Perhaps it is me or maybe Lockdown but there seems to be a complete lack of reasonably priced broken toy soldiers , especially old 54mm ones about. On EBay the prices are very high, buyers chancing their arms and misinformation abounds. There must be a better way of enthusiasts exchanging old lead but at a fair price. Conversion material ( aka broken lead toy soldiers needing a mend) is just not around as it once was, or is it me?
Whats on your wish list? Will venture into the depths of the shed and have a look.
ReplyDeleteBattered Broken Britains or similar metal toy soldiers needing some TLC before going on the battlefield once more. I have replacement heads and am more than happy to mend missing limbs. Most kind Douglas!
DeleteOnce there's a market for something inflation kicks in - it was the same with old plastic 1/72nd figures. They used to be reasonably priced.
ReplyDeleteVery true re 1/72 s too. Pity folk can’t think that in Lockdown we all need wee hobby treats that don’t break the bank!
DeleteI've never found them cheap or easy to get on this side of the pond, hence my joy at finding a few commercial moulds of a few old Britains and Crescents 20 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that this century has seen growing demand for a limited supply. They may be making new replicas but its hard to increase the supply of something made 100 years ago.
It does vary on Ebay and luck plays a part I think , dealers in figures usually know their worth , people just selling them who don't know what they are worth either price them very high or low just to get rid of them . Bought some very reasonably priced Britains that from a chap that does 'house clearances' and they were the only figures amongst a lot of household knick-knacks and he just wanted them sold as quickly as possible .
ReplyDeleteIt isn't me - I didn't buy it all.
ReplyDeleteIt may be Lockdown.
It may be Men of a certain age with time on their hands ..
It may be the need to keep your fingers busy with something tactile in a swipe up digital touch screen world.
It may be the slow resurgence of 54mm and the collective influence of our blogs :)
It may be the easier availability of replacement heads and arms.
Yes prices for even scrap figures have definitely gone up, esp. for the old job lot or broken figures for repair. Add in postage and it gets even sillier ...
Redcoats are expensive. Certain types of figures remain much cheaper less fashionable such as cowboys and Indians, farm animals ...
If you think EBay is high in cost, have a look at the lovely selection of supposedly 'rare' and vintage figures, just spend a happy hour 'window shopping' on Etsy - it is great for only looking and window shopping unusual European and American plastics. But then add postage ...