is the fact that each run of figures is produced and printed in in the hundreds potentially leaving tens of thousands of USD sat on shelves. Yes we can see that FL banners sell well, but I've just had a peek on the website and there are still quite a number available in different ranges.

Secondly there is the cost vs income ratio whereby the banners/flags cost a higher proportion to produce and bring in a lower ROI as they need to be priced 'reasonably'.

Thirdly, and I've noriced that it's a course of action that FL takes is that they are protective of the secondary market. With many producers, figures swap hands for far less than their original value and some would suggest that this cheapens the brand. I feel that FL are aware of this and to a certain degree allow it to influence their production schedule.

Just my opinion and you know what they say about everyone having one

 

[spartan71]

Well, if FL wants those Gordon Highlanders for example to start selling again, the standard bearers need to be there, is it not beneficial for them to do that?, to try to sell pieces that are pretty much gathering dust?.I would strongly advise any collector not to start a collection without them, they are pretty much the center piece of the collection, there can be no bigger gap in that collection, than not having them.
If a collector is worried about cheapens the brand, if everyone has those pieces. Then are they collectors? Because of the Beauty of said pieces, or do they collect them to make money? If its the latter, I suggest buying precious stones or precious metals...

 

[Vezzolf]

Well, if FL wants those Gordon Highlanders for example to start selling again, the standard bearers need to be there, is it not beneficial for them to do that?, to try to sell pieces that are pretty much gathering dust?.I would strongly advise any collector not to start a collection without them, they are pretty much the center piece of the collection, there can be no bigger gap in that collection, than not having them.
If a collector is worried about cheapens the brand, if everyone has those pieces. Then are they collectors? Because of the Beauty of said pieces, or do they collect them to make money? If its the latter, I suggest buying precious stones or precious metals...

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT....Excellent response to the nonsense.....You hit the nail right on the head.

 

[wayne556517]

Why don't they make the same amount of standard bearers ??

 

[spartan71]

Why don't they make the same amount of standard bearers ??

They have to make more on the Standard Bearers side, because not every single collector will get the same pieces, but every single collector does need the Standards, and they might realize it right from the start, or towards the end of that particular collection. So the Bearers are needed either way, the surplus has to be on that side, until the day there are hardly any more pieces on the regular pieces side., and the interest dies.

 

[Vicknor]

Why don't they make the same amount of standard bearers ??

Maybe they do?
It might be the other way round.
People collect flags but not the other pieces. I do

 

[jazzeum]

No, in the past they didn't make the same number of standard bearers as other figures; Matt has indicated as much.

I say "in the past" because flags and flagpoles were made of metal as opposed to the present where they are made of resin. That could have been a factor why less standard bearers were made than other figures.

 

[Vezzolf]

My view: Some people collect Standard Bearers only:rolleyes2:....And that's fine.....BUT..... some people collect them or purchase multiples just so that they can sell them later on at profit....The Ridiculous Behaviors I have seen in this hobby always amazes me :rolleyes2: ....If the speculators realized that FL might produce more Standard Bearers they would be much less inclined to hoard Standard Bearers.....All that aside and irregardless of those few clowns..... NOW...Let's get back on point: if FL needs more Standard Bearers to re-create interest in selling a range that has stalled simply due to lack of Flag Bearers it would be best to re-release or provide a new standard bearer thus breathing life back into a stalled and dying series.....IMO and for me and many others: No Standard Bearers available and an unwillingness to re-supply more means no other purchases of other items in that series....It's that SIMPLE.....Maybe that's why there needs to be more standard bearers provided in the first place.... or at least a 2nd run of them.

 

[jazzeum]

I haven't seen evidence that people purchased standard bearers for resale because I haven't seen many eBay auctions for them. That being said, I have seen a person list them on Treefrog and ask a very high amount.

The lack of standard bearers does seem to affect a range. If you take a look at the Prussians, an older range, there are many still in stock.