Published by Pat Condray, 2000,
paperback, $5.00 (plus $1 shipping), 48 pages

Give Pat Condray considerable credit for pulling together a partial history of HMGS. For those who have gone to conventions, read the newsletters, and otherwise participated in this hobby, the fundamental question of "where did this organization come from?" is amply answered within these pages.

Miniatures veterans and HMGS trivia buffs "know" that a group of folks met oh so many years ago in "Wally's Basement." Lo and behold! From that initial meeting came the foundation of HMGS.

The Longer Story

Condray starts back with HG Wells and his 4.7" Naval Gun knocking over toy soldiers, then fast forwards to the post WWII era and his own introduction to toy soldiers. From there, he lands on the deans of wargaming: Jack Scruby (US) and Don Featherstone (UK). This short overview then propels you to the Military Figure Collectors of America, and its here where he slows down and starts to detail all the genius, stupidity, foresight, and shenanigans that went into forming HMGS. And it isn't a pretty story.

Here's where I can't say one way or another about all the details with behind-the-scenes activities. I can say it makes for very interesting reading, especially because I never knew HMGS existed until a dozen years ago.

The interactions between legends like Dick Bryant, Wally Simon, Jay Hadley, Bob Coggins, Don Greenwood, Wes Coates, and other folks over Origins, Atlanticon, and other conventions reads well as Condray grabs old newsletters and reminiscences to go along with his own memories. The flow goes in roughly chronological order. The booklet ends in 1987, when HMGS becomes an incorporated non-profit organization.

This booklet is a great idea--it tells a story while many of the folks are still around to contribute their memories, and presumably, contribute their own versions of what happened once they read Condray's "well known poison pen" (Condray's words, not mine) account. I can't wait for the unexpurgated Volume II.

Pat Condray
2225 S. Gulfwater Pt.
Crystal River, FL 34429