Collecting and Gaming With 54mm Plastics "He is telling a terrible story Which will tend to diminish his glory For they would have taken his daughters Over the billowing waters. You can say in an elegant diction That its only an innocent fiction But it comes in the same category As telling a regular terrible story! --Daughters of Major General Stanley, The Pirates of Pinzance Having travelled to perhaps 17 different countries and many parts of the United States, it is sad to relate that I have myself only seen or heard of seven major toy soldier collections! This is because no one I know of has ever catalogued any for the general public, By Jove! There is the occasional mighty diorama on display in such places as the Wisconsin State House in Madison (ACW Iron Brigade at Gettysburg in 54mm), Edinburgh Castle and various military museums, and even a toy shop or two. (As amazing as they are, out of reach under glass, they can't of course be gamed with). Egad, sir! Not the real thing at all. The majority of plastic and metal ranks remain in private hands, sometimes unknown. Their preservation is chancy at best, often being sold off after the individual collector has died. And who does one leave them to? Does the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. have any? Surely Britain's Limited must have one of everything they have sold? "Insufficient data, Captain!" says I. If only we knew (sigh). All I can say for this sad state of affairs, is that at least the few I know about are really there. So I'm not pulling your leg, or telling 'A Regular Terrible Story,' as Gilbert and Sullivan put it. Ahem. Now, if you have any stories about great large scale toy soldier collections, I'd certainly like to hear about them, old chap. In the meantime, sit back in your most comforable chair. Imagine me if you will in my Italian leather living room "throne," similar to the overstuffed ones you see in the finest clubs, or perhaps under the behinds of the hosts of The Man Show' on cable TV, to which those in certain chain book stores are mere pale impersonations.. I'll take you on a world tour of my own to visit a few. We'll be stopping off in rather unusual locations; perhaps not the ones which come to your mind right at once: in The People's Republic of China, Merrie Old England, and closer to home, to my own stomping grounds in mighty Greater Metropolitan New York, (New Jersey, three in Manhattan, and of course Brooklyn Heights). So then, pull up to the fire with a drink in your hand, and let's be off... 1. The Collection of Oin Shi Huanq Di Man, China) The most famous, valuable, artistic, astonishing, ne plus ultra of toy soldier collections is of course the terra cotta army once buried in the tomb of the legendary first Emperor of China, who ruled around 250 B.C. Photos are available in National Geographic or in the official printed guide (Terra-Cotta Figures At Quinshuang Mausoleum by Yuan Zhongyi; Cultural Relics Publishing House, 3rd Printing 1986, PRC) . The huge building erected over the pit of 1,400 figures of officers, infantry, archers, crossbowmen, cavalry, and chariots in accurate battle formation first discovered in 1974 is only one such area; it is believed that others lie buried as well. Not one to get caught short, over 10,000 bronze weapons were also found. Ring hands, anyone? In the museum next door to the excavation sites, we learn that chemical remains indicate that each figure was fully painted. A diorama of craftsmen painting one of the figures gives an almost overwhelming impression of psychedielic intensity! Since the single figure has so many colors on it with clothing and uniform detail in many patterned surfaces--what might the entire field it have looked like, with thousands of these life size figures all painted up? Ye Gods, man! You can of course, argue that a funerary procession of 1:1 scale statues is hardly a 'toy soldier collection.' I reply that just as the adventures depicted in Little Wars is the ancestor of our hobby, this staggering collection of figures estimated at a total of 7,000 figures (many still buried) from an area of over 20,000 square meters is the honarable ancestor of our craft. The amazing detail of hair, face, uniform, and equipment, is on the highest level of figure creation, rivalling or surpassing the best shown in our hobby! The Emperor did not game with them, as far as we know. His Imperial Majesty was no doubt busy consolidating China with his real armies. Still, the sight of these historically uniformed figures were possibly painted from real life, as each has a seperate individual face, reflecting even some of the different ethnic groups actually recurited at the time. Talk about accuracy! The overall experience of visiting this site is a stirring one. Both realistic fighting and noncombat poses are seen in the rows of figures, even recognizable unarmed hand to hand martial arts poses. Who says you can't take them with you? And here is a truly unique method of perserving the figures, if not the paint! In the palace tomb itself, crossbowmen figures stood at the ready with real loaded weapons, a la Indiana Jones! Luckily for the real archaologists, they don't work anymore. But don't try to game with these figures or you might be confronted with modern weapons that work quite well. Ah, well--you'd just get a hernia anyhow, ytrying to maneuver them around the room, don't cha know? 2. The Collection of Sir Winston Churchill (Blenheim Palace, England)  Featured briefly in the movie Young Winston (1972), only a few pieces of the childhood collection of the famous British statesmen are on display in the ancestral home, now a national museum. One of several films which feature memorable toy soldier set ups, the film also includes recreated scenes from the Soudan and Boer War. In the toy soldier scene, the boy Winston complains to his father (Robert Shaw as Lord Randolph Churchill) that his force is short on field guns. As his mother Jennie Jerome was born in my Brooklyn neigborhood, and my grandfather was English,I always feel an affinity with the man. These figures of his are early metals by William Britains, the same lines used by our beloved founder H.G. Wells in his previously mentioned book of wargaming Little Wars. It would be a good thing is the government let them out to play at a convention once in a while, say by a reputable hobby club. Did this ever happen? I leave it to our esteemed British cousins to reply. In the meantime as far as I know, this is the most famous inaccessible collection of toy soldiers in the world. But cheer up, we Yanks have solved that little problem--see the next entry. 3. The Collection of Malcolm Forbes (Forbes Building, New York City) On display to the public along with other wonders, is at least a part of the huge figure trove of metal Britains, and dozens of famous other makers of old pre-plastic era toy soldiers such as Manoil. Here in the Forbes Museum on lower Fifth Avenue, one can see them in many dioramas, and even parading by on clever conveyor belts past reviewing stands. Almost every regiment, every set ever made by Britains certainly seems to be here. Other pieces include Kaiser William's toy Zepplins and naval ships, made for him by a prominent German department store. Its good to be the Emperor! Huge World War One displays with rare composition figures, vehicles, and trench systems, illustrate the most modern period on exhibition. Several rooms with several displays each show off creative use of the figures in scenes from cowboys and indians in the Old West to the Franco-Prussian War. Signage clearly identifies each set or figure you are seeing. Each figure appears to be in perfect condition, as if a child playing with them has just left the room for a moment. A salute to the famous publisher, businessman, and collector, now deceased, for putting his toys on display. Although his collection formerly exhibited in North Africa was recently auctioned off as fas as I know, these pieces remain. Don't forget to stop here if you are travelling in The Big Apple. And now its time to move on to living collectors, and the Second Golden Age of Toy Soldiers, aka The Plastic Era. 4. The Collection of James Delson (Somewhere In New Jersey) Proprietor of The Toy Soldier Company, easily the largest dealer of plastic toy soldiers in the world, Jamie Delson games only with a few personal friends. I speak of Jamie Delson when anyone is ever impressed by my own collection. With two floors of warehouse full of product, Jamie also maintains a large private collection of figures from all eras, painted up by skilled figure painters, often including large quantities of very rare stuff. At the warehouse, Jamie has space and toys to play the largest, most extensive games ever played in 54mm. Imagine rows of Playmobil buildings, and fleets of Playmobil ships. Aisles of shelves containing labelled boxes of figures and equipment from each period, including many "animated" or customized figures. While some other dealers no doubt have large inventories of figures, no one else I've ever heard about has painted units ready to put out on the table. This is a man who can buy entire collections of figures from others, and thereby is able to preserve some amazing arrays of figures when their original owners pass on. No one who has seen this collection, and you never see it all at once of course, could fail to call him the King of Collectors. Challengers, speak up or forever hold your piece! We're talking tens of thousands of painted and organized figures, you understand, which have been used in full wargames campaigns. Good Grief. Only in dreams can most of us deploy such resources. I'm honored to have played in periods like the Knights of Malta, Napoleonic France, 19th Century Indo-China and others. Presently Jamie is playing a 19th century game in which the Czarist Russians have invaded the United States! Remember the Britain's Zookeeper figure? Imagine that cap and head on hundreds of white uniformed Czarist troops! Hoo kids, its scary! (For a description of the WWII 'Terry and the Pirates" China game I ran here see a previous issue of MWAN magazine). Jamie games with his own unique tactical rules "Harold's Rangers," now available for sale. His time travelling mercenary company of role played heroes from fiction and history take on enemies in all periods. Players arrive days in advance to "dress the set," building a complex diorama battlefield. Later all games are documented during play with advanced photographic equipment. Jamie probably has one of the best slide collections of miniature games ever created. The many items I've purchased or earned while working at the company include a set of aminated ACW Garibaldi Guards made from Marx ACW figures and Dulcop WWI Italian Alpine troops. Jamie also has an overwhelming reference library in his office (can anyone possible own all the Ospreys? Jamie comes close, and with many another type of book as well. In addition, his collection of videos and military music is there, to enjoy while preparing figures or battlefields for future games. As one of the major players in the 54mm figure industry, Jamie is also a major consultant to companies who are considering new figure lines, such as Armies In Plastic and Conte Collectables. Indeed, I have seen prototype figures there long before they come out, sent to him for comments and advice. As a businessman, Jamie has also comissioned his own pieces and variant colors for figures, such as his unique Form Tech Monitor and Merrimac, or Union ACW Timpo figures in green (for Berdan's Sharp Shooters) and CSA troops in wide brimmed hats in blue (as Iron Brigade).  5. The Store Collection of Steve Balkan (Manhattan, New York City) At 1092 Madison Avenue, a small discreet display window in front of a bookstore hints at Burlington Antique Toys, a small one room toy soldier store located in the basement of this elite neighborhood location. Here owner Steve Balkan answers customer questions as he smokes his famous pipe, and carefully restores old metal and plastic figures. Steve is one If the leading authorities on metal figures, advisor to auction houses like Christie's and Southeby's, and well known expert in the metal collecting wing of the hobby. As most of the hobby shops and toy soldier stores of old have disappeared in general, this store remains one of only two locations in New York City to see metals (and some Britains Deetail and metal vehicles. It was Steve who bought my original 80 Britains figures from my childhood. He pays in general about 50% of market value, allowing you to get money to build up your plastics collection if you choose. Of course I included a few trades against credit to pick up some of his goodies for myself that day years ago, before I left the store. 6. The Store Collection of John Rettich (Manhattan, New York City) On Thompson Street, in the fashionable but totally different West Village, stands Classic Toys (not to be confused with the mail order dealer/company Classic Toy Soldiers). On Sundays you can find John Rettich or his partner Jay presiding over a large display of metals, plastics, vehicles, and also toy car and many other interesting things from your own childhood or before, as well as the newest pieces available. In contrast to Steve Balkans's place, here you can see not only the old lines but the very newest metals such as King and Country, LeMans, etc. His large window is always full off well made dioramas, which change to reflect new product available. CT also sells hobby related books and magazines, playsets, etc. John is an active hobbyist, who has his own graphic design firm. At home he solos a medieval campaign with beautiful and elaborate customized metal figures. On Sundays I have back room privileges, and I have picked up some of the rare figures here. John is a fun guy, who is just as likely to pick up his old guitar and strum away, or discuss anything under the sun if business is slow. A visit here is always recommened--take the A or F trains, among others, to the West 4th Street station if you are in town. New York prices are often offset by sales and specials. 7. The Collection of Charles Elsden (Brooklyn, New York) Due to the plastics revolution of the 1980s and 90s, it is now possible for a club or individual to game in 54mm in many periods. Since there are many who do so with whom I am not familiar, I offer myself as a modern individual collector, only because I do know what I have. This currently includes about 15,000 painted 54mm plastic figures organized into armies from Medieval to World War II, including almost every plastic figure ever made. My holdings also includes buildings, vehicles, terrain, ships, etc. I use this collection to game with my historical own rules. My scenarios usually include problem solving and role playing elements, which do not detract but hopefully add to the historical enjoyment. I am working on Fantasy and Science Fiction possibilities, and my old experiences with role playing and board games. At fifty years old, I probably have more stuff than I will get around to playing with already. I mention this not to brag, but to invite more people in the NYC area to come over and play. After all, a pile of toys is only useful if it inspires us to write up new scenarios, and get on with it! A Call To Arms; Shows and Conventions Another way to view the great variety of large scale toy soldiers now available is to attend Toy Soldier Shows, the largest of which are held annually. These include the OTSN show (sponsored by The Old Toy Soldier Newsletter) in the Midwest, the East Coaster held at Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, and the Valley Forge show in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Smaller shows are held all the time. Internet sites of dealers show photos of available product. Game conventions feature a limited number of 54mm events, but there are plenty at the larger HMGS conventions. Still, it is hard to put together players for our games, even when we have the figures ready to go. Well known hobby gamers who regularly run 54mm games at East Coast conventions include Mike Blake (UK), Frank Chadwick, Mike Fatovic (who uses my WWII rules), Mike and Cleo Liebel, Ross McFarlane (Canada), and Pete Panzeri, among others. We invite you to come join us, and play with figures which STAND TALL! Back to MWAN # 122 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2003 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com