Will any current collectors of John's FIW not pursue Khartoum? (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

More interested in the battles involving the Relief Column, battles of Tamai and Abu Klea. Lots of camels & cavalry, Highlanders & Hadendoa.

If the focus is just Gordon and his last stand at Khartoum - I think I'll pass and continue to try and catch up with other series of John's that I'm now collecting.

The Relief Column is possible according to John but he'll have to see how the first releases go. The fact the he would like to do a boat suggests his interest in the wider war.

 

[lcdr1635]

Not my cup of tea, I'm afraid. Was hoping for a new War of 1812 Series -- perhaps Bladensburg or New Orleans (Britains old New Orleans figures are soooo not up to current standards).

 

[lancer]

More interested in the battles involving the Relief Column, battles of Tamai and Abu Klea. Lots of camels & cavalry, Highlanders & Hadendoa.

If the focus is just Gordon and his last stand at Khartoum - I think I'll pass and continue to try and catch up with other series of John's that I'm now collecting.

I would say this is my outlook also. It is the relief columns, their units and battles, that I would like to see done. If all I wanted was Gordon getting killed, I would have gone for the excellent gloss series by Somerset. I am a little puzzled as to why JJD would simply redo what Somerset already did. I sure hope they expand beyond the endgame. -- lancer

 

[mikemiller1955]

Not my cup of tea, I'm afraid. Was hoping for a new War of 1812 Series -- perhaps Bladensburg or New Orleans (Britains old New Orleans figures are soooo not up to current standards).

I watched the....

"The History Channel Presents: The War of 1812 (2-Disc Series) (2004)

First Invasion: The War of 1812

last night.

Got it from Netflix....

The Battle of New Orleans, also known as the "Battle of Chalmette Plantation"....

was a very, very, very interesting battle...

fought 2 weeks after the Treaty of Ghent...

against far superior and well trained British forces...

a "rag tag" eclectic mix of 4,000 men from the US Army, militia, civilians, blacks, whites, Indians, Pirates, privateers, and anybody "Old Hickory" could round up...

soundly defeated the British invasion of 11,000 soldiers....

this battle is often regarded as the greatest American land victory of the war.

I would have bought this sight unseen and it's not even in the 7 Years War either

 

[Fraxinus]

The other day, I picked up the earlier french marine firing figures (FM-02?) and compare them with the more recent Quebec marine firing figures, similar poses ---- and I would say that the more recent faces are definitely more refined, Major Rogers may be an exception.

The face issue does not seem to arise on any of his Indian Figures.

At the same time, the K&C faces seem to be improving. The recent civil war figures have been superb. However, I really dislike the skin color on the Real West Indians --- so passing on those, plus I find the differences between the skin color on those K&C figures and those in the K&C literature to be extreme and annoying --- really like the color depicted in the literature, hate the tone on the figures.

Britians figures have dramatically improved --- some beautiful stuff here.

So the bar is raising --- everywhere, and as the bar rasies a manufacturer is somewhat forced to introduce new lines for collectors. I really do not want to start collecting a series at release #50 as compared to #1.

Myself, I was thinking John might go Afghan Northwest Frontier ---- so I am not suprised or really disappointed in Khartoum.

As for myself, I will stick with FIW sets, but seriously thinking about dropping the Jacobite Line,

 

[mikemiller1955]

The other day, I picked up the earlier french marine firing figures (FM-02?) and compare them with the more recent Quebec marine firing figures, similar poses ---- and I would say that the more recent faces are definitely more refined, Major Rogers may be an exception.

The face issue does not seem to arise on any of his Indian Figures.

At the same time, the K&C faces seem to be improving. The recent civil war figures have been superb. However, I really dislike the skin color on the Real West Indians --- so passing on those, plus I find the differences between the skin color on those K&C figures and those in the K&C literature to be extreme and annoying --- really like the color depicted in the literature, hate the tone on the figures.

Britians figures have dramatically improved --- some beautiful stuff here.

So the bar is raising --- everywhere, and as the bar rasies a manufacturer is somewhat forced to introduce new lines for collectors. I really do not want to start collecting a series at release #50 as compared to #1.

Myself, I was thinking John might go Afghan Northwest Frontier ---- so I am not surprised or really disappointed in Khartoum.

As for myself, I will stick with FIW sets, but seriously thinking about dropping the Jacobite Line,

John's faces have definitely developed a more polished look in his later series...I guess it was expected...you're right about the Roger's figure...but the entire set (SS's) was done with that "craggy" look...so why shouldn't he have it?

Honestly....that raw, unrefined look was one of the things that attracted me to his earlier sets (B of M and SS's). They just looked like tough wilderness faces.

John's face work is becoming more refined and sleeker...you can clearly see the changes in his newer series.

I always thought John's biggest draw was the ornate colors, the unusual poses, the weight and the sturdiness of the figures and the smooth paint jobs.

Ken...if you decide to drop the Jacobites...I would be interested in talking to you about your British 4th (Barrell's Own), let me know before you throw them in the trash.

 

[Fraxinus]

Not going to drop the 4th Regiment, I have just learned from an impeachable source that a company of the 4th Regiment was at the BOM. This fact is recorded no where in history.

 

[Warrior]

Interesting to note the reaction to this series.

Yes, what he said; I find this "interesting" as well.

I guess sometimes as a manufacturer, you really cannot win.

If you focus on one period, you become known as a one trick pony.

If you branch out and try other periods, then you are accused of losing focus and "gee, there still are 9,000 other FIW sets you can do."

I am sure John's main focus will be FIW, just like K & C's main focus is WWII.

The whole goal here is to add new customers and so far, the reaction on this range has been two huge thumbs up from most of my customers, ,quite a few of whom do not collect his figures currently as FIW, 1812 and Jacobites are not of interest to them. They will collect this range, so he will be adding new customers now as a result.

Go check out the movie, it will get you fired up to collect this range.

Trust me.

 

[PolarBear]

Yes, what he said; I find this "interesting" as well.

I guess sometimes as a manufacturer, you really cannot win.

If you focus on one period, you become known as a one trick pony.

If you branch out and try other periods, then you are accused of losing focus and "gee, there still are 9,000 other FIW sets you can do."

I am sure John's main focus will be FIW, just like K & C's main focus is WWII.

The whole goal here is to add new customers and so far, the reaction on this range has been two huge thumbs up from most of my customers, ,quite a few of whom do not collect his figures currently as FIW, 1812 and Jacobites are not of interest to them. They will collect this range, so he will be adding new customers now as a result.

Go check out the movie, it will get you fired up to collect this range.

Trust me.

George

That is it in a nutshell since there are only so many 18th C sets that can be bought and sold to the current pool of collectors. On top of that John loves Africa and is a wargamer where the Sudan is treasured. John loves the 18th C and definitely wants to do the Seven Years War in Europe and Clive in India. So the 18th C and 19th C collectors should both be pleased. With all the great 18th C stuff John has out I would think that the 18th C folks could use this time to catchup and not feel overwhelmed by too much to buy from the immediate release of a new 18th C line.

Randy

 

[Warrior]

George

That is it in a nutshell since there are only so many 18th C sets that can be bought and sold to the current pool of collectors. On top of that John loves Africa and is a wargamer where the Sudan is treasured. John loves the 18th C and definitely wants to do the Seven Years War in Europe and Clive in India. So the 18th C and 19th C collectors should both be pleased. With all the great 18th C stuff John has out I would think that the 18th C folks could use this time to catchup and not feel overwhelmed by too much to buy from the immediate release of a new 18th C line.

Randy

Randy,
You are 100% correct; not to bring K & C into a JJD thread, but when Andy branched out and started doing Crusaders, ACW, the Alamo, etc, etc, I am sure some WWII collectors were upset as they weren't getting 900 WWII releases per month, but speaking only for myself, I added numerous new customers to the ranks who, guess what, were not collecting WWII.

Take the Crusaders as an example; I've got boatloads of customers now who buy those and they are into only ancients, so they are now K & C customers where in the past they were not aside from the older Roman range and the Egyptians.

Adding new customers is the goal of any business and will inject working capital into the business so you can produce more sets; if John produced say three FIW sets, one Jacobite, one 1812 and one Khartoum set a month, would the world stop spinning on it's axis as result?

 

[chalklands]

George

That is it in a nutshell since there are only so many 18th C sets that can be bought and sold to the current pool of collectors. On top of that John loves Africa and is a wargamer where the Sudan is treasured. John loves the 18th C and definitely wants to do the Seven Years War in Europe and Clive in India. So the 18th C and 19th C collectors should both be pleased. With all the great 18th C stuff John has out I would think that the 18th C folks could use this time to catchup and not feel overwhelmed by too much to buy from the immediate release of a new 18th C line.

Randy

Agree with you both totally.

Just watching Khartoum again 'upscaled' on my LED TV (It's not available on Bluray yet). Great film, up there with 'Zulu' in my opinion!

 

[mikemiller1955]

I don't want to stifle anyones artistic creativity or passion...and I sympathize that John told me he was somewhat bored and complacent with the same old stuff....whatever John does...it will have a good following. I really can't blame him for trying some new ideas and something away from his norm. He must be a little bored doing the same thing for several years.

John can do whatever he wants, the sign says...

John Jenkins Designs

not

Michael Miller Designs.

I'm just surprised at his choice...it seems so far removed to me...perhaps he is seeking a new fan base.

Maybe I'm just being selfish...maybe this is a "small sampler project" like he said below.

Again...I won't slam the door shut...I'll take a look and hope they grab me.


These are some excerpts from a few emails from John a few months ago. If I had taken the time to read it closely...i probably would have seen a different direction coming. Sometime....I hear what I want to hear, lol.

"I'm always thinking about a new series, .....its always tempting to jump into something new.
Its a bit like collecting, sometimes something grabs you or captures your imagination, and you must have it/make it!
I'm very pleased that I've managed to stay fairly focused and not jump around too much.
The good thing that I always tell collectors is that "impulse sculpting" is easier to control than "impulse buying"!
The main thing for me is I like to absorb myself in a period, and study it before starting sculpting. For example I spent nearly 2 years researching the War of 1812 before starting this series.

I am open to suggestions, so if there is anything you would like me to consider, I do try and take on board what people are interested in.

If I hadn't done the Jacobite Rebellion last year, it would have been Bushy Run.

Bushy Run and Ticonderoga would be great projects, but I felt they were in the same realm as what I was already doing.
I'm still really hoping to move into some different periods just for myself to experience making something different, and next year may see some small "sampler" projects.

The Seven Years War is really interesting, and for me is a bit of a "Ring Cycle", there is still Europe, and of course Clive In India which would complete the SYW .... it might take me a bit longer than 7 years!
One of my first ideas was to release sets to co-incide with the 250th anniversaries of the F+I war, the Monongahela series took longer than I'd anticipated... and it looks like it is still not complete!

I am really looking forward to a visit to Quebec in late October, and then down to NY to Jim Hillestads open house and the New Jersey show in early November."

Jim by the way has been on to me since the beginning to do Bushy Run!

 

[chalklands]

Some film stills!

 

[jazzeum]

FWIW, I don't collect the FIW but I may be interested in this series, particularly if there are camels I think it's important to branch out but at the same time not forget the customers who got you where you could branch out.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Some film stills!

Great pics Pete...the movie was good as I remember it.

 

[chalklands]

Yeah Mike, great film. Often overlooked I feel.

This is an interesting thread. Lots of discussion, and nobody's thrown any toys out of the pram! (yet)

 

[PJDeluhery]

George and Randy have already said it below, so I won't belabor their points.

I have no problem with any dealer seeking new markets - its a matter of survival. And if John, as an artist, wants to explore a new era, that's fine with me. I do not think that collectors of his present series should feel that this new series shifts focus away from current seires or will lessen future offerings. For those of you that may have fallen behind in the pace of new releases, think of it as a chance to catch up!

I saw the death of Gordon set (Khartoum) today and it is absolutely stunning. I will own these the day they hit the streets. Quality is John's usual superb, the figures imagiative, and the staircase setting is a perfect frame for the figures. Well Done!!!

 

[marco55]

I like small dioramas and vignettes and if the Siege of Khartoum is a few figures (15) I will be more inclined to buy them.
Mark

 

[Warrior]

George and Randy have already said it below, so I won't belabor their points.

I have no problem with any dealer seeking new markets - its a matter of survival. And if John, as an artist, wants to explore a new era, that's fine with me. I do not think that collectors of his present series should feel that this new series shifts focus away from current seires or will lessen future offerings. For those of you that may have fallen behind in the pace of new releases, think of it as a chance to catch up!

I saw the death of Gordon set (Khartoum) today and it is absolutely stunning. I will own these the day they hit the streets. Quality is John's usual superb, the figures imagiative, and the staircase setting is a perfect frame for the figures. Well Done!!!

I assume that was at the meet and greet at The Hobby Bunker correct? Glad you were able to see it in person, I hope to see it this Sunday at Hackensack as John will be there, chances are it will be on Tony's tables from The Toy Soldier Gallery up at West Point as Tony was if I am not mistaken either the first or one of the first JJD dealers in the US...................

 

[PJDeluhery]

I like small dioramas and vignettes and if the Siege of Khartoum is a few figures (15) I will be more inclined to buy them.
Mark

I think you will be able to create a vignette of any size you like. This is the core offering.

I too like a 15 figure +/- vignette because I collect many different periods. The beauty of John's composition IMO, based on his other work, is that he creates many 2 or 3-figure mini vignettes that can be assembled many different ways with his other figures into as large a display as you like.