The Marco Polo Collection: AeroArt/Figarti project (1 Viewer)

[zblang]

After quite a while of hunting, I've finally obtained the Marco Polo Collection set of Union Generals (thanks to a member here). The first photo is of the whole set. The others are comparisons with the St. Petersburg pieces. I only have two of the St. Pete ones, so can't compare them all.
Overall, i think the Marco Polo set is nice but it does lack a bit of detail and overall "feel" in the painting. The Russian painted pieces just seem softer somehow. Price wise, I'd say it's personal preference if the St. Pete is worth the extra money. The swords and belts are a good place to compare the difference in detail.

Does anyone have any info on this collaboration? Why so few sets and why they didn't continue?

Stupidly, I didn't put them on the same side, but the Aeroart pieces have squared off bases and the MP Collection are freeform. Let me know your opinion of each. Just curious what people think. keeping in mind the price of AeroArt vs. the price of these ($225 for the 4 when released)

 

[jazzeum]

To me there is no comparison. I've seen the Marco Polo artillery set and I have the Aeroart artillery set and the latter, in my opinion, is much better.

 

[Alex]

Marco polo figures are at same level as first legions ones but both manufacturers are under current aeroart figures which are themselves under the level of old aeroart/arsenyev pieces
cheers
alex

To me there is no comparison. I've seen the Marco Polo artillery set and I have the Aeroart artillery set and the latter, in my opinion, is much better.

 

[zblang]

I agree that AeroArt had a period of not so great, but I think they've come back around. Some of the new pieces I've gotten have been very nice

 

[jazzeum]

I'm obviously no expert on Russian figures although I do have many, if not most, of the Civil War Generals set and I thought they were made pre 2000. My flyer says they were sculpted by Alexander Zernov, although you all would know better than me who he is.

Brad

 

[Combat]

I don't know the entire story here but can surmise a bit based on my dealings with Aeroart. I bought most of the Civil War and WWII figures when they came out a long while back. My guess is that the high price point for these figures was not working. Most collectors that spend around $200 for a single figure want something more elaborate than a modern figure. So they re-released the same sculpts with lower quality painting and reduced the price under the Marco Polo line. I can understand why they did that, but it somewhat diminished the more expensive figures by producing what were essentially cheaper knockoffs. It would be like Ferrari selling a $30K car that looks very similar to their $100K model. The Marco Polo name is simply a way to market a lower quality/price figure without diminishing the Aeroart name. It also creates a certain amount of confusion for those who believe they are getting the higher quality figures at a great price when they are actually getting the knockoffs.