We have a report on MFCA from George Albany. We appreciate George sharing his experience.
Went to the show today. You didn’t miss much. Perhaps fewer dealers than last year. Not a lot of plastic (but that doesn’t bother me, I collect figures I like, metal or plastic). Hobby Bunker was there as were two Marx dealers. One smaller Marx guy looked familiar, the other didn’t ring a bell. Saw Ron Ruddell’s son, but didn’t speak with him, I doubt he would have known who I was.
I like to root around in junk boxes, find stuff that I can take home and repair/repaint. Very little of that, and the junk prices were outrageous. Saw a composition or paper mache machine gunner who might have looked good with a fresh coat of paint in one box; the dealer wanted $10 for him. With that opening price, I didn’t even bother trying to haggle. I actually spent less in the show than I paid to get in. Picked up an Italian paper mache nativity figure to add to one of the sets I have from a junk box, and to get the price break, also got a small Johillco type bush and a similar tree that will need to be stripped and repainted, $10.
I would hazard a guess that there were close to as many books and flat art for sale as there were soldiers.
The figures and vignettes submitted for judging were up to their usual standards.
All in all, no one missed anything outstanding by not attending.
I appreciate these show reports. The only time I was able to attend an MFCA show was many years back. It was held at Villanova University that year, just outside of Philadelphia. My wife and I used the occasion to visit Valley Forge National Park and historic Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where we got to see the Liberty Bell and the Betsy Ross House — none of which we had ever visited before, so we were able to build an entire trip around the MFCA show. The show then was pretty large, and Polk Hobbies had a number of tables. I’ve heard how the show has declined somewhat, possibly due to constantly changing locations. I guess OTSN was fortunate —- it hit upon a perfectly good location the very first show, and hasn’t had to change locations a single time. I suspect Indy has now hit upon a permanent location as well, at the east side Marriot.
Where was MFCA at this year?
The show was at the Valley Forge Sheraton/Conference Center/Casino. Has been there for quite some time, with the exception of a year or two not too long ago when it was held at a convention center in Wilmington, Delaware.
Holding it at a well-known historic site like Valley Forge seems like an excellent idea — just like I thought it was a good idea of Nick and Deana Versteeg to hold their Texas Show next to the Alamo in San Antonio.
Don
It sounds like a good idea to have the show near Valley Forge, but the problem is the show is too expensive Each table is a $110.00 plus a peddler’s license few charged by the Township. This high cost has driven away many dealers. The general admission is $15.00 for a two day admission. Their reason for charging that price is people will becoming for the two days of the show. They have been doing this charge for years. Most people come one day. I decided not to go anymore.
Those high prices could be it. Even OTSN only charges $80.00 per table, and that fee exempts you from the peddler’s license. And Michigan Toy Show has had 2-day shows in the past. I don’t think I ever went back the second day, having thoroughly explored all dealer’s wares on the first day.