Marx Convention 2009
Some of the action in one of the rooms
Laurie and I left on Thursday to go to the Marx Convention at the Kruger Toy and Train Museum. The drive was pleasant and we had no delays despite construction on the Pennsylvanian Turnpike. We arrived at our hotel and checked in. After a little break we headed to get something to eat. We had seen on the way that there were a number of restaurants around Cabela's, so we decided to go back there. Laurie noticed on the sign a place called the Powder Horn Grill and we decided to try that as it sounded different. Not finding it we went for a place called Cheddars. We found out later that this is a regional chain which we prefer to do over the national chains. We were able to get right in and had a nice meal. After getting our meal we headed back to our hotel to get ready for the next day.
Allan Miller
Friday we got up bright and early to get ready for the show. The hotel had a free breakfast which was just enough for us to get ready for the show. We headed to the show which was only a few blocks from our hotel. As we arrived we could see a number of dealers were there and set up. The door was manned by Allan Miller, the president of the Kruger Toy and Train Museum, who greeted us and gave us our badges, Admission to the show is very reasonable and we started to look around. Right behind Allan was Allan Ford of Brandywine Toy soldiers. Allan Ford deals in Marx playsets but he had recently bought a very large quantity Jescan reissue figures for resale. After saying hello we walked down one set of tables in front of the restrooms. On one of the tables was a Timmee Russian figure. The figure was damaged but I still bought it to try it on Ebay. I love to get challenges and I was curious if the damaged Timmee Russian figure would sell on Ebay due to the demand for the Timmee Russians.
Once we had finished the small room, we went into the main room. In the main room Laurie discovered that the show had reserved a table for us. We had only wanted admission to the show as I do not relax with a table. I only do a table in Germany anymore and it is the smallest space available. We informed Allan Miller and the table was released to some one else. Once in the main room we started buying and found items for the list and our collection. One item I found which I am keeping is a Comansi Cowboy laying firing rifle. I believe it was used as a stagecoach guard. We found a bunch TVkins and some other Marx items. One item I missed was the Lido Army wounded. I recently came aware of it checking the internet. I have had many Lido Army go through my hands but not one of the wounded. The dealer had two of them which Tom Stine got. I was able to purchase one of the figures later from Tom to add to our collection.
Once we were done with the main room we went over to a small room where Tom Stine and Pat Kirwan had tables. Pat had found a large lot of the Empire 6 inch pioneers and Indians for sale this year. Tom had two Captain Gallant long walls which I purchased. The next room on the first floor had Circle X Ranch which is reproducing the Marx Johnny West Figures and accessories. Also in the room was Dan Mclean who bought from me before and I bought a few items from him.
Calvin Plowman and Joe Falce
Then we went over to Joe Falce and found a number of items for sale at reasonable prices. Joe had a wide range of items ranging from kits to figures. Joe always to great to talk to and if you are buying a large amount of items he is willing to deal. I got from him my set of the Weston Toy Cowboys which I had been putting off for some time. Later in the day, Joe showed us some resin copies of the Peco and Stuart accessories. These were done by a party in Missouri who also has done copies of Marx character figures
The second floor which need more light
Laurie took the purchases back to the car and then we did the second floor. The second floor had several dealers. Bob Jones who we see at the East coast shows had several tables.
John Botyko had several tables which we found a number of items including a unusual Large plastic Scottish Highlander with thermometer. The figure is 90mm and is a flat like figure. I got a bag of foreign figures from John and found a kneeling Rusty from the Rin Tin Tin show. The figure was done in Spain and one of several different Rusty figures we have seen from different companies. John had number of vehicles I could use and his prices are reasonable. Another dealer on the second floor was Steve Connell who was selling Barzso, TSSD and Conte figures loose. The only complaint I would have with the second floor is the lighting is poor. After walking around for several hours we headed to out to see some sights of Wheeling.
A family philosophy is when we go on a trip we share the day. I learned this from my parents and use it with Laurie. We decided to take a look at Centre Market. We had seen on the webabout this area of Wheeling and decide to go there after the boys refuse to give us any tips for the dog races. Allan Miller gave us excellent directions to get there so Laurie and I head off to check the area out. The Centre Market itself only had some artwork for sale and a few food stands. What we like about the Centre market it had some shops to look at. Laurie found boutique that a lot of neat stuff for women. Laurie found a nice necklace which I bought her and watch which she bought. We walked around a couple of antiques shops which I only found a Marx saint. The woman at the boutique recommended a restaurant called Later Alligator which we decided to try. The place is very good and serves crepes and sandwiches. We order club sandwiches. I also had lobster bisque and Laurie had the potato salad as she is allergic to seafood. The sandwiches were on Italian bread and much different from your typical club sandwiches. The lobster bisque was nice and cream and had tiny bits of lobster. The potato salad was made of three different types of potato: white, yellow and sweet with really creamy mayonnaise. I had a taste and like it which was surprising as I am not a big fan of potato salad. After our lunch we went to a bookstore which I wanted check out and headed back to the show.
Scott Stewart was giving a talk on making plastic pieces which we wanted to hear.. Scott showed the various methods and techniques of making pieces. Scott explain the problems making parts and how to handle the resin. The talk was quite informative and gave us more insight into the problems and rewards of making resin figures.
We walked around the show one more time for the day and purchased some more items. We stopped and talked to the people involved with Nostalgia Toy Box. The owners of Nostalgia Toy Box Alan Lortz and Phil Rosner had on display a number of playset boxes they made. We will be doing a separate article on this new company.
Some of the items that Rick Eber had for sale
Walking around we said hello to Rick Eber who had several tin buildings including the very hard to find PX building. We finally got Calvin Plowman to be at his table to get a price on some foreign figures. Calvin has a habit of disappearing leaving Joe to figure out Calvin prices. We were able to come together on a price and decide to call it a day.
We headed back to our hotel to relax. We did the Marx Museum sale which is reported on the main page. We headed back to Cheddars as we had not found out any answer to where was the Powder Horn Grill was. We tried their Baby back ribs and Chicken tenders. We enjoy the ribs, but not the breading on the chicken tenders. Happy with our day we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the next day.
Ideal Battleground piece on Mark Hegeman's table
We were up early again and went back to the show. Allan Miller was on the door and we asked on the Powder Horn Grill. Allan had figured out that the Powder Horn Grill was the restaurant at Cabela's. Problem is most people do not know the name as they think of the restaurant at Cabela's. We did a final walk through seeing if we could find one last buy.
Fred Bauer who had some IGY items which I want for resale. We had some fun on the price and made a purchase. Mark Hegeman got another of the MPC Green Berets figures which I showed you recently. Mark had ten different figures which I photographed the day before. Realizing that I had spent most of my money for the show we headed out. We stopped back at Later Alligator for another great sandwich and started on the trip home. We made a stop on the way back at Giant Eagle to see if they carried certain products we can not find at home. Sure enough Laurie found Heinz Horseradish which we like and she follow my philosophy and took everyone on the shelf. This final hit made for a great trip and we will be back next year.
Another part of the Mark's table
Jane Bauer and Steve Connell
John Stengel's display of the TSSD and Weston Figures.
Another part of John Stengel Marxman tables.
Two more shots of the items for sale at the Rick Eber's tables