Why Are Older Collector's The Biggest Portion Of Our Hobby (2 Viewers)

[PanzerAce1944]

After a scant 7 years in this Hobby I have come to the strong conclusion that our Toy Soldier Collector's age base "Usually" starts at 40 and goes into those in their eighties or more.
Not to leave out our very own forum collectors here in their 20's and 30's who I give much admiration to ! Is the Larger, Older Collector age group larger because of what major factor's.
Older, mature with more spending Income ? Reliving older childhood memories , and having the means to do so ? Someone who just discovered a great new Hobby ? ^&confuse

 

[Jack]

After a scant 7 years in this Hobby I have come to the strong conclusion that our Toy Soldier Collector's age base "Usually" starts at 40 and goes into those in their eighties or more.
Not to leave out our very own forum collectors here in their 20's and 30's who I give much admiration to ! Is the Larger, Older Collector age group larger because of what major factor's.
Older, mature with more spending Income ? Reliving older childhood memories , and having the means to do so ? Someone who just discovered a great new Hobby ? ^&confuse

Disposable income, house paid off, body decline making competitive sport an exercise in pain mangaement, rediscovery of a childhood interest, made friends at the local shop so it was from the beginning a mixed collecting/socialising experience (going to dinner and talking TS is not a TS expense!), link with interest in history.

 

[marco55]

I agree with everything Jack said but also I think interest in the military went way down,especially here in the states during Vietnam.The military almost became the bad guys after that.Combine that with all the tech that's come along since then that kids love.Kids still like soldiers now but now it's video games not toy soldiers.
Mark

 

[zblang]

I agree. I think a love of history has a lot to do with it and I see a major decline in younger kids with a love of history. I'm 38 and have been a huge history buff since I was a tiny kid and have been collecting for just as long

 

[Grognard]

I agree. I think a love of history has a lot to do with it and I see a major decline in younger kids with a love of history. I'm 38 and have been a huge history buff since I was a tiny kid and have been collecting for just as long

I agree. Kids don't read books anymore and are no interested in having conversations period. Everything they do has to provide instant gratification, no patience for anything

. You can thank the internet for that...The social network is creating an asocial world IMHO...

 

[damian]

I have three daughters and they cannot care less about guns and soldiers but they love the Trophy an Little Legion civilian figures especially the women and girls
They are interested in history but more in the feminine side of it
So Anne Boleyn, Isabella of Spain the female Voortrekkers in South Africa, The Colenso sisters in the AZW etc
I do not have extensive experience with little boys apart form one or two sons of friends but I have met two youngsters who are interested in WWII and know loads about spitfires and tanks
I think the younger generation has a lot on their plate and we should not go around dishing them too much
When I was a lad the Sex Pistols were upsetting lots of people and we were told the world is coming to an end because of them, so some of the comments about young people today ring a bell
You just cannot expect a young person to be able to spend money on figures for display the way we do.

 

[Mirof]

Yes I'm a reader
So is my grandson, who is 15 and read 2 books ( 1200 page does not frighten him ) a week, play hockey ( on grass ), love to play games on line , and do good at school ( include class of latin and greek ) . Like my "toys" enough to inherit them, but not enough for the momengt to collect them .
History, well I do like that but not an inconditional, and it's absolutely not what attracted me to figures collecting, and, I had no toy soldiers when I was young, I preferred reading, playing guitar, and listening the Rollingstones ( I still like that) . I received some unpainted pieces (lead) from a friend when I was 23, and was challenged to paint them . And ... I liked that . And have lot of them now .
So it can happend to anybody at any moment for any reason . There is no predestinate path . It's to me a complete mistery .
I have seen collectors/painters at meeting, high school teacher, PhD, workers ..
I know collectors who have difficulties to spell their own name and never read anything .
And today for the young peoples there is a source that didn' existed in the 60,70,80ies : Warhammer and this attract a lot of kids, and some of them, growing up, begin to look at historical figures and have a very good level of painting, some even playing in the masters yard .
Have a look at what those youngers are able to do, see Coolminion Or Not : http://www.coolminiornot.com/
So in fact when a young guy has 50$ in his pocket, today, the question is : a book ? a game ? a CD? a DVD ? movie with a girl friend ? a figurine ? difficult choice .I am 65 years old and I have now more than 50$ in my pocket but the question stay the same books, games, DVD, CD, figurines, music scores ... ?( I almost forgot : a good restaurant) . In fact it's more difficult to make a choice for peoples who have more than one point of interest .
Today we have more than 1000 figurines makers and living ... ( they mus have customers )
Hope is here .

 

[PanzerAce1944]

My own personal story is deeply rooted in WWII history, specifically the European Theater Of Operations. Grand fathers from both sides of the family WWII Veterans. My mother was
an 11 year old child on a farm in Czechoslovakia and witnessed German and Russian troops fighting and dying right in front of her. My dad served in the army also for 4 years back in the 50's. I grew up watching shows such as "Combat", "Hogan's Heroes", and "Rat Patrol" as they aired on prime time T.V. back in the sixties and loved every minute of it !
I had the plastic WWII Marx play sets, and soon got into the Britain's Detail and Swoppet figures. One Christmas I got all of the G.I. Joe Soldiers of the world. Remember the German,
Russian, Japanese, and other's that came out back then. I first discovered quality, hand painted metal figures back in 2002 when my Dad had passed away and had several cardboard
boxes of King & Country figures and the old WS025 Tiger Tank ! I bought my very first K&C set in 2007 and have not looked back since ! I must say I have enjoyed every single
minute of it all. Omitting the WWII family history I am sure many here on the forum experienced a similar upbringing in their early years ! I am 52 Years old now and see another
curio cabinet being purchased in the near future ! At least one more.......................

 

[lancer]

I agree. I think a love of history has a lot to do with it and I see a major decline in younger kids with a love of history. I'm 38 and have been a huge history buff since I was a tiny kid and have been collecting for just as long

Ditto this. My love of military history and TS is almost as old as I am. I have collected TS and military history books just about equally as long, although most of my money now goes to TS. Grew up on "Combat!" and Marx TS sets. There has never been a period of my life when I wasn't reading, watching, or collecting military history related objects. -- Al

 

[Warrior]

Am currently in Fredericksburg VA attending a wargaming show; had dinner tonight with two other dealers, one is 72, the other is 67, I am 53, we were talking about this very same subject.

To use myself as an example; again, I'm 53 and when I was a kid, everyone I knew and I mean everyone had toy soldiers, either plastic 54mm Marx, Britains, Timpo, Airfix, etc, etc or plastic ho/oo Airfix, Giant, etc, etc. I was an ho/oo collector, also loved to build model kits. There were toys in every store back then, hobby shops everywhere.

When I got into high school, toy soldiers were thrown in the attic.

Then in my late 20's, early 30's, I rediscovered the hobby, have been in ever since.

My core customer age group is 40 to 70, with the heart of that in the 50 to 65 group; probably 99% of those customers can tell the same story I did, collected as kids, got out, got back in later in life.

The issue is anyone under the age of say 35 to 40 in all likelihood did not have toy soldiers as a kid, so they will never get to a point where they will get back into the hobby as a way of reconnecting with their childhood like myself and so many of my customers did.

Unless younger people have a real love for military history, I don't know how they get involved in this hobby, we'll see what the future holds...........

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Am currently in Fredericksburg VA attending a wargaming show; had dinner tonight with two other dealers, one is 72, the other is 67, I am 53, we were talking about this very same subject.

To use myself as an example; again, I'm 53 and when I was a kid, everyone I knew and I mean everyone had toy soldiers, either plastic 54mm Marx, Britains, Timpo, Airfix, etc, etc or plastic ho/oo Airfix, Giant, etc, etc. I was an ho/oo collector, also loved to build model kits. There were toys in every store back then, hobby shops everywhere.

When I got into high school, toy soldiers were thrown in the attic.

Then in my late 20's, early 30's, I rediscovered the hobby, have been in ever since.

My core customer age group is 40 to 70, with the heart of that in the 50 to 65 group; probably 99% of those customers can tell the same story I did, collected as kids, got out, got back in later in life.

The issue is anyone under the age of say 35 to 40 in all likelihood did not have toy soldiers as a kid, so they will never get to a point where they will get back into the hobby as a way of reconnecting with their childhood like myself and so many of my customers did.

Unless younger people have a real love for military history, I don't know how they get involved in this hobby, we'll see what the future holds...........

George, Maybe a few of our younger forum members could chime in here and give us some of their Reasons that got "Them" into the Hobby ! ^&confuse

 

[Poppo]

George, Maybe a few of our younger forum members could chime in here and give us some of their Reasons that got "Them" into the Hobby ! ^&confuse

In my view, the only possibility for the sellers to keep on their business is that life is extended with new medicines, surgery and better quality of life....^&grin

 

[Jack]

Are there any of the 'older' collectors on the Forum who had no previous connection with TS but who came to the hobby 'cold'?

 

[johnnybach]

Are there any of the 'older' collectors on the Forum who had no previous connection with TS but who came to the hobby 'cold'?

I'll let you know when I get "Old". Collecting and playing with them helps keep you young. jb

 

[hotel3alpha]

After a scant 7 years in this Hobby I have come to the strong conclusion that our Toy Soldier Collector's age base "Usually" starts at 40 and goes into those in their eighties or more.
Not to leave out our very own forum collectors here in their 20's and 30's who I give much admiration to ! Is the Larger, Older Collector age group larger because of what major factor's.
Older, mature with more spending Income ? Reliving older childhood memories , and having the means to do so ? Someone who just discovered a great new Hobby ? ^&confuse

Panzer,

I agree, and not that your my homeboy from Texas and all but I started collecting these particular TS at the end of my dirty thirties. Now, I had other collections, i.e. Star Wars, 21st Century and Marx Presidents, but K&C has become the my most serious, ardent, joyful AND expensive line. Factors included the following:

-No more private school/day care and my kids are in public school...YES
-No more shoes every 3 months...YES
-No more diapers, baby food and less doctors visits...YES
-No more elementary school school supplies (that can go in the hundreds a year)...YES
-One sport each kid...YES
-Each kids pays half of what they want, i.e iPads, new scooters etc, the rest is paid back in chores...YES
-I make more bank
-I love K&C
-I love history
-I dig the people in the hobby
-My wife finally appreciates it
-I can make a buck or two on the side
-I very rarely drink, but when I do I prefer Dos Equis
-I don't go out
-I don't play golf
-I don't go to church (don't worry I am not an atheist)
-I don't beat my wife
-I work six days a week


So, all I do run my company, go home, go to soccer games and swim meets for my kids and collect toys soldiers. Hit the movies with the wife every once, eat some good eats and shoot the bull with you guys online. I LOVE it. I don't have Facebook, myspace, tweeter, instagram and all that other stuff. I will have a disturbance in the force a bit when I build my house, finish my Ph.d and write a couple of things but other than that it is pretty simple.

So, your right Panzer I am in my fabulous forties and loving the toys soldier collecting life.

John from Texas

 

[PanzerAce1944]

John, You made some very valid, yet true points to the scheme of it all. I think the collecting generation will continue to live well as gents like yourself "ARE" the new life blood
of our Hobby. The 20 and 30 year olds come into the new realm of soon turning into their forties. As more homes and big bills are paid off and children spring out on their own,
new Adult collectors evolve. Not the know all....End All answer.......but I think I am quite close............................... :wink2:

 

[hotel3alpha]

John, You made some very valid, yet true points to the scheme of it all. I think the collecting generation will continue to live well as gents like yourself "ARE" the new life blood
of our Hobby. The 20 and 30 year olds come into the new realm of soon turning into their forties. As more homes and big bills are paid off and children spring out on their own,
new Adult collectors evolve. Not the know all....End All answer.......but I think I am quite close............................... :wink2:

Panzer,

I will make another point. Most collectors I know have some sort of connection to the Military like me and you...so vets. Another thing is that it is a Gentlemans hobby. I mean we are not collecting beer cans here or bowling balls. We are collecting toy soldiers that have a motif or background story behind them...a meaning....a battle...a time in history. So, there is a little difference and along with the price of these little guys it does separate us (monetarily) from other hobbies. Wouldn't we be in awe of a dude who collects rare cars? Like Jay Leno? I would and if I ever become a car collector, don't pinch me, slap me.

Let me explain. I ran into a buddy of mine here in San Antonio and he happened to see a soldier on my desk at my shop and asked me if I bought it down town at Kings X. When I told him I did he was both wide-eyed with amazement and impressed because he was like "**** that is an expensive store to shop at bro". So, it is in the eye of the beholder. He believes them to be expensive and frankly he has no earthly idea what expensive is in this hobby! But, To him I collect the Prada of toys and frankly I got it like that and because of THAT he looked at me a little differently on the socio-economic scale.

But, I give two rats arses about that, I don't collect to impress anyone. That was merely an observation and thats it, but it did put my hobby into perspective. So, the connection between history, the military and being in a position in life to "enjoy" a hobby (both in time and in money) all have to line up. Or the end result is that you head into a mid life crisis and don't know what do with your self. You get divorced, marry a younger chick and drive an hot rod. Naw, divorce is too expensive, I dig my old lady, I will buy a hot rod anyway and have my collection.

John from Texas

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

Are there any of the 'older' collectors on the Forum who had no previous connection with TS but who came to the hobby 'cold'?

I'm 52 and never collected or played with toys soldiers as a kid. I had a few green army men, but if you categorize 1/6 GI Joe & Marx Action figures as toy soldiers then yes I did. I can remember getting my first GI Joe sailor figure on my 4th birthday. Not sure how I remember that because I don't remember what I got on my 52nd birthday. I had all of the Marx Johnny West figures and accessories as well. Also had BIG JIM with all of his gear. The Big Jim camper was awesome. I didn't start collecting toy soldiers until I bought a few Britain's plastic figures in Gettysburg in the 90's. I stated collecting the Britain's metal matte figures when they came out in the late 90's. If my history services me correctly I believe those were the matte figures that started this whole thing. I have pretty much been collecting ever since then. I did slow down during the dark days of Ertle when the non Ken Osen figures started being released.

My experience has been that that the younger hobbyist are more into collecting and kit-bashing 1/6 scale figures. You just can't beat the realism and detail that is now being produced by the one sixth companies. Another group of the one sixth collectors are into the 1/6th movie and comic book figures. I do have older customers who tell me that they have been small scale modelers most of their lives, but have switched to the larger scale because they're easier on their aging eyes. Many of these collectors still buy toy soldiers as well because they don't need assembly or painting.

 

[REVWARBUFF]

Are there any of the 'older' collectors on the Forum who had no previous connection with TS but who came to the hobby 'cold'?

I'm an "older" collector who got in cold. I always had a love of US history. Growing up the Philadelphia/south Jersey area enriched my interest in the rev war. In my youth I never heard of these fine pieces of art that we all collect. I didn't know this hobby even existed prior to 2004. It wasn't until that year that I discovered some WB AWI soldiers and from there I was in! I am going to be 50 this year so my fabulous 40's have been filled with this wonderful hobby.

Mark

 

[7th OVI]

My dad had a deep interest in history and particularly the American Civil War. My relatives have fought in all US wars starting with the Revolution. As for me, I was 5 years old when the ACW centennial started and my Dad took us to those celebrations. We would spend our vacations going to Civil War battle sites and in particular Gettysburg. For a long time I thought that all roads went to Gettysburg, then you go to Boston, Washington, Virginia, the beach, and Disney world for vacation. All of this fueled my interest in military history. I also went through the Marx sets, some earlier Britain's, some airfix 1/72 toy soldiers. I went through the TV shows Combat, Rat Patrol, Hogan's Heroes and so on like everyone else. All of that stopped when the "G&G"s (gas and girls) hit me in my early teens. Then it was cars, bikes (the kind with motors), dates, concerts, school, then marriage, career, kids, college for the kids(still working on this but the end is near). I also kept an interest in history and read anything that I could find, collected relics for a while (still do but only 7th Ohio, sold off everything else) and did reenacting. The reenacting opened a whole new avenue to me and actually living history over. I remember seeing Zulu for the first time at Hale village during a reenactment of the Revolutionary War with the Brigade of the American Revolution and all of the discussion about the movie and related events afterwards. Went on to Civil War reenacting through the 125th anniversaries and beyond. But I have since retired from reenacting, just don't look like the starving Confederate or Federal soldier of 1862 anymore. This all fed my obsession with military history. So now at almost 59, why toy soldiers? Here is my list:

-No more kids in elementary, middle or high school
-No more kid sports
-Half of my kids are out of college and have families of their own with grown up jobs, last 2 only have 1 more year left and they are done
-I have more disposable income now
-I like the people in the hobby
-I like the subject matter
-My wife doesn't understand it or even likes it but she supports me in it. She actually encouraged me to go to the West Coaster and funded it.
-My kids and grand kids doesn't understand it but they think it is cool and actually support it
-I don't go out
-I don't play golf, bowl, work on cars, gamble, play poker, or other typical adult male hobbies
-I work hard and like to play with the same level of intensity
-It is a way for me to continue to reenact but in miniature.
-It is a way to create an image of historical events in miniature that would not be possible other wise.
-It is another driver for me to do research on military history.
-I get satisfaction from creating diorama's, scratch built buildings, trees, terrain and other stuff.
-I enjoy creating a script and photographing the dioramas in a way to tell a story.

These are all real good reasons that I tell my family and friends. But actually, I really have no earthly idea why I collect ACW Toy Soldiers. My wife believes it is a obsession or curse, not just a hobby.

They just seem to call to me.