Toy Soldiers Only? (1 Viewer)

[Sgt. 403]

I started my collection last Father's Day when my wife bought me a couple of retired Confederates from the current line. I've been adding a few here and there, mainly given as gifts. I was thinking I'd quickly round out the Civil War line, then jump on something else. Earlier this month, I put all the ACW on a spreadsheet so I could track what I have and what I need. I guess that was the first time I really got to looking at prices, but when I added up what was left, it was over $2000, so I'm looking at several years just to get the ACW line. My wife provided the great military advice to "not split up my forces" and stick with the ACW instead of branching out.

I currently divide my "hobby money" among 4 categories, with toy soldiers being one. So I guess that's my question. Are you almost singlemindedly spending all hobby dollars, pounds, euros, etc. on toy soldiers or do you dabble in other things as well? Were massive collections built because of the time spent collecting, available money to spend, or both?

 

[nshighlander]

I do love my golf.But I can`t do both so the golf clubs I think will be left alone for awhile.Plus a second job will be on the way.
Cheers
Dave

 

[thebritfarmer]

My only hobby is collecting toy soldiers, but it is still hard to choose with so many great choices out there although currently I am focusing on the AZW.

 

[cantinetozzo]

Military History Books...

 

[Spitfrnd]

I started my collection last Father's Day when my wife bought me a couple of retired Confederates from the current line. I've been adding a few here and there, mainly given as gifts. I was thinking I'd quickly round out the Civil War line, then jump on something else. Earlier this month, I put all the ACW on a spreadsheet so I could track what I have and what I need. I guess that was the first time I really got to looking at prices, but when I added up what was left, it was over $2000, so I'm looking at several years just to get the ACW line. My wife provided the great military advice to "not split up my forces" and stick with the ACW instead of branching out.

I currently divide my "hobby money" among 4 categories, with toy soldiers being one. So I guess that's my question. Are you almost singlemindedly spending all hobby dollars, pounds, euros, etc. on toy soldiers or do you dabble in other things as well? Were massive collections built because of the time spent collecting, available money to spend, or both?

I started in a similar fashion, except it was knights and a birthday. Next thing I knew I was deep in the Napoleon fever. For me the passions are horses (hence the knights), movies, skiing and military figures, in that order, so yes the requirements for this hobby must find their place and sometimes wait their turn. While it is tempting to pursue many different periods, I find it more practical to concentrate on just a few. Even then, there is no such thing for me as quickly rounding out any line. It is a war of patience and attrition.

 

[lancer]

At one point in my life, I had 3 major hobbies going. Number 1 priority were military history books, with collecting toy soldiers being #3 and by far the last in line for money. This changed about 10 years ago. I dropped my #2 hobby, reduced the book buying to a minimum as I sold off most of that collection and moved toy soldiers to the priority. Has remained this way since, even though my expendable income for such purposes has dropped considerably. -- lancer

 

[ecuriel]

Photograhy equipment, antique tournament chess sets, Military and sport watches, Lionel and LGB Trains, CDs and DVDs. I won't count computers, golf, fishing, video games and gadgets because once the new and improved comes out, they become obsolete.

 

[mk26gmls]

I have other things for hobbies, but my focus has been mostly toy soldiers over the past several years.

When I first started collecting, I was kind of all over the map. Now I have one main range I collect. I refer to it as my anchor range. I have other ranges too, but I do not know the history as well as my main interest. What I would call secondary ranges, I only have 3 to 5 sets of each. I kept them small. I got a great curio for small displays in my office. I have found that ranges where I do not know the history that well tend to get sold off a few years down the road as my interest in it wanes. I don't know if anyone else experiences this.

I know others will have different opinions, but I would choose a range that you really like and know a lot about in regards to the history. Focus on that one. The other ranges you my dabble in are fun too, but I think an anchor range is the way too go. That works well for me at least.

 

[Kurt]

All of my hobby funds go to toy soldiers. In fact, I think the hobby has actually helped me to be more frugal with my other spending because I tend to talk myself out of buying things by considering how many toy soldiers I could get instead of buying something else. As much as I’d love to get a new Mustang or Camaro, I’m going to try to keep my current car until the engine falls out. Think how many toy soldiers you could get each month for the amount of a single car payment.

 

[binder001]

I scatter my efforts among several pursuits; the toy soldiers, various scales in plastic models of US military subjects, converting plastic figures for fun and (sometimes) profit, building train models (HO scale) and a lot of book buying and reading on the US military. primaruily WW2 US armor and weapons.

As stated in Calvin and Hobbes, "There's never enough time to do all the nothing that you want"

Gary B.

 

[Iron Brigade]

I started my collection last Father's Day when my wife bought me a couple of retired Confederates from the current line. I've been adding a few here and there, mainly given as gifts. I was thinking I'd quickly round out the Civil War line, then jump on something else. Earlier this month, I put all the ACW on a spreadsheet so I could track what I have and what I need. I guess that was the first time I really got to looking at prices, but when I added up what was left, it was over $2000, so I'm looking at several years just to get the ACW line. My wife provided the great military advice to "not split up my forces" and stick with the ACW instead of branching out.

I currently divide my "hobby money" among 4 categories, with toy soldiers being one. So I guess that's my question. Are you almost singlemindedly spending all hobby dollars, pounds, euros, etc. on toy soldiers or do you dabble in other things as well? Were massive collections built because of the time spent collecting, available money to spend, or both?

Hello:
It sounds like you have a plan for your future collecting, good show! Hopefully you will not run out of space or hobby funds very soon!!
"Iron Brigade" 03/26/2010.

 

[Capitolron]

I think most of the big collections have taken years to build - Louis, Hans, Larry - can tell you that. My collection is somewhat large and it has taken years to build - but, I also believe in making the hobby pay for itself at times too.

An interesting way to build up your collection is something I have done - each month set a small budget on buying a few figures in a range that you are focused on. Before you know it - you will have a good number of them in your collection. It used to build up quite quickly back when Toy Soldiers were $21.00 each - those days are gone - however, still a small budget like $100.00 a month - can get you 3 figures a month.

Also keep your eyes open to Classified Section here, Ebay and Toy Soldier Shows - for people who just want to sell off figures at discount prices because of change of interest or other reasons. Focusing on one range is a smart way to go - because before you know it ... you will be caught up on that range and then all your are doing is just buying the new releases which come out about twice a year !

Anyway - different strategies for different folks - the big thing is to have fun with your collection.

 

[HAWKEYE]

I would bet that there are a few of us who collect sports memorabilia too. Autographs, baseball and football cards and such but toy soldiers are the biggest part of my budget because i got all the old cards.

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

Just like collecting habits there are probably an endless number of ways to go about your business. Suffice to say having a "hobby" budget and more importantly sticking to it sounds prudent. That will mean usually missing some things you want but you'll still get most things you need. The more you stick to your plan the better, its impulse buys that will kill you.
As for myself I'm not so organized that I don't really have a set plan or monthly budget. However I like many ideas on this thread like "make your collection pay for itself". Unfortunately I just can't seem to part with anything just yet and I don't buy doubles/triples of things hoping they increase in value. I also like the idea of a "core range" and only dabbling in others, that makes sense to me.

 

[marco55]

I collect toy soldiers, historical figure kits,military/history books and paintings or should I say prints as I can't afford the real paintings.I've gotten rid of a lot of everything as you can have too much and not enjoy anything.
Mark

 

[6th Wisconsin]

I only wish. I have an addiction to collecting. At the present time, I am sticking almost entirely to toy soldiers, and it is my longest running collection. However, I was pretty serious into Civil War artifacts recently and have done a lot with sports collectibles. I have also dabbled in coins, stamps, and other things at times many years ago. No doubt, toy soldiers are more fun than other things because of the display possibilities though, and that is what has made it my main hobby. Plus, you can get so many toy soldiers for what one artifact costs.

 

[GJB22]

My money mostly goes towards toy soldiers (mostly the WW2 German lines) and once in awhile I'll pick up a piece of real WW2 German militaria (nothing beats owning the real deal). It all follows a theme and can be displayed together.

 

[Terp152]

Collect military firearms, WWII and earlier, and toy soldiers. Was collecting the Normandy and Naps ranges, but added RAF last yr (who could resist the Hurc?). Will start the War Along the Nile series from WB (is that okay to say here?). Firearms has been put "on hold" for a while.

Problem with starting a collection that has been out for a while is trying to keep ahead of the retirements while adding newly released "gotta have" pieces. I try to budget for monthly additions.

 

[wadepat]

I started my collection last Father's Day when my wife bought me a couple of retired Confederates from the current line. I've been adding a few here and there, mainly given as gifts. I was thinking I'd quickly round out the Civil War line, then jump on something else. Earlier this month, I put all the ACW on a spreadsheet so I could track what I have and what I need. I guess that was the first time I really got to looking at prices, but when I added up what was left, it was over $2000, so I'm looking at several years just to get the ACW line. My wife provided the great military advice to "not split up my forces" and stick with the ACW instead of branching out.

I currently divide my "hobby money" among 4 categories, with toy soldiers being one. So I guess that's my question. Are you almost singlemindedly spending all hobby dollars, pounds, euros, etc. on toy soldiers or do you dabble in other things as well? Were massive collections built because of the time spent collecting, available money to spend, or both?

Hi Sgt. 403,

Almost all my life, I have had one hobby or another. I have collected stamps, seriously engaged in gardening, built and raced automobiles. participated in off road motorcyclying, and competed in car shows with a fully restored muscle car. And,...I have collected toy soldiers. My hobbies were always a serious matter to me and I fully immersed myself in each and every one. However,...

The rule by which I lived, and still live, is I only allow myself to have one hobby at any given time. Consequently, for the past 15 years, my only hobby has been collecting toy soldiers. Yes, I buy and read military history books, but I consider this part of the toy soldier hobby.

While I do not consider my collection to be massive, I do consider it to be quite nice. I suspect most massive collections are built over a considerable span of time. It is a given that some collectors have more resources with which to work than others. Therefore, the rate of the acquiring a massive collection will vary with each individual collector. For some, building a massive collection may take many years, while, for other, it may take only a few years.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[jules118]

Collecting K&C figures is a new hobby for me although I have always been fascinated by toy soldiers and still have a lot of the Timpo and other figures that I grew up with.

I have been a long time collector of Militaria, starting in the 1970's. My main area of interest is Airborne & Special Forces insignia, predominantly Aussie and related to my service in the regular army, plus pre 1954 French Indochina, which is my historical area of interest and a part of the world I travel to, a lot! Which is kinda why I gravitated to the SOHK series although I do also have some of the Eighth Army releases (SAS) and am trying to stay away from the WW1 French and Sons of Empire stuff which could be dangerous to my bank balance.