Toy Soldier Model Figure Magazine (1 Viewer)

[Alexander the Great]

I was lucky enough to purchase almost all issues of Toy Soldier Model Figure magazine from the daughter of a collector who sadly passed away (he was a wonderful individual, collector, producer of toy soldiers, and university professor). There is a story that a billionaire collector landed his helicopter at the university so that he could visit him and buy toy soldiers from him!
Starting to read them, it is interesting to see photos of the younger versions of folks that are still in the hobby today. However, it is sad to see how many toy soldier shops and companies used to be out there vs. today

I am noticing the following trends over a 20 year period:
1. Significantly less toy soldier stores (fewer than 10 left in the US)!
2. Less toy soldier shows.
3. Less manufacturers/toy soldier makers
4. Less and less new toy soldier companies entering the hobby
5. Significant improvements in toy soldier quality over time.
6. Significant price increases over time.

Just wanted to share my thoughts and observations as I go through this interesting historical journey.

 

[Warrior]

I am noticing the following trends over a 20 year period:
1. Significantly less toy soldier stores (fewer than 10 left in the US)!
2. Less toy soldier shows.
3. Less manufacturers/toy soldier makers
4. Less and less new toy soldier companies entering the hobby
5. Significant improvements in toy soldier quality over time.
6. Significant price increases over time.

To address some of your points;

It is 2020 and today, the way people shop and gather information is much different than it was 5, 10 or 20 years ago. When I first reentered the hobby, as you pointed out there were a large number of toy soldier shops around the country as well as a number of toy soldier shows. Three in particular that were big at the time were the Chicago Toy Soldier Show, Hackensack and the MFCA show.

As time went on, shops began to close as the owners either retired or passed away. The shows also over time began to slowly contract in size and attendance as again, toy soldier dealers retired or passed away, collectors either got out of the hobby or passed away with fewer and fewer people taking their place.

Again, it's 2020 and the internet is king, on line retailing has taken the place of traditional shops, the largest toy soldier store is still thriving right here in Massachusetts, the Hobby Bunker, I encourage anyone visiting the Boston area to stop by and check it out. Websites, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Ebay and forums have become very popular, shops and shows have declined in popularity, not to mention having a dedicated toy soldier shop in a contracting hobby and the expense it carries is very difficult to sustain.

The shows are all slowly circling the drain and again, people shop differently now than they did 5, 10 or 20 years ago, it's a sign of the times.

As far as there being less manufacturers; there are many in China (two new ones in the past couple of years, a third is just beginning now as well) as well as cottage types in the UK, but yet, less dealers if that is what you mean by toy soldier companies.

As there are less collectors, there are fewer customers to go around, so the opportunity to come into the market and thrive has diminished, that is for sure. New dealers are basically selling to preexisting customers of other dealers for the most part, not really sure new dealers are introducing toy soldiers to new collectors to be honest.

And yes, the quality has gone up in recent years, so naturally the prices will as well, you get what you pay for.

All in all, it's a great hobby, one that has brought me a lot of joy and I am blessed to be able to sell toy soldiers for a living (well, mostly blessed, the past few weeks have been very trying from a business standpoint between once again being faced with rising shipping costs, the threat of looming tariffs on goods from China among other challenges).

As I approach 60 at the end of this year, I celebrate close to 25 years of being in business, pretty amazing, incredible to think how far the business has come from where and how I started. I have an continue to face many challenges to keep this thing going, but I take on every challenge head on and continue to thrive, so I must be doing something right.

 

[theBaron]

George, man, you need to write a book about this. Or at least an in-depth article.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Warrior]

George, man, you need to write a book about this. Or at least an in-depth article.

Prost!
Brad

Brad,
Regarding your show; the first time I attended with Bill Murphy from the old Excalibur Hobbies, the vendor area was the entire second floor of the VFCC, you could not see from one end of the hall to the other, the exhibit area was off to the side near the concession stand. Eddie Gries showed me a copy of the floor plan from that show recently and as I read off the vendor names, it was "deceased, deceased, retired, deceased, out of business, deceased"...…………..just sad man.

Happy to say your show still draws a good crowd, the exhibit area is a treat, so that's a good thing.

I should start a blog; if I did, I would name names and take no ****ing prisoners.

Not a threat but a promise...…………………….:wink2:

This business has changed a lot in the past few years.

And not for the better.

 

[Warrior]

George, man, you need to write a book about this.

"Little men of plastic and steel; my adventures in the business of selling toy soldiers"...……………

 

[Northgate Woods]

"Little men of plastic and steel; my adventures in the business of selling toy soldiers"...……………

George mate,
You are a LEGEND cobber. I wish there were many more like you.

Cheers from the Land Down Under, Howard


PS I am hoping to catch again with you and enjoy a few cold beers in Chicago this September, if I can afford it.{sm4}{sm4}

 

[Warrior]

George mate,
You are a LEGEND cobber. I wish there were many more like you.

Cheers from the Land Down Under, Howard


PS I am hoping to catch again with you and enjoy a few cold beers in Chicago this September, if I can afford it.{sm4}{sm4}

Howard,
That means the world to me coming from you, would be great to see you, hope you can make it.

I admire and respect you as you are one of the smart ones; got into the business and got the **** out before it chewed you up and spit you out.

You're one of the lucky ones...…………..I'm 59 and happily, I was in this business during the salad days, I was super smart with my money and I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel...………………...and luckily for me it's not a speeding locomotive heading towards me...…………:wink2: