Overview Atlantic Toy Soldier Figures one of the enjoyments for figure collectors in the 70’s and early 80’s was discovering Atlantic. This company produced in this short period of time various figures in 1/72 and 1/32 scale. In this overview I will give a sampling of this company.
Overview Atlantic Toy Soldier Figures Introduction
Atlantic was started in 1966 in Teviglio, Italy. From then until the early 80’s the company produced a wide variety toys, models kits and acourse figures. The figures were done in both 1/72 and 1/32 scale. The company was effected in 80’s by the rise of electronic games. As the company did not adapt to these changes and they went out the business. Most of the figure molds were sold to Iraq where it is believe they were destroyed during the Gulf Wars.
Overview Atlantic Toy Soldier Figures Western figures
Atlantic did figures in three major areas: ancient, western and military. The western series was called History of the West. Fifteen different sets were made. The detail on some of the figures is fantastic. Above is the assayer from gold rush set.
The sculptor put at the bottom under the table a mallet that sticks out.
The most interesting and controversial western set is the Outlaws and Sheriffs. The set has a number of interesting figures. Two were pulled due to complaints from parent in the United States. The poses are hanging man and the outlaw being dragged by a horse. The outlaw is has his foot caught in the stirrup. His hands are out flaying for help as he is being dragged on the groundby the runaway horse.
This is a figure that I doubt we will every see again. Not for it contorversial subject but its size. The cost to make the mold and produce the figure is just not feasible anymore.
We will have part two where we will show some of the ancient figures and military. The spotlight will be on the Great Revolution or political sets. These were some of the most contreversial sets Atlantic did.
Some hobby stores still had Atlantic figure sets on the shelves in the mid 80’s when I tried to collect one of each set. Not all sets were available, some I bought or traded for from other collectors. I was never able to find the political sets in 1/32 scale, they were probably never imported to the U.S.? Eventually I did pick up the German political set from a fellow collector. These days all those great hobby stores no longer exist.
The 1/32 scale political set did not get into the states. They did get into Canada. The Hitler set was the easiest to find as they were never put out on the shelf due to Nazie insignia. Germany has laws against displaying Nazi regalia. The set ended up in in the back and were found when the store closed.
One of the Atlantic 1/32 sets was an indian camp – all non-combatants going about their daily chores. I gave this set to my sister -in-law who taught grade school. She would set it up in her classroom each year as a teaching aid. She’s still teaching so probably still has it. I should let her know that it is now a ‘rare collector’s item”.
Nice that Atlantic sculptors had good imaginations to come up with some unusaul poses !
Even though I didn’t always appreciate them at at the time, many of the 1/32mm Atlantic sets are great, and many of the figures are truly beautiful and unique. It’s a shame the company went out of business, and a shame the molds went to Iraq, of all places, where they will probably never be found.
I never could quite get fond of Atlantic’s style. They had some awesome ideas – look at their US Cavalry camp set for example; and I did like their Greeks and Trojans.
Their 1/72 scale vehicles were awesome models but, again, there were all those great details like antenna and lights that made them great, but until recently finding a glue that would hold the soft plastic together…
I was also fond of their “Commando” set, even with the crazy running poses with weapons “flying” everywhere; it’s hard not to like guys who are so enthusiastically running to face death…
I bought my younger brothers their “Grand Battaglia” set for Christmas 1977 when I was stationed in Germany; of course I had to “reinforce” the figures (I don’t think there was an enemy) with some 1/72 scale Airfix Japanese Infantry and US Paratroops. The vacuform beach base seemed to lend itself to a Pacific invasion scenario to me at the time. The kids loved it.
Earlier, I think it was Christmas 76 I bought them the Atlantic US Cavalry sets and Apache and Sioux to supplement a Jean Hoffler fort I’d gotten them. Again, the kids loved them, so what the hey! So, even if they weren’t my cup of tea, the figures still bring back fond memories. Thanks for sharing them.
I’m with you Wayne, Atlantic never got a hold on me, they do some interesting figures, but for the most part their fighting poses are bizarre. The sculptor seems to do better with the being dragged by a horse and the other one above whatever he is doing look much better. The two fighting poses above border on ridiculous and the guys charging smiling at the camera are too much. The Custer set is just, I can’t even find a word for that set. I just find them odd in general and not in an appealing way. Different strokes for different blokes I guess.
That’s what I always said – the Custer set – I never saw a bunch of guys with so many arrows coming out of them apparently happy about it. But my little brothers didn’t care so…
But evidently enough folks liked them to keep them in business for awhile so…
so… LOL
I would disagree that the political sets never made it to the States.
In fact, I bought plenty of them at Dave’s Hobby Shop in Freeport, Long Island.
I sold them off long ago, but I kept all of the Western sets.
I have 3 or 4 of the Outlaws and Sheriffs sets and they all have both banned poses in them.
I also got a few political sets in 1/72 from Gene from Staten Island who had a warehouse full of Atlantic back in the ’80’s. I think he got Polk’s stock when they went under.
I posted a scan of the Atlantic catalog here somewhere showing all the Western sets, if anyone is curious.
I did not have the luck of finding political sets here. I had to get mine from outside the U.S. The only one I got here was was the small box of Chinese figures. Gene was one of several people who got the Atlantic when Polks closed. Others were Dean Kline from New York and a company in Texas.
There some sets that according to Atlantic books were not exported out .Only sold in few european countries .
Such the modern police riot set…
I liked the “Sailor’ set.They did some interesting sets I just wish the scupltor had cut down on the Chianti at Lunch so would have had more orthodox poses,LOL.
On a business trip to NYC I stumbled into a hobby store (Polk’s?) near the Empire State Building. I picked up many 1/72 sets, and the 1/32 Hitler and Russian Revolution sets. The Revolution set came in multiple small boxes, and I was able to buy all of the poses. This would have been around September of 1987.
I always thought it was odd that many of the Atlantic western figures had page-boy bowl haircuts. I also thought the sculptors may have worked for Fontanini as many of the faces looked like 5″ inch figures from the family’s nativity set.
Still looking for the 1/32 Outlaws, Sioux Camp, mounted 7th Cavalry, 88mm gun, and 1/72 Pharoah’s Palace, and Greek Warfleet.
I had almost all the 1/72 sets, including the Roman Siege Towers, Boats on the Nile, Legend of Ulysses, Fort Riley, Abilene City, Covered Wagons and Gatling Guns. I never saw any of the Revolution sets in any scale. The 1/32 Western series never showed up in my city at all, but a few of the ancients and WW2 sets did and I got the 1/32 Gladiators and Christians and Afrika Korps. In later years I bought a complete 1/32 Outlaws and Sheriffs and a Geronimo’s Apaches set on eBay. I sold the Outlaws and Sheriffs a few years ago, but I think I did it a little too soon as I only got about $100 for it.
I have very fond memories of Atlantic figures. I already had a huge Airfix collection in both scales, but the Atlantic figures had so much more character in my opinion. My favorite Hobby Shop was right up the street from my allergist’s office and when I went for my weekly allergy shot in the late 70s I would always get a box of Atlantic for a “consolation prize”. Another time, I saw an ad in a Dungeons and Dragons magazine from Judge’s Guild for Atlantic sets and that’s where I got the 1/72 fort, western town, Gatlings and Wagons with my paper route money.
I even remember seeing ads for Atlantic toy soldiers in comic books. They had special offers where you could get a set of WW2 Americans and Sherman Tanks for about $2.00. Atlantic tanks were great, except for all the little fiddly pieces that fell off and went up Mom’s vacuum.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw the Atlantic range on the shelves in about late 1977. All they had at that time was the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks, but they just looked so wonderful in those photo illustrated boxes. I was getting into my teens at that point, but Atlantic figures did a lot to keep me interested in toy soldiers through that awkward age.
Right after Atlantic started to fade out in about 1983, along came Esci and then Revell to keep me going all the way into adulthood and the products of the many wonderful companies that have come and gone since then.
In my personal opinion and like .
I love all from Atlantic .Wherever some heads looks big or not and faces ,in my opinion neither all have small head not all are beautiful princess faces or else.These figures were made x kids mainly .And are around world one of the top ever collected by 70s generation least .
Dynamism of sets poses is incredible with less rigid poses than most traditional makers ,the generic historical values,the amount sets ,the era covers surpass way above MATCHBOX,AIRFIX and others combined.
Many of their WW2 figures have their weapons much better done than the self call “historical model replicas figures ” of (Airfix and Matchbox ) Like the MP 40 so bad done in all Airfix sets with a (What in H is that)= UNRECOGNIZED light submachine gun in German pose from Airfix and US para with sten gun !? Plus the disparity of scale in most sets with some figures in the 51 mm to others in the 57 mm from baton base to top helmet and called all “”1.32″” by airfix .tHE ww2 Armor non kit made Airfix are not 1.32 but almost 1.30 by size chassis and hatches where you can see it easy.So even in vehicles they(AIRFIX) too mess up with scale .
Matchbox was much more consistent with their figures range scales but only few sets done still much more poses per set and not 1.32 as not in match with most Airfix either.
Least Atlantic did not call its figures historic replicas or model figures with only exception the ancient/classic era sets.
Atlantic made armor sets but not quite well as AIRFIX in detail at all.Here Airfix are much better .
yet-However AIRFIX barely made 4 vehicles x WW2 and one cannon only.Leaving THE SHERMAN x the US reissued produced by CTS in 90s and the bunkers made ,never reissued .
Matchbox did a set of 1.32 scale bunkers i think.
Atlantic more accurate were the modern M113, the LEOPARD -2 , Bridge tank or tracked tank chassis ,plus 155 SFG(semovente) made in 1.30 scale not 1.32.These 4 were last reissued and more historical replicas but not exported ,so today very hard to find at low price .
I had mange got one of each in a period of 12 years,not easy task find them affordable.
From regular more common production Atlantic vehicles they made more than Airfix but some are odd and rare as well less detailed compare to Airfix
The Atlantic WW2 Sidecar is well done but not as detailed and in 1.30 scale while the 166 Schwimmwagen is better still in 1.30 and with 4 nice poses crew.
yet much better that FOV reduced under scale made and even Britain too small for crew and rider too .
The Atlantic Jeep and landing craft in small scale are not well done.While the 4 AA german gun is too big caliber out proportion like a 4×3.5 mm never used but designed as prototype by the way.So still could be used
The Kettenkrad is complete wrong and out scale ,yet it could be used as a prototype that many were not mass produced by Germans but probably put to use .
The other 3 cannon,mortar are post WW2,so is the land rover Ambulance (bad done) and the AA defense canon,helicopter(Base loose in WW2 German model) , rocket launcher and speed torpedo boat are post WW2 too and not accurate.
In the western arena , their set are way ahead in thematic ,dynamism poses .ideas ,imagination and variety in my opinion.If you do not like the arrows in figures,cutting is not an issue in my thoughts.
Ancient sets .Same with a huge array of poses and far superior art detail and weapons plus historicity than all figures made by TUDOR,Remco,MARX ,Cherilea,Crescent,Lone Star,Britain,Charben,Timpo and so on to mention just few but again in the 1.30 scale .
Aside NOTE(In my opinion the best close era historical accurate TOY soldiers set for Roman period were made by brands such REAMSA,Jecsan,MOYA from Spain and few from ITALY plus ELASTOLIN and Starlux in the more expensive lines of course.US and British brands often mix Roman,greeks and gladiator poses armor in figures set )
BACK TO ATLANTIC personal view.
They made two target Guns
One was a renascence era canon also used as ACW cannon
It has his historical value for XVI-XVII century warfare very well .
Second-Was the 88 mm WW2 gun that is far superior to MARX and Ideal with 4 legs that elevate,rotate in all direction ,up and down and can be mounted in carriage carrier as well has plenty realistic accurate mechanism-manual levels that actual move or rotate .(Only drawback was cannon barrel made odd as to be purpose located to load and shoot the bullets/shells) ,still very easy and simple to change and adapt with any as i did with two .
The plug in system was very easy and great x child to play and make the vehicles as well in great durable soft plastic
While most Atlantic set mark the 1.32 in box ,their figures were 60/63 mm in many or 1.30 approx
The idea back this was to adjust to other brands in market as competition by advertising same scale such one advertised by (not followed accurately) by AIRFIX and others .While still able matching most central and west european production scale figures range (60-70 mm ) as well.
Because this is why Casablanca-Gulliver in beginning often post their sets as (True 1.32 ) in advertise competition as their copies of Atlantic are a bit reduced in some or many poses by few mm…
there way more I could mention..
my thoughts
best regards
Jack, Yes, that was Polks. I grew up in NYC and was there once a week. Once the staff knew you, you were allowed to go downstairs and dig through boxes. What a great place!
Ever make it downstairs, Paul?
No I did not. I only got to New York several times a year. In that period of time I had other major interests when I got to New York. I was into the comic book scene and went with friends who were not into figures.
I’ve never bought into the theory that the moulds were sold to Iraq and destroyed in the Gulf Wars, this started out as a rumour in the 1990’s with nothing to back it up and has been repeated until it has taken on a ring of truth.
Of course I have no proof that they weren’t destroyed in the Gulf War either but my doubts are based on the following: Why would they be going to Iraq in the first place? it’s not a country with any significant toy industry and was at war with Iran through most of the 1980’s, it could be that they were in transit to China and the ship was hit on the way. That would make some sense, 500 ships were damaged in the Persian Gulf lanes during this time but mostly by Iraqi attacks on tankers serving Iran which had entered an exclusion zone, any neutral vessel would surely have steered clear of this area.
At the time of the Gulf War there was a UN embargo placed on sales to Iraq and anything going there had to get a UN licence which took time and shipping faced a blockade enforced by the US Navy.
I may have this all wrong but I can’t see anyone in Europe selling a whole factory of tooling to Iraq or Iran at that time or trying to set up their own factory there and shipping everything over, there are just so many cheaper easier places to set up.
I am start of this mention on the Atlantic molds to Iraq. I have it from two sources. The first was Nick Argento of Glencoe Models. The second was Michael Smith. Also when doing research on the subject, I noticed an Italian site on Atlantic mentioning the molds going to Iraq. Greg Liska was alerted by me about this story and he found nothing. Andreas Dittmann has been in that area with student trips and he has seen nothing.
I was surprised that they ended up there. Nothing has shown up.
No rumor. It was post in two Atlantic books also.One confirmed by formed Atlantic art box ilustrated artists who wrote in book too and he is the one mention in as part of interview in last pages.
The entire Atlantic fan club too wich I’m part too belive so.
Most are serious italian collectors that know is way more than rumors.
Nexus also has it post in the website as confirmed.
Nexus also mention what mold they retain now (27) and what mold were sold to Iraq businessman.
I first heard of it from Stad and after reading books else I corroborate it.
My thoughts.
Best.
Here is an extraction from one book also posted as abbreviated part of Atlantic history in Atlantic mania web site blog .Main Atlantic aficionado blogs from Italy.
Note that it has been automatically translated by Google .
In December 1988 the company Edizioni Atlantic Srl was liquidated and in February 1989 it was also canceled by the Treviglio industrial and artisan trade register.
But Atlantic Adventure Adventure does not end here.
Aside from some privately-owned individuals, most of the original molds and samples were taken over by the Milanese company Niagara Toys SpA, which, after selling some redistributions, decided in 1990 to sell it all to an Iraqi industrialist , except for about 25 stamps of which remains owner.
Meanwhile, the embargo and economic sanctions against Iraq for the invasion of Kuwait are decreed, and the purchased molds are forcibly blocked in the port of Ravenna.
In 1991 it appeared that the molds clandestinely reached Baghdad and since then no longer have news.
Shortly after, Niagara also handed the Egyptian court’s H0 scale to a small Mexican company in Guadalajara.
In 1988, the American company Gloncoe Models commissioned Niagara to print some of the subjects to be marketed under its own brand, but in the same year, the Italian Nexus Editrice Srl required Niagara to re-issue the Egyptian infantry and cavalry to propose it with its own brand; the operation has a great success and the Nexus commissioned Niagare to re-issue all the molds in its possession to market with its own brand.
The Nexus, perhaps not having an adequate business structure, entrusts Waterloo 1815, a Livornese company specializing in the distribution sector of the packaged products, but Waterloo 1815 also commissioned the re-issue of some series at Niagara and sells it with its trademark .
At this point, there are on the market re-castings from the original Atlantic molds with multiple brands, although it is noteworthy that Waterloo has also marketed two series of the Great Revolutions on H0 scale apparently not coming from the original molds: Mussolini cod. AP006 both in resin and plastic and Hitler cod AP007 in resin.
In 1999, the Nexus registered the Atlantic brand, which after many years had become redundant and free on the market, signed an exclusive contract with Nexus and stopped working with Waterloo looking for new distribution channels.
In 2003, Nexus concluded an agreement with Italeri in Bologna, which will market the Nexus packaging by adding its brand.
In 2007, Nexus cuts its trademark to NG International (Italy’s subsidiary), which ceases its business in 2011.
If the molds did go to Iraq, I would imagine that they got melted down to aid Saddam’s war efforts rather than getting blown up in battle.
Whatever happened to them, I think their loss is one of the big tragedies of the Toy Soldier hobby.
I have got several unconfirmed stories that the factory was bombed. Nothing has surfaced here or in europe.
Atlantic used several artist or sculptors. You can see it easy in the modern and WW2 sets.
While some poses from WW2 Japanese, germans and Americans are base in Airfix else. Oher such Indians and AK are designed by other artist in complete new style.
The alpini and paratroopers were made by CO MA former artist .So u can see the diference easy in few only
Best
I think virtually every company that made toy soldiers has used different sculptors over the years, Conte has TSSD has, Barzso has, Britains has, I think it would be big news if a company only used one scultor throughout their history. TSSD comes close, but they did use another sculptor for their Barbarians and twice they used 3d printing to make the master sculpt. Not sure about companies like Accurate, Imex, AIP and Call to Arms, Paragon probably only uses one the owner.
I think the vast majority of Atlantic figures were done by one sculptor. The person who did the Outlaws and Sheriffs seems to have done most of the Wild West, WW2 and Ancients series. This is the sculptor with the Fontanini-esque style.
A different style can be seen in the smaller-sized figures of the Modern Italian range, the Roman Infantry and several of the Western sets such as Buffalo Bill and the Geronimo’s Apaches set.
I think there are two distinct sculptor’s styles of Atlantic figures, one of whom was probably a former Fontanini employee.
But where does the idea of being destroyed in the Gulf War come from? What evidence is there of that? It seems equally plausible that with all the upheaval and turmoil in Iraq
the molds are simply sitting in the corner of some obscure, dark warehouse in Bhagdad.
But I agree — either way, it’s unlikely we’re going to ever again see those 1/32 Westerns, 7th Cavalry, or Ancients, unless Bill Nevins one day runs into a hoard of them at his Long Island Flea Market. Barring that, we’re going to be stuck with escalating prices for them at the shows or on ebay.
Well I have more concern about many US brand mold missing and or stolen and never appear again.
Least they are here but no one could find then.
My thoughts
Best….
Well, I got a feeling many US molds ended up being salvaged for the metal content. God knows what’s in Mexico that is either sitting somewhere collecting dust or suffered the same fate as the US molds. I figure if it’s been missing for 40 years it’s never going to turn up. I’m thinking that as long as the original figure exists metal masters could be made and new molds created if someone won Power Ball and was so inclined to spend money he’d never get back. I mean they’d have to charge re-cast ,re-made, re-created, re-molded, whatever term you like prices and with like 700 US collectors recouping your money is almost impossible.
I was reffering more to molds that appear recently and mysteriously despair w the result of increasing or keeping the vintage price up.
That is in my opinion the main goal of that game.
My thought.
Perhaps you could elaborate on which molds you are referring to, I am not aware of mold surfacing and then disappearing.
Marx german ww2 set of armor tanks and sidecar .crews and rare armor car.(stolen!!!??)
Marx training center tank.SFG and halftrack.(reissued in 90s) then gone.
I Will get more soon.
Ed, you don’t know how many times I’ve daydreamed about setting up my own set up and making my own toy soldier figures one day. I’ve thought about doing improved versions of Marx Germans and various other figures to match modern stuff and be a bit more historically correct.
Talking about Atlantic figures I’ve already mentioned their Trojan War series, but the things I regret losing over the years are their Greek Warships I got from my brothers (one of those things where I gave them the sets for Christmas, they “outgrew” them and Mom was about to give them the file 13 so I bought them back from my brothers to save them); and the Egyptian Temple. My ex-in-laws had them in their storage shed for years after my divorce and told me I could come by and get them any time; sadly they broke up housekeeping before I could get over there. Oh well. The new LOD looks good, even if it’s in a different scale.
I think whether one likes Atlantic or not is a matter of personal taste. I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to that. I’ve never been all that fond of most continental figures; I always thought Airfix and Britains were the best of the British offerings though realized one day when I was on the floor with my brothers their 1/32 WW2 sets basically had the same six or seven poses (with the exception of sets like the Ghurkas and US Paratroops). But I think they were well done for the time period and face it – we weren’t counting buttons on uniform collars so much back then. It really didn’t start mattering to me until I began painting.
Whatever cooks your turkey, I say.
Well, when they tabulate the votes, count me as one that doesn’t care for Atlantic. Generally, I am not overly fond of most Euro figures, I didn’t grow up with them and now that I have seen a lot of them , I don’t think I missed much. I did have the Airfix Ho sets in abundance and for the most part they were okay.
I recently came acorss some Marx Germans stamped on the bottom by a company called Helm, probably just copies though. They aren’t as detailed as the originals.
If the molds were ordered to be turned over and then stolen as I have read somewhere, I would guess they are still out there some place. I agree there were some dubious activities going on with some of these molds.
The Helm figures are copies from China.
The molds owned by Excalibur at the time which were part of the bankruptcy. The molds had been bought by Delson and he was going to resell them to CTS. Some of the items off the top of my head that were stolen were German armor, Captain Gallant accessories, frame for the German 88, Untouchable building parts, Covered wagon, caisson. Also Glencoe Models lost it Andygard Civil War mold. Unconfirmed rumours put the molds in Mexico. CTS had several items redesign in China. The caisson was one of them and they improved it.
We have corrected and updated this comment sorry for the confusion on who had the molds. Hobbybunker was a later company. Our apologies.
I’m confused – Murphy at Hobbybunker AND Delson at Toy Soldier Company? Also wonder how to “steal” molds. Aren’t they pretty big and heavy? I read this a lot here. Do people break into factories at night to steal big, heavy molds to ship to China to make toy soldiers at great expense to sell to a dwindling handful of collectors? Wiser to steal something easy that everybody wants?? Isn’t this like stealing cases of rotary telephones?
I had a brain freeze. AIt is excalibur I will correct it..
I could not understand it either why they were stolen as many molds had very little demand.
Andy.An 8 figures mols halves or tank can be carry in hand for some time easy and put in a car.It is heavy but not as a block.
Not hard task at all.
What happen is the reason may looks more like intentional made as stolen to hide then in my opibion.
Best
Murphy had to go bankrupt when he lost a lawsuit to Delson. His stock
and assets were liquidated to pay off the judgement.
Which is why Excalibur went under and Hobby Bunker came to be.
Later on Bill Murphy sued a well known New England collector and won. He bought some of the molds with the judgement.
There are lots of different tales out there about these court cases so you can believe whatever you wish.
I actually was put under oath and testified for Bill in the second case.
That’s all I’ll say about that.
In the first case Bill had run a mold of Payton army figures for Sy Gruber. Sy use the figures in cheap playsets that were sold discount locations. The mold was own by Jay Horowitz. Jay demanded payment which Bill claimed he did not owe. This caused Excalibur’s books to be open and it was found that Bill had to pay. He could not pay so he declared bankruptcy. The assets were bought by Delson with the backing of Conte. Conte got part of the inventory
Intersting.So many sad issue s happen in hobby dealers…
I think depending where court was held .They could be made public x all to read and see case.
Best….
So much for our happy little collectors’ brotherhood, huh Erwin? People break even on making plastic figures as a “labor of love” but we’ve got law suits going on??? Mystifying. Fantasy scenario: your factory is found open with the lock picked. The ONLY thing missing is your mold for a one eared, three legged dog figure. 24 months later, Henry X at XYZ Toys starts selling one eared, three legged dogs on eBay for $1.50 each dog – buy 12 & get free shipping. Sherlock Holmes soon figures out that the XYZ dogs are made from the Sell Toys stolen mold. Henry swears he bought the mold from an English collector who obtained it at a pawn shop in Scotland and had it sitting on his mantel. He sold it to help pay for his wife’s medical expenses. Henry nets out $876.27 from his eBay dog sales. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Espionage and dirty dealings in the toy soldier world, it would make a good book.
WAIT!!! A few months later, one eared, three legged dogs with only ONE EYE and a hollow socket for the other appear on eBay.DE in a stiffer plastic. Are these “recasts” from Erwin’s stolen mold or “copies” ????
That is exactly my conclusion Andy.it is all a game around.
Sad x the hobby brotherhood.
Few dealers looks like voltures around some times.
Wow!!!.
No wonder TONY invest bringing the molds home.
But he spend a lot on doi g it.
I got quotes x mine and were rediculous like bringing a pallet x one mold halve.ANY ways has to be done.
Best
Why would the toy soldier world be different than the world in which we live? Afterall, we are just products of our environment. The east coast seems to be a lot more volatile than the passive place that I live……..Chicago, aka the Murder Capital.
Why can not be different then?
At the end is small band trying survive.
But my mine concern was about the molds infact.Those here but not here.That appear and disapair.A very dirty tricks. ..
Funny how can increase price by doing that.
Sounds like the old John Maynard Keynes missing mold inflationary tactic. BUT if people quit buying the crap, prices will plummet. Part of the problem is that we pay the prices. Remember when the FFL copies first came out for bid vs. Buy It Now and people went crazy, blowing the prices up to ridiculous? How much are they now? CTS should be discounting them soon.
I cancelled an order with your buddy in NY recently because of inflated shipping charges. He’ll be eating his stuff soon!!
No my buddy at all.lol.
But he is been in inflation since day one .Yet he manage to be in business longer than most.
He has his ways.
I don’t like talk personally about dealers as may affect blog and some are very sensitive.
I barrely bough few from him in early 90s only anyways.
Then bough more from Stone Castle and another call A to Z hobby from Arizona I think.
Rest at shows.More than half my collection is from abroad.
Best…
He is not my buddy either. Once he came up to me at a show and said my prices were too high for him to buy from me. I laugh so hard on that I almost fell on to the floor.
Strange inheritance did a show on toy soldiers. They did a section at Delson’s warehouse. He has too much inventory.
I can’t say about his website prices, but his recent EBay prices are much more reasonable. I think you’re right about eating his stuff. He’s probably looking at a huge warehouse full of soldiers he will never be able to sell at his usual high prices. I bought some things from his EBay store recently at prices comparable to or even cheaper than other dealers and the shipping was acceptable too.
I like how if whatever they send you has damage there are no returns and it’s YOUR problem. I guess he’s just too busy to look through the stock and make sure it’s not broken. Gives new meaning to “caveat emptor”.
He has always been very bad relations with customer problems .He use to have someone working with him before.Do not know now.I’m talking mid 90s.
His playsets are horrible mix of werever with anything and over priced with not real deal.His ebay sales lots are deal now as way too old overstock and most competitors sold out .
He got huge amount painted figures as well no selling in decades that need to go
Still in NYC you can declare loss in income tax x over 10 years versus inventory in most business ,is a BIG game and give you big gamble money back ,in upstate NY is only up to 5 years.
He must have a good lawyer and tax person prepared to do right claiming.
Even so half his inventory is in NJ warehouse .
Wherever it is he still in business when others are not or very low/death by now .He is old to be retired soon .
And wish him best after all.
My thoughts.
Best
No, that’s that famous dog named Lucky. He’s an original.
The $2569.00 brittle orange plastic “Lucky Prototype”? (free shipping)
He was supposed to be Pluto, but they didn’t have a licensing agreement with Disney.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
“I think depending where court was held .They could be made public x all to read and see case.”
Erwin, I can tell you for certain that the second case was a settlement that was ordered sealed by the Court. No one involved is allowed to talk about the terms of the settlement.
I know that because I was a witness in the case.
Bill later told me that he had acquired some molds with an “unexpected windfall” and he winked at me.