Capitolron
Lieutenant Colonel
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- Jan 6, 2007
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Njja
Great Dioramas !! I love the German HQ - when did you get that ??
Ron
Great Dioramas !! I love the German HQ - when did you get that ??
Ron
Why King and Country is GREAT ! (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Capitolron
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Louis Badolato
Lieutenant General
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- Apr 25, 2005
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Here is a little background on that diorama:
For the 1996 Chicago Show, King & Country produced a one of a kind diorama depicting a portion of a badly damaged occupied French village, including a pill box, a badly damaged church and burned out Gestapo Headquarters set on one of the dark gray cobblestoned versions of the dockside jetties, with a ruined bridge, the debris from which fell into the stream on the edge of the diorama. This may have been the inspiration for the later foamtech Normandy Village. This diorama was offered to the author for $750 in 1999 by a Pennsylvania K&C dealer, but the author declined to purchase it sight unseen. It was later sold at the Chicago Show to the Chicago area dealer for $250.
For the 1996 Chicago Show, King & Country produced a one of a kind diorama depicting a portion of a badly damaged occupied French village, including a pill box, a badly damaged church and burned out Gestapo Headquarters set on one of the dark gray cobblestoned versions of the dockside jetties, with a ruined bridge, the debris from which fell into the stream on the edge of the diorama. This may have been the inspiration for the later foamtech Normandy Village. This diorama was offered to the author for $750 in 1999 by a Pennsylvania K&C dealer, but the author declined to purchase it sight unseen. It was later sold at the Chicago Show to the Chicago area dealer for $250.
Hi John,
I found Louis' discussion of the history of your diorama to be very interesting. However, the diorama history Louis provides ends with the Chicago collector purchasing it. I would be interested in learning the rest of the history. Do you mind sharing with us how you became so fortunate to add this diorama to your personal collection?
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
I found Louis' discussion of the history of your diorama to be very interesting. However, the diorama history Louis provides ends with the Chicago collector purchasing it. I would be interested in learning the rest of the history. Do you mind sharing with us how you became so fortunate to add this diorama to your personal collection?
Warmest personal regards,
Pat
Njja
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- May 20, 2005
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- 4,567
Pat and Ron:
Here is a little history from Steven Chong (my K&C historian) and my dealer friend Bill Moore (quality merchandise, carefully packaged, always a pleasure).
This Diorama was originally purchased by Gary Coffey from Andy at the Sept 2000 Schaumburg show.........Bill missed buying it by 10 minutes! We all know that feeling. When Gary's wife became pregnant she told him to either sell his toy soldier collection so the room could become a nursery.......or buy a bigger house! He decided to sell his collection remarking "I showed her......???
Steven had a chance to buy this piece, and the East of Indian diorama made for the 47 Ronin Series........unbelievable! Steven passed because he had no way to ship them back to SF. Steven stated that he was in Gary's room when Andy and Bill came in and saw the diorama. Andy confirem that he had built it. (Cool) I believe it was then sold to the dealer in Pennsylvania that Louis spoke of.
Several years later Bill acquired it at the Schamburg show. Bill sent me several photos from his showroom when we did business on some early pieces.
We spoke about it several times over the years and finally it arrived at my door. What a pack job, what a terrific piece! Bill provided me with a nice note for its providence, and many thanks to Steven, and Louis for providing wonderful information that only adds to our enjoyment of the hobby.
Special thanks to Andy, for creating such an interesting piece! A real pleasure every time I walk into the den!
Njja
Here is a little history from Steven Chong (my K&C historian) and my dealer friend Bill Moore (quality merchandise, carefully packaged, always a pleasure).
This Diorama was originally purchased by Gary Coffey from Andy at the Sept 2000 Schaumburg show.........Bill missed buying it by 10 minutes! We all know that feeling. When Gary's wife became pregnant she told him to either sell his toy soldier collection so the room could become a nursery.......or buy a bigger house! He decided to sell his collection remarking "I showed her......???
Steven had a chance to buy this piece, and the East of Indian diorama made for the 47 Ronin Series........unbelievable! Steven passed because he had no way to ship them back to SF. Steven stated that he was in Gary's room when Andy and Bill came in and saw the diorama. Andy confirem that he had built it. (Cool) I believe it was then sold to the dealer in Pennsylvania that Louis spoke of.
Several years later Bill acquired it at the Schamburg show. Bill sent me several photos from his showroom when we did business on some early pieces.
We spoke about it several times over the years and finally it arrived at my door. What a pack job, what a terrific piece! Bill provided me with a nice note for its providence, and many thanks to Steven, and Louis for providing wonderful information that only adds to our enjoyment of the hobby.
Special thanks to Andy, for creating such an interesting piece! A real pleasure every time I walk into the den!
Njja
Hi John,
What an interesting history your diorama possesses! I especially enjoyed the stories about Steven, Bill, and Louis and their reasons for initially passing up the purchase of the diorama. I am very glad the diorama ended up in your collection and that you chose to share it with us. It is very special.
Warmest personals regards,
Pat
What an interesting history your diorama possesses! I especially enjoyed the stories about Steven, Bill, and Louis and their reasons for initially passing up the purchase of the diorama. I am very glad the diorama ended up in your collection and that you chose to share it with us. It is very special.
Warmest personals regards,
Pat
King & Country
Captain
- Joined
- May 23, 2005
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- 5,046
Hi Guys,
Just a wee note (and pic) of that old 1995 display. Here’s the background… As far as I can remember.
This was my very first attempt at a display piece of any kind for any historical period. It took me a couple of weeks to build it and it was made out of styro-foam… card and other bits ‘n’ bobs. It was inspired by a diorama I saw in the “Verlinden” magazine and I prepared it for the Chicago show to hilight our new “ARNHEM ‘44” series.
Compared to what brother Gordon builds today it’s tiny but it was that important first step on the ladder. I know we sold it at the end of the show and I’m more than happy that it has found a good home with our friend John.
As I say this was just the first tentative steps into displays but it did make me realize how much more fun you can have with your toy soldiers when you build a scene around them!
Very best wishes and happy collecting…
Andy C.
P.S. Here’s an old photo of the display and the author at the 1995 Chicago Show.
Just a wee note (and pic) of that old 1995 display. Here’s the background… As far as I can remember.
This was my very first attempt at a display piece of any kind for any historical period. It took me a couple of weeks to build it and it was made out of styro-foam… card and other bits ‘n’ bobs. It was inspired by a diorama I saw in the “Verlinden” magazine and I prepared it for the Chicago show to hilight our new “ARNHEM ‘44” series.
Compared to what brother Gordon builds today it’s tiny but it was that important first step on the ladder. I know we sold it at the end of the show and I’m more than happy that it has found a good home with our friend John.
As I say this was just the first tentative steps into displays but it did make me realize how much more fun you can have with your toy soldiers when you build a scene around them!
Very best wishes and happy collecting…
Andy C.
P.S. Here’s an old photo of the display and the author at the 1995 Chicago Show.
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kilted vampire
Lieutenant Colonel
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Very cool! Great pic Andy. The budding entrepreneur at work!
damian
1st Lieutenant
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- Feb 7, 2007
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Is that Sir Sean Connery in the picture?
Capitolron
Lieutenant Colonel
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- Jan 6, 2007
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Great History - Congrats John !
The photo of Andy makes me think about what was I doing in 1995 and why wasn't I at that show buying those figures !!
Andy - a wonderful look back - are you sending Louis any of these type of historic photos for his book ? It would be a great addition as a chapter of its self.
The photo of Andy makes me think about what was I doing in 1995 and why wasn't I at that show buying those figures !!
Andy - a wonderful look back - are you sending Louis any of these type of historic photos for his book ? It would be a great addition as a chapter of its self.
