Survey: Favorite Toy Soldier references (1 Viewer)

[theBaron]

Hi, everyone,

I have another survey question I'd like to pose, I thought of this one while participating in another thread about identifying some toy soliders:

What are your favorite references for toy soldier information?

By that I mean identifying toy soldiers, but that can include identifying by picture, or reading about a specific manufacturer, or even many manufacturers in more than one country.

I'll start off, to illustrate:

My Number 1 reference is O'Brien's "Collecting Toy Soldiers", all four volumes. It's extensive, with a lot of detail, including pictures and articles. And it covers the makers, and also organizations in the hobby. It's what really got me started as a serious collector. From that book, I learned about and started visiting shows, and joined a collectors' club (MFCA). It's only drawback is that it is now about 15 years old.

My Number 2 reference is John Garratt's "World Encyclopedia of Model Soldiers". It's also extensive, and has a lot of good illustrations. It shares a similar drawback to O'Brien's book, however, in that it is about 25 years out of date, and also, it suffers from Garratt's editorializing about this maker or that, based on his own preferences (doesn't like the homecasters, does Garrett).

My Number 3 reference is actually magazines, including the newer ones like Toy Soldier & Model Figure and Toy Soldier Collector, slightly older mags like Old Toy Soldier, and out-of-print mags like Bill Lango's Toy Soldier Review-sorely missed-and modeling mags like Military Modelling.

What do you other guys use?

Prost!
Bradley

 

[thebritfarmer]

Believe it or not I do not have any reference material on Toy Soldiers. The only book I have is Norman Joplin's - Britains Civilian figures.

I am awaiting the release of his new Britains book and if I were able to I would love to have James Opies - Great Book of Britains. As my only interest is in Britains I don't see the need to collect books pertaining to thing I do not collect.

That is not to say however that I do not enjoy reading/seeing other people's stories and photos of their collections.

 

[theBaron]

I have Opie's Big Book of Britains, too, even though I don't really collect them, it's worth it for the pictures and all of the info.

I have his older paperback book, too, plus a couple of other paperback books on Britains.

 

[Leadmen]

My favorite reference books:

All the volumes of O'Brien's books
James Opie's book of Britains 1893-1993
Joe Wallis Britains Regiments of all Nations
Henry Kurtz and Burtt Ehrlich The Art of the Toy Soldier
Andrew Rose Toy Soldiers (good painting guide and reference).
Peter Johnson Toy Armies (The Forbes Collection)
John Garratt The World Encyclopedia of Model Soldiers (Great reference on most manufacturers and figure makers).

James Opie's Collecting Toy Soldiers

Leadmen Also all manufacturers catalogs

 

[Louis Badolato]

My favorite Toy Soldier Reference Book is the King & Country book written by some guys named Hans Hedrich, Lawrence Lo and Louis Badolato, with photographs by Kevin Elliott. Unfortunately, at present I have the only copy . . .

 

[Njja]

I use Bill Sager's website, friends, and thousands of photos and bits of information I have stored on computer.

I also have countless books on the different items I also collect. Nothing
quite like a good book you can pick up and study.

Let's all hope Louis's book finds a good publisher.

Njja

 

[Dickbuttons]

I collect only Britains, so I use: Joe Wallis' -- Regiments Of All Nations and his Armies of the World, and various Britains catalogue reprints.

 

[4th Hussar]

I use Bill Sager's website

Njja

Not familar with the site, what is it called ?

 

[Njja]

Sagers Soldiers & Miniatures:

Great site for all things related to King & Country and a few other manufacters. I have spent many hours researching early pieces I have found
thanks to Mr Sager.

Nothing like a few hours research followed by a nice addition to your collection!


Njja

 

[4th Hussar]

thanks, always looking for new sites

 

[Louis Badolato]

For those wondering what the vehicle depicted in NJJA's post is, that is the second of two prototypes of the Bedford QL Radio Command Vehicle. Andy sold the first to me. If I am not mistaken, that one resides in the collection of our good friend Clive (Lurchio) Gande.

 

[Njja]

Louis:

Thanks, I was wondering who got that great piece. I was at least a contender until I stopped for an Italian Ice on my way into the "Ring"

Glad it found a nice home!

Njja

 

[OzDigger]

For those wondering what the vehicle depicted in NJJA's post is, that is the second of two prototypes of the Bedford QL Radio Command Vehicle. Andy sold the first to me. If I am not mistaken, that one resides in the collection of our good friend Clive (Lurchio) Gande.

Nice looking vehicle, but those blue windows

On another thread some of us were recently discussing potential new sets with Allied Commanders to match the recent SL Rommel and Meyer vehicle releases. An updated version of that Command Vehicle with clear windows, wire aerials etc plus some Allied Commander figures such as Monty, Bradley etc would make a great Allied Strictly Limited Edition.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Nice looking vehicle, but those blue windows

On another thread some of us were recently discussing potential new sets with Allied Commanders to match the recent SL Rommel and Meyer vehicle releases. An updated version of that Command Vehicle with clear windows, wire aerials etc plus some Allied Commander figures such as Monty, Bradley etc would make a great Allied Strictly Limited Edition.

Well Oz, Andy seems to have anticipated your concerns about the blue windows. Four years ago, after the 1st NY Toy Soldier Symposium, Larry, Hans and myself were permitted to buy the three prototypes for the Bedford Troop transport lorry, which were remarkably well done except for the Blue windows. Hans' prototype of the dunkirk version of this truck is identical to the Bedford Lorry about to be released in the FOB series with the exception that the Lorry about to be released has clear windows and a driver inside. It seems Andy is redoing these blue windowed vehicles with the improved cabs with clear windows and interiors.