What's in Andy's room in Chicago. (1 Viewer)

[Pierre]

I personally like the glossy set better. There is more color in the procession and the clothes have more painted detail.

Thanks for the info. Tooo bad that I an't see the glossy procession before taking a decision. Maybe both?

Pierre.

 

[OzDigger]

It all comes back to the basic fact that figure and model collecting is a hobby, not an investment. It's like any hobby, if you decide to sell something and actually make money on the sale just consider it as a bonus rather than some sort of wise return.

Rommel, Montgomery and Patton were the best known, if not the best commmanders. Whereas also rans such as Panzer Meyer are only known by the more informed collector. Therefore I feel the Patton look-alike set is likely to sell reasonably well, and don't forget it's the first of the improved track tanks, so 1,500 is a fair production amount imo.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I agree with Ozdigger. The fact that the vehicle is a Battle of the Bulge Era Sherman, with improved tracks (its easily the best polystone vehicle K&C ever produced) will mean that many collectors will want multiples of it for diroama purposes (I can picture a line of these Shermans, interspersed with Greyhound Armored Cars, Deuce and a Half Trucks and Jeeps, as a diorama entitled "Patton's Third Army ready to march to the 82nd's Aid"). Accordingly, despite the fact that 1250 or 1500 seems rather high for a strictly limited edition, this edition will sell out and people will be clamoring for more.

 

[vandilay]

You guys could well be right,
But the tiger at 999 was around for a fair amount of time and although their was no personality figure with it .It was still a winter tiger [great piece too ].
As for investement value ,you are correct this is just a hobby ,
but you pay a premium for these ltd pieces so its nice to feel youve
got something a little special in your collection.
Make to many a you loose on both counts.
All this has been covered in previous discusions regarding ltd releases
so I wont continue to flog this particular subject.
I,ll buy it anyway if it looks as good as everyone has said .
And time will tell about the whole # cafufle.

 

[Steven Chong]

Thanks for the info. Tooo bad that I an't see the glossy procession before taking a decision. Maybe both?
Pierre.

Dear Pierre,
By the end of next week, I will post some pictures of my glossy set for your review.

 

[Pierre]

Dear Pierre,
By the end of next week, I will post some pictures of my glossy set for your review.

Hi Steven-

Thanks. I really appreciate.

Pierre.

 

[Pierre]

I agree with Ozdigger. The fact that the vehicle is a Battle of the Bulge Era Sherman, with improved tracks (its easily the best polystone vehicle K&C ever produced) will mean that many collectors will want multiples of it for diroama purposes (I can picture a line of these Shermans, interspersed with Greyhound Armored Cars, Deuce and a Half Trucks and Jeeps, as a diorama entitled "Patton's Third Army ready to march to the 82nd's Aid"). Accordingly, despite the fact that 1250 or 1500 seems rather high for a strictly limited edition, this edition will sell out and people will be clamoring for more.

Hi Louis-

I am not sure that a lot of people will pay $200,00 - $250,00 for several of that Sherman. That's a lot of money.

For sure, I'll not buy any at a so high overproduction. It is supposed to be Limited in the sense of small production; at 1250 or 1500, they are Limited in respect of what?

I stand with my opinion. SL at that level of production decreases the value of our collection.

Pierre.

P.S. What makes the Warbirds so desirable? If you answered their rarety, you win.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Pierre,

I agree with you. Strictly limited should mean less than 1,000 sets. My point is merely that this Sherman will have mass appeal, so will sell quickly. The only way it will ever have the value of the very limited production early sets (like the wonderful warbirds you reference) is if Andy's upcoming advertising efforts (including a possible commercial on the History Channel) expands the collector base to say 10,000 collectors or more. Then sets limited to 1250 or 1500 will rapidly rise in value as new collectors seek to obtain retired items for their collections.

And yes scarcity value is part of the appeal of the warbirds, but they are also individually handcrafted works of art. No polystone vehicle will ever have the same appeal for me.

 

[Pierre]

Pierre,

And yes scarcity value is part of the appeal of the warbirds, but they are also individually handcrafted works of art. No polystone vehicle will ever have the same appeal for me.

Louis,

I have no doubt about that, having see the photos taken at the last Symposium and, if I go next year, be sure that I will look at them more than any other pieces.

Pierre.

 

[jazzeum]

I think we should try to nip this this "is it really limited" discussion in the bud. If the base grows, then runs in the nature of 1,500 will be limited. A side question then is what are runs for non-limited items?

 

[nmrocks]

Pierre,

I agree with you. Strictly limited should mean less than 1,000 sets. My point is merely that this Sherman will have mass appeal, so will sell quickly. The only way it will ever have the value of the very limited production early sets (like the wonderful warbirds you reference) is if Andy's upcoming advertising efforts (including a possible commercial on the History Channel) expands the collector base to say 10,000 collectors or more. Then sets limited to 1250 or 1500 will rapidly rise in value as new collectors seek to obtain retired items for their collections.

And yes scarcity value is part of the appeal of the warbirds, but they are also individually handcrafted works of art. No polystone vehicle will ever have the same appeal for me.

I am extremely happy to hear K&C's going to advertise on the History channel. every male I know watches that channel regardless of there interests and any advertising as has been done in the past is really preaching to the chior. While it may increase K&C market share it will bring no new blood into the hobby. I can almost guarentee a extensive well produced campaign would generate curiosity on the art of K&C alone, this stuff is really compeling to those who appreciate history.
Ray

 

[Louis Badolato]

Andy explained his desire to advertise on the History Channel from a numbers perspective:

1,000,000 viewers watch the History Channel on an average night. If even 1% are interested in a K&C commercial, that's 10,000 viewers. If even 25% of the interested 1% use google to check out a dealers website or go to a local toy soldier shop, that 2,500 potential new collectors.

If you run this commercial 10 times, you could have a dramatic impact on the collector base.

Although assuming this were to occur, what would happen to the value of really limited production items, where say only 100 or less were made? If you think ebay prices are crazy now, imagine if suddenly 2,500 more collectors were after retired K&C!

 

[jazzeum]

Louis,

Considering the size, depth and rarity of your collection, increasing the base of the collector pool could make you the Bill Gates of King and Country!

 

[Louis Badolato]

Brad,

Its only valuable if you are willing to sell it. I would rather be the happiest K&C pauper!

 

[maddadicus]

How about a photo of the Sherman? Or is a strictly limited picture? Michael

 

[jazzeum]

How about a photo of the Sherman? Or is a strictly limited picture? Michael

From what I understand, Andy only had a photograph, not a model with him. Perhaps Louis, Steven or others who were there can confirm.

 

[Steven Chong]

From what I understand, Andy only had a photograph, not a model with him. Perhaps Louis, Steven or others who were there can confirm.

Andy only had pictures of the "Strictly Limited" edition Sherman and the White Armored Car. There were no prototypes. I'm sure K&C will be providing pictures to dealers pretty soon so they can place orders for Nov. delivery. As you know, our hosts usually post these pictures the same day they received them.

 

[noli-poli]

Andy only had pictures of the "Strictly Limited" edition Sherman and the White Armored Car. There were no prototypes. I'm sure K&C will be providing pictures to dealers pretty soon so they can place orders for Nov. delivery. As you know, our hosts usually post these pictures the same day they received them.

Steven:

What are the "wow" factors in a scale of 1-10 for Sherman & White Armored Car (Is that the same as the 4-wheel M3 White Scout Car?)

Thanks
N-P

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Thanks Steven,

Those figures are fantastic. My collection is growing fast now. My october order is almost exclusively made of SOKH facades and figures. Thanks again.

Pierre.

P.S. How do they compare with the glossy set?

I'm sure you are looking for close-up pictures but this is the original stock photo of the set that is listed under "The Orient" in our K&C portion of the Treefrog website. We have one unopened original set still available.

 

[Pierre]

I'm sure you are looking for close-up pictures but this is the original stock photo of the set that is listed under "The Orient" in our K&C portion of the Treefrog website. We have one unopened original set still available.

Thanks Shannon.

And I take advantage of your post to tell you what are my problems when I order from you or any other dealer outside in Canada.

1- I am never charged free shipping (or 4,00$ no matter what the order is);

2- I must pay huge customs fees;

3- I must pay federal and provincial taxes;

4- I must pay Canada Post handling fees;

Accordingly, if I buy the wedding procession outside Canada, it will cost me near 1 125,00$US. Fortunately, there are great K&C dealers here but no HB or Beau Geste So I do not collect them.

Pierre.