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About the
hobby
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Collectors attribute the beginning of the hobby's current
boom to the Phillips of
London 1977 sale of Douglas Fairbanks Jr., 3,000 piece
collection. A well known
actor whose lifelong passion was collecting toy soldiers,
the Fairbanks sale was a
highly publicized event which realized the princely sum of
$16,000. Remarkable at
that time, by now regarded practically a give-a-way.
But it was Phillips 1984
sale of London Surgeon John Hanington's collection that
sold
for $300,000, much of it to Malcolm Forbes, and the
resulting favorable press generated over Forbes' newly
acquired army that was credited for the triumphant march of
toy soldiers into the mainstream collectible arena.
Both Fairbanks and Forbes
personal prestige, a new focus on value, and the fresh
mantle of credibility and respectability they bestowed on
toy soldiers have changed the hobby forever.
Prices of toy soldiers have appreciated significantly over
the past few years. But for
many collectors it's not the possible price appreciation,
instead it's the nostalgia of
owning a link to their childhood and the thrill of
displaying toy soldiers in a realistic
setting.
When compared to other collectibles toy soldiers are an
affordable passion, and while
some may think of toy soldiers as investments, people
should collect them because
they like them, only then will they really enjoy their
collections regardless of what
happens to the price market.
Some tips on collecting new
toy soldiers
Never discard your figure's packaging and boxes. Should
you ever want to sell your
collection, figures in their original boxes bring highest
resale prices!
Displaying your figures is easy. Just a few single figures
placed in an informal group
make attractive diorama. Place larger sets on your shelves
propped up against the wall.
Large plate stands are ideal for displaying your limited
edition sets in their original
boxes.
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