Product Description: The World Toy Soldier Directory and Compendium is the new international "where to find it" source book for toy soldier collectors. Everything imaginable about toy soldier collecting is now all in one place.
This 200+ page soft-bound book is comprised of two sections, the COMPENDIUM, which features 12 lengthy articles of interest to collectors, and the DIRECTORY , which contains over 300 listings of toy soldier dealers, shops, makers, suppliers, auction houses and more in 17 different countries around the globe. Listings for the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and Uruguay are included.
The entire book is packed from cover to cover with black and white photos of figures and accessories as well as informative ads from world-wide suppliers to the hobby.
Compendium Highlights An extensive look at the future of Britains under new owners Ertl. In depth interviews with the management disclose their plans for this legendary range of figures as well as uncover some of the more recent activities leading to their purchase by Ertl. Composition Figures: Renown collector Jack Matthews (author of Toys Go To War) provides a historical overview of pre-war and post war composition figures including many figure photos from his personal collection (known to be one of the three most extensive in the world) "The History of Plastic Figures in the UK"- Paul Morehead, editor of the UK's Plastic Warrior Magazine traces the development of plastic figures in England from the very early years up till today. "Collecting Strategies"- K. Warren Mitchell lays out a solid strategy for collecting figures and shows plenty of examples with photos of figures "Six Great Ideas for Better Modeling, Casting and Painting"- editor Johnathan Crawford unveils tips from the pros on how to create better toy soldiers at home. "Thoughts on Collecting"- Dealer Jim Hillestad has assembled some of the best advice on collecting figures available anywhere. "Toy Soldiers on the Internet"- editor Crawford details buying and selling "cyber soldiers" on the Internet "Legends of the French Foreign Legion"- Douglas Porch, one of the world's leading authorities on the French Foreign Legion, uncovers the myths as well as the truths behind the Legion. American Made Plastic Figures- Joseph F. Saine has penned a brief history of plastic figures in post War America.
Also included are several other articles on Toy Soldier Band formations, How to Get Started in the Hobby, a short history of German-made Hyde figures, a profile of toy soldier maker Garibaldi plus book reviews, periodicals, and more. A special section called "The Photo Picture Pages" is a collection of photos of dealers, makers, and suppliers from around the world.
Directory Highlights Printed on yellow paper- just like the yellow pages. 17 countries, 300+ listings Pertinent information including address, phone, proprietor, catalog availability, credit cards accepted, hours of operation, as well as what products or services are sold Locator maps for toy soldier shops in the US and London
Latest and Best Toy Soldier Book today Johnathan Crawford has put together a comprehensive collection of articles on toy soldiers together with a large `yellow pages' directory of dealers, stores, manufacturers, suppliers and publications to make this book THE Toy Soldier Book to get hold of.
The best thing that I like is its `up to date', published late '98, it has an article that deal with "Cyber Soldiers on the Web" which, as you are reading this via the internet, it is most relevant to our hobby. The advertising and sales via Internet,together with the exhibitions of toy soldiers, such as my site, will come even more to the forefront into the next century.
The 220-page spiral bound book, contains articles which will provide the reader with much background into all aspects of our hobby. There one article from Jonathan on "Better Toy Soldier Modeling, Casting & Painting" which has help helped me with my painting, simple tips, but things that I hadn't thought about.
Both British and American plastics have historical articles that trace their rise in the 1950's and also Composition Figures are well covered in Jack Matthews pages covering Elastolin, Lionel, other manufacturers, types of figures and collecting hints. Heyde Figures also feature so this has been an awakening to me about this German manufacturer .
I really enjoyed reading the pages on "Getting Started", "So You Want To Collect" and "Thoughts On Collecting", they are most relevant to all of us who are collecting, What era should I specialise in? What type of figures? Should I only collect one particular country, corps, pose, or age. The possibilties are endless, but read these pages and hopefully you may be able to rationalise your collection, or make it bigger!
Britains is heading in a new direction, so you can meet the people who will be guiding it into 2000. There are interview with both the UK and USA staff so we can all get to know who is at the helm of the flagship of toy soldiers. I had not realised what had been going on behind the scenes but by reading the interviews you will appreciate the work that has and will be happening with the new releases of their figures.
They wide use of images that have been well placed into all the articles are most relevant to the text, and enhance the content. They say, "a picture is worth a thousand words", so you are getting quite a coverage of toy soldiers from all around the world. I found the advertising very useful and as it gives many contacts to follow up if you are searching for a particular type of soldier or manufacturer. The Photo Picture Page are a great addition, I can put face to names that I read about, maybe it's a bit of a rogues gallery, but I leave it to you to see and comment.
The extensive use of URLs and email addresses in the advertising has showed me how much the Internet is growing and it use in sales of toy soldiers. Many of the manufactures and suppliers and shops now have websites or email addresses. This means that you can sit in front of your computer and converse with the manufacturer, shop owner, or publisher and find out what is new, is it in stock, can you order it, all at the touch of a key pad. The comprehensive "Yellow Pages" Directory list not only dealers, stores and manufacturers, but also casting and suppliers, auction houses, restoration services and publications. They have been arranged by country, and classification, so it is very easy to check "Where is my closest supplier?", or "Who is the contact there?". One very useful page lists the time chart so you know what time to telephone, and includes the International Telephone County Codes (for those without email!)
What more can I say, "get out and buy one" and see for yourself.
I can recommend this book as a valuable resource to today's toy soldier collector.
Fantastic Everything a collector needs to know is in this book, and the price was a bargain.
Fantastic Everything a collector needs to know is in this book, and the price was a bargain.
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