The View from My Chair (1 Viewer)

[lancer]

Beautiful collection, Pat. Like others, I really like the way it is displayed in the cabinets. I also like the total lack of clutter, the minimalist look, if you will. Nothing to destract one from the soldiers. -- Al

 

[W T Allison II]

Pat: I knew you have an impressive collection and so very well displayed. Your photos show it very well. Your room is the envy of every collector. Thanks for taking the time to show it and your collection to us. Best regards, Tommy

 

[Mitch]

A stunning collection
Mitch

 

[ostrein]

You could have the same display space if your would collect only TS!

:redface2::rolleyes2:


Yes it would help, but ...



Oliver

 

[Firebat]

I think it is the best collection room I have ever seen, simple elegance. I feel peaceful just looking at the pictures of it. I can imagine how peaceful it must be actually being there.


Great Job
Alex

 

[The Lt.]

There's nothing I can say Pat that's already been said about you view from your chair an collection. Thank you good sir for sharing it with us........Joe

 

[GICOP]

There's nothing I can say Pat that's already been said about you view from your chair an collection. Thank you good sir for sharing it with us........Joe

Along with my good friend Joe I agree with everything that everyone has said Pat {bravo}}{bravo}}{bravo}}

Cheers

Martyn

 

[VIRIATO]

Thank you so much for posting these. I really like the display and the fact that it is a quite varied and eclectic collection. The room looks very well organized and the beautiful way you display surely adds a lot to the items collected.

Best regards,
Paulo

 

[Louis Badolato]

Pat,

You collection looks fantastic, and is beautifully displayed!:smile2:

 

[mikemiller1955]

Wade...your extensive collection is beautiful...but I really like your presentation...so clean and organized...so spacious and non-cluttered...love your display cabinets...they seem ideal for displaying this hobby...

 

[ucla1967]

Pat, what a wonderful collection so neatly displayed in curios. I am envious of you having a basement to dispay your collection in. Alas, we don't have basements in California. Please try and take some close-ups, if you can.

 

[Northgate Woods]

Pat mate,
A truly outstanding set of showcases and a great collection. Just love the way they are laid out and as Alex commented, the room seems so peaceful. A great place to withdraw from the moderation of the TF Forum.:smile2:
Enjoy your TS collecting cobber in that beautiful room. Also have a Happy Christmas and Great New Year.
Cheers Howard

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

When I decided to post the photos of my display room, I had no idea the photos would be met with such a warm welcome. I have viewed many photos of wonderful "Man Caves" on this forum and my room is simple compared to the many I have seen. Consequently, I never expected the kind comments I have received. The room, like my collection, reflects my tastes and my personality. I wanted a toy soldier room instead of a Man Cave. The room is my retreat and it offers me great comfort, a depth of peacefulness, a source of pride, and a quiet area in which to ponder our hobby. I wish each of you could have such a room.

Needless to say, I am both flattered and humbled by all your compliments and warm greetings. Thank you for your thoughts, your kindness, and your friendship. I deeply appreciate them.

Several of you have asked specific questions. I shall now try to respond to those questions in the posts that follow.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Pat,
A great room and collection. Good to see plenty of room available for more soldiers.

I noticed an artillery piece with about 16 horses pulling it (on its own shelf). Can you tell us a bit more about it as seems very high in horse power requirements.

Just love the Durbar items but surprised to see WWII in there.

All the best for Christmas and the New Year.

Regards
Brett from hot and sticky Brisbane.

Hi Brett,

The set you see on the shelf is a William Hocker set. Specifically, it is set #6 from his North-West Frontier Campaigns #1 series. The title of the set is: The Royal Artillery Bullock Draught. The set consists of a mounted officer, five marching troopers, 16 bullocks with troopers supervising each pair, and the related artillery items.

The set, as presently displayed, is 43 inches in length. Unfortunately, my curios are only 40 inches wide, so the set cannot not be displayed in my curio in the manner I wanted, so a shelf was necessary that could accommodate the display. Only rarely do I ever romove the set from the shelf as handling the team of sixteen bullocks is a significant challenge. I have attached a few additional photos of the set below in order for you to have a closer view of it. I hope you enjoy it.

Now, about those WWII items. If you could examine my collection more closely, the first thing you might notice is it is lousy with Durbar figures. However, a closer examination would clearly reveal a great diversity of themes and eras. I have always had an interest in WWII and I began collecting it as well as collecting Napoleonic era figures. You will see both represented in my collection. Soon after I began collecting these eras, I realized the number of figures/sets were absolutely endless. The choice I faced was limiting myself to only WWII and/or Napoleonics or enjoying a wider selection of interests. I chose to collect a wider series of interests. Consequently, I have not collected WWII or Napoleonic items for some time now. Simply stated, my pocket book cannot address all the interests I experience and my interests are wide and varied.

I hope you enjoy the additional photos I have supplied below.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Pat,

As usual, you are far too modest and your collection is outstanding. If you have the time, I would love too see some closeups. Who made the dirigible. That is very unusual. I wouldn't be surprised if you told me it was William Hocker.

Brad

Hi Brad,

You are correct. I am going to tell you the set is a William Hocker item. And, yes, it is unusual. In fact, I consider the set to be iconic. This set frequently springs to mind when someone thinks of the wonderful series of figures Mr. Hocker produces.

Specifically, the set in question is from his earliest line, Assorted Late Victorian Campaigns 1879-99. It is set #1, the Royal Engineers Balloon Section. I especially enjoy the fellow sitting in the balloon rigging with his spyglass. It is one of the very nice touches for which Mr. Hocker is noted.

If you acquire this set, you must handle it with the greatest of care. My set is presently displayed on a glass shelf, but I have received reports that the rods holding the balloon can slide on the glass. Fortunately, I have not encountered this problem, but the least difference in the shape or angle of the rods can cause the problem.

The height of the balloon can also pose a problem. After acquiring the set, and in order to have an appropriate display space for it, I had to remove an entire shelf and the figures on it. And, once the balloon was in place, there was much unused space remaining on the shelf. The balloon itself took up much space, but this space was mostly above the shelf. Consequently, I purchased another set to help fill in the space below the balloon.

Below you should find a few photos that provide a closer view of the set. In my next post, I will show you the additional set that I purchased to place on the shelf with the Balloon Section.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Hi Brad,

In my earlier response to your post, I mentioned a second William Hocker set of figures I purchased to place on the same shelf with the Hocker Balloon Section. The set I chose was Set #3 from his Boar War collection. The set is titled, K.O.S.B. Maxim Gun Detachment. I have provided a few photos of this set which can be viewed below.

Enjoy!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Hi Pat, what a great collection you have and those cabinets show it off to it's best! I see that you can never have enough Elephants then! :wink2:

Superb Man Cave. {bravo}}

Jeff :salute::

Hi Jeff,

You certainly have keen eyes, Jeff. I am not sure how you managed to spot an elephant in the midst of my collection. ^&grin But, you are correct. I can never have enough elephants, especially if they are Durbar elephants. Elephants are the bane of Delhi Durbar collectors. They shall surely drain me of all personal financial resources.

I have considered posting a thread or developing an album to more easily share the elephants. They are truly beautiful pieces and they deserve to be seen. Perhaps one day I will finally connect time with motivation and develop a means to share them all.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[wadepat]

Pat, a very nice Collection you have there. I love the uncluttered room and cabinets. I can imagine how nice it's must be there in your chair enjoying this wonderful collection.

I hope you don't mind that I'm saving some of your pictures as a reference for a room I have in mind.

Thanks for sharing with us.
Oliver

Hi Oliver,

Of course, I do not mind if you save some of my photos. In fact, I am flattered you might want to save them. I hope you find them useful in designing your own display room. Once you have completed your room, please post some photos so we might all enjoy it.

And, yes, it is very nice to sit in my chair and enjoy my collection. If you are ever in the area, please stop by and you may sit in my chair and enjoy the same view.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[joesgis]

Pat,
Thank you for sharing the pics of your exquisite room and collection. I bet toy soldiers from all over the world our clamoring to be displayed in your beautiful museum!!! It's just an absolutely impeccable display in every way.

Joe

 

[The Military Workshop]

Pat,
Thanks for the info about the The Royal Artillery Bullock Draught. I have no idea about what it takes to pull an artillery piece but that seems a logistical nightmare having 16 bullocks for 1 artillery piece.

Never seen any in the flesh but Hocker does seem to do some very unique and nice items.

Regards
Brett