West Coaster 2006 (1 Viewer)

[ucla1967]

Many thanks to Steven and Carlos for their reporting and photos on the West Coaster.

Some observations from a collector who has attended this show for the past 14 years, including selling for the last nine years: Floor traffic during room trading on Friday and Saturday was light to moderate; however, while there were not as many lookieloos (sp?) as in the past, there did seem to be more buyers. In fact, I had the best West Coaster ever, selling 90 sets of soldiers. They were all traditional, 54mm, glossy and none were K & C. World War I and II were very popular---I sold 26 sets of Hiriart, 5 sets of Fusilier, 5 of Bastion, and some Americans in Miniature and Martin Ritchie. On Sunday, my Imperial Zulu War sets flew off the tables. One well know figure in our little hobby bought nine sets (and I gave him the Imperial storehouse), another collector bought 5 sets of Zulus, and I sold several other sets to individuals. What did not sell too well were the Napoleonics. I only sold five sets of Trophy and Tradition eventhough I was offering them at 25 or 33% off of list. Finally, I only sold two sets of ACW (thanks Steven) from Edmunds.

I believe there were about 150 tables on Sunday and attendance was slighly more than 500. I do not believe the show has every hit 1,000. There were also fewer rooms open during room trading than in the past. However, a number of sellers reported that they had a very successful show.

 

[ucla1967]

I forgot to thank Rick and James for their Friday night "Evening with Figarti" dinner. They gave each of us a special one-of-a-kind figure. I would also like to thank Mike and Myszka of Sierra for hosting Saturday night's get together with Andy, who was in his usual good form.

I didn't mention what I bought at the West Coaster. I picked up two K & C BoB sets; BBA01 and BBA02. I also bought the Build-A-Rama winterized pine trees and wall section to go with them. From Frontline Figures, I got five sets of their new Black Watch and Indians from the French and Indian War series. Gerard and Howard were kind enough to sell me the woodland diorama base they made for these figures. From the ACW series, I bought the new looters and prisioners sets. I also got the 19 figure set of Ancients. And I picked up Frontline's new winged Polish Hussars and a five man set of Turkish Janissaries. Finally, I bought two gear down, mahogany Spitfires (not K & C) representing the American Eagle Squadron and a Maritime Mosquito. Now I have to save up for Chicago.