Visiting Ana (1 Viewer)

[Andanna]

I had the good fortune last week during a business trip to be able to visit Ana in her studio. Unfortunately, it was quite late by the time I arrived and therefore, a tour of the studio was not possible any more. I do appreciate very much Ana waiting for me.

In short, it was an experience I will remember lifelong. I may remind you that it was the Delhi Durbar figures specifically from Beau Geste that got me into the toy soldier collecting hobby. And there I was: in the heart of all my (collecting) desires.

Although I had brought friends along to carry all the loot into the car, Ana does not operate a retail store. It is a studio and Ana does not maintain stock. This explains where Michael Dell got his business model from - he musrt be a collector of toy soldiers from Beau Geste and been familiar with her business model.

I was able, though, in the short time we had, to appreciate all the masters, carefully stored in glass show cases as well as her personal collection of Honor Bound tanks.

Enjoy:

This will make a Treefrog customer happy:

Perhaps some new elephant guards?

 

[Andanna]

The masters:

The Master:

The Tools of the Master:

The WIP:

Ana is now on her way to visit Shanon and then off to the London show as well as some more research. If you are lucky enough to go to the London show, please visit Ana and say hallo. I am comfortable in saying she really enjoys the contact with her fans (Did I just say that out loud? I meant "Collectors".)

 

[thebritfarmer]

Looks like you had a great visit with Ana. I have nver met her but get the feelings she is a very warm and friendly person. From her photos she seems to exude enthusiasm for the hobby. Thank you for sharing photos of your trip.

Ana if you are watching can I ask about the RCMP in one of the cabinets, are these older models that are no longer made?

 

[VIRIATO]

Such great photos and great figures! Thanks for posting!


Paulo

 

[jazzeum]

Sounds like a trip and experience you will never forget. Thanks for the photos.

 

[Scott]

I thought my desk was...... eh .....er ....cluttered.

 

[marco55]

I'm sure she enjoys her work very much but it must be very hard for without her husband as I'm sure they worked very close together.
Mark

 

[wadepat]

Hi Andreas,

What a marvelous trip and visit! Thank you so much for posting the photos of Ana, her studio, and all the beautiful figures that filled the tables and cabinets. Ana's warmth is obvious in your photos and her products are without peers. Clearly, her work is very, very special. I simply cannot get enough of her figures/sets.

Thanks again for sharing your terrific trip with us!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[glossman]

Looks like you had a great visit with Ana. I have nver met her but get the feelings she is a very warm and friendly person. From her photos she seems to exude enthusiasm for the hobby. Thank you for sharing photos of your trip.

Ana if you are watching can I ask about the RCMP in one of the cabinets, are these older models that are no longer made?

Hi Andreas,

What a marvelous trip and visit! Thank you so much for posting the photos of Ana, her studio, and all the beautiful figures that filled the tables and cabinets. Ana's warmth is obvious in your photos and her products are without peers. Clearly, her work is very, very special. I simply cannot get enough of her figures/sets.

Thanks again for sharing your terrific trip with us!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

Scott and Pat have said it so well.

Thanks very much for sharing your visit to Ana.

Kind Regards, Raymond.

**

 

[nmrocks]

Great pics! great experience, It's nice to know after seeing those shots of Ana's workbench that this hobby looks very much the same from the rankest novice ie: me, to the masters of the hobby. I must be near greatness as my desk is almost that cluttered!!!
Looks like I just need to stack a few more paints and I'll suddenly have a miraculous conversion to "Master Artisan".
you think???

 

[Ana Donzino]

Andreas - It was really nice having you visiting us. Shame that you couldn't meet the staff, you would have had fun with them, they are such a wonderful crew. Maybe next time?

Scott - those RCMP are the samples left from when we manufactured for a souvenir dealer in Canada. They had the rights and we manufactured here for them. They had most of the masters, but we made a few new for them too. We made thousands of figures for them.

Ana

 

[Wraith]

Andreas, great pics. Thanks for sharing them, looks like you had a fascinating time.

Ana, you making it to the London Show next month? It will be great to meet you (we're not all as uncouth as the forum yobs, Rob and Bob )

Simon

 

[jazzeum]

It must be an odd coincidence that you didn't include yourself with that uncouth lot Simon

 

[theBaron]

Thanks for the look inside Ana's studio, Andreas! Though I must say, I didn't recognize the guy in the suit at first

Prost!
Brad

 

[Ana Donzino]

Yes, Simon, I'll have 2 tables in the next show at the Royal National. It will be great to meet you

Ana

 

[Wraith]

It must be an odd coincidence that you didn't include yourself with that uncouth lot Simon

Someone has to be responsible and keep them in check......

Yes, Simon, I'll have 2 tables in the next show at the Royal National. It will be great to meet you

Ana

Great stuff! Look forward to seeing you there.

 

[theweinz]

Great photos, I just ordered my first Beau Geste set! Bet it will not be my last!
Thanks for posting.
JW

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

Is that English Civil War figures I see on the top/middle shelf next to the RCMP? Can't tell, for sure... Not too many of those being made by anybody that I know of. I always thought that particular range was more attractive in gloss.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Scott - those RCMP are the samples left from when we manufactured for a souvenir dealer in Canada. They had the rights and we manufactured here for them. They had most of the masters, but we made a few new for them too. We made thousands of figures for them.

Ana

Thanks for your reply Ana, do you know if the dealer would have any left at all? or do your remember who the dealer was?

Scott

 

[Ana Donzino]

Scott - I don't think they are still manufacturing any more nor have any in stock. I can't tell the name since the secret was part of the agreement.

HistoryfortheAges - Those are not English Civil War. They are Acadians (along with some Franche de la Marine) which we manufactured for them too.

Ana