SOMETHINGS DON'T CHANGE When I first started in this hobby over 20 years ago, East Coast conventions for Miniature gamers were part of the collector conventions. Back then there was a certain air of "holier than thou" among some of the collectors who seemed somewhat embarrassed to be associated in any way with wargaming. Over the years, I felt that that had dissipated; Historical Miniature gamers were in the ascendency, their conventions much larger, their magazines much glossier and their painting approaching (in some instances) the level attained by collectors. It is therefore with no little anger that I read an article entitled "Men and Their Toys" by a Mr. Duncan Christy in which he interviews Mr. Henry Kurtz in the magazine, "M", June 1988. Some quotes: "The wargames people are looked down upon as vest-pocket Napoleons and Bismarks parading their troops on the table. "Wargamers buy their figures by the bag... then with a crude coat of paint applied by their amateur generalissimos they're pressed into duty. "[Wargamers] would probably run away in a real battle." Yet Mr. Kurtz likes to quote from H.G. Wells! "How much better is this amiable miniature than the real thing?" In any case, Dick Sossi, President of HMGS, owner of Ship and Soldier Shop in Annapolis, MD, and organizer of the annual Annapolis Toy Soldier Show responded to Mr. Kurtz in a letter that spoke of the many Vietnam veterans in the hobby, of the master level painting being done and more. I would like to see the readers of The Courier write to Mr. Kurtz and the editor of M Magazine to express their feelings about Mr. Kurtz's representations and the fact that no opposing view was given print space in the magazine. Usually when derogatory remarks are part of an article, some attempt is made to allow the victim a response; to my knowledge, this was not done and Historical Miniature Wargaming was given a black eye in a medium that should be trying to explain our hobby in a positive light to its readers. The addresses are: Henry Kurtz, 505 5th Ave., Suite 1602, NY, NY 10017 and Editor, M Magazine, Fairchild Publications, 7E 12th St., NY, NY 10003. JACK SCRUBY October 24, 1915 - September 6, 1988 It is with great sadness that I report the death of one of the fathers of the Historical Miniature Wargaming hobby. See page 54 for a more fitting tribute than is room for here. I would like to take this opportunity to call on the Historical Miniature Wargamingcommunity to come up with a fitting tribute to Jack. Perhaps an organization like HMGS can begin a prestigious award in his name; The Scruby Award for a major contribution tothe hobby to be awarded yearly (or less if no suitable candidate presents). THE PRICE GOES UP! The increased cost of 3rd class postage (+25%) and the increased cost of paper and printing (+33%) has required that The Courier bite the bullet and finally pass some of this increase on to its subscribers and advertisers. As of August 1, the subscription has increased to $19 in the US and the per copy price to $3.95. Other country sub prices have increased similarly - see the sidebar on page 4 for costs. Advertisers will be interested to know that the ad rates have also gone up. A new ad rate sheet is on the way - if you don't get one, drop us a line. Back to Table of Contents -- Courier Vol. VIII No. 3 To Courier List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1988 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com