West Coast Guys (1 Viewer)

[kilted vampire]

How many guys are from the west ? Would you be interested in a Northern Calif soldier show?

 

[ucla1967]

There are at least three of us from California on the forum. The West Coaster is so well established, I am not sure how well a Northern California show would go over. That being said, I will attend if there is one.

BTW, I set up, in March, a group called the Southern California Toy Soldier Collectors Society. We have 15 members so far including some well know collectors (e.g., Ed Ruby, Bill Connolly, Neal Crowley, et al). New members are welcome. See my announcement in the Toy Soldier & Model Figure magazine under "Society Meetings" for details.

 

[Steven Chong]

I live just north of you in San Francisco. While I would be interested in a Northern California toy soldier show, I do not think it would be economically feasible for someone to organize and sponsor a show. Northern California just does not seem to have enough critical mass in dealers, collectors and interest. I believe the only toy soldier show west of the Mississippi is the West Coaster in Southern California. Even with 17 years of history, this show only has about 30 people displaying and selling from rooms and about 60 dealers at the actual show (Of course, some dealers like Old Toy Soldier Home have more than 12 tables piled high with stuff). What's great about this show is that it is one of the few shows attended by Andy, Gerard and Howard of Frontline, and Rick Wang of Figarti -- they usually have samples of new stuff for preview. Because there is less people, you can spend hours talking to Andy and the others.

 

[ucla1967]

Steven,

Being stuck in my room for the past 9 years, I did not realize that there were only about 30 of us selling from our rooms. Before then, I would have guessed anywhere from 50 to 75. The 2006 paid attendance was over 500 on Sunday and, in fact, I had by far my best show ever selling 90 sets of new toy soldiers; all glossy, no K & C.

 

[kilted vampire]

I'm thinking of a swap meet more or less. Guys bringing their own stuff. Not a big show. A gathering or get together for fellowship. How about it? There is one store and at least three manufacturers in the area. There are a lot of guys that come in the shop. Worse comes to worse we could do it in a parking lot. No Biggy. Or is it a pipe dream?

 

[ucla1967]

Where are you? You don't have a "Location" listed. At our every other month get togethers, collectors bring items for sale or trade or even for show and tell. At our July meeting, I brought a WW I British gun team with helmets so that our members could help me identify it.

 

[kilted vampire]

Santa Clara. That is the idea. Just would like to see one up here.

 

[ucla1967]

Off the top of my head, I can think of about a half dozen Bay Area collectors I have met at the West Coaster: Steven Chong, Phil Fong, Bill Widman, Robert Deward, and Francis Carr. Why don't you attend the 2007 West Coaster and leave flyers at the entrance tables inviting Bay Area collectors to contact you to set up a group like we now have down here?

 

[kilted vampire]

That's a good idea. Will do so at the shop as well