Why Are Older Collector's The Biggest Portion Of Our Hobby (1 Viewer)

[johnnybach]

Hey JB,

Man, that was touching..."going back to the toys soldiers they always wanted - but couldn't afford way back then". Brother, I did not grow up during you time, but feel what your saying. I had a hodgepodge of troops in my platoon: Darth Vader, Sgt. Rock, some other cheapo plastic ones and my favorite soldiers where made out of mud. Why? Cause you could blow them up and then put them back together. Rifles were tooth picks and you could carve out uniforms, helmets, capes and faces. I remember those mud soldiers the best and they were always the bad guys because my plastics would always win.

My Platoon was lined up on my window sill standing at attention. I always did my best to add another soldier here or there, but sometimes I would have to "retire" a guy if he got broke or lost. But, the muds were always waiting for me to make and I kept a box full of them. Yeah, I really, really feel you on this one. Thanks for posting your story!

John from Texas

Yo Bro! (hope that's right^&grin). You were lucky - you had mud! Glad I brought a tear to the eye - that's how we used to get 'em in the jungle!

Didn't mean to sound as if we were all poverty stricken back in WW2 time - but what I meant was - that there were other priorities then ( like eating^&grin).

I can only really remember one figure in particular - and he was a one-armed mountie (I called him Monty). The others were cowboys and their enemy - who were there before they arrived! None of them was complete - ( I think the older lad next door gave them to me for cleaning his bike!). I used to make my own later - out of cardboard (usually from an empty cereal packet ). I used to draw an outline, and then colour them in - adding a bit of wood for the base. One of our "gang" of kids - used to "borrow" his Dad's air-pistol - so we had lots of fun shooting them up a bit - when we could get any ammo! ( laws on weapons over here were less draconian then!!!). We would use just about anything as ammo that would fit down the barrel - but never thought of mud!

By the way - stop pulling out the long silver hairs as soon as poss!!! There may come a time when you'll need every one!!!

Lastly - Private Lewis Johnson fought and died at the Alamo - and was once thought to have been Welsh. However, some later researcher claimed he was a Virginian - so changed the records. Huh!

P.S. Take everything you hear from Trooper with a pinch of salt - he's got so much dough - his neighbours think he's a baker!

All the best - Johnnybach

 

[trooper]

That is a wicked calumny my little ferrety friend, besides which I have no neighbours. They were moved long ago to improve the view from the castle battlements with a deer park. Trooper

 

[johnnybach]

That is a wicked calumny my little ferrety friend, besides which I have no neighbours. They were moved long ago to improve the view from the castle battlements with a deer park. Trooper

Tee-hee.:wink2: Glad you got the view sorted!

Nice to see you keeping an eye on things. jb

 

[hotel3alpha]

JB,

So Trooper is one of them Aristocrats? Manicured lawns, butlers, grey poupon and the like? Lifestyles of the Rich and Trooper? "Had the neighbors moved" Ha! That is too funny! So, JB when you visit (ahem make an appt) Trooper does he wear a "smoking jacket" and a ascot around the neck?

JB, I would not slag your friends too much or you might not get invited to the Trooper Tee Totaler Ball this August.

John from Texas (who will never get invited...low birth )

 

[johnnybach]

JB,

So Trooper is one of them Aristocrats? Manicured lawns, butlers, grey poupon and the like? Lifestyles of the Rich and Trooper? "Had the neighbors moved" Ha! That is too funny! So, JB when you visit (ahem make an appt) Trooper does he wear a "smoking jacket" and a ascot around the neck?

JB, I would not slag your friends too much or you might not get invited to the Trooper Tee Totaler Ball this August.

John from Texas (who will never get invited...low birth )

Hey John - you-betcha. I think that I can say, without too much fear of contradiction, that Trooper is definitely one of the "Upper Crust" in the Toy Soldier World. I'm not quite sure if his butler is still in post though, as I've heard that M'lud has quite a high turnover of staff. I must admit also - being of somewhat lowly origins myself, I've quite understandably never been invited to Leicester Castle - so cannot confirm the smoking jacket attire. However - dependant upon time of day - I'm sure the venerable gent is suitably attired for whatever the occasion - (I'll ask one of his footmen, when I see one of them next).

Fear not though, old bean - regarding invite to "the posh do" - I haven't been yet - so can think of no Earthly reason why I should be summoned this time. It is indeed news to me, however, that the afformentioned do is TT - as M'lud has been known on occasion - to "knock a few back" ( to use a common colloquialism) with the best of 'em!!

However, mustn't tittle-tattle overmuch - as despite M'luds foibles - I must confess to having quite a soft spot for the old geezer. And as for his breadth of knowledge of the hobby - it just can't be beat, old chap.

All the best - I'm off for a lie-down now. {sm4} jb

 

[hotel3alpha]

Hey John - you-betcha. I think that I can say, without too much fear of contradiction, that Trooper is definitely one of the "Upper Crust" in the Toy Soldier World. I'm not quite sure if his butler is still in post though, as I've heard that M'lud has quite a high turnover of staff. I must admit also - being of somewhat lowly origins myself, I've quite understandably never been invited to Leicester Castle - so cannot confirm the smoking jacket attire. However - dependant upon time of day - I'm sure the venerable gent is suitably attired for whatever the occasion - (I'll ask one of his footmen, when I see one of them next).

Fear not though, old bean - regarding invite to "the posh do" - I haven't been yet - so can think of no Earthly reason why I should be summoned this time. It is indeed news to me, however, that the afformentioned do is TT - as M'lud has been known on occasion - to "knock a few back" ( to use a common colloquialism) with the best of 'em!!

However, mustn't tittle-tattle overmuch - as despite M'luds foibles - I must confess to having quite a soft spot for the old geezer. And as for his breadth of knowledge of the hobby - it just can't be beat, old chap.

All the best - I'm off for a lie-down now. {sm4} jb

Wow man, you guys over there take that "upper crust" seriously! I mean "Upper Crust" in Texas is the height of the crust outside of your pecan pie. So, I gotta know JB, does Trooper have one of those titles in England. When I was in Grad School one of my profs (old Navy Captain) told us Brits love the titles. The Earl of this or the Master of that. Is Trooper the Earl of Sangwhich? The Duke of Deer Park? The Lord of Love? Or Her Majesty's Master of Models? Please do tell.

John "Low Birth" from Texas LOL!

PS: Does he wear the Order of the Garter around his leg too?

 

[jazzeum]

Trooper is one of the legends of the toy soldiers business.

 

[hotel3alpha]

Trooper is one of the legends of the toy soldiers business.

Yup, thats what I hear. Gotta meet the man!

John from Texas

 

[johnnybach]

Wow man, you guys over there take that "upper crust" seriously! I mean "Upper Crust" in Texas is the height of the crust outside of your pecan pie. So, I gotta know JB, does Trooper have one of those titles in England. When I was in Grad School one of my profs (old Navy Captain) told us Brits love the titles. The Earl of this or the Master of that. Is Trooper the Earl of Sangwhich? The Duke of Deer Park? The Lord of Love? Or Her Majesty's Master of Models? Please do tell.

John "Low Birth" from Texas LOL!

PS: Does he wear the Order of the Garter around his leg too?

Hi - once again John - we seem to be chatting lots!^&grin

Trooper. My friend. Laird'O'Leicester, Master of Arts (sculpture), Professor of Military History - can't comment on Order of the Garter - but suspect his socks might not stay up without them!!{eek3}

BUT - why ask me??? I only know him online and on-here, too.

However, as I think you may be finding out - you kinda know quite soon, just whom you like on here - and maybe who, are those to avoid???

Just let me say this about my chum Trooper. I asked him to be a friend of mine - and to my immense surprise - he agreed. I haven't ever changed my mind - and hope he hasn't either. I don't really have a lot of time for all of these titles and awards we're on about - but if they gave him a Knighthood "for services to Toy Soldiers" - I wouldn't object. jb

P.S never had Peican Pie - do you shoot them before they go in???

 

[sammy719]

I'm sure I have posted a few times of my toy soldier story, but the greatest gift (still is) my 1972-73?? Marx battleground playset when I was 6 or 7 yrs old, nothing has ever replaced that joy I had while fighting major battles/ambushes/battle tactics with that playset, fast forward 35 years later I found myself enjoying toy soldiers all over again with the same joy as a child, (only I have to buy them this time) even some of the dioramas that Mr. Marshall has created with some of my ideas have come from the long ago but not forgotten scenerios that I remember with that playset.

For whatever reason I was drawn back to toy soldiers I'm not sure, I'm just glad I did because the fun I get out of this hobby is something that's hard to exsplain to most folks outside of the collecting world, but I am glad we can all share our stories/discussions of this neat little hobby world wide and understand why we collect toy soldiers in the first place...Sammy

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I'm sure I have posted a few times of my toy soldier story, but the greatest gift (still is) my 1972-73?? Marx battleground playset when I was 6 or 7 yrs old, nothing has ever replaced that joy I had while fighting major battles/ambushes/battle tactics with that playset, fast forward 35 years later I found myself enjoying toy soldiers all over again with the same joy as a child, (only I have to buy them this time) even some of the dioramas that Mr. Marshall has created with some of my ideas have come from the long ago but not forgotten scenerios that I remember with that playset.

For whatever reason I was drawn back to toy soldiers I'm not sure, I'm just glad I did because the fun I get out of this hobby is something that's hard to exsplain to most folks outside of the collecting world, but I am glad we can all share our stories/discussions of this neat little hobby world wide and understand why we collect toy soldiers in the first place...Sammy

Sammy, We all here share a common link to it all, with some people understanding it , While some still think we are still accumulating plastic Toy Soldiers, Some folks totally left in the dark. It is amazing though that the more figures, vehicles, buildings, Tanks, etc... fill up a room the better it all looks !

 

[hotel3alpha]

Hi - once again John - we seem to be chatting lots!^&grin

Trooper. My friend. Laird'O'Leicester, Master of Arts (sculpture), Professor of Military History - can't comment on Order of the Garter - but suspect his socks might not stay up without them!!{eek3}

BUT - why ask me??? I only know him online and on-here, too.

However, as I think you may be finding out - you kinda know quite soon, just whom you like on here - and maybe who, are those to avoid???

Just let me say this about my chum Trooper. I asked him to be a friend of mine - and to my immense surprise - he agreed. I haven't ever changed my mind - and hope he hasn't either. I don't really have a lot of time for all of these titles and awards we're on about - but if they gave him a Knighthood "for services to Toy Soldiers" - I wouldn't object. jb

P.S never had Peican Pie - do you shoot them before they go in???

JB,

I am going to check into sending you a Texas Pecan Pie. Yes, IMHO it is that good. In regards to Trooper, I'll send a letter to "Her Majesty" to request him for Knight Hood and if approved I want an invite to the whole sword on the shoulder thing AND the after party. I'll bring the fajitas.

John from Texas

 

[johnnybach]

JB,

I am going to check into sending you a Texas Pecan Pie. Yes, IMHO it is that good. In regards to Trooper, I'll send a letter to "Her Majesty" to request him for Knight Hood and if approved I want an invite to the whole sword on the shoulder thing AND the after party. I'll bring the fajitas.

John from Texas

Please DO NOT send the pie!! I just looked up a recipe online - and the SUGAR is a main ingredient - which is a certain no-no for moi! I'm also VERY unsure HM Queenie would appreciate a Fajita - as one would have difficulty with the lack of cutlery required - although I guess she would still have the sword in hand - so............what the heck - go for it!

"Adios amigo!" (I've heard the Cisco Kid saying that!Here he is with his chum - Gene Autrey). jb

 

[ivanmoe]

"Adios amigo!" (I've heard the Cisco Kid saying that!Here he is with his chum - Gene Autrey). jb

You two caballeros shall evermore be known as Los Dos Juanitos.:tongue::wink2:

 

[hotel3alpha]

You two caballeros shall evermore be known as Los Dos Juanitos.:tongue::wink2:

Ivan Moe,

I like that nick name and the pic.

I actually am a John B and I don't know if Johnny Bach is really a John B. but if he is then it is a match made in the forum. It has a really good ring to it.

I may change my avatar to it.

John from Texas

 

[johnnybach]

Ivan Moe,

I like that nick name and the pic.

I actually am a John B and I don't know if Johnny Bach is really a John B. but if he is then it is a match made in the forum. It has a really good ring to it.

I may change my avatar to it.

John from Texas

Hola amigos - Si, yo soy Juan - ( well John actually) - I chose Johnnybach as my handle here - 'cos that was my Army nick-name. Johnnybach is a Welsh name - and literally means John-boy.

Glad you like Cisco and Gene - as these are just two of my boyhood "Saturday morning Flick - heroes".

"Adios amigos - see you soon - Hah!"

 

[trooper]

Much as I appreciate the efforts of Los Dos Juanitos to elevate me to the peerage I fear it will be of no avail. However should that unlikely event ever come to pass I can assure you that you will both be prominent in the guest list. But no fajitas, we want some of those famous Texas steaks preferably served up by the Dallas Cowboy cheer leaders. Her Majesty, by the way, is top of my Famous Customer list. The attached shows her being presented with one of my figures commissioned by the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. It depicts the bomb disposal machine known as the wheelbarrow and it's operative.. Vaya con Dios y hasta luego. Trooper

 

[johnnybach]

Much as I appreciate the efforts of Los Dos Juanitos to elevate me to the peerage I fear it will be of no avail. However should that unlikely event ever come to pass I can assure you that you will both be prominent in the guest list. But no fajitas, we want some of those famous Texas steaks preferably served up by the Dallas Cowboy cheer leaders. Her Majesty, by the way, is top of my Famous Customer list. The attached shows her being presented with one of my figures commissioned by the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. It depicts the bomb disposal machine known as the wheelbarrow and it's operative.. Vaya con Dios y hasta luego. Trooper

I didn't know HM was a collector??? Is Maam on here??? - I wonder what handle she is using???? Nah - can't be THAT one??

Hey, amigo - how come you didn't get a gong after that?? Maybe she thought it was something from a Gardening programme on TV??? I think a few of the presenters on there got a mini-gong!

Maybe she's waiting for the price to go up on e-bay??

Anyhoo - thanks for the invite - I'll shake the mothballs out of my DJ, once in a while - just in case...............you never know??????

Yore old amigo Juan -y - bach