23 August 2025

I have amended the Greenwood and Ball post to include new models I’ve aquired, and to remove some images that no longer fit this post.

I’ve been concentrating on writing for some time, with the occasional addition to this site, but I always return to toy soldiers and will be adding some new images and info very soon. I am also considering whether to add a ‘for sale’ element. I have a large collection and most of it is in storage due to lack of cabinet space. For many years I have sold surplus figures on Ebay, but recently the continual changes to their policies and selling practice for private sellers has annoyed me to the point where I have stopped selling in that platform (I do still buy there though, can’t help it). However, I can’t keep storing more and more figures, it’s got to a point where I don’t really know what I have in storage and that’s hoarding, not collecting. I would welcome any comments or advice while I look deeper into the feasibility of doing this.

4 May 2024

Toy soldiers have taken over from writing at the moment. I have that sort of personality; I concentrate on one interest for a time and when it becomes too intense, switch to another. This is especially bad for my writing, I concentrate on a book for about three months and become burnt out, about six months later I am ready to pick it up again. It’s a good job I don’t rely on it for a living. Toy soldier collecting is different, although it’s an obsessive hobby, the time you put into it depends on what you are concentrating on; buying takes up little time if you know where to search, have good contacts and sufficient funds. Sculpting can be intense but again can be done in bursts. Painting the same. I do take on some commissions, when they interest me and are limited, and enjoy restorations. I used to produce ranges of figures in a limited way and mostly sold them on commission, again to control the output and time involved. I have never seen toy soldiers as a business venture, there are more profitable ways to earn a living. Now, having retired from any regular employment, any money I make from toy soldiers simply enables me to buy more, and I already have so many that I often find figures I’d forgotten I have. One of the joys of collecting toy soldiers as a hobby is the worldwide community of like minded people and the ease of communicating with them via social media; its positive aspects far outweigh its negative ones so long as you use it properly. My next post will be about Les Higgins and his early figures.

March 2024

Just a reminder that I will be adding photos and information to any previous posts on the main page at any time if I have any new figures or information that relate to that post. For instance I am currently adding to the Johillco/Cherilea hollowast space page, new photo/s will be on there over the next week or so and I have already amended the information to make it more relevant.

This goes for all pages, so if you have any specific interest that I’ve opened a page on, its always worth coming back to see if I have amended/added to it. All the figures, bar a few that I have sold or swopped are currently in my collection – I don’t use anyone elses images, and I am always adding to my collection.

I always answer questions or comments, but it may take a day or so to do so. I am not an expert but do have over 50yrs of collecting behind me and have produced figures, sold regularly at shows, and undertaken commissions. Where I now live is quite isolated and much of my collection is in storage (still a lot in my workroom though) and I mainly just look for those figures that have eluded me or more likely, I have sold in the past and regret. There are not many figures that I have not owned sometime or another.

I do have some Britains but prefer the diverse collecting that is shown in the pages of this website. I still make my own figures and have rare examples of those made by other modellers, like Peter Wilcox, who inspired me and many others years ago.