Store in box or display out of box? (2 Viewers)

[Der Alte Fritz]

What to do, what to do about new or vintage figures that are tied down into their original box. Do you clip off the string and remove the soldiers from the box so that you can display on a shelf or even game with it, or do the figures remain forever in the box and displayed that way with the lid taken off?

Now with vintage Britain's or similar figures, I assume that removing the soldiers from the box reduces their "collectors value" -- is this true ?

I sort of wonder what is the point of having a collection of toy soldiers if you can pick them up and inspect them, or line them up in ranks and ogle over them for hours on end, or do I dare say , play with them?

I'm wondering what others think about this topic.

Jim

 

[sammy719]

What to do, what to do about new or vintage figures that are tied down into their original box. Do you clip off the string and remove the soldiers from the box so that you can display on a shelf or even game with it, or do the figures remain forever in the box and displayed that way with the lid taken off?

Now with vintage Britain's or similar figures, I assume that removing the soldiers from the box reduces their "collectors value" -- is this true ?

I sort of wonder what is the point of having a collection of toy soldiers if you can pick them up and inspect them, or line them up in ranks and ogle over them for hours on end, or do I dare say , play with them?

I'm wondering what others think about this topic.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Though I do not own any glossy sets I must admit that I am a bit confused why a collector would want to buy such nice sets to leave in a box or store in a closet somewhere??? be it glossy/metal etc. I'm all for displaying be it diorama, stand alone, cabinets, tables what have you, I understand that some collectors like to buy multiples and which case I see the reasoning to leave in box but other then that I do not see the enjoyment of purchasing and collecting to hide the sets away in a box, but to each their own as they say...Sammy

 

[thebritfarmer]

As long as they are not retied in the box I would leave them as is as you lose value. If the have been retied or value does not bother you, get them out of the boxes !!!!! At the end of the day they are your figures and do what brings you the most joy.

 

[johnnybach]

The hint is in the title.

They are TOY Soldiers. They were made to be played with. Just because lots of us are elderly old Forts - doesn't mean that we have to be like the silly people who can afford to buy a painting by Picasso for a squillion bucks - and then lock it away in an air conditioned safe somewhere - because it might get stolen!

Sure, if you're a bit worried about them losing "value" - then lock them away somewhere safe and worry about them some more.

But hopefully, if you're not like that - PLAY with or display them! Just enjoy them, for goodness sake - that's why you bought them, isn't it????

jb

 

[villagehorse]

I am a bad example not to be copied by anyone......I burn or discard all boxes.{eek3}, Robin.

 

[blaster]

Hi All,

I don't really collect glossies. What I do understand about them is really taken from Robert Opie's books.

Vintage hollow cast Britains and others are really meant for investment. Mint, nr mint etc that sort of thing.

Other more recent stuff Traditions onwards, solid cast, conversions, broken vintage, new toy soldiers are meant to be played with.

Rgds Victor

 

[graycap]

I presume most of us collect "toy/model" soldiers for pleasure. The best way for that is to have them on display (or "play" with them) in one form of another. I do not have the space to display all my collection so I ring the changes from time to time and, if I still have them, use the original boxes for storage.

Just to store them away in the hope that their "value" will increase seems to me to be senseless. No pleasure is being derived and I suspect the supposed extra "value" that such preserved models might accrue in the future is somewhat illusory. What will the market for such figures be in ten years time let alone longer? Either sell up now or enjoy them now!

 

[Artillery_crazy]

Hey Robin,
I hear you....I do the same......^&grin^&grin^&grin
Never would have space or time to store all the empty boxes, they have a short life cycle here....soldiers bought, out of the box...onto the shelf and box to the bin.....
Cheers
Luiz

I am a bad example not to be copied by anyone......I burn or discard all boxes.{eek3}, Robin.

 

[jazzeum]

I don't like to keep things in the boxes which is why if I can't display it, I've sold it (or am in the process of doing so).

As far as the boxes go, never throw away a box, which serves a variety of purposes. One, it increases value if you sell. Secondly, if you should move, having the box makes the move easier than if you don't; imagine trying to pack every figure. Third, if you should become incapacitated or die -- and the amount of collections that spouses or children are left with is increasing -- having the box will make selling or donating the collection easier for your heirs.

 

[Der Alte Fritz]

I've pretty much decided to remove figures from the boxes to put them on display. I had two boxes of Britain's French Foreign Legion figures that were tied down in the box. However, the boxes were in such bad condition that it made me think that the figures were not original factory tied, because why would you take great care of the figures, but allow the box to deteriorate if you are a collector?

I also wonder about sets from 1940-1966 that are tied down. I can't believe that some young boy got a box of Britain's and decided to keep them in the box as a collectors item rather than playing with them

Jim

 

[Dettingen]

It's hard to not appreciate the artwork on most boxes, so tossing them out is hard for me. Unfortunately that means they sit empty, inside bigger boxes in the basement, taking on all of the damp odors that they can find!
I have and will continue to cut the black strings and take every soldier out of his original box, and I have re-tied some back in for moves only to do the same thing over again. Re-sewing soldiers to their original cards is actually pretty fun.
Anyone who ever got a soldier for a gift knows the magic of a good box. My parents never bought me a Marx play set new, I bought my Marx army men at the Albuquerque flea market 1970s! I really envied friends who got their Navarone play set or Fort Apache in the box at Christmas and can remember setting up each piece to match the box photo wit them. When I look at boxes to the old Britains I collect now, I cannot help but imagine some kid opening the same box for the first time under some Christmas tree years ago. So I will keep my boxes for both sentimental and practical reasons, though never for just investment purposes. Moth and rust doth corrupt, after all!

 

[Dragoon]

Almost all my purchases for the last several years are mat figures (W.Britains, J.Jenkins) which I modify by repainting and converting to glossy. Obviously resale ''value'' goes out the window, but this is my collection so I do want I want. The figures look beautiful under lights, and take a good amount of time to convert, so I only buy sets I wish to display. - This being the case I find no reason to waste space storing boxes. ( I did keep them around prior to my last move, only to find the black foam packing did not play well with the acrylic gloss varnish I top coated the figures with. Many figures needed touching up after unpacking.....and all the boxes went into the trash.)

 

[mikemiller1955]

I don't like to keep things in the boxes which is why if I can't display it, I've sold it (or am in the process of doing so).

As far as the boxes go, never throw away a box, which serves a variety of purposes. One, it increases value if you sell. Secondly, if you should move, having the box makes the move easier than if you don't; imagine trying to pack every figure. Third, if you should become incapacitated or die -- and the amount of collections that spouses or children are left with is increasing -- having the box will make selling or donating the collection easier for your heirs.

also makes a much safer way to pack when selling/shipping...

packed in pre-cut foam slot beats about any home made shipping method available...

these boxes were designed by the manufacturer to ensure the product arrives unbroken...

I have actually seen sellers on Ebay...
selling loose unfilled boxes from different manufacturers...
some for a pretty penny...
they are a desired commodity...

 

[nmrocks]

In my case I get no boxes of any concern, but have managed to find the best of both worlds with these display boxes with acrylic clear cover that also act a storage. I was wondering if you might have considered displaying them in the original boxes behind glass in a "shadow box"?
At most craft stores like Hobby Lobby they have a huge selection in sizes and depths ranging from nearly single figure to I would say big enough to put some large Marx set boxes into. put the lid on the back and display in original boxes might be your "best of both Worlds" solution?
Ray

 

[Louis Badolato]

I display as much of my collection, glossy and matt, as possible, on dioramas and display cases. It only sits in a box if I have no room to display it.

 

[Louis Badolato]

And by absolutely no room, I mean absolutely no room!{sm2}

 

[thebritfarmer]

I think you need to contemplate renting a warehouse Louis !

 

[Louis Badolato]

I think you need to contemplate renting a warehouse Louis !

What's the fun in that!{sm4}

 

[villagehorse]

What's the fun in that!{sm4}

After careful thought I have decided to help you out Louis, after viewing your floor issue. I am prepared to take quite a few of these off your hands. Just hope the prices are reasonable.^&grin, Robin.

 

[Louis Badolato]

After careful thought I have decided to help you out Louis, after viewing your floor issue. I am prepared to take quite a few of these off your hands. Just hope the prices are reasonable.^&grin, Robin.

Robin,

You think the stuff on the 12 by 6 foot diorama platform looks crowded?{sm4} you can't tell from the photos but I have 10 aircraft and 3 paratroops suspended by fishing wire from the ceiling above it as well!{sm2}