My very good friend John did the Gettysburg Toy Soldier Show today. John said that there was plenty of plastic to look over at the show. A number of dealers had $1.00 and $2.00 boxes of plastic. People were having a good time. We hope to get some more feedback tomorrow.
We did not do the show. The drive seems to take forever to get there. I am not comfortable in the main room at the show as the aisles are too small. We did some flea markets and got a nice group of items for resale.
The show was pretty good. It’s not a big show, the balance between metal and plastic was about even. Some nice stuff, some interesting stuff. My wife tagged along so we could enjoy a ride in the country for our anniversary and go visit a blacksmith out in Cashtown who makes cast iron yard art that she likes. I think I covered the whole show in 45 mins, that included talking to Gary Dutko and haggling over a small marching band (that my wife bought me as an anniversary gift). As I enjoy Gettysburg, I don’t mind the drive (2 1/2 hours+). Gives me another excuse to visit the site of my alleged college education and see where some relatives served their country 150 years ago.
If I had any criticism, it is that the room is small
George glad you had a good time. I do not like the room either as it is too small. I was not comfortable the time we did it and it is not because of the ghost who haunts the safe.
The ride for seems to go forever due to the fact it goes through the various small towns.
I have been setting up as a seller at the Gettysburg show since the second year and think the venue is great. The room is smaller compared to large shows such as Hackensack or Valley Forge but is larger than others such as the Marx Convention in Wheeling. The room is split about 50:50 plastic and metal. The dealer list is great for old and new plastic as well as newer metal such as King and Country etc.
A partial dealer list is Mark Hegeman (myself) , Rick Eber, Kerry Dunable, Calvin Plowman, Alan Ford, George Guerrera (spelling?), Steve Thompson, Mike and Noreen Russo (Stockade Miniatures), John Stengle (The Marxman) and others with a wealth of common and rare stuff.
There was Conte, Barzo (including the large pirate ship and the Viking ship), lots of Britains detail, Hartland, Marx in all scales, Peco, and about 40 playsets spread around the room.
I collect a wide variety of stuff and came away with a first paint Elastolin Prince Valiant in the box, several other boxed Elastolin figures or sets, a Thomas Toy western wagon (which I had never seen), Marx trees by the large bag, a RED 60mm Marx Civil War guy. Britains mini set Knights and other stuff.
I sold a good bit including two Marx 6″ Stabbing Germans, Ideal battle Action scenes, PECO figures with accessories etc.
I had time to talk to many folks and generally had a great time. The atmosphere is really conducive to taking your time and wandering up and down the packed aisles repeatedly.
I will go back as a dealer and encourage folks to come next year. I only set up at about 6 shows per year this is a must do for the quality and variety of stuff as well as for the venue.
Mark
Does anyone know about the Marx Civil War accessorie sprues? I have about half a sprue in yellow hard plastic, are these original and if so and pieces harder to find then others?
Pecos huh? I have a modest array of those figure with accessories, including three pirates. I always like them although I’m not all together sure why.
I am very partial to almost any figures with detachable accessories but I think the Peco figures have a certain charm to them that puts them above most except maybe the Archer slot hand figures. Both of these groups have a “feel” to them that seems to transcend being just a figure of a pirate or a spaceman. They have a stylistic sculpting that sets them apart. Britains Swoppet Knights are knights but they are realistic, MPC ringhands are crude in their early iterations and realistic in their later versions, Timpo are toy-like etc. The Peco figures are what Pirates would look like if they were comic book heroes – just a bit bigger and more dramatic than real life. Archer figures scream streamlined 50s or even a deco look.
By the way I am still seeking a few Pirate pieces: The peg leg and also any accessories in yellow or blue.
Mark
I don’t have the pegleg and my pirate accessories are in red and black. There’s a guy that goes to Kane County that makes recast parts for Pecos. They are a harder plastic and he wants $5.00 a pop for just one sword or hat, not sure if he has the pegleg. I thought his price for a recast was too high, so I didn’t pay too close of attention. His prices are high on everything, he wants 40.00 for a recast Matt Dillon.
I also collect Ausleys, I have over 50 of them, another odd ball figure I collect, must be the colors and the fact I had them as a kid. Of course you already know of my compulsion with the 60mm revised pose pioneers.