Gary Kuepfort reported over on Treefrog that Austin Miniatures is at the show and they have their WWII Japanese figures. Update: A report is coming in that while Austin Miniatures is there they do not have the Japanese. As we get more information we will let you know.
Weston’s surprise set as we reported days ago is the new Engineer Bassevitch Yugoslavian partisans. Our very good friend Breizh has reported also over on Treefrog that the set has character figures of Tito of the Partisans and Mihailovic of the Chetniks. The two leaders are on the box and the set is made of Partisans and Chetniks.
John Stengel JR has his new Vietnam figures at the shows. only 30 sets which he is putting together at the show. More will be available later in the coming weeks. The figures are similar in scale to the Expeditionary force WWII Figures.
I talked with Mike Handley and Dave Pittman. They said the crowd was similar to the past several years. Not like the hey day but they have sold stuff and bought for both their collections and for resale.
Kent
That is what I am getting as well. The glory days are gone of having to be at the show. You contribute it to the cost, internet and lost of members of the hobby. Our hobby is downsizing due to the fact we are not getting much new blood into the hobby. The days of makers doing figures of 2000 plus runs is going to get harder. The way of future for figures will be limited runs.
Here is the final show report I got from Mike Handley.
Fun-wise, it was probably the best show that Dave Pitman and I have ever attended. Lots of room to room joking, insulting, story-telling etc. etc. Don has done a great job of putting most plastic dealers into one wing on the 5th floor….it goes by two names: THE PLASTIC GHETTO, and MURDERER’S ROW.
We both sold tons of stuff. Though we only cleared $300.00 or so each, we got rid of lots of large empty boxes that take up room and bought small bags of crap for future re-sale that take up practically no room at all. Plus we did not take any “rare-high-priced” items this year to sell. Just unloaded tons of junk and picked up treasures.
We sold so much that we could actually use the interior rear-view mirror on our trip home…on the way up, the van was filled to the ceiling.
SAT evening out in the 5th floor lobby was the usual good time. Rick Eber and Craig Remington brought a sealed 60 mm Fort Apache set, and an opened, but mint Canadian Fort Garry. Mike Kutnick also ran his usual charity auction…”Zorro-Tom” won a Rosner War of 1812 Box with plenty of Barszo goodies inside. Rick Keller won a Ron Lizorty Western Mining Town box, which he turned around and re-auctioned with yours truly ending up being the winner….though I was NOT counting on Keller giving me a kiss right when Rusty was taking our photo!
The big Kirk Douglas signed Viking Lizorty box was won by Nancy Connell, who again graciously re-auctioned it back to the crowd for charity, with Ricky ‘da Lipp being the final owner.
This year, the plastic men continued the new tradition of gathering in Larry Lovely’s room on SAT after dinner for the GET RID OF YOUR UNSELLABLES AUCTION. Several of us took large boxes of items into the room with auctioneer Steve Connell doing the honors trying to find some other sucker in the room to buy this stuff for pennies on the dollar! Most attendees went home with some treasures well below wholesale.
End of report.
Mike Handley
Hamilton, Ohio
Jim Clouse has his first round of OTSN photos up on the following link:
http://www.playsetmagazine.com/show-reports/OTSN/2015/OTSN-2015-01.html
The new Vietnam figures are featured.
RE:VN US Marines I like the standing Sniper all the other poses are pretty useless all prone or kneeling,they are nice though and finally some VN figures,hopefully if this set sells he can do another with standing poses.
PS And prone figures DON’T need to be on a base!
All the kneeling and prone poses may not be exciting from a collector/gamer/dio standpoint but from my experience are pretty realistic in a rainforest (JUNGLE!) environment. The object in a firefight is to make yourself as small a target as possible while hopefully threatening the enemy. Guys who stood up didn’t last long. Of course, there is room for troops making short sprints or even moving to contact. Perhaps a second set?
I like what my brother said when asked how he survived his tour in Nam, “I dug a hole and kept digging – the only way they could find me was by the C-ration cans and the smell…” Gotta laugh, he was MIA for two weeks and came home with a Purple Heart.
I Agree in the poses been action realistic, jungle warfare required more kneeling ,get down and shoot than else, it is a hide and shoot action all moment. I will assume they will do the standing ,running and maybe jumping from a chopper pose ,still they will need bases or figure may fall.
I thought the same. The one guy that should be concealed , the sniper, is the one guy asking to be shot at 🙂
The amount of plastic used for the prone bases could probably have made another figure.
Whenever there was any type of small arms fire in Vietnam, the most common and immediate command given in an infantry unit would be, “GET DOWN!”
I think John Stengel’s choice of positions for his U.S. Marine figures holding a field position represents the reality of Vietnam combat conditions.
Agree on bases .
The standing sniper appear to be not shooting but moving wile aiming position(that give you the two possible action move poses); still in jungle/dense forest warfare ,sniper often stand back trees or even on top trees to get high elevation as not great look down bellow where vegetation kill view 80%.
Regular enemy/foe trooper won’t get chance see him as sniper are far distance even at reduce space jungle view. Still enough to council his movement most time wile standing.
In general the poses show very well choices of actual Vietnam combat footage-documentary, movies else where 80% of action in jungle is crawling ,kneeling at almost ground level at first contact. Even at Battle of Hamburger Hill,the battle was won by crawling like snakes Marines, air troopers and cavalry as was only way to deal with low trenches and everywhere holes/caves of enemy exit hit and run all time.
as Don said ,first command is down, even wile moving and stop ,the order is to keep low or kneel.
It is total different way of action compete to typical cities, urban , open field and desert action.
I’m positive many real veteran of VNW who saw actual combat firs line will recognize the realism in poses done.
About sculpting I can only see what pictures show and been told, same on size.
Bases were exaggerated but some explanation was given.I bet they could get removed off easy too.
Don is right, but with experienced troops too often the command doesn’t have to be given. In a jungle environment one learns that silence is a baaaad thing. When the birds and animals get quiet the kimshi is about to hit the fan – after a point, old-timers instinctively drop when it gets too quiet. Smart “‘crutes” or “cherries” drop when the old-timers do – if they want to become old-timers.
The instinct stays with you for years afterward. Thanksgiving 1987, my mother dropped a jar of mayonnaise on the kitchen floor. My dad, brother and I were under the table. Family funny story. We laugh about it now.
Playset Magazine has some OTSN 2015 photos up:
http://www.playsetmagazine.com/show-reports/OTSN/2015/OTSN-2015-01.html
Andy and jack
Thanks for the link to Playset Magazine, I have been busy getting Change Oil notice taken care of (I had a oil change last month.) and getting a new phone. The salesman was surprised that I was carrying an antique (only six years old.) I got Samsung Galaxy.
Has anyone seen Paragon’s “Battle of Wilson’s Creek” set? Was wondering if Gene’s figures are the only ones included in the set and the price. I was thinking 84 figures in four poses… I guess there are a lot of conversion possibilities…
Wayne W
From what I have heard the Paragon set will only have his Civil War figures.
Thanks, Paul. What I figured and was kind of afraid of. It’s understandable, but having only four real poses for both sides kind of limits the desirability of the set as a stand alone – even with the limited posability factor of the movable heads (which IMO greatly enhances the attractiveness of the figures). Still, considering it as they look to go well with my other ACW figures and the scenery I’ve seen make the set worth the price of admission in my book – if the price isn’t too high.
Wayne W
I hope to make a call and see on the price of the set. Reports Paragon was coming in today for the show.
Thanks, that would be great.
Wayne W
I tried to get answer on the set but could not get one party who I thought might buy it. Hopefully in the next few days we will get an answer.
Thanks PM for the OTSN pictures. Love the Nam Marine poses. Great, unique, men in combat poses. Have to get some. Hope to see pics of the Austin Japanese.
BOBBYGMOORE
Bobby
It has been good that PM gave us some picture as photos so far have been sparse. What I have seen are the metal pieces and hopefully we will see more photos in the next few days.
I just got back from OTSN, where I spent all day Friday and Saturday going from room to room, but left Saturday evening before the actual show commenced Sunday morning. A few observations:
1. The number of dealers and sellers seems stable, but the size of crowds is definitely smaller, especially when I think of what OTSN was like when I first started going.
2. There was nevertheless still a lot of buying and selling going on. Bill Skinner and I sold lots of the stuff we brought, and had a steady stream of traffic into our 4th floor room. We would switch off each hour who managed room sales while the other went roaming.
3. Ron Barzso did not have a lobby display, for the first time in years, nor did he have a new playset. All he offered was his pirate ship, made several years back but just being released now. Of course, like all Barzso products, it was quite well done.
4. One dealer from Las Vegas informed every one that came to his room he was offering to sell his total room for $1000. His room consisted primarily of Marx recasts and put-together recast playsets. Of course, every room dealer there would be happy to sell their entire room stock all at one time. But one experienced dealer made the comment “We have a hard enough time trying to sell vintage plastic these days. Who wants to try to sell all those recasts?”
5. Another dealer commented he was trying to sell all his vintage plastic now, before he died, so as not to burden his surviving wife with trying to get rid of it. He said he really should have made a concerted effort to sell it all 5 – 10 years years ago, when the market was much stronger compared to now.
6. I myself had lots of fun (primarily going from room to room as a buyer). I filled lots of holes in my collection with vintage Marx, Timmee, and Timpo. I picked up 2 bags of Lodi’s Trojans and Greeks. Acquired 15 more Remco Big Ceasar red and silver marching Romans for $20.00 for the bag, which was a pleasant relief from the $3.00 per figure price I’ve been used to paying. Found a nice red Thomas Toy Roman chariot driver for $1.00, to go with my nice Thomas Toy Roman chariot, which had always been missing a driver. Bought 3 tan Marx WWII U.S. Army Battleground tanks for $10.00 each, which was as cheap as I myself had ever got them. Got several things from Rick Keller, including a perfect condition Marx tin litho Fort Dearborn cabin. For some reason, Rick let me have it for just $10.00 (probably because I was buying a few other things from him at the same time. I also got a herd of 10 Marx Cattle Drive/Roy Rogers/Lone Ranger “Old Snorter” 54mm longhorns in various shades of creme, tan, brown, and black. Price was $3.00 each, except for the last one I got from a different source, which was $2.00. I purchased a perfect condition Marx Rin Tin Tin 60mm U.S. cavalry in metallic blue mounted with sword overhead and mounted firing pistol for just $3.00 each.
7. There were some exceptions, but overall the downward trend in prices was quite noticeable. I confess I don’t look for or inquire about boxed Marx playsets, so I didn’t notice what was happening in that line with dealers like Rick Eber or Alan Ford. I personally have a boxed Arctic Explorer playset, a boxed Civil War Centennial playset, and a boxed 54mm Fort Apache playset, and in view of current playset prices, have decided to content myself those three, along with my more modern Barzso, Conte, and TSSD playsets.
8. From Steve Weston, I got a set of the new English Smugglers, and a box of the female WWII Soviets. Unfortunately, he was out of the Yugoslav Partisan/Chetnicks in the nice tan color I had seen pictured; all he had left by Friday morning were 3 boxes in the dark green/blackish color, which I didn’t like, so I decided to wait until I encountered the more desirable (for me) light-colored ones.
9. For me, OTSN was once again a really fun, enjoyable experience, with more availability of great offerings assembled at one place and one time than anywhere else. But I couldn’t escape the thought that Don Pielin and Steve Sommers ran the show during its glory days, whereas Roger Garfield is now taking charge when the glory days are over, and the show is on the downswing.
Don-Glad u did well and very happy at show. I appreciate your comments and dedicated detail of your view. But also as been first runner around there and I like your a very good observant and honest critique ;I ‘ll like answer on few question if you mine share with us please ,or this case me as I’m the one asking.
By any chances is the dealer from Las Vegas(classic recast)!?
How you find the sculpture detail on the Viet Nam Marines?
What about the type of plastic used on then (above)?
How was the personal touch of the LAD new classic Greeks like?
Erwin,
1. I’m not absolutely sure the Las Vegas guy trying to sell his room was Classic Recasts. I don’t think he was. But Ed Borris and Mike Kutnick would know, once they get back on this site after the show, because I was discussing it with them, and they appeared to know the gentleman and his name quite well.
2. I myself thought the sculpting and detail of Stengel’s Vietnam figures to be very impressive. Of course, I’m not quite the purist/perfectionist about things which you are. But Stengel Jr. is. And he knows who you are, Erwin —- somehow your name came up in conversation (I truly can’t remember how, but it wasn’t negative), and John Jr. said he knew who you were as the owner of Sell Toys. Make sure you check the comments on Stad’s other line — “Action Casting Vietnam Figures”, where the issue of the type of plastic is discussed in more detail. But I can assure you, John Stengel Jr. is seeking perfection with these Vietnam figures, and they are definitely not resin.
4. The Lodi Greeks & Trojans are a typical soft plastic, so soft that spears and such are twisted all around like the OWN Boxer Rebellion figures were, and have to be straightened out to look right. I had one criticism of the figures, which I find difficult to put into words, but I’ll try: Some of the poses to me seem somewhat ambiguous — that is, they are not clearly attacking, advancing, defending, etc. I’m really not sure what they are doing (other than the two nice archer poses and a couple of others). It seems on some of them that they are “in the middle” of a bodily movement which hasn’t yet been defined. I had this thought while I was looking at early photos on the internet, and seeing the figures in person reinforced that first impression I had. But I still like their good, full 60mm size, their soft plastic texture, their two colors, their historical theme of Troy, and I look forward to Ken Lodi’s next release.
Don ,thank you so much for great and quick answer.It truly offer a great perspective of your good observation eyes and touch. Interesting in LOD being soft plastic as OWN.
Yes I know John Jr for years ;but it was last NJ show we actually talk a bit more as we were near each other at show tables. I had contact with him in past too about the figures production, but not later. I nice enthusiast man like me with great intention in our hard to make enterprise. Hope he could go on with his in very good profit way so he can feel proud and produce more.
For us producing ,the main factor should be pride with profit .Both made the perfect combination as the market is small and slow.
I got there at 11AM Thursday, first stop Steve Westons, got a tan set Don, but was disappointed that the mystery set was the same as the Russian set.
I think what OTSN does not have anymore is the “WOW” factor. No Barzso surprises, no Conte releases. As a metal collector there is no Figarti lunches with their “Schock & Awe” releases. The evening dinner turned into a big bore with the cost of admission, $40. Rather spend that on soldiers. As usual I had a great time meeting old friends who I only see once a year. And already looking forward to next year.
And Don I asked about you but obviously we never hooked up.
Garry, Sorry I bother you with this question but you mentioned the sizes issues again; are the Viet Nam figures exact scale versus EXF latest figures if you saw them please!?
Gary, I got caught up in room trading, and apologize profusely for not being able to make contact with you. I got periodic reports from Ed Borris and Mike Kutnick that you were around and had been in their room more than once.
But now I know you were the rascal that grabbed the last box of tan Tito Partisans. When I got there early Friday morning, Weston’s room was the first place I hit, and they were already gone. What do I have to do in the future to prevent missing out —– get there on Wednesday?
Yes, there may be some collectors out there that are fine with a $40.00 dinner, but I’m not one of them. Bill Skinner and I went over to Portabello’s and ate just fine, talking about the show, the hobby, and toy soldiers in general just fine. After all, $40.00 will almost (just $9.00 short for the show price) buy me one of the new Engineer Bassevich sets.
And I think you are right, Gary: A lot of the excitement generated at the show to see what amazing new playset Ron Barzso was releasing has now been lost, since Ron doesn’t do that anymore, apparently. Ron mentioned at the Indy show that he broke even on his Daniel Boone playset, and that he wasn’t going to knock himself out in the future with all the work creating a new playset entailed, just to break even. TSSD didn’t release anything new either, although the Greeks and Trojans, set up battling around a large, square siege tower partially made up for it.
Don
I agree with you that $40.00 a person for a dinner just does not cut it with me especially when there are many fine places to eat around the show. Most of those place you will get a better meal and less than $40.00 a person.
In the future what you can do is preorder from Steve what you want via email.
In regards to Stengals figures size. I only compared them to a Marx & Conte figure, that,s what Stengal had in his room. Stengals figures were monstrous compared to the two I mentioned. As a comparison to the new XForce again I can’t tell. And the reason is Stengals have pretty large bases. That makes the figures even look bigger. The one negative in regards to Stengals and I said something to John about this is the lying down figures are on bases. He said he had to do this to cover the imperfections that come with the molding process. I’m not a technical guy so I took him to know what he was talking about. I’ll say it again if you use Stengals VN figures as a stand alone line they are great. If you plan to mix them with any current figures it won’t work.
Thank you Garry for all information. I appreciate it.Hope to see soon the figures..
Just got back from OTSN, I stayed for the show. I agree that the crowd for room trading was greatly diminished. The crowd at the show itself seemed to be pretty much normal, lots of people. I don’t know if people were spending, because they didn’t buy from me. I probably had my lowest sales total ever. I didn’t lose money, but I didn’t make much. I think Willie was serious about selling his entire room for $1,000.00 he told us more than once. I don’t know what he had to offer because I never looked, but I pretty much know what he carries and Don was pretty much right on with his assessment. Despite the lack of my sales, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t because of our inventory because we had a lot of pretty much everything. I did sell quite a few of my conversions, but of the 125+ I brought , I came home with about 40. I thought Stengel’s Nam guys were done very nicely, I bought two sets which will be mailed to me this week. I got to talk to and hang around with a lot of good people and I had a good time. I saw Don and Gary multiple times, but never at the same time. I picked up a a bag of the new Paragon Civil War figures after viewing them in his diorama featuring his new terrain pieces. Although there are only 4 poses done in different colors it did appear there are a lot of variations you can do more or less with head positioning and at a glance it makes it appear that are more poses than you would think. They are very nicely done. I bought a bag in both color variations. I checked out the Czechs or Yugoslavs or whatever they were and they are nice figures, I have no interest in that period so I really didn’t pay them much heed nor did I buy them.
Ed B
Sorry that you did not have a better show selling glad you had good time seeing people. I have come to the point on show it is mainly seeing people mostly it is old sometimes new. Rest up I am sure people will be asking questions.
Gentlemen,
This is the first time I’ve placed any opinion on a forum of this sort, for I am but a shameful “stalker.” Having been a regular at OTSN for a few decades, I too have seen the changes. Yes, gone are the days when you became frustrated over the fact that often, rooms or even hallways were so filled that you couldn’t even enter them. It’s way different today, isn’t it?
So. I have embraced OTSN for what it is . . .
1. Still the largest toy soldier show in the world (right? with room trading?).
2. A place where everyone you meet loves to dialogue about playsets.
3. A place where you can buy a figure first hand, handle it inspect it, match it, and even smell it without being disappointed when a mailed box arrives.
4. A place where you can buy a playset or shot of figures without being outbid once again on ebay.
5. A place where you may be able to witness the opening of a mint in box set, right in front of you.
6. The ONLY city where you can get a true Chicago beef (dipped,sweet and hot) that requires a bib to eat.
Yes we are all different – here’s my story. I’ve never envisioned OTSN as strictly a business venture – rather I see it as a VACATION in playset paradise. Halls that smell of plastic! Figures that bring back childhood memories! Fellowship with like-minded plastic warriors!
And it’s not just about “getting.” It’s also an opportunity for giving. Talk to Mike about the “Shop-with-a-cop” raffle. These men at the show have tough exteriors but soft hearts. You can hear stories about generosity shown to the hotel staff. In my occupation, I sometimes work with families and children. I have brought children to the show and watched vendors generously “bargain” with them. I brought one boy with CP to see a vendor’s prototype figures, and he GAVE him a set of the figures! (None of us, even today have a set of these -including me!) The boy’s letter of thanks remains an inspiration to this certain vendor – he brought it with him to the show and I was able to read it. True, these things could happen anywhere, but my point is, these are the people that make up our hobby (except of course for the creep that stole from Ed’s room).
Let me close with one final story – While having breakfast Saturday morning, I was sitting with people I didn’t know, trying to explain the dynamics of an international room trading experience, when a man in his 30’s walked by and said, “Sorry to interrupt, but I’m from Canada and brought my son here for the show – is room trading available for everyone?” I gave him the details and told him to come to our room for an exciting diorama and history lesson. Then I turned back to the smiling stranger, sitting across from me and said “There you have it – That’s what it’s all about!” By the way, the Canadian bilingual boy brought some joy to a French vendor who hadn’t heard his own language for a week.
There’s opportunity each day at OTSN. Different strokes for … well you know.
Len H
Welcome, you make valid points. I like to see the figures, for me it is the thrill of the hunt and meeting people. Glad you had a good time.
Amen! Seconded and well said Len. I am just said I have to sit on the sidelines now and haven’t seen a single show since 2005. I love to meet and see people you only know thru email, forums, or telephone conversations. Truly a toy collector’s heavenly vacation. The time went so fast and I was so tired when it ended. I hyper ventilated the whole time and would forget to eat and drink. It was all just so fascinating. Always was a treat in the past to see you and your son’s set up.
Eddie W
Sorry to hear that you can’t get to a show. Usual at a one day show, I will not eat anything until after we leave. Exception at the European show as they have full eating places at or near by. On show more than two days, I use the meal as break.
First time poster here, but I’ll respectfully add my impressions to the Chicago show thread.
First, I’ve only missed 2 shows since 2002 and those were due to Army deployments. I am also both a plastic and metal collector who was born at the tail end of the baby boom.
This year I attended from Friday afternoon through Sunday. Room trading attendance is definitely down but more than vendor that I buy from stated they do fantastic on Thursday from early birds and always do well on Sunday’s. But as stated earlier it’s still the biggest show we’ve got. Now in no particular order. Picked up my first ever EB sets from Steve Weston, expensive but really nice. Also picked up from SW, the new ACW casualties. Then I purchased Ken Ciak’s new Trojan war figures, I really wish him well as he has great things planned for the future such as chariots, the heroes and Troy’s walls, towers and gates. Saturday I got Austin’s marines, he’s raising money currently and should have the Japanese next year. I did pick up one bag of ACW figs from Ed and Mike. Again, really nice guys. As I work to finish my ACW project I also picked up newer purchases from Gary Green and Nick and Deanna from Tssd who also are all great to deal with and said they did well.
Miscellaneous pickups included some foam buildings and Erwin’s jags panzer IV.
Sunday I did purchase Paragons new Civil War Infantry. I was leery of them until I saw them in person.
One last comment on the 40 dollar dinner, which is expensive, but I’ve got to say I enjoyed it and will probably have my wife come next year. It is oriented to the metal collector and as I collect some First Legion I enjoyed the speaker. The full course meal was good and plentiful and one received a First Legion figure prior to leaving. Having said that though about the cost, I do stay at an outside hotel in order to have more money for toy soldiers. One last thing, with Bill McMasters gone there was way less of his stuff.
John Stengel’s Vietnam figures look good and have realistic fighting poses.
Regards,
Tom K
Tom K
Welcome and I agree it is the biggest show for us. There was a lot of items new and old to choose from. Sorry to hear there was less of Bill McMaster items, he did a lot of good for the hobby. On the dinner, I am glad you had a great time and got a great figure. I think you will get interested in the other EB sets despite the price as they are doing some interesting things.
Thanks. Regarding Bill McMaster and BMC, I did hear that his son wants to keep BMC going. I cannot remember who I heard that from though. Sadly I never realized how much he did to help others until I read his obit tributes.
Tom K
Don’t get me wrong and I agree that half the fun is talking to old friends you see once or twice a year and meeting new people. While it is only a part time endeavor for me, it is nice to make some mad money. What I stated earlier is mainly about the changes I have seen over the years and how each year the room trading crowd seems to diminish.
This year I met and talked with the new owner of Marlborough and one of the current owners of First Legion, it was interesting to hear their perspective regarding toy soldiers. I’m mainly a plastics guy, but we’re not all that different in our thoughts about what a good toy soldier should be and what all the manufacturers strive for.
I enjoy sitting out in the smokers lounge and just listening or exchanging stories with the guys and late at night after the rooms close down having a couple beers.
A couple of additions to my previous comments.
Xforce’s Ancient Greek/Macedonians prototypes in TSSD’s room looked really good and even better than the good earlier Xforce Ancients.
Ron Barzo has done some amazing stuff through the years. He brought some stuff from his house for me not on display, I think if he still has something that you like you’d better get it now. In conversation with me he has some ideas for the future but needs to consider its viability .
Regards,
Tom K
Len has the same perspective on enjoying OTSN and other toy shows that I do. But I don’t want, even by implication, to criticize the dealers who are there to make a little money. There has to be some incentive to spend time going to yard sales, garage sales, estate sales, and flea markets, and to spend money up front, in order to search for and find the stuff which we go to OTSN to purchase. The new manufacturers also do what they do for profit, and without that motivator we would not have TSSD, CTS, Barzso, BMC, ExForce, Timpo, Conte, Hobby Bunker, Marxman, and all the wonderful things they’ve either produced or made available to us. Louis Marx did not make his playsets simply because he liked toy soldiers, or wanted to make little boys happy. Without the desire of a few entrepenuers to make money (and that includes the present-day full and part-time dealers who go to shows to sell) , there would be no shows, no Playset Magazine, no internet, and no toy soldiers. So there’s a hobby side of this, and there’s a business side. And both have to exist. It’s the American way. And those like myself who just enjoy the hobby side have to avoid the temptation to get too judgmental about those on the business side.
Don
When you go to your first show you have what I call your magical moment. A magical moment you say you are home with all the items before you. As you go to the shows you start to make contacts and making friends. One of my first friends in the hobby I met at a toy show because he had placard on with his wants. For me going to a show it is buying items for resale and the collection and seeing people.
You are correct Don in all. Thank you!!
Well, the reality is that if there is no money to be made there will be no shows. People go to great expense to travel to the show, not me, but others. Although it’s partly a social gathering, it’s the money making opportunity that keeps people traveling there from all over the world. When I go to the Texas show I go for the party, not so much the show.
Ed B
You are correct if there is no money to be made the show will die I have seen it with a few shows.
Howdy, fellow old timers. I haven’t heard from Paul in a good 20 years, since the days when he sent out xeroxed catalogs! Living here in Brooklyn, NY I never traveled out to the OTSN show, but I imagine most of you who sell knew or know me as a customer. I used to go to the HMGS shows until recently.
Anyhow, I was mentioning on littlewars.com that the problem for us buyers these days is the high shipping prices. I’m just getting ready to paint up 76 Engineer Basevich figures, after years of trying to track them down, because they were too expensive to get from St. Petersburg, Russia where they are apparently made. Now, being the only one I know of who is doing the Crimean War in 54mm, I’m trying to track down some of the EB Crimean War Russians set!
Paying higher prices because of inflation and rarity is one thing. Paying those costs in addition to today’s out of control shipping prices defeats us all.
Charley Elsden
Brooklyn, NY
Hi Charlie
Sorry you cannot edit, but I had a problem in the early days of the blog and locked that feature down. If I see a problem on a posting I will correct it for the person.
I remember you Charlie and I have to say the old catalogs were a fun time in a way, but I am glad I do not have to do them anymore. I had a lot of hassles getting them out lost of family and relatives, weather, machines breaking down and independent printers. This last one I had a printer I was using at the time because he was close to my work. the problem if you did not get it in at a certain time I could wait for days. I found another printer.
Your complaint is common among collectors on the high shipping prices from aboard. It is a two way street. One figure to Europe can cost $10.00 in shipping at least. The solution is there are some dealers getting figures in despite the hassle. If you go to a show like Hackensack you might find them without the shipping. I know TSSD is selling and you would have U.S. shipping. Did Jamie Delson get them?
Sorry intromission ,I had for years try make the Crimea war, using conversion and others, before these EB figures come out few(Tecnolog)Gamer series from Russia too in the more 50-52 mm scale, even they look more toy figures type ,some sets are good to be used for such conflict. They are not hard ,neither expensive to get and shipping is reasonable even for several sets lot if order from the bag styled carried that some sellers sale them at eBay as off now.
Since I don’t seem to be able to edit my post here, I just want to add that the site is http://www.littlewars@yahoogroups.com, and that I’m talking about OVERSEAS shipping prices!
Hey, Paul. No, Jamie Delson is not handling Engineer Basevich, and I did in fact get most of mine from Michigan Toy Soldiers, who say they won’t be handling any more of them.
I’m supposed to call someone else on Oct. 1 to see if he got any EB Crimean sets for me at OTSN (I’m looking for four). After I speak with him, if he doesn’t have them or not enough, I’d be happy to buy from anyone else who has them afterwards, so feel free to let me know if you have any. I’m very low tech, so if I missed that you have them, just remedy the situation (anyone) by contacting me directly! Admin note we keep email address out for safety purposes. if you have any of EB Crimean let me know and I will pass your email on to Charlie
I’m getting ready for my sixth Crimean Scenario. I’ve been doing Obscure Wars for the last few years, and this is the one I’ve done the most gaming on. The wonderful book I’m using for reference is The Partisan Press Guide To War Gaming The Crimean War by Stuart Asquith (2012), which I got at the last HMGS Con I attended. Of course, if they do move the/a Con up to NJ, about which there is talk again I understand, I’d start going again.
To Len Hardt: Len, are you the “Father & Son” team who sets up the huge dioramas at OTSN ? I’ve been enjoying them for years. They must be a lot of work, but everyone appreciates the artistry and massive scale that go into them.
Yep, that’s us. Thank you for the kind encouragement – but the real hero here is my wife, who helps me carry stuff, sets up the room, and babysits the room while I go out and play. Most people know her and not me. However, she drew the line with us spending the night on the floor in sleeping bags – after several years of this, we now do our sleeping in a nearby hotel. Oh, and I forgot to mention, our anniversary always falls on the show weekend – thus every year is our “plastic” anniversary.
Yes, Len, you’re right. It’s usually your wife that room visitors like myself end up discussing your diorama with, since she’s always there, and you are usually out wandering the other halls and rooms.
This year though, I spoke directly to you, in the room, and you very well may remember the specific conversation. You happened to be in the room, and I asked you, “Are you the ‘Father’ part of the ‘Father and Son’ team?” I think you will remember that question. That was me.
Again, your dioramas are truly beautiful creations, and the sheer size of them suggested a lot of effort in getting them set up in the hotel rooms.
That was a great diorama! I bought some Hat Zouaves and Accurate box of Confederates from you. I had not remembered your name when I posted earlier in the week.
Tom K
Thanks, Paul–much appreciated. My contact says the Russian guy was not at the show, so although he’s going to try and follow up for me, I’d consider any other available sets at a competitive price.
Are you still selling Paul, and if so only on ebay?
I hope this post will help people in regards to these figures.
Yes I am still selling but only on Ebay. My id is stadsstuff. I only sell new items if I find them when I am out buying. I found I have a better mark up on old items than new items. A friend in the used book business discover the same situation and discontinued selling remainder books.
Talking about HAT, what happen to them that they stop and never release, they had few prototypes in the row site and never continued!?
any body know if the went down or else!?
There was a discussion under the plastics thread on the Treefrog Treasures forum some time ago over your question. I recall the gist of it being that it did not look too good for Hat doing more 1/32nd for a while.
By the way, I really like the JGDPZR IV I picked up at OTSN. I plan on getting at least 1-2 more when I recover from the show. Hope you can more vehicles.
Tom K
Thank you x the hat update.
Yes the HO unfortunately has more buyers because of gamers
I’m glad u like my first armor. Hope to continue soon w others
If I might add to the conversation on HaT’s 1/32 scale figures: the company was always primarily focused on 1/72 scale figures anyway, but did stick its toe into the 1/32 and even tried to start 1/64 (or 28mm figures) for awhile there.
Remember when they first started back in the 90s they had done a series of 1/32 figures in a Punic Wars series as well as their ACW Zouaves and Brunswick Avant Garde and then nothing for awhile.
When they debated going back to the 1/32 scale guys there was some debate on which sets they should produce and as HaT tries to take great care on satisfying their customer base they reached out to their most loyal customers (on their forum and elsewhere) and a consensus was reached as to where they should go with their first try. In keeping with their original stated goal of producing figures no one else produced to “fill the gaps” so to speak they went with Napoleonics from nations and units one normally doesn’t see in 1/32 scale plastics. Some of us were delighted, however, from talking to some of the Stateside dealers, sets of Bavarian Infantry and Wurttemburgers weren’t that appealing to the average casual or even hobby buyer in the States.
Another problem was the sheer volume of output in a short time. HaT has always been a prolific producer but it backfired this time. As a result, they’ve backed off new production in 1/32 for the forseeable future. It’s a shame IMHO, I personally loved their figures but wondered out loud if they might have had more success had they come out with basic French and British sets (I know done to death – but there is a reason so – they sell!) and then branched out to the more obscure sets as they built their market. After all, as we’ve said here the market for plastic soldiers is already small and getting smaller; the market for particular eras is (except for certain of the most popular eras) smaller.
That’s why I always put Pommeranian Piccolo Players at the top of my wish lists. how more obscure can one be?
Another thing I notice is they are not quite 1:32 as per say ,but more less 1:35 close down from 53 -51 mm in many figures. Still their figures design and poses was great or are great as not extinct-yet .The 7 years war was more than great me as I love that war and no one other than AIP super generic multi war figures had been done in the 1: 32 scale range together with Barzso same extend part of the war(early Indian and French wars-sets series).But for location reason they went to cover European wars most. The Punic wars did add to CTS but not match in scale, still was a great addition.
Agree on the more Napoleonic generic armies specially for American market that is based more in Hollywood and not as books/history as European are.
They as A call to arms also went for gamers and funny is ,it is barely in last 10 years that gamers are starting going from HO to 28/30 mm and up to 54 mm scale in their game scenes/sets.
They didn’t stay with the 28-30 mm too long. They issued some nice sets – identical to their 1/72 and 1/32 scale figures, I didn’t hop on as I’m too old to start collecting a third scale – particularly when it’s the same stuff I’m buying in the other two scales.
Their 1/32 scale stuff mixed well with most of my Airfix and Timpo Napoleonics though they are somewhat smaller than Conte/TSSD. I understand the Napoleonic Russians came out somewhat smaller than the rest but I haven’t had a chance to drag out my stuff and set them up to compare. As for the rest, their 7YW Prussians look like they’ll do okay with my Marx and Accurate ARW guys. Again, got to get the stuff out and paint a few to compare. I also want to see how they match with my Barzso ARW guys.
I converted some of their Wurttemberg Grenadiers into Mexican Soldados for my Alamo – I used some of their officers/NCOs with some BMC and CTS figures (Haven’t painted up my Marx guys yet, don’t know if I will as their uniforms are obsolete for the battle).
I was disappointed when they made the decision to stop producing 1/32 figures. I think they hit on something with their MAC format – particularly with 18th and 19th century figures. As we see producers moving to eight or six figure sets (or less) the idea of having every sixth or eighth figure being an officer or carrying a flag can be a waste of figures unless you are in to conversions. Some have thankfully done sets with just enlisted troops – and that’s great to fill out your ranks – the MAC concept allows us to form our armies to fit our want/needs. But I’m rambling here. I keep hoping they catch their breath and get back in to 1/32 scale. I’m getting older and the smaller guys are getting tough on my eyes.
I should have said Wurttemburg Jaegers. Sorry.
Not worries in correction.I got it Wayne .
I agree in your points too.Hope they come back too soon, one day!!.
Going to others periods too, may be the so desired by me -“WW1 in gas mask” poses set too.
Early resin Barzso match with HAT in scale , later AWI not as more high in size and mass body, but I again use the space view scene to distant in separated formation, not that huge difference in my case/opinion
I think A call to arms was the starter in the bad 4 poses decision set. A killer on figures set. And yes the officer and banner else not regular line combat poses in army drill era formation should be place in separated poses set, may be with staff NCO else sets and let the others for just action poses sets. They start doing this in some sets later. The separated back pack idea was great too as you can swap or remove it. In action often at battle it was ordered to drop before combat action. That was the concept/purpose in design I think.
Although HaT 1/72 has been my best selling “HO” line for years their 1/32 were poor sellers and I quit stocking them. It does not make economic sense to produce any product if you can’t make a profit. Traditional 1/72 makers twenty years ago would make runs of 20,000 sets but now it is down to 2-3,000 as the market is simply not there. Twenty years ago I would stock 50-100 of any new 1/72 set being made. Now I stock 4-10 and hope that if something is a good seller I can restock another 10-20 before they are gone. It is often easier to find a set that is 10-15 years old than one produced 6 months ago. The major companies have abandoned 1/32 figure production leaving a niche market for the likes of; TSSD, Paragon, BMC, AIP etc… other than BMC which tried to market to kids the other companies market to adult collectors. I am not privy to any production numbers but I would guess that most sets are made in runs of 200-1,000 with the lower number these new “boutique” makers who are doing somewhat obscure sets. The interesting market is the kid oriented pirate and fantasy sets that are popping up in places like Target and Wal-Mart. They have scale and detail issues but are priced right.
Kent
Reports have TSSD doing 2 to 3,000 shots. Replicants was doing a thousand shots. The decline in our hobby in the number of participants it is forcing makers to look at ways to do short runs and still be profitable. John Stengel JR. s trying one way, I am sure we will see other ways.
Erwin, I haven’t really had a chance to do a good comparison yet. The majority of my collection has been put up for time now. I’m having storage issues and we’ve been doing some renovations so it takes practically an act of Congress to get to some of my stuff – been going on for awhile and it’s kind of discouraging not to be able to get my goodies out and set them up. For awhile it’s been paint, finish, set up new stuff, take a few pix and put them away to start on the next batch. Kind of burned out right now.
Kent totally understand what you are saying. My point of view was it would have been better to start out with something popular that would sell to not only establish them in a new area of the market but also generate revenue for future products. I was in the minority – maybe the only voice in my corner don’t remember now.
I will probably upset some folks with my next comments, but it won’t be the first time so… I saw the problem and still see it with certain vocal gamers who are constantly demanding entire armies with all three branches combined (Infantry, Arty, and Cav) released either simultaneously or in immediate succession. I don’t think they understand the difficulties of small companies (even HaT, for all its output, is basically a “Mom and Pop” operation behind the scenes) in getting ONE set of figures released, much less entire lines of figures with at least three branches with BOTH sides of the conflict represented – ALL AT ONCE!
In the best of all possible worlds yes, but the days of Louis Marx or even MPC are past. But try to explain that and boy do the arrows fly.
I think HaT was trying to fill gaps as a way of getting into the 1/32 market. This was heaven to certain collectors and gamers who had vast armies of Airfix, Timpo, or even Britains British, French or even Timpo Prussians and wanted some more obscure units for their games and dios. But it wasn’t thinking of the general market I think one needs to sell an entire run of figures. I’ve heard more than once from producers they estimate the serious market (at least here in the States) as being limited to no more than 500 collectors. The rest is the casual market and if we are going to survive we need them; we may sigh when we see another release of ACW or WW2 German infantry but it makes good business sense.
It’s too bad that companies like HaT can’t maintain 1/32 production. Ironically, there has been something of a mini-renaissance in 1/35-1/32ish commercial figures in the last few years. You had the ToysRUs True Heroes buckets line that was expanded with interesting Pirates v. Skeletons and Fantasy sets. There were the Imperial buckets with Armymen v. Zombies, Cavemen v. Armymen, and Ninjas v. Pirates in Walmart and elsewhere. Also there were the Blip Robot v. Ninjas and Armymen v. Monster Buckets in Target. For a while Target had the Blue Box Soldier buckets and Pirates and Skeleton Pirates buckets that are still in Meijer. Promised from Blue Box are a pirate ship and another fantasy set. Walmart has the Corps Elite buckets of modernistic armymen. Until recently the Star Wars Command line was all over the place. VictoryBuy is re-releasing lots of Timmee/Processed Plastic figures at Amazon.com. Lots of places still stock the increasingly blobby Imperial Timmee clones. I notice that even the thin and crude armymen you find in places like Dollar Tree sell out. Somebody is buying armymen of various descriptions – my experience is that little boys still get something of a kick out of them despite their Gameboys and X-Boxes. I wish the HaTs of the world could get a piece of this action.
The new stuff at Wal mart, Target & Toys R Us is coming in mass quantities with a very small profit margin for the makers. They have to rely on vast sales to make a profit. The man that ran TOY STREET back in the 1980s made a series of reissue playsets using the available exMarx and exMPC molds. He gave up as Toys R Us squeezed him so hard on their wholesale price that he was only making 50 cents per playset. Established brands like LEGO and Barbie can demand a better price structure but everybody else is in survival mode when dealing with the big chain stores. The recent Star Wars figures sets seem to have not sell as well as expected.
That TOY STREET story is amazing and sobering. The good news is that the Blue Boxes and Corps Elites of the world figure that they can make a profit selling small playsets of original toy soldiers. Even if the Star Wars Command did not live up to expectations, they certainly shifted a lot of blisters – I watched them come and go at Target. But given the domination of the big box stores over the toy market I have no idea how smaller producers can compete. Maybe hobby stores, though I don’t know if that would work. A few years back, boxes of AIP Doughboys appeared in my local Hobby Lobbys. Some months later, WWI Germans with steel helmets joined them. I bought several of each to be encouraging, but after a while they disappeared. I guess whatever was going on there did not work. I’m really surprised that 1/72 sets are also declining in production numbers and sales given the supposedly flourishing state of wargaming. Hobby Lobby used to stock 1/72 Imex sets under the Billy V label. they are gone now, but they were around for a long time.
The Billy V stuff sold for less than the IMEX boxed sets which made some of us carrying IMEX to be unhappy. That being said, IMEX was trying to adjust to the changing market and also brought in a bunch of the Made in China toy figure stuff to try and get into the big store chains. Most of the mom and pop hobby stores went out of business in the 1980s and 90s and the ones that are left deal mainly in trains or radio control. Model kits have gotten expensive and today’s kids want glowing screens.
OK.here is a mediator point of view with respect.
Yes I agree there kids there that like the toys army soldiers, a littler army men and others because those series-cheap sets buckets/bags are sold fast in regular retail stores. Still as mentioned too they sale because the price production cost and else is very ,very low and done by Chinese toy factory that can afford loses in million, wile HAT , Italeri , ACTA , Airfix ,AIP are dedicated to the hobby world (much smaller world) that supply smaller retail world.So production cost is higher and demand much less. AIP and few other had been sold very low cost to Hobby stores around -(Which stores are every years less around by the way), in a way of these stores trying to offer more variety to local and gamers circle that start using then in late 90’s with more frequency plus to offer some new addition as these stores are basically surviving today as even the kit hobby is dying down a lot(less new children are engaging in assembling)-same in youth.
The 1:72 that was a main Gamers hobby feelers has declined in order of above size scale mentioned using the space.
Regarding the army-other toy cheap price sets at walmart,target and else, most are a weekend regular gift to kids by parents ,because price and value are low.,
The children of today are massive bombarded as the one since mid 80’s by a generation of action colored figures toys that had over filled the stores and pushed monthly base in new movies coming to theater every Friday to brain wash the kids and push father buy them or promise them for Birthday ,end school, Christmas and so on gift.
How many TV commercial have you seen offering the new and past Walking death,LODR and star wars command sets in the 1:35/1:32 scale???. Seat and watch. Probably none or few if any.
Most commercial focus in others. That is main reason child are not interested. Today world focus in media attention pushed in internet, pictures in phone, TV. Since early 80’s right after Vietnam the toy soldier was officially and intentional killed out of retail with purpose and is taboo literally mentioned or sold at stores, that is why stores such as TRU,WAL MART,TARGET and others barely have a 2-4 foot space to carry some and with out advertise. And most are been sold offered by amazon as direct offered from warehouse Chinese factory than rather stock in retail brick stores as no much interested because lack of advertise. They are considered second and 3 er category sale toys and will for ever as time change and what is gone is gone unfortunately
The star wars command sets did not sold well at all as mentioned and advise, the few remained and produced sets come out in most in limited sold in amazon else web site offering; Hasbro and others stop carrying them and push for pure action figures or micro multipainted sets. Simple not profit. The retail sale of (6-9.99) action figure is much more profit than a single set of same price with 5-10 figures multispecies 1;32 COMMNAD SETS that required 6-9 molds/packing to be produced in order to sale it=more costly to do, less profit at the end to gain.)
Back in the early 90′ the marx few recast/packed and tim mme sets sold at TRUand kmart were gone fast,same in limited try to push hard BMC play set .They were offered with out a simple TV commercial and display in bottom shelves most time with out proper add.No way you can promote like that x long and keep on going unless you have million to waist.
HAT,italeri and many others are sold in cases with same style as old Airfix,matchbox,ESCI that show a painted historical figures sample and advertise for you how to paint the figures inside. They are intended for hobby enthusiast semi or professional buyers who are interested in the Historical military hobby. A more limited way less common in children world today, specially after the pro peace pushed agenda campaign at schools.
This hobby, our toy soldier hobby is very low and small word with almost non advertise and a lot of negativity from general view perspective because of the peace CAMPAING. It has affect the way we can attract children today. My only daughter is learning to play with Marx dinosaurs and medieval knights because I engage with her daily, how many parents to this. Few because they don’t care or not have the figures and patience for it.
Sample and out a bit of contest; it took me a day and visit x me to school and speak to my child teacher because she was teaching her that shark are good and quite animals that we human are killing them.
I have to actually go there and tell her not to teach such crap and go to a beach herself and swim with shark to see what will happen.
Today world is very odd and hard to navigate for us .
Did the teacher know that a shark will NOT eat a circus clown?
(They taste “funny”.) 🙂
Erwin, how did your child’s teacher react when you went to the school and told her to quit teaching “such crap” about sharks being an important part of the world’s ecosystem? Or the “crap” about how we should seek world peace, rather than war? I’m interested in her reaction.
Is this the OTSN thread ?… how about some photos from the show.
TD
Problems on the photos none of our readers did any pictures that we know of. My one friend who has given us photos in the past did not go. Clouse who does photos for Playset Magazine has only one set of photos up. the photos up on other sites are only of the new metal. I have only seen two pictures of the Sunday show. I will be at Hackensack and will be doing photos of the show. I like to get various tables so people can get a feel of the show.
When is Hackensack Paul?
Mark
Hackensack is November 1 at the Farleigh Dickinson University. Laurie and I will be roaming around and you can check Gerry Watts where I am as we usually hang around there.
Just to let people know, you can see some photos of the Sunday OTSN show at:
http://www.playsetmagazine.com/show-reports/OTSN/2015/OTSN-2015-02.html
I posted them a day or two after the show ended. The page is linked from the first page of photos.
I had a table for the first time this year, so I didn’t wonder around as much as I have in the past.
Thx,
Jim
Hi Jim Clouse
Glad to see the pictures of Sunday, my readers somehow have miss them. Hope you had a good show selling.
Thanks for posting the photos. The title says OTSN 2015 but when you click on the individual pics it says they are OTSN 2012?
my mistake- they are from OTSN2015.. I’ll fix that.. thx!
Jim
Sounds Great ! between bills and work at my job slowing down ,it might be harder to get there but I will definetly do what I can, which means more than likely I’ll be able to make it, been waiting since last year to go !
I now envy the East Coast collectors, because whereas OTSN is now over for the year, Hackensack is right ahead. We here in the Midwest have had our fun, and now its the turn of the East Coast group.
Don
The end of this month will start a series of toy shows for me. On October 25, I will have a toy show in Delaware. Then the next weekend I will have a large garage sale on Saturday, with Hackensack on Sunday. Then on November 14 and 15th I have a show in Timonium Maryland the first day is a toy show the second day is a flea market. We have usually only go down for one day but we have heard it is good Sunday and Laurie has to work Saturday so this year I will do both days while Laurie will do Sunday with me. Finally for November we have the York Toy Show the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I will have one more show in December. So it will be a busy time for me.
Paul, I know you’ll be in your element and having fun. Remember, we expect detailed reports on everything, especially on how you perceive Bill Lango’s big Hackensack show is doing.
Don
I will be doing my reports as always.
I got a show this weekend and then two weeks later. Kane County then Cantigny, neither of which has ever made me big bucks. This has been a bad year for me, OTSN didn’t do me any big favors, spring show at Kane County did basically nothing and Indy was a complete waste. It may be time to re-evaluate this sideline.
Ed, how do you on eBay, or don’t you bother?
Ed B
Sorry to hear that have you checked other stands to see if they are selling and if so what? Kane County I have a feeling is getting to be more 70’s and later toys. I hope to do it one day. I almost got there once but the person a bunch of friends and I were going to stay with got fired off Home Alone. It was not his fault Joe Pesci wanted his buddy in it.
Based in my last year experience as I had done many before and comparing with my only one at OTSN in 2003 I can tell there big differences and both have their gain and miss. Yet because of the early trading and more foreign variety carrier .The OTSN is better in my personal opinion. Now in the deals found at NJ shows could be a surprise as many dealers just go there to sale off what they have, others are the usual regular main players we know and last years they did not even carried the product as no much new,sample AIP that only presented the tables with some signs but nothing left. Again last year as other before I was myself at tables and no much time to do roming.The show as reported was as normal but less impressive than one before . Bil Lango as we spoke had done a super huge effort to go to school districts else to promote the show like a political campaing.I congratulate his effort;but even after, his fruits had been a less desirable as expected. Never the less his effort and fight continue on in our Hobby and I appreciate-congratulate all done for it and us. Pray he and us will get least equal or better than last year.
One point factor is last year was a very windy cold day with temperatures in the lows 30 all day ,I bet it affect a bit too. I remember we had a hard time walking in park lot with cases setting tables and to pack off too. In my case I’m more used to this weather as more northerner than others, but for others it may had kept then off ,specially be a Sunday with church and others.
We did okay on E-Bay, but my partner lost his selling privileges, due to his heart surgery. We are appealing.
Kane County is a weird show, they sell just about everything there, not too much in the way of toy soldiers. I see a lot of people walking around with old rusted trucks and cars. Maybe it’s time to rethink our strategy.