Plastic Warrior Show 2018 Part Seven Experience, Miscellanous Aftermath for the final part of our massive coverage I want talk on several items. First I want to give my experience or reaction to the show. Next I need to catch up on a few minor items. Finally what Laurie and I did after the show.
Plastic Warrior Show 2018 Part Seven Experience, Miscellanous Aftermath Experience
One other reason I want to go to the show was it was my 30th Anniversary of attending the Plastic Warrior Show. I had gone to the show in 1988 after my mother had died earlier in the year. When I went to the show figured I get their once. I had a wonderful time and was overwhelmed by the plastic. I got back again first by myself and then with Laurie. Most of the shows I had a great time. Would I have a good time this time?
Well the answer is yes. I was again overwhelmed by the plastic. there was so much to see and miss. I got Braidwood Indians and missed the cowboys at another stall. You never knew what you would find. The above photo is the Melton brothers. Imagine having to scan through the countless figures to find a treasure or two.
Then there was the seeing of figures you had never seen before. This was on the table of a French dealer. If you look closely You will see that the figures are copies of Marx 60mm figures upside.
One big difference from the first show was we had so many friends that were happy to see us. We had made many friendships over the years and sad that we can not see them more often.
We found out about the children of our friends. Michael Smith has a daughter interning at the La Scala. Andreas has a son getting married this year with other son getting married next year. Peter Bergner step daughter got her doctorate and will make more money than he every made.
Plastic Warrior Show 2018 Part Seven Experience, Miscellanous Aftermath Miscellanous
Was their Marx figures at the show? Oh yes I had various pieces to select from. I picked up Marx 45mm spacemen in steel blue. I also got two Marx German88 light gray. The dealer had them at the same price as Marx half tracks. I passed on a Marx Big Top Circus playset. The civilans were in red and it had the Super Circus character figures in yellow.
Did I buy Britains Deetail? No the prices were too high. Mounted Napoleonic were selling for 12 pound each ( $17.00) and up.
I had a collector come up and ask me if I had gotten my Speedwell armor car on fire. I told him I had two.
Did Laurie enjoyed the show? Oh yes, she felt bad that she could not walk around like the old days. What she saw she enjoyed and I got her some Cherilea dinosaurs and Beatles figures. Laurie sat with the German contigent, who took care of her as I roamed.
Plastic Warrior Show 2018 Part Seven Experience, Miscellanous Aftermath After the Show
We headed back to our hotel with our friend Michael Smith. He took to a lovely Italian restaurant near our hotel. He knew about as his mother had a property near by. the next we rested as we were tired from the show. there was nothing we need to do as we had seen all the sights before. That night we went out with Michael and Peter Evans to Punjabs.
The next day we came home.
Plastic Warrior Show 2018 Part Seven Experience, Miscellanous Aftermath Final Thoughts
In the beginning I asked the question would I have a good time? I had great time. I found items for the collection and resale. Got see friends but sadly not enough time to talk.
In the comments we had two people comment about the age of the people. Sadly our hobby is getting like other hobbies no new blood. The young people are into Lego and action figures. Michael Smith commented he tried to interest his son in figures and all he is interested in Lego. Interestingly there was a table selling Lego figures.
I would reccomend going this show. You can do a vacation or a long weekend. I would plan for next year, not wait until you retire.
I remembered something my father said to me when I was very young. He said a man said to him when he was young he had the energy but not the money. Now when he had the money he did not have energy. I saw with my father, when he was ready to retire his health gave out and could not travel. So enjoy it while you can. We have.
I want to thank Brian Carrick, Peter Evans, Paul Morehead, Michael Smith, Peter Bergner, Markus Lecksheid, Detlef amongst others who help make our experience great. Those who share their photos so you can see this wonderful show.
Good report, Paul. It sounds like you had a wonderful time seeing all your old friends and acquaintances in England, along with a your German friends who crossed the channel for the show.
I’m sure your little dogs were thrilled to have you back, and to be able to return to the familiar comfort of their own home and their daily walks.
Yes, the median age of the dealers and collectors who come to the shows trends upward every year. We just have to acknowledge that most of us were children through the 50s & 60s, and those years were the golden age of Marx, Britains, Elastolins, and other plastic figures. It was a formative experience for us, which later generations just didn’t go through.
I wanted to mention, as a regular show-goer, that I like how the Melton brothers set up their table, with such a mass of toy soldiers to look over and choose from. I know it takes a lot of work to do it that way, and it’s not always possible, but I thought it was a big improvement over throwing everything into boxes and trays.
It is nice the way they have the figure up. I had to scan carefully and I still missed items I know.
Yes the boys were happy to see us. Percy laid aside of Laurie in the car on the way back home.