why do you collect toy soldiers? (1 Viewer)

[gi546]

why do you collect toy soldiers?
i collect them because i like the military and toys,plus i think toy soldiers are cool and it's nice just to stare at them for hours and sometimes play with them.for me,it's just something fun to do.

 

[Louis Badolato]

why do you collect toy soldiers?
i collect them because i like the military and toys,plus i think toy soldiers are cool and it's nice just to stare at them for hours and sometimes play with them.for me,it's just something fun to do.

For me, it is a way to remember, and honor, the men who fought to give me and my family our lives.

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

I have a love of history, I always have. My parents recognized this early on and encouraged it. For several years when I was young, I always had a few sets of toy soldiers as Birthday/Christmas gifts. At that time, Britains swoppets were the flavour of the day in the toy soldier world. My first sets were the Britains swoppet knights and then another year I received sets of ACW and AWI swoppets. I still have those original pieces in my collection today. Ahh... memories... memories...

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Good question...apparently I hate cash, and this is the fastest way to part with it!

I think for anyone who reads history, and particularly the finer details, figures and dioramas are a way of appreciating any of these events in a visual way...but with the help of distinguished manufacturers, enjoying them from an aesthetic perspective as well. I have been reading Napoleonic history as far back as I can remember, but I am always fascinated by someone else's perspective of the same battles we have read over and over. I know there are many out there like me who will read everything they can put their hand on for just one more tidbit of detail that the previous texts didn't cover.

From my observations of the historical figures produced, many of the commercial designers do the same. Most are meticulous in the finer details of their figures (and then, of course, sometimes not). I've seen some just plain crazy stuff; I have no idea how it got into production. That doesn;t make them any less interesting though (sort of like a two-headed coin).

So the figure(s) become a visual treat (cathartic, if you will) when connected with the collector's knowledge and appreciation of the event(s) associated with it.

But there is another aspect too, of course...the actual collecting. I don't collect every manufacturer in the range of my interest, but for those that I do, it is difficult to pass over any figure within that range...so it's the kooks like me that the maufacturers profit from most. Unfortunately, K&C could put out a three-legged voltigeur...I'd buy it (think of the resale on that one!).

 

[marco55]

I always loved playing with soldiers as a kid and have always loved history.I also think movies had a part in my interest developing.I have paintings and I like them very much but I like a 3-D represention.What drove me to actually want to start collecting 54mm's though was being in Gettysburg and going through a museum and seeing some fantastic dioramas and the movie Gettysburg came out around the same time..That was in 94 but I didn't actually start collecting until Conte's Don Troiani series came out.I almost started collecting before that as I had seen an ad for KC's Roughriders range but couldn't afford them at the time.
Mark

 

[Lewey Gun Vick]

First off, I love military history. Multiple generations of my family have served, and I feel it is a way to honor those who have given their "last full measure" for freedom. Lastly, I've always been into antiques (toys, military memorabilia) and I feel these have some kind of 'class' persay, like vintage antiques.

Best Regards,
Vick

 

[Go for Broke]

For me, I loved playing with my plastic toy soldiers when I was a child, which then grew into a love for history. Playing with those toy soldiers seemed so serene, that it appears that I trying to recapture those great times in this sometimes stressful world. What's lacking is that childlike imagination that really put life in those toys. Don't get me wrong, I love to look at my collection, but its missing that certain magic. One thing is certain. From the love for toy soldiers, I learned how valuable our freedom is and the terrible sacrifice that was paid, for which I will never take for granted.

 

[W T Allison II]

Toy soldiers don't talk back; they stay where you place them(most of the time) and they don't write checks or have credit cards. Seriously, each figure is a work of art which I appreciate Len, Ana, Bill Hocker and Brian to name a few, giving me an opportunity to own. Then I get to arrange them and express my views that way. For me it certainly beats whacking around at a little white ball in bermuda shorts(obviously I am not a gifted golfer.)

 

[desk11desk12]

Because it's fun and it's the one thing I can do to relax without having to be the best at.

Carlos

 

[sceic2]

Because it's fun and it's the one thing I can do to relax without having to be the best at. Carlos

Key words - Fun, relax, without being best. Great answer, I could not have put my thoughts to word any better.

 

[Obee]

As an introduction toy question, I played with toy soldiers as a kid, and progressed to plastic kits and then onto the early AIRFIX 1/32 Napoleonics in the late 1960's. I kept an interest in miltary history, served in the army, and then gave the hobby away to other ventures such as travelling, working, chasing women, catching one, having a family, renovating houses etc

Many years later I saw an article in the paper about toy soldiers, contacted the person in the article and bought some castings from him, as I hoped that I could paint again....

I didn't have the shakes, I could see close up, so I started painting toy soldiers again.

As an answer to your question... I collect toy soldiers a the necessary result of painting!
I would only have about 5% of my collection painted my commercial makers, and they are the result of payment for painting figures for other collectors, worldwide.

Check them out here:http://members.upnaway.com/~obees/soldiers/

John

 

[hsm]

taken from Calvin Tan website-(master figure painter) he pretty much sums it up for me.

Well, this and because they stand still are properly dressed, don't talk back and yes -don't drink or have money problems(I am a Sergeant Major LOL)

ARTIST STATEMENT
Be it an everyday play thing in the playground or as tokens on a miniature wargaming table, toy soldiers have throughout the ages have held a sentimental place in the hearts of both adults and children alike. Throughout history, warfare is synonymous with games military and political leaders play for power and control. The toy soldier albeit a plaything, has symbolic references which manifest the imagery of soldiers in real battle; an insignificant entity amidst the megalomania of war. Innumerable human sacrifices in battle amounts to mere loses in a casual game of chess. Almost all the miniatures you see here are diligently researched from historical sources and handcrafted between scales of 1/35 to 1/16 (approx 50mm to 120mm). The intricate rendition of human expression and fine details not only demonstrates the level of craftsmanship but also serves as a reminder to the fragile nature of human life. I represent no political bias though my miniature creations and my striving aim is to articulate humanity within the context of military history. Though much has been expressed through other mediums, I proudly choose this as mine. It is thus my pleasure that I present to you my weblog Perspectives in Miniature and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy your visit.

Calvin Tan

 

[lancer]

Nothing deep about my collecting. I have loved military history and TS for as long as I can remember. Started out with Marx ACW and WW2, playing in the dirt as a youngster. Many other Marx sets followed (Alamo, AWI, knights) along with reading the Landmark series all through elementary school. Have been totally and completely hooked for 52+ years. Love it all. -- Al

 

[VIRIATO]

Nothing deep about my collecting. I have loved military history and TS for as long as I can remember. Started out with Marx ACW and WW2, playing in the dirt as a youngster. Many other Marx sets followed (Alamo, AWI, knights) along with reading the Landmark series all through elementary school. Have been totally and completely hooked for 52+ years. Love it all. -- Al

I wonder what it's like to collect for 52 years. Where does one find the room, how many changes, selling and buying, the thrill of a new series or range...Al, would you share your experience? Have you changed course? How do you find the room? Did you or do you sell a lot? Don't mean to pry, but for me collecting is a learning curve certainly helped by the sharing from the more experienced.
I have been collecting for about 5 years, had as a youngster played happilly with my Timpo, Airfix and Britains Deetail figures, and also with Action Man/GI Joe like figures, still keep a few of those. So one day back in 2004 I think it all came back to me when I was looking for some figures for my son and resurfaced some of my old stuff...
Why do I like it? A bit of a love for military History (without being a war fan...), but also for beautiful miniatures, which always get's me into trouble even if I am not especially interested in a certain historical period. Also a sense of hunting, of purpose, of building something that pleases me and entertains me and sends some of my daily stress away. And a fondness for displaying my collection the best way I can. Going beyond this would probably be the work of a psychiatrist
Oh, and this Forum has done nothing but help and enhance my love for these little things, THANK YOU VERY MUCH (I really mean it, no sick joke here!).

Paulo

 

[Spitfrnd]

Because it's fun and it's the one thing I can do to relax without having to be the best at.

Carlos

Interesting reasoning Carlos. Actually I think that whether or not you chose to try and be the best at anything is totally a personal choice. Sports, by their nature, are more overtly competitive than collecting but you can easily find either or neither so. I strive to perform the best I can in my chosen sports but I really don't worry about it if I am not competitive on a given day. The same goes for collecting.

I like this hobby for its relation to periods of military history that I enjoy researching and for the beauty of the small pieces of art that nicely done figures and accessories represent. The more realistic they look, the better I like them. I started relatively recently since it took some time for me to find cost effective figures that satisfied my tastes. I am now quite pleased with the results.

 

[lancer]

I wonder what it's like to collect for 52 years. Where does one find the room, how many changes, selling and buying, the thrill of a new series or range...Al, would you share your experience? Have you changed course? How do you find the room? Did you or do you sell a lot? Don't mean to pry, but for me collecting is a learning curve certainly helped by the sharing from the more experienced.
I have been collecting for about 5 years, had as a youngster played happilly with my Timpo, Airfix and Britains Deetail figures, and also with Action Man/GI Joe like figures, still keep a few of those. So one day back in 2004 I think it all came back to me when I was looking for some figures for my son and resurfaced some of my old stuff...
Why do I like it? A bit of a love for military History (without being a war fan...), but also for beautiful miniatures, which always get's me into trouble even if I am not especially interested in a certain historical period. Also a sense of hunting, of purpose, of building something that pleases me and entertains me and sends some of my daily stress away. And a fondness for displaying my collection the best way I can. Going beyond this would probably be the work of a psychiatrist
Oh, and this Forum has done nothing but help and enhance my love for these little things, THANK YOU VERY MUCH (I really mean it, no sick joke here!).

Paulo

Hi Paulo. I will try to give you an idea about my life long hobby. My interest was initially (as best I remember) started by television (westerns, Davy Crockett by Disney, and a myriad of war movies) that my dad fed with his old Britains from the 1920's and these were followed by the Marx figures. Learning to read opened the historical side up. Also, my many visits to my dad's childhood home was a real influence as my dad and 2 of his brothers all served in WW2 and there were mementos of this as well as the house still being full of Britains and tons of homemade aircraft from their childhoods and teens. I was doomed to this hobby from the start. I moved on to buying metal figures and painting them as I got older (Hinchcliffe, Stadden, and many Squadron). I also built and painted plastic airplanes by the hundred (watching and learning from my dad). All this self done stuff ended when I graduated from college and got married. TS collecting took a back seat with only the occasional purchases until about 1990 when my interest (and money) allowed me to buy Trophy and Somerset more frequently. Glossies were my interest until I discovered KC mattes in the late 90's. It was full speed ahead until the economy tanked. I still have the interest, but my buying has slowed considerably over the last 12 months. The question of room has been met by selling my military book collection (2000 volumes take a lot of room) and replacing them with TS. I have also sold or traded many of my earlier purchases as my interest went to matte, or as I upgraded my collection. I have collected mainly (but not all) matte since 2000. Even though many fell on the fields of battle in my youth, (unfortunately), I still have many of my dad's old Britains. They have pride of place on my shelves. Sorry this is so lengthy. That's about it. A life long addiction. -- Al

 

[OldDragon]

Military minatures, model soldiers, models, collectables ... have often suggested an eccentric and perhaps a little quiet exclusive activity.
I rather enjoy the "perplexed" look I get, whenever I mention my toy soldiers. And I do like Christian Slaver in the Nap movie ... my toy soljeers. You should see the looks I get, worth every penny.

Honestly .. I just love history, military history. Beats fiction most of the time.

OD

 

[VIRIATO]

Hi Paulo. I will try to give you an idea about my life long hobby. My interest was initially (as best I remember) started by television (westerns, Davy Crockett by Disney, and a myriad of war movies) that my dad fed with his old Britains from the 1920's and these were followed by the Marx figures. Learning to read opened the historical side up. Also, my many visits to my dad's childhood home was a real influence as my dad and 2 of his brothers all served in WW2 and there were mementos of this as well as the house still being full of Britains and tons of homemade aircraft from their childhoods and teens. I was doomed to this hobby from the start. I moved on to buying metal figures and painting them as I got older (Hinchcliffe, Stadden, and many Squadron). I also built and painted plastic airplanes by the hundred (watching and learning from my dad). All this self done stuff ended when I graduated from college and got married. TS collecting took a back seat with only the occasional purchases until about 1990 when my interest (and money) allowed me to buy Trophy and Somerset more frequently. Glossies were my interest until I discovered KC mattes in the late 90's. It was full speed ahead until the economy tanked. I still have the interest, but my buying has slowed considerably over the last 12 months. The question of room has been met by selling my military book collection (2000 volumes take a lot of room) and replacing them with TS. I have also sold or traded many of my earlier purchases as my interest went to matte, or as I upgraded my collection. I have collected mainly (but not all) matte since 2000. Even though many fell on the fields of battle in my youth, (unfortunately), I still have many of my dad's old Britains. They have pride of place on my shelves. Sorry this is so lengthy. That's about it. A life long addiction. -- Al

Al, thanks for sharing your experience. Doesn't matter if it's lengthy, to me it is interesting and instructive!
I now remember that during my teens an important part of creating my interest in military history was the BBC's World at War show, which was shown in my country as part of a programme called «Memories of our time». I also still have some Solido WWII tanks from that period. The Airfix guys, unfortunately are all gone.

Regards,
Paulo

 

[wayne556517]

Because it's fun and it's the one thing I can do to relax without having to be the best at.

Carlos

Well said same here plus ive learn't alot about military history,vehicles personel,battles all the different equiupment different armys etc etc and most of all i ENJOY it...................

 

[Rob]

I collect because of my life long love of Military History.As a boy I collected Airfix soldiers,built their Spits and Me109's,collected Commando War comics,Action men and watched the classic War films on tv.We played War in the woods near where we lived and pretended we were in those films.

This passion for the subject stayed with me my whole life,and after collecting different Wars and scales I discovered K&C in London and was hooked.I think I have found my final era and scale,when I stop collecting K&C I will probably stop collecting.

Yep it all springs from a Happy,carefree childhood in those long hot summers.Wonderful memories

Rob