Toy Soldier Show News January 2018 we several items of interest. First posting of the Plastic Warrior show date. Also in Europe is the German Plastic Show. Next the date for MFCA. Finally an interesting review of the Florida Toy Soldier Show.
Toy Soldier Show News January 2018 Plastic Warrior
The Plastic Warrior Show is on May 12. This show is a great only 60 tables but loaded with plastic. This is one show you can go around the show ten times and still find something you missed. You have plastic in front and under the table. You have dealers from the UK and Europe.
One of the dealers there will be Peter Bergner with his famous 50P boxes. Loaded with lots of surprises people can spend hours looking through.
Replicants will be offering their new figures at the show. What it will be who knows. Sadly once again Laurie and I will not be there. You should not miss it if you can.
Toy Soldier Show News January 2018 German Plastic Show
One of the other major plastic shows in Europe is the German Plastic show. run by Peter Bergner. The show is on March 18, 2018.This show will have all kind of figures with Timpo being the king. The Germans who grew up on Timpo are out looking for rare color variations. Peter Bergner’s 50 P boxes are now .50 Euros on steriods with the number of boxes to go through. The show is a fun time so check it out.
Toy Soldier Show News January 2018 MFCA
The 77th annual Miniature Figure Collectors of America Show and Mart will be held this year on Friday and Saturday, May 4th and 5th, 2018, at the Radisson Philadelphia-Northeast. This is the second year at this location. The hours are noon to 5PM on Friday. The Saturday hours are 9Am to 4PM with the awards at 5PM. The dealers room will have a mix of metal and plastic figures for sale. they are hoping for more dealers this years. More details are available at their site.
Toy Soldier Show News January 2018 Forida Toy Soldier Show
Finally we have a report on the Florida Toy Soldier Show.
All sound like exciting, interesting, rewarding shows.
Some aren’t until May, so don’t forget the Midwest Toy Soldier Show in Lafayette, Indiana, scheduled Sunday, April 8, but really beginning with room sales Friday evening, April 6, at the Marriott Inn and Conference Center.
Confirmed dealers already include Rick Eber, John Stengel Jr., Ron Barzso, Alan Ford, Rich Eagan, Larry Lovely, Dan McClean, Todd Nace, Rick Berry, Joe Saine, Rick Keller, Eric Koopmeiners, Ed Borris, Mike Kutnick, and 25 other dealers, with more to come.
Photos of both room trading and the show itself in last April’s event are posted on the Midwest Toy Soldier Show website under “Gallery”.
From 1993 till 1999 I lived and went to that show in Florida.The only of toy soldier in the state.To be honestly you can caunt with one hand the tables dealers of plastics toys and rest are metal , action figures , gi joes and over 10 tables of books w few of military stuff split in three regular rooms plus halls.
In one year stone castle was present and to my happiness I was able get many reissues in person instead by mail.
Dealers travel there from Georgia and Caroline as well others.the place as far I saw and visit at the hotel was done first more close to Fort Laderdale .then move north east more after .To me is a pure metal/lead show w few plastic dealers and very few playsets at all.Most plastics carry reissues or very common.That was my impression till 1999.
My brother who went there till 2005 says same.
Many buyers are very deep pocket metal collectors …
Don Ducote (HFTS)was present twice least ….
My thoughts.
Best
I found the article on the Florida show somewhat condescending.
It did have a little of that “get a load of these old weirdos!” feel to it. I doubt a show about a sports memorabilia show or even a comic book show would have had that mocking tone to it.
Whoops… I meant an ARTICLE about a sports memorabilia show…
My thoughts exactly – I often wonder if THAT’S a holdover from the anti-war movement that almost killed the hobby in the first place.
Well I think the Vietnam war era anti war movement litteraly brough a halt to toy makers In. Military toys.Right from late 70s all toy industry focusing in fantasy cartton comic toys plus electronic toys w action figures right after in futuristic line series most.
Marx who’s playset military line were the 80% stop just in time and sold company a very when saw it coming just in time. Those who stay such TM/PP .MPC and Ideal sun fell right after or strugle versus the new toy makers big such MATTEL , HASBRO that opted x non military lines in their main line.
Even by late 60s and early 70s many of last Marx playset were not quite military .The 80s playset w figures were most made in HK and about swords and sorcery, animlas or else.
My thoughts.
I forgot mention; there is also a club of south florida toysoldier association that most are elite and very high nose people in my opinion.To get to it you need to be part of” their” “club”.The literary run the show and if you are plastic you are nothing to then.My personal thoughs…
You know there are a lot of face book groups out there now and some of those Groups have close to 1,000 members, granted these people are from all over the world. The toy soldier community being made up of a lot of older guys was slow to get involved in the social media world. Now with all these groups it seems to be attracting younger guys, maybe this will revitalize the hobby, not so much the Marx stuff, but the newer figures or sets. Maybe I just look on the bright side, or my philosophy has changed, but I don’t see the rapid decline in the hobby that others do and I think these social media sites are keeping the interest going. It’s a changing of the guard for sure, but not a funeral procession.
I hope you’re right Ed. That would be great.
I could be right, look at the one moderator that Stad mentioned in an earlier post, Jeshua Newman, he opened his site less than 3 months ago and he already has over 800 members. His site is dedicated to unpainted plastic too, no metal, no painted figures at all, just unpainted plastic. I think that says something, now if we can just get all those people to the shows, it appears that many of them don’t even know there are toy soldier shows.
Many younger People prefer more the digital life interaction that in person. Many posting ate all over world and far from maim shows. No realistic.
Is a new life trend.
my thoughts
Hey Ed, what is the name of Jeshua Newman’s site? I’d like to check it out.
It is Unpainted Plastic figure collectorsand it is on Facebook
Thanks very much!
You should post the various shows that are available to them on the group. It might get a few people to go.
In my personal opinion and base in what i had see ,interact else …
There is many things affect new and mid generation versus attendances to shows.
1-The family responsibility and plans that interfere with shows attendances.(they got children of young ages most and young wife more dedicated to have fun now than later)
2-The schedule works of today works for new and mid generation are more extended hours-days than years before ;sample retail stores,restaurants else are opening today even in busy holidays not as before.Cost living had increase and credit debts are much more per household(today) to keep then working longer hours versus old generation.
2A-people today change works/jobs more often as life is constantly more fast and changing plus insecure works else forcing many to reduce time spending and less vacation free time to go shows in young mid ages .
2B-School implement force no violence teaching in general and avoid history of war from early time only living it x college/university students.While media stream game addiction to kids that make the busy life of parents more easy as they can keep then busy at home with a tablet/Ipad ,computer or game console.
3-Distances to shows every year are more as less shows per states every time and more space to drive between.
4-Traffic is more congested and busy on weekend every year as more people driving during than ever reducing time and desire to travel farther to many.(A reason that had also affected alike the old generation-baby boomers and retired or sick person to do same as well unfortunately )
5-Technology such smart phones,computer had push new- mid generation to occupy 50% of their life as an easy preference to interact rather that make a phone call or in person .To buy over phone net rather than go to stores to save times else is their preferred daily choice .
That is why Ebay shows more sales for collectors than all shows together 10 times .
That is why most few hobby retailers today had close their bricks building and keep selling online or sale more online than from their stores if open as few are still .
6-The blog groups in those facebook’s sites are international and all over the world/places;some posters stay on all time ,more than 75% barrely post or say any indicating they are not 100 collector or have much time for the hobby ,especially younger and mid age as actively busy still in social work/family life.
8-Attendance to others shows may demonstrate people are tired seen same in others and trying move around to see if find more.
9-Most shows except the few largest have poor plastic new production stock dealers that take off interest in new generation as will not like to see all OLD stuff they never play as child with and will see as too pricey or antique rather than new item making them go away and not come back ,i saw that reaction in few small shows in NY state as well NJ and Fl before in 90s till 2008 when i set table while talking to few mid generation and i agree understand their point very well.
Conclusion and base in what i had see and these gropus that i’m belong to many in past 5 years or so plus international and sharing chatting with many them .Barrely a 10% of newcomers and mid/young people show any interest go to show and rather buy online .The first question they ask when see figures is (Send me link of ebay or web line store to get it) as not time and life more easy than to travel and spend one day just x few hours.
Even if you manage to get 10-20% go to shows-stores that will not bring any big impact neither keep same coming every year as you need much larger crowd to make a sale out of every 10 person least .
My thoughts with respect please.
best
Good thoughts, Erwin. Interesting to read, all the way through.
I keep remembering, though, that ComicCons also face those same elements (traffic congestion, internet buying, less disposable income, younger families, etc.). Yet they continue to attract massive attendance, at all age levels.
I’m forced to conclude that despite my own personal enjoyment of toy soldiers, there is only a small, declining interest in the subject among the rest of the population.
Although there are currently some small bright spots (Expeditionary Force, LOD, Chintoys, and occasionally CTS) most of the other protestations I see being advanced strike me as grasping for straws.
Basically, toy soldier collectors these days are so few and far between that the only things holding us together are the internet, the few remaining but rapidly declining, shows, and Playset Magazine.
As a baby boomer born in 1951, now age 67, my toy soldier show attendance and toy soldier purchasing on ebay, is approaching the end. There’s enough to keep me going for awhile, but after my age group passes on, I just don’t see a large enough population remaining to sustain anything like a viable hobby.
I wish little boys in today’s generation could experience some of the same enjoyment I felt at that age in setting up all my toy soldier playsets on the living room carpet and out in the sandbox, or running around the woods with my toy rifles, pretending to be Davy Crockett, with all my neighborhood friends who had similar interests. But I think the interests and hobbies of modern day children have gone in different directions.
Everyone wants to paint us a dying breed, I agree to some extent, I think Marx collectors and those that are only interested in figures from the 50’s are a dying breed, literally. However, as far as toy soldiers are concerned there is a large untapped market out there. I think if people are interested enough to make large set ups and post pictures on Face Book, they would be interested in going to shows and having conversations and buying things from like minded collectors. You can hit me all the excuses and flimsy reasons that you want to about we’re a dying breed, geez, we’re not cowboys or trappers. We’re old guys true and we have old ideas, the newer breed and there are a lot out there need to be reached somehow. You’d be amazed at how many guys that post aren’t aware there are even shows where we get together. I would think if they knew just out of curiousity they would like to go to these shows. I know this arguement can go on and on forever, with the pessimists and the optimists each having their separate and diverse opinions. I don’t think we will ever attract many 20 years olds, but there is a 30 to 50 year old crowd out there, that watch the history, the military channel and have some memories of playing on the floor with toy soldiers, maybe not collectible soldiers, but toy soldiers none the less. I think people would like to return to those carefree times and with just a little spark they would jump in with both feet. The problem is igniting that spark. Buck up boys, we’re not dead yet!!!!!
I’m mid age generation full time collector.Not time w my life as most in my age are.
Curiosity will maybe brought once not repeated as busy life will give me better option to order online than making trips to shows where gas and distance will be more plus .
Chicago show is great but the trading rooms are of not interest to me or my generation.Neither playsets at all.
My generation was not rise w playset.
The vinage toys figures I collect loose .
As most eupean do too;where majority collectors are my age or around today.
I went twice to Chicago .No need go again.Everything I may see there in new products will be easy order 90% .
Old stuff, same sellers put on ebay during year
Book stores are disapering out of internet ebooks reading and online stores surge.Shows same way.
I’m not pessimists or negative ,just been honestly realistic .
Wish where different for all rest but I know it won’t.
Neither my view will affect the inevitability outcome.
Internet stores w ebay made the 80/90 % sales of all this hobby every year.Shows barrely hold a micro portion.even out of 3000 visitors you get much less sales specially that less half is plastic table.even some large dealers are reducing amount shows they go now. It is another indication too.
Interaction and frienship is beautiful not doubt but x mid and young generation not realistic practical to do every year or barrely once .
Still posting shows on those blog groups at FB will definetely bring some to shows but will not revive then.
My view and opinion.
Best regards
NEWS FLASH:
1) The Midwest Toy Soldier Show on April 8 in Lafayette, Indiana is now up to 41 confirmed dealers;
2) If you click on “Dealers”, the show website now has large photos of most of the dealers who will be there, allowing everyone who may have heard many of the names (Rick Eber, John Stengel Jr., Rick Keller, Alan Ford, Ron Barzso, Todd Nace, etc. — yes, even Ed Borris and Mike Kutnick) but never seen them before, to see exactly who they are.
Adding these photos is a great addition to the normal “dealer listings” which are usually just posted as printed names.
One additional comment about the new Midwest Toy Soldier Show website which now shows photos of the confirmed dealers at the April 8, 2018 show:
Not only are there photos (under the “Dealers Listing” of the relatively well-known toy soldier dealers (in addition to those named above, there are also photos of Francis Turner, Roger Garfield, & Don Pielin) but it also now shows photos of established collectors whose photos may be less well-known:
Jim Clouse, Joe Saine, Cal Luckett, Rich Egan, Larry Lovely, Norm Rodriguez, Steve Connel, Eric Koopmeiners, Bill Richardson, Calvin Plowman, Bill Weaver, Mike Handley, Rod Chapman, and Toy Meister Dan McClaine.
It’s well worth checking out, to see photos of many of the collector/dealer names who are often bandied about in toy soldier chat forums, but whose likenesses are not necessarily as well-publicized as the more familiar dealers like Rick Eber, John Stengel Jr., Ron Barzso, and Alan Ford.
A real photgenic group for sure.
that’s photogenic
Well, I know if I go somewhere and have a good time and enjoy I make a point to go again. Point in fact I go to the Texas show, not because I sell a lot or even care about the toy show, but just to get away from the daily grind and have a good time. I have a good time at the Chicago show, but I have much more fun in Texas, so guess what? I’m going back. I don’t think I’m unique, so I believe a certain number of certain that go to a show for the first time will have the eperiences I have and will make it a point to go again. I’m sure Stad can bare this out as when he goes to certain shows there are resturants that he enjoys and he makes it a point to back when he is town or near that restaurant. I think the same principal can be applied to toy soldier shows, if you can get them to go and they enjoy themselves they will go back.
I bet you do and will .Same as much and many of your generation .Not mine as not same time/else as i explain .So it will depend more on yours x now than in ours .
best
So, if you generation likes something you purposely avoid it? No wonder the world is sucj a messed up place.
Ed I do not purposely avoid any neither I’m mess up.
You have the time I don’t.
I don’t necessarily have the time, I make the time. If I want to do something I plan and save for it.
Then you still have the time x it as you plan for ,i can not because there others plan ahead of simple plastic x me .Yet i can get as many as i can without going to 5 shows .I had been over 14 times at NJ (largest east show) and found so few that i get tired.At Chicago twice and nothing in particular to be honest.Is my view and observation,others may have other.
The situation today is shows are on a decline. It is due to the internet. The average collector can buy items without moving out their house. I realize this change at least fifteen years ago. Laurie and I were on the west coast and a friend took us to a toy show. There was guy talking about the next wave of Simpson toys which had not hit here and it was in China and he already had them on order. The new material is getting sold right away. by a show hits it is old hat.
The shows look at how few if any new people you see. It is the same faces so common stuff has to dumped at cheap prices. Getting people to go to show is hard with all of their commitments of work and family.
We grew up on shows they did not.
My wife and I went to the first Texas Show in 2007 – it was my first show and my first chance to visit San Antonio (rather than pass through). We had a great time. It was a great chance to meet personally with folks I had only spoken to on the phone or online (if I start naming them I’ll leave some out). And, as Ed has said, San Antonio is a great place to visit by itself. We had a great week out there after the show folded. For me, it was the beginning of Summer vacation and therefore a great kickoff to my break.
We have tried to return every chance we get. Good people, great place, toy soldiers (and history)? For me it’s the trifecta. We even have developed over time our favorite places to go and a few folks there even remember us now when we come in.
I can understand Erwin’s point as to why many of the younger generation don’t go to shows. The Memorial Day Weekend has always been tough for me, as a high school teacher we always did our graduations on Memorial Day Friday and I was required to be there as a Senior sponsor. Since retirement I’m no longer dealing with that, but like last year I had two grandchildren graduating high school and several kindergarteners – I have a couple more this year. But we hope to go as I don’t think kindergarteners won’t graduate on Friday night.
I hope to go to Chicago (make the Hajj, so to speak) one day – so far it has been too long a trip at the wrong time of the year for me. There are those who can’t make it to Chicago I’d like to meet. I’ve read in several places that the so-called “millennials” aren’t as social as we Boomers or even Gen-Xers – and there have been many theories put forth as to why this is so. My favorite comes from the observation of “youngsters” out in restaurants sitting at the table with their faces in their cells texting or checking out “Flakebook.” JMO.
On our last trip out to San Antonio I reflected for a brief moment on my buys and how much time and money I might have saved buying the same stuff on “Evil-bay.” But then on Ebay I don’t get a chance to sit at night in front of the Alamo listening to guys like Jack Williamson and Gary Beadl do their John Wayne and Lee Marvin impressions; get to shake Ed Borris’ hand, roll my eyes with Matt Murphy after a rude customer elbows me out of a loose figure box (and I LOVE loose figure boxes – don’t get THEM on line).
And I don’t get to sit at my favorite Mexican restaurant on the Riverwalk with my wife listening to the Mariachi band while feeding the ducks our nachos. Some things you really can’t put a price tag on and you realize the older you get you really NEED to make time for because time is a finite thing.
I think you mean Jack Edmondson, also appears as John Wayne and gives tours of the Alamo. He also wrote the book The Alamo Story After we sit on the wall a while in front of the Alamo, we go to Ernie’s Bar in the Crockett Hotel. We get quite a gathering these days at the bar and I think you’d enjoy the discussions although many degenerate into just plain BS ing. Beer and shooting the _hit, great times.
You’re right, Ed – brain fart. His book is about my favorite on the subject. The BS sessions are great, too. Again, you don’t get that online.
I have been doing more thinking on the subject. At the moment Laurie and I go to six shows a year. I do some local shows and flea markets by myself. I realize that we go to these shows to do something different as we have no family and interested in other events. If I went to these shows as a collector only I would be bored. Only exception East Coast Toy soldier Show.
Why would I be bored it would becasue there is very little stuff to find for my collection. I can buy so much more on line and not waste a day finding nothing.
Being a stranger at the show I would not know anyone so I would look around, buy and then leave. It happen to me last year at Zolocon, which is for action figures. While did see a few friends I was mostly a stranger in a strange land. That is what someone who is not a regular would feel.
One final note Texas and Chicago shows are unique as they are more than one day. Most shows are one day if not a few hours. So the people are only at the show for a few hours.
Another thing you don;t get on line is to actually see and hold the figure up close. Despite all their efforts E-Bay is still filled with a lot of questionable characters and you really have to excersise the buyer beware attitude. I refrain from purchasing expensive items on E-Bay whenver possible, I don’t have the patience to deal with the BS.
Just an addendum (if my original post wasn’t long enough already); I wonder if this might not be a cycle? As Erwin attests, there IS still a market out there for toy soldiers – otherwise Ebay wouldn’t be as busy with toy soldiers (even if falling off somewhat) as it is.
These things DO tend to run in cycles and there is no telling if someday there might be a nostalgia craze for the old popular toy soldiers we used to collect. After all, SOMEONE must be buying old Marx “recasts” (or whatever you want to call them) – otherwise folks wouldn’t be going through all the time and expense of running the same old molds over and over again.
I know some of us (like me, for instance) pretty much have our limit on the originals. For me (and I can really only speak for myself), these guys from my childhood are almost sacred and kept in as pristine a condition as time and battle experiences allow. I much prefer buying the newer issue fellows as I don’t feel any guilt in chopping off and replacing a head or arm or two. That might explain the slowing of that market.
But there’s no telling if a bug might buy some of the younger guys as they get a bit more discretionary income, or some Hollywood star shows his toy soldier collection and the hobby becomes chic again.
Who knows, as time and other factors weigh in our younger hobbyists might find time and desire to mingle with folks who share the same interests. Ironically, it wasn’t until the advent of the internet I began learning about the shows and it wasn’t until some years later as my kids began moving off and I had more discretionary income I was able to attend my first. We might see the same in the future.
At the same time we don’t know the idea of Toy Soldier Show might not morph into something we wouldn’t recognize or disappear altogether like the three ring big tent circus. I figure the best we can do is just enjoy what we have while we have it.
Taking the exact sentence post part from Wayne(there IS still a market out there for toy soldiers – otherwise Ebay wouldn’t be as busy with toy soldiers (even if falling off somewhat) as it is.
Yes Ebay over 15 years ago create the best toy soldier/figures shop system as many collectors sale their own figures and most dealers set stores online this way.An easy way saving trip ,carrying boxes to go two days x a sale or a lost .Yet others use ebay to depreciate or do else-unfortunately every game has its pro and cons..Still not mater what is the main line stream of collecting together with online store far above toy shows(too few a year and too far and the brick store ,also so very few around .)It even help the many old generation today not able go to many shows to get all years round what they can not if wait to get to the few shows.
Shows as book stores are in complete decadence and will be continued go down ,even if bringing 100 more mid generation one year or two as they won’t repeatedly go every year won’t bring then up.
I had see here in this forum many not able go same show every year as well .
There even some in this forum who are very well know and did went to many shows decades ago and now do not go to any .Nothing wrong with that of course but a example of lack interest and not finding much definitely .
I had done so often as not time and family priority above any plastic figures .
Yet i do not deny the beauty and fellowship of the shows collectors and im very happy who will enjoy it for as long as they can .
But i’m very realistic in what i see from my age point view and all of my age i chat ,email and talk with .Many of my age are not interested in Marx,ideal,lido beton and old items as i do because they did not play with then ,i do because i collect all plastic but i’m a rare exception for my age.Yet i have not interest whatsoever in a single playset or the cases made x then or tin litho as i never play with them.Sorry i been honest .
When looking at magazine such FIGUREN from germany and see that many plastic collectors photos(most are my age or a bit older ). I can attest they in central Europe and even east europe now are more close to me as they play with the plastic cheap production of very late 60s and early 70s Jean Hoefler,Dom,leyla,manurba,KOHO and not that cheap such Elastolin,plasty ,timpo,britain,else.
Italian collectors same -Atlantic,CO-MA,CANE ,CROMOPLAST-XILOLOPLAST,DULCOP,NARDI ,etc all from 70s ,my generation .As European got the high income per family more in that decades as before that they were still in war devastation recovery and not as the boom era of 50s from US where most US families could afford the toys of the time.
But same time i notice most europeans do not like the US brand figures from 50s and early 60s as they never play with them and not painted,so again we go back to same nostalgic principle that make the collector interested in particular range .(The toys with what they play as child)Also the painted figures are a basic target x european versus here in states where not painted are the main target.East european such Russian are the few who play with non painted plastic figures as child ,yet their plastic figures did not appear (and first flat limited) till very late 60s and early 70s with the non flat such ex marx mold in late 70s .
New production were created to add in the flavor of old generation and mid generation coming plus now to “gamers” hobby (another group) that is one of the main buyers of Expeditionary Forces and Armies in Plastic production by owners own account.
The hobby is still active but had changed in way interact by internet and online purchase already more .Mid new generation out of time will continue that way .Shows will not get much out of those neither will revive because of then coming more often as they will not enjoy the same as others.Yet inviting then is a great initiative that will not hurt of course at all and give a great experience least once in their life to some.
Best.
Got this from “Britains DEETAIL Toy Soldiers” Facebook Group:
Feb 24–Annandale VA, Heart of the South
March 11, Hasbrouck Heights NJ, Hilton Hotel
April 8 Lafayette Indiana
http://www.mwtoysoldier.com/
April 23, Gettysburg PA, Eisenhower Conference Center.
May 4 & 5 MFCA 77th Annual show and sale, Trevose PA
I have been reading the posts here and wanted to add my two cents. I live in Michigan and went to Midwest Toy Soldier show this past Sunday, April 8. Travel was seven hours of driving. I spent an hour and a half at show and I walked around the show quite a few times. Will go again next year if it isn’t snowing or bad weather. There is a feeling of excitement I get when going to toy soldier show or a brick and mortar store full of toy soldiers that I just can’t get when I order on line. When I travel for work or pleasure, I also look for a toy soldier store or a hobby shop that sells toy soldiers. Over the years, I have been lucky to find stores in Baltimore, Detroit, and of course Boston. Unfortunately I am also an older collector — 55 years old. But I hope to add to my collection as long as possible.
An “older” collector? You’re a youngster, my boy. Keep on collecting and having fun. Come on Friday and enjoy room trading. And for a rush of excitement and a bit of plastic heaven, come to the Chicago show for the room trading.
Yes, Jim. If I was age 55 (instead of my current 67), I would feel I basically had
a lifetime in front of me.
But I agree with Len: Indiana is great, but you might want to give Chicago a try. If you do, I recommend you try to arrive early Friday morning.
If you can’t make Chicago work, by all means try to get back to Indiana next year.
I’m 61 and begin to despair of ever having my dedicated “War Room” for my hobby; but I continue to collect and hope. One day I hope to make the Hajj to Chicago while it’s still there.
Right now I have no room either so frustrating
I run out space too long ago ,i feel like a Hoarder of toy soldiers ,but least they are all in good plastic boxes well protected in three houses split storaged.
Yes, I have gone to the Chicago show for a number of years. That Sunday in September is my favorite day of the year better than Christmas, New Years and my birthday. The funny thing is I grew up in Schaumburg where it is held and my family still lives in the area so I can visit them as well. I started to hit the show circuit with the Michigan show in Livonia, MI which used to be held twice a year but has been discontinued. I would also like to go to the Gettysburg and San Antonio shows but those would be expensive trips that currently I can’t justify financially. I really enjoy the shows and talking to fellow collectors. Although there has been a time gap between my posts, I have enjoyed this conversation as well and I will continue to post from time to time.
All my figures are neatly stacked in boxes and away from sunlight to protect them, But i’m starting to run out of room, I wonder sometimes if it had been better if I collected 1/72 scale figures instead. Ive always wished i had a nice big room just to use for my Toy Soldiers to set up in epic battles but alas i’m afraid not up till now, Hopefully one day?