The Toy Soldier Show, London, 3rd Dec 2005 (1 Viewer)

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Doubtless much of the talk on the board centres around Chicago's OTSN but for those of you interested in events on the other side of the pond would be well advised to consider London's Toy Soldier Show on 3rd December 2005 in the Imperial War Museum.

See: http://www.thetoysoldiershow.com/

Previous shows (19th March 2005 and 11th June 2005) have proven to be hugely successful, with a good write up in most toy soldier and modelling magazines, and the bulk of the admission fees are donated to the British Legion.

As you're probably aware, there was quite a bit of sparring earlier in the year: Vectis Auctions used to organise the British Toy Soldier and Figure Show. Separately, Ian Carrick's London Toy Soldier Show used to run until bought out by Vectis. Now Vectis argued that there was pressure from all sides - ie the public, the dealers and the auction houses - to rationalise the toy soldier show calendar. Many dealers didn't see it that way, and so with Ian Carrick's show having been bought out and shut down, there was much speculation that a show would be organised regardless.

In the end, K&C UK stepped in and kept the show on the road, as "The Toy Soldier Experience". Most of the dealers looked at it as an opportunity to put something back into the hobby, and there were re-enactors, scale model enthusiasts and a carnival dimension to the proceedings. As you can see from the above link, and from numerous online articles, the March and June shows proved to be an enormous success. (For Vectis' perspective see their website, as I can remember they put a posting on the subject).

Well it looks like the December show could be the biggest and best yet. (The thoughts of being able to roam freely around the Imperial War Museum without the incessant clicking of cameras is in itself worth the admission price). Obviously for K&C fans, the attendance of Andy is to what most are looking forward, but there promises to be several interesting aspects to the event for K&C collectors ... (There is talk of an exclusive K&C vehicle for K&C UK members, auctions of rare and retired pieces). More info to follow as it becomes available.

Spread the word amongst any friends you have on this side of the pond (and to whom you could trust to fill suitcases with K&C product, new and old).
 
Just to clarify: the show is scheduled for the Royal National Hotel but the K&C collectors' event is in the Imperial War Museum.

Make a date in your diaries, and/or make sure that you have a proxy to attend. (You can reciprocate by promising to attend the OTSN on their behalf).

More details to follow as it becomes available but it could mark the debut of the K&C castings, not to mention some other new items which have already been the subject of speculation on the forum.

Keep adding to this thread as you hear anything further. (I will).
 
Hi Guy's and a BIG THANKS to Pete and Shannon for the forum.
I first met Andy over ten years ago in HK where I have lived for the last 11 years. I must admit I found the K&C figures first in Pacific Place and then had to find the creator!
Dad (Mike) and I, are both mad model makers, fell in love with K&C there and then and with Andy's OK we set up K&C UK which was 10 years old last year.
So I hope Dad and I can add some thing to the forum conversations with regards to K&C.
Thanks to Cannon Fodder for the posts and in an attempt to clarify I would like to make you all aware of some work in progress.

The Toy Soldier Show, London, 3rd DECEMBER 2005
We now run The Toy Soldier Show, London www.thetoysoldiershow.com and in December, we will be close to 250 tables, which we believe will make it one of the largest shows of its kind. These shows will become more of an event as we need to attract new collectors in to the hobby and give more. At the December show we will have a British Tommie theme (we had Romans in June which was good fun!). To bring the December Show to life we will have a YMCA Austin K2 van from 1941 along with some Tommie’s and some Land Army Girls to help bring it all to life and add some glamour.

At the show there will be a number of K&C highlights-

§ Andy Neilson will be with us for the weekend.
§ We will have and launch our exclusive K&C UK vehicle (available to all and limited to 500), Andy signing certificates.
§ 60ft of K&C diorama product display.
§ Old K&C, early IWJ, LAH,VN (VN1-VN8 as an example) DD (DD1 – DD23 as an example), WS (WS20 as an example), Arnhem (AN1 – AN16 as an example), etc. We have yet to decide on the way to sell these items BUT the closing may well be at a special event we are planning in the evening!

KING & COUNTRY GLOBAL COLLECTORS CONVENTION, THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM LONDON 3RD DECEMBER, 7.30PM - MIDNIGHT

Agreed and with the full support of Andy Neilson we have booked the whole of the Imperial War Museum www.iwm.org.uk/lambeth/venue for the evening following the show on the 3rd.

The ‘gathering of the band of brothers’ will take place in the large exhibits hall amongst real versions of the K&C models! The evening is open to any one from anywhere!
There will be a cost for the evening to us so we will have to charge to cover costs. Anyone 6 - 16 accompanied by an adult will get free entry.
Any money made beyond covering costs will be handed to the Royal British Legion

Whilst the final format of the evening has to be decided some highlights will be-

§ Open to all K&C enthusiasts not just club members, we want to get as many as we can together.
§ Cocktail reception
§ History and future of K&C by Andy Neilson
§ Pre registered collectors pick up exclusive K&C UK vehicle..
§ Final sale of the old K&C items. (as I say we are still working out the detail on how we will sell the K&C old items, it will not be on e bay though)
§ Exclusive event polo shirt
§ Private viewing of IWM exhibits.
§ Guest Speaker NICK PETTIT GM QGM , THE MOST DECORATED SOLDIER SINCE WW2 or Tim Collins author of Rules of Engagement, A Life in Conflict. We are speaking to both at the minute.
§ WW2 Re enactors……….K&C figures and vehicles come to life!
§ ……………..and a few surprises !

I will post more information as it is confirmend but would love to see you at what is sure to be a very memorable weekend for K&C lovers!
Terrorists may bomb London BUT they will not win, stop normal life or keep us from our K&C.....the show will go on!
Kind Regards
Bob
 

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