Odds Ends May 2018 Auction Update Show Update Interesting Company we start May with interesting items. First we have an update on the massive figure auction. Next we share Mike Pendergast’s report on Gettysburg. Erwin Sell gives us a company from the Ukraine that has been around since 2013 doing figures in different scales. Plus some other items I am sure.
Odds Ends May 2018 Auction Update Show Update Interesting Company Auction Update
Toy Soldier Show has a posting on what happen at the massive auction of 250,000 figures. They had thought the whole collection would sell for $25,000.00. It sold for over $50,000.00. What helped is the publicity brought in buyers from Europe and the United States besides the UK. It will be interesting to see where the figures surfaces.
Odds Ends May 2018 Auction Update Show Update Interesting Company Gettysburg
Mike Pendergast has put up his own review of the Gettysburg show. You can read it here.
One thing Mike is going to do in the near future is set up a page for little guys. Here is what Mike said “I am going to setup a new page, just for the little guys that do so much for the hobby of toy soldiers. This page will give some information about contacting them or the shows that they might be attending. Also a little information on what they might have or type of products they have.”
Odds Ends May 2018 Auction Update Show Update Interesting Company MB Models
Erwin found this interesting company from the Ukraine called MB Models. They have been in business since 2013. MK Models does a wide range of figures 7th Cavalry, western Vikings and Romans. They do the figures in various scales. One figure I looked at a cavalry figure was available in 40mm, 65mm and 70mm. the figures run from 3.50 to 12 Euros (about $4.24 to $14.52 U.S.
They have a U.S source andfeldmann on Ebay in the United States. The site is selling 54mm figures from $10.90 up plus $8.90 postage. They call the figures Elastolin conversions. Some of the figure sets are quite adult. According from Erwin, It appears that recently they start using a software computer 3D program. The program allows make alteration designs using master from original other brands such Elastolin. This way they are able to create new figures in faster way.
Odds Ends May 2018 Auction Update Show Update Interesting Company More
I will go to the MFCA on Friday as Laurie has to work. I decided to go as we will not be at Plastic Warrior Show.
Someone thinks I am in a contest with him on how much writing we do . Only problem is no one told me. Even if they did I would tell them not interested. I am only interested in sharing with you are hobby. Besides I have been writing on this hobby for over forty years so I have this person beat in number of words.
Also I have other things to do in a day. Grass season is back and we had to get a new mower after the one of thirty years died. It takes two days because of the layout and I have to watch myself.
Flea market season is going along and I am finding a few bits here and there. Will be back soon with plastic figure showcase.
The MB 7th Cavalry heads match well with Paragon but it looks like it’s the same face in all the conversions.
MB is using 3D scanning and printing technology to copy Elastolin and other figures. Some of the figures seem very creative but others are awkward looking poses or have the new added on head too small for the body, etc. Instead of rushing these designs into production like this they really should make a better effort to have a consistent product. They should also offer good photos of the actual figures rather than computer images of them. Lastly, of course, they should lower their prices!
Eleven of the 12 MB 7th Cavalry poses appear to be Paragon figures 3d scanned with a new head added. Since most critics have said the Paragon heads are too small this would seem to rectify the problem. Not sure scanning other companies original designs to create your product is very legal although it might be in the Ukraine 🙂
Good observation Les.
I’m not into it buy though share only as interesting x those in to western. I dont think legal sues from US to East Europe will go well as will involve a lot lawyers fees else that will cost money from demander in first hand ,these minor makers of figures such Paragon ,TSSD and else are small maker,Elastolin had been copied since 60s by many in clone way and not demanded at all minus one ,in fact Elasotolin mold had been in legal battle and split as off now too for over 20 years about ownership.
Marx arabs poses set were literally cloned recast with new mold and another revised adapted poses made off conversion by a simple colector used by CTS to do another a new mold set and not legal problem at all either.
suing Russia or Ukraine else is same suing HK- chinese x coping ,good luck in that !!At the end plagiarism was made among same country makers since 50s as well all over in toy soldiers makers and most time get along.
The price by logic today will go up not down ,nothing goes down .The involving of 3D and short limited 10 shots production mold is costly as many time repeated,so i don’t think it will happen,sine i follow this maker prices had gone up 4 times already and still in business.
But one more source outhere of makers making in east europe least .Better than nothing.
I will not expend that money in most poses but if i need buy two Elastolin to make conversation i will spend probably more ..
Vintage elastolin are not cheap as most unpainted under Hausser are not longer made and difficult as well.
my thoughts.opinion else….
Les
Erwin has mention certain aspects of suing for copyright. Another problem is the money involved to sue. Add to that is the distance to deal with.
Admin,
It was just an observation. I know that Russia has no copyright law so they copy every ones sculpts, I expect it is the same in Ukraine.
It would be cheaper to buy the Paragon figures and put new heads on them than buying the MB Models figures.
I noticed a MARX ? cowboy cradling a rifle in the ‘Cowboys’ section. I thought this was quite a common pose. Maybe he has a new hat or something .
Also their is another company with the same name in Ukraine that makes excellent model kit figure sets including some nice Western themed ones.
If the product from the 3d scanning is the same as an actual traditionally made plastic figure then this might be the method to make the no longer produced MARX western Character figures. The cost per figure would be less than the price that some of the originals fetch 🙂
I know you were making an observation. My comments were just some of the other problems people run into in protecting their rights.
I know there are issues about rights with this 3d printing that this company is producing but they are producing some really nice and interesting figures, And the sky is the limit for what they might be able to do in the future, But again like some of the Russian companys these figures are priced quite high, Although i do understand why that is.
It will be interesting to see what they come up with in the future, If they come up with some Great figures that i cannot resist i will probably buy some.