The Ed Ruby Collection, May 2012 (1 Viewer)

[ucla1967]

Our hobby is not in the same class as some others (e.g., train collectors) in terms of the nunber of hobbists, but I am fortunate to be living in southern California which has a large enough population to have several dozen or more of us in the area. About six years ago I founded the Southern California Toy Soldier Collectors Society so that we could get together five or six times a year to show or collections to each other. Today, Ed Ruby hosted a showing of his fabulous collection of toy soldiers, art work, ship models, etc. Here are some photos; I hope you enjoy them. That's Ed in the third photo.

 

[ucla1967]

More photos.

 

[ucla1967]

Continuing.

 

[ucla1967]

Notice how Ed utilizes backdrops or facades to enhance his displays.

 

[Stickleback]

Hi Mike,

I enjoy seeing pictures of other people's collections, especially when they're as nice as this one. Thanks for sharing.

Adrian

 

[johnnybach]

Thanks Mike - and many, many thanks to Ed - for a rare opportunity to see your fabulous collection. Well done indeed - it's simply fabulous. johnnybach

 

[wadepat]

Hi ucla,

What an amazing collection! It is a collection about which most of us could only dream. Thanks a million for sharing the photos. My compliments to you and to Mr. Ruby!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[jazzeum]

Heck of a collection Mike.

 

[ucla1967]

Thanks for your comments Adrian, JB, Pat, and Brad. I never tire of seeing Ed's magnificent collection; he is continually changing it. Although it is mostly displayed on glass shelves, with some dioramas, his use of background backdrops makes you loose sight of that fact.

 

[ucla1967]

More photos.

 

[ucla1967]

Still more. I believe that the Chinese Boxers in the first photo are James Opie's rarely seen Imperialist figures which were made on commission for him by Blenheim (I think). The American Revolutionary War figures are from Bill Hocker.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Mike,

All I can say is I've never seen anything even close to Ed's collection, and I am blown away every time you post photo of it.:smile2:

By the way, do you know who made the two biplanes flying over the city scene on the bottom shelf of the Britains cabinet, or if any Heco Tinplate Models found their way into Ed's magnificent collection?

 

[glossman]

Hi Mike,

Thanks very much for taking the time to post these wonderful pictures of the Ed Ruby Collection.

He has a fantastic collection, well displayed with the use of facades and backdrops.

I can see he is very proud of his collection and he has every reason to be so.

Mr. Ruby made my day, courtesy of your goodself.

Best Wishes, Raymond.

 

[kogu]

Beautiful views of a most fascinating collection.
Thank you, Mike, for sharing it here with us, and to Mr Ruby a salute :salute:: for his wonderful arranged displays.
Konrad

 

[ucla1967]

Mike,

All I can say is I've never seen anything even close to Ed's collection, and I am blown away every time you post photo of it.:smile2:

By the way, do you know who made the two biplanes flying over the city scene on the bottom shelf of the Britains cabinet, or if any Heco Tinplate Models found their way into Ed's magnificent collection?

Louis,

The only other collection that I have seen that is close to Ed's is Bob Walker's. I hope you got a chance to look at the new photos I posted of it on this Dioramas forum recently.

I saw those, but did not take a close-up photo of them. I don't know who made them. I didn't see any Heco Tinplate Models in Ed's collection. However, he has an office near John Wayne Airport which I haven't seen yet, which has more of his collection on display there.

 

[ucla1967]

Thanks for your kind words Raymond and Konrad.

 

[ucla1967]

Note the memorabilia from Britains in the third photo called "The Holy Grail." That is Ed Ruby with Dennis Britain in the top right photo taken about 30 years ago. The fifth photo is from Ed's home office which is full of framed miltary art and prints.

 

[ucla1967]

More from Ed's home office.

 

[ucla1967]

The first two photos are Kingcast sets. I love the little scenery boxes he has displayed the sets in. Where does he find all this stuff?

The third photo includes Napoleonic Gordon Highlanders from Frontline Figures that Ed bought from me years ago at the West Coaster when I first met him. I didn't know what he looked like at that time, but I knew of him by reputation. He asked if I would take a personal check; I said I would. I looked at the check and said you are not "the Ed Ruby" are you. He said he was and we have been friends ever since.

 

[GICOP]

Mr Ruby has a fantastic collection :salute:: , thank you for posting the pictures Mike {bravo}}

Cheers

Martyn