Chicago Toy Soldier Show 2016 Formerly OTSN will be the page where we will posting information on the show. As you know the show has changed hands and is now run by Jan and Roger Garfield. I will be checking on the show through internet and phone contact. (No we will not be there again this year.)
Right now our very good friend Ed Borris and Mike Kutnick will be in room 5203. They will have a wide variety of figures and a course Ed’s conversions. Allan Ford and Rick Eber will have Marx playsets for sale. These are just a few of the dealers you will see at the show. Here is a list of dealers.
Chicago Toy Soldier Show 2016 Formerly OTSN Pre Show
The show will start with dealers arriving on Wednesday and opening their rooms. This is the fun of the show as you go through the maze to the various rooms. We know Ed Borris and Mike Kutnick will be open on Wednesday. As we hear of dealers opening up we will post it.
9/18/16 Steve Weston posted this over on Treefrog Forum. Come see us in Chicago, normally room 5405, for Russian made Romans and 2 different sets of knights, plus 2 brand new figure sets from Replicants, along with their smugglers, sets #1 and #2, Highwayman (Dick Turpin), Priest and Nun and Battle of Hastings figures. Arrive early as we can only bring a few of each. Open from Wednesday early a.m.
Chicago Toy Soldier Show 2016 Formerly OTSN Update 9/20/16
A special figure of Nick
We have just been informed that Nick of TSSD will not be at the show. He had a minor setback that is not allowing him to attend. Deena will be there with a complete array of TSSD product including their new Vietnam figures. One thing we were aware of was it was planned to give him this specially made figure. It is of Nick with a six shooter. Our very good friend Ed Borris and Mike Kutnick were going to surprise Nick with this figure. I am sure we all wish Nick well that he can attend next year.
Lod Enterprises at the show
Chicago Toy Soldier Show 2016 Formerly OTSN First Report
Our first report is in from the show. Replicants new Set is Revenuers. The set has foot and a mounted pose. The set is in blue or red. Action Casting is there. They have not set up yet so we will have to wait until tomorrow. John Stengel JR told our party that he has civil War figures non-casualties and Viet Cong. As we get more information we will pass it along.
TSSD has their Vietnam playset on display. I do not know if they have any for sale at the show. Playset looks nice. We will have more details later. It has been confirmed the NVA Troops were computer designed. The figures masters were done 3D. The Americans were done by a sculptor.
Lod Enterprises is there with their new chariots.
The action is slow. It should pick up later today as more rooms open up today.
We should be open sometime before dinner and of course after on Wednesday.
We have a large inventory of items for sale crossing many periods of history. We will have various play sets including a rare Canadain Fort Apache with 54mm figures. The classic Rin Tin Tin , a Fort Apache Stockade as well as some special sets featuring Mike’s special flair. A large supply of 60mm Indians, Cavalry and even some pioneers along with Rin Tin Tin character sets. I will also be displaying in excess of 100 Alamo conversions. Need Pirates, Need Aztec’s, need Conquistadors? We got them. Plus I will have beer, the nectar of the gods.
C-A-N-A-D-I-A-N eh!! LOL
Bad typing my fingers are crooked.
May be too early nectar!!! 🙂 🙂
Never too early for the nectar of the gods.
LOL
In just over 48 hours, I will be departing for Chicago myself — expecting to arrive Thursday morning with my toy-soldier collecting roommate (Bill Skinner) at the Hyatt-Regency right around 8:00 AM, Chicago-time. Bill, living just over two hours from the show, has never missed a single OTSN since it’s inception. Bill’s a good friend of Paul Gruendler, the “Apostle of Plastic”, who he always expects to see at the show, among others.
As usual, as OTSN approaches, I’m always as excited as I was many years ago on the days leading up to Christmas Eve, waiting for the big day to finally get here. As far as I’m concerned, OTSN/Chicago Show is not just an “event” — it’s a “Happening”. For the last 30 years, there’s been nothing else quite like it in the world of toy soldier shows.
Don
Gruendler is not Apostle of Plastic. I for one hope to never see this sad little man as he has caused me a lot of pain. You can enjoy him I will not.
Paul, I don’t know what transpired between the two of you, other than that he appeared on this website and publicly asked for your forgiveness a couple of years ago.
The “Apostle” title for Mr. Gruendler was used by Playset Magazine in one of its DVDs, and has used it in an issue or two over the past few years. I know Rusty lists both both you and he as “contributors” or consultants in some issues, so I thought maybe any bad feelings in the past were resolved.
In any event, I actually know you much better than Mr. Gruendler, whom I see typically just once a year at OTSN where he seems so friendly with everyone. But obviously with business dealings you sometimes see a different side to people. I’ve many more interactions, contacts, and conversations over the years with you than with him.
You’ve been so much more involved in this hobby as a dealer, advertiser, and publisher for many years, so I guess it’s understandable there have been disagreements with various members of the hobby during that time.
But I’m sorry I brought up what appears to be an unhappy memory.
I think it was Rusty who described OTSN room trading week as “life in a toy soldier collector’s dorm.” That sums it up – including the cast of characters.
Yeah they should make a movie about all the characters that show up, quite a collection of the old American male.
Still on the Long Road to Schaumburg. Just picked up Dorothy at the airport …in Fort Wayne … and hope to see everybody Saturday!
Oh yeah, we don’t take C-A-N-A-D-I-A-N pesos. Eh!!!
All the best of fun, hunting, trading & talking about toy soldiers for all in Chicago. I hope there are treasures to found & stories to be shared.
I sent a picture of the figure to Nick, he loves it. Maybe it will take a little sting off of him not being able to go to the show. At least for a minute anyway.
Glad he like the figure.. Sorry he can not be at the show.
Did you make that Ed?
It was done by Plastic Underground
Thanks
We love the smell of plastic in the morning, it smells like VICTORY!
So, Mike – tell us about the trading so far, please!!
Any MIB Johnny Ringo sets for under $1000??
I will ask Ed tomorrow. I doubt that you will see the set cheap.
My best guess would be at least $6000 if not more….. Imagine finding that one at an out-of-the-way consignment shop for $50????? Dream on.
One did show up here in my area at a charity shop. It never hit the floor and was sold on Ebay for big bucks. I did not get it as when I go to charity shops I find junk.
Great figure; I keep hoping that one year I’ll be able to make the Hajj to Chicago; it has always fallen at the wrong time of the year for me for various reasons. maybe one year the cosmos will align. In the meantime, I’m grateful for those who share their pics.
Love the quote Mike!
I wish the best to all going to Chicago and it be as successful or better as ever.
I have had a required conflict with every show since Columbus last October. So it goes with Chicago. I even had an invite to stay with my brother in the next suburb. Hopefully, I will be able to return to the Columbus show this year.
Have fun, tell a lot of stories, and be sure to help the toy soldier economy
There just to be more toy soldiers shows per area and states.Now they are so few ,only reduced to the largest and few more strong supported.
We have to keep it strong.
Any one there from CTS? Is there any new news on the CTS Korean War figures?Any news from X-Force as to when they may do the Pacific War figure sets?
Wish I was there.
BOBBYGMOORE
Johnny Ringo alone is over 1,000.00.
But , I do have a Dodge City Western Town playset in a Nostalgia Playset box and guess what’s in there: Johnny Ringo and all four Gunsmoke figures. They are In resin from Larry Patterson but Larry is retired and does not make them anymore so they are highly collectible by themselves. And I do have a Marx single story Western town front and an original Marx Wyatt Earp and a Seth Mcullough with a bunch of other stuff. If anyone needs more info or is interested in the set let me know, it’s with me here at the show, not sold yet.