What is the most expensive era to collect? (1 Viewer)

[Currahee Chris]

Sorry about the large grouping-I had to fit in some other eras.
-Sandor

No apologies neccesary my friend. From a historical perspective it looks a little skewed but from a toy soldier perspective, even though we are talking a period of several millennia of history, it is less represented than say the ACW which lasted 4 years.

Best regards
CC

 

[chasbo]

After purchasing a few items from Naps realized it was going to get very expensive to collect and hard to say no on a lot of terrific pieces. The same with WW2, winter or summer, had to pick one. Very good question, perplexing for an answer. Fun to think about.

 

[damian]

If you do it properly I would say the Delhi Durbar is the most expensive.

 

[Gideon]

if you're talking about price per piece, heraldic figures can be sky's the limit.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Damian,
You could be right about Durbar. I love the look of the Beau Geste range and that would be an awsome series if somebody has it all (anybody ?). I just got in an old Britains/ERTL Durbar Dais and I am scared to open it as don't know where to display it. I think as far as parades go the Durbar can't be beaten for colour and variety of figures.
Regards
Brett

 

[W T Allison II]

Damian,
You could be right about Durbar. I love the look of the Beau Geste range and that would be an awsome series if somebody has it all (anybody ?). I just got in an old Britains/ERTL Durbar Dais and I am scared to open it as don't know where to display it. I think as far as parades go the Durbar can't be beaten for colour and variety of figures.
Regards
Brett

Brett: I agree with you. The trouble with Beau Geste is Ana has plans to produce all 70 plus elephants. Marlborough is almost impossible to find. Britains had great sets for a Durbar. Hocker has really well done figures for reasonable prices. Check my albums for photos of the above if you are interested.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Damian,
You could be right about Durbar. I love the look of the Beau Geste range and that would be an awsome series if somebody has it all (anybody ?). I just got in an old Britains/ERTL Durbar Dais and I am scared to open it as don't know where to display it. I think as far as parades go the Durbar can't be beaten for colour and variety of figures.
Regards
Brett

Funny, that this was never mentioned until now. I collect it and didn't think of it Good points those elephant are dear and rival the wooden warbirds in terms of price. At 70 elephants that would be over $50,000 US. {eek3}

 

[Cornwallis]

Good question, I can tell you what the cheapest is, K&C American Revolution because we only get a new series of figures released once every 3 years!! :rolleyes2:^&grin

 

[Louis Badolato]

I don't collect either, for lack of personal historical knowledge on either subject, but I would think the Napoleonic range and the Delhi Durbar range would be the most expensive to collect.

Napoleonic because the massed formations of infantry in square and column require so many multiples of different poses of figures, as well as masses of cavalry and artillery to set up any kind of a realistic battle diorama (I would estimate from looking at the photographs of dioramas on this forum that you need probably 10 times as many Napoleonic figures to populate a diorama of any given size compared to WWII figures on the same sized diorama).

Durbar is expensive for the obvious reasons: the cost of multiple elephants and the expense of painting all the detailed pagentry.

Air war is a close third, as 125 aircraft can run you in the neighborhod of $25-$30 K.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Tommy,
Thanks for pointing out your album to me. You have an awesome collection that is hard to beat in terms of colour. Could not count how many elephants but looks like you have quite a few. Ana really is evil (in a nice way) if she is planning to do 70.
Regards
Brett

 

[The Military Workshop]

Louis,
Durbar was a big parade in Delhi in 1903. Problem solved, now you can start your collection {sm4} Just think only 70 elephants to go ^&grin
Regards
Brett

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis,
Durbar was a big parade in Delhi in 1903. Problem solved, now you can start your collection {sm4} Just think only 70 elephants to go ^&grin
Regards
Brett

Brett,

All I need now is the names of all the minor and major Indian dignitaries riding the 70 elephants, and I can get started . . . :tongue:^&grin{sm4}

 

[wadepat]

Brett,

All I need now is the names of all the minor and major Indian dignitaries riding the 70 elephants, and I can get started . . . :tongue:^&grin{sm4}

Hi Louis,

I am afraind 70 elephant will just not do. ^&grin Let me explain. The 1903 Delhi Durbar included three huge parades. The first parade, known as the Entry Parade, featured the Viceroy and Lady Curzon and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. They were followed by an impressive series of Indian Princes, all riding state elephants. As the parade progressed, the parade line was joined by what is known as the Retinue of Elephants. The breakdown is as follows:

The State Entry: 6 Elephants
The Indian Princes: 48 Elephants
The Retinue Elephants: 166 Elephants

Total Elephants: 220 Elephants

Once you have completed your collection of all 220 elephants in the Entry Parade, we can talk about the elephants in the remaining two parades: The Retainers Parade and the Military review.

By the way, if you really want the order of march for the elephants in the Entry Parade, I can supply it. Also, if you really want to do the complete Entry Parade, you will need several thousand route lining figures and numerous carriages, mounted troops, marching troops, etc. {eek3}

Also, to complete your diorama, you will need to place in storage most of the figures exhibited in your museum, especially if you intend to add the usual accessories such has civilians watching the parade, Indian housing, Bazaar figures working the crowds, etc. {sm2} While this may seem like a large task, I am sure you can master it. And,...if you need some storage space for the figures you place in storage, I am certain some of us will be willing to store them in our homes free of charge. :wink2:

And, oh! I almost forgot! When you have the time, we should discuss the 1877 Delhi Durbar. If you intend to do the 1903 Durbar, you will most surely want to also develop a display of the 1877 Durbar. :redface2:

Did someone say collecting WWII was expensive? ^&grin

All of the above is intended to be fun. Collect what you like and enjoy what you collect.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :wink2:

 

[Louis Badolato]

Hi Louis,

I am afraind 70 elephant will just not do. ^&grin Let me explain. The 1903 Delhi Durbar included three huge parades. The first parade, known as the Entry Parade, featured the Viceroy and Lady Curzon and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. They were followed by an impressive series of Indian Princes, all riding state elephants. As the parade progressed, the parade line was joined by what is known as the Retinue of Elephants. The breakdown is as follows:

The State Entry: 6 Elephants
The Indian Princes: 48 Elephants
The Retinue Elephants: 166 Elephants

Total Elephants: 220 Elephants

Once you have completed your collection of all 220 elephants in the Entry Parade, we can talk about the elephants in the remaining two parades: The Retainers Parade and the Military review. wink2:

By the way, if you really want the order of march for the elephants in the Entry Parade, I can supply it. Also, if you really want to do the complete Entry Parade, you will need several thousand route lining figures and numerous carriages, mounted troops, marching troops, etc. {eek3}

Also, to complete your diorama, you will need to place in storage most of the figures exhibited in your museum, especially if you intend to add the usual accessories such has civilians watching the parade, Indian housing, Bazaar figures working the crowds, etc. {sm2} While this may seem like a large task, I am sure you can master it. And,...if you need some storage space for the figures you place in storage, I am certain some of us will be willing to store them in our homes free of charge. :wink2:

And, oh! I almost forgot! When you have the time, we should discuss the 1877 Delhi Durbar. If you intend to do the 1903 Durbar, you will most surely want to also develop a display of the 1877 Durbar. :redface2:

Did someone say collecting WWII was expensive? ^&grin

All of the above is intended to be fun. Collect what you like and enjoy what you collect.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :wink2:

Thanks for the information, Pat!:smile2: I now know more than I ever dreamed of knowing about the 1903 Delhi Durbar (and even learned there was an earlier one in 1877). Sadly, I am more interested in combat history than pagentry, so I will pass on packing up my collection.:wink2:

Just for my own information, has any manufacturer ever produced all 220 elephants?{eek3}

 

[thebritfarmer]

Thanks for the information Pat, that is a lot of elephants {eek3} I am sure I'll never see them all produced nor will I own them all in my lifetime. I see we are due some Durbar treats next month however and I have the 2 camels preordered. The street liners will have to wait a while as I have two gun sets and a water barrel to purchase for my troops

 

[wadepat]

Thanks for the information, Pat!:smile2: I now know more than I ever dreamed of knowing about the 1903 Delhi Durbar (and even learned there was an earlier one in 1877). Sadly, I am more interested in combat history than pagentry, so I will pass on packing up my collection.:wink2:

Just for my own information, has any manufacturer ever produced all 220 elephants?{eek3}

Hi Louis,

^&grin No, no manufacturer has ever produced all 220 elephants. But, as you can see, there is an almost infinite range that can be developed for the 1903 Durbar. In addition to the three great parades, there were gigantic tent cities that house incredible numbers of dignitaries, guests, kingdom rulers, soldiers, etc. The Central or Main Camp included the Viceroy, the Governors of the Presidencies and Lieutenant-Governors and Chief Commissioners of the Provinces, the Commander-in-Chief, etc (would you like a copy of the Viceroy's guest list? ^&grin). The Viceroy's camp alone housed 3250 people. In addition to the Viceroy's encampment, there were a huge number of encampments for each of the Indian states, many of which housed 15,000+ persons. Can you imagine a diorama depicting these camps?

In my opinion, no single manufacturer, or for that matter no group of manufacturers, could ever begin to produce a complete line. The possibilities are endless.

Did I fail to mention there was another Delhi Durbar in 1911? :redface2:

At any rate, I certainly understand your preference for figures depicting combat history. Does this mean I will not be storing some of your figures while you construct a nice Durbar diorama? :rolleyes2:^&grin:wink2: Rats!! I had elevated my hopes to soaring heights.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :wink2:

 

[wadepat]

Thanks for the information Pat, that is a lot of elephants {eek3} I am sure I'll never see them all produced nor will I own them all in my lifetime. I see we are due some Durbar treats next month however and I have the 2 camels preordered. The street liners will have to wait a while as I have two gun sets and a water barrel to purchase for my troops

Hi Scott,

I am anxiously awaiting the release of the Britains new Durbar figures. Like yourself, I have the 2 limited edition camels preordered. I have already reserved a special space for them in one of my curios.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :smile2:

 

[Currahee Chris]

Well Louis- if you would like Elephants in combat- for $4,200+/each you can snag a couple dozen Carthaginian war elephants and recreate Hannibal in Zama- no pageantry there bud.

Hey Pat- be careful my friend. Your informative posts could be construed as "Collection- baiting" sort of throwing the gauntlet out there as a challenge to poor LB- The man is doggedly determined and he might very well be the one person here who might actually attempt to assemble any of the Durbar's you mention. {sm3}{sm3}

By the way LB- if you so choose, I would be quite happy to house your Woodland camo figarti Abrams!! {sm4}

 

[Napoleon1er]

{sm4}

Hey Pat- be careful my friend. Your informative posts could be construed as "Collection- baiting" sort of throwing the gauntlet out there as a challenge....

I think I like that term, "collection bating"! I think I will use it again{sm4}
-Sandor:salute::

P.S. For all ye lawyers out there- can I bring a civil suit against somone-or a company- for this action?:wink2:{sm4}

 

[wadepat]

Well Louis- if you would like Elephants in combat- for $4,200+/each you can snag a couple dozen Carthaginian war elephants and recreate Hannibal in Zama- no pageantry there bud.

Hey Pat- be careful my friend. Your informative posts could be construed as "Collection- baiting" sort of throwing the gauntlet out there as a challenge to poor LB- The man is doggedly determined and he might very well be the one person here who might actually attempt to assemble any of the Durbar's you mention. {sm3}{sm3}

By the way LB- if you so choose, I would be quite happy to house your Woodland camo figarti Abrams!! {sm4}

Hi Chris,

Ha! ^&grin If I could just ignite in Louis a passion for the Durbars, I have no doubt he would build an astounding display. If you want to see some of the possibilities, check Tommy Allison's albums. Seeing some of Tommy's Durbar displays will provide a great glimpse at what the Durbars must have looked like.

Also, if Louis would pursue the task, perhaps you and I could assist him by housing some of his figures, especially if we offered our services to him on a pro bono basis. :rolleyes2: Surely he would want to have you store any Romans he has in his collection. :rolleyes2:

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :wink2::smile2: