King & Country

DISPATCHES

OCTOBER 2005

 

            By the time you get this latest ‘DISPATCHESChicago will be just a happy memory. However, for what it’s worth, here are my thoughts and reflections on the show …

THE OLD TOY SOLDIER SHOW

TWENTY – FIVE GREAT YEARS!

CHICAGO 2005

       

        As I write this note right here in San Antonio, Texas the 25th Anniversary Show is but a memory … but what a memory!

        I arrived on the Wednesday (a day earlier than usual) and that allowed me plenty of time to set up my “mini displays” of upcoming product. A special thanks to Bill Moore for looking after and delivering two big K&C box loads of “goodies” ready for display.

        Almost immediately I began welcoming K&C dealers and collectors into my room to see and ‘hear’ what’s coming out in the next few months.

        During breaks in the “private viewings” I wandered the floors of the Hyatt marvelling at the variety and quality of what was on offer. In my view, over the 4 pre–show days there were more doors open than I’ve seen in recent years.

        At the same time more and more K&C fanatics and “toy soldier forum members” began arriving. At several points my room felt like “Grand Central Station” – but all in good fun. We had several late–night “jam” sessions as far as discussing K&C’s future plans and K&C in general.

 

SATURDAY NIGHT SYMPOSIUM

        On the evening of Saturday, Treefrog Treasures and Sierra Toy Soldiers hosted a little buffet supper gathering of dedicated K&C “diehards” at a restaurant near the Hyatt Regency. After the meal I gave a brief talk on K&C – its history, philosophy and general direction the company is going in.

        After that we opened it up for questions and had a frantic 45 minute “Q & A” on virtually all aspects of K&C and our products.

        The evening was a great success and we hope to repeat it next year.

 

“IT’S IN THE BAG”

        For this special 25th Anniversary Show K&C, in association with Don Pielin, the Show Organizer, produced a great (and useful) show “Giveaway” – a stylish black Shoulder Bag. On one side, big and bold, the show’s logo. The reverse displayed a strong and gutsy King & Country logo and “mission statement”.

        The response to the “special” was extra special. Everybody but everybody had to have the show special. It was our privilege to be associated with this great event and be able to help in a small sponsorship way.

 

        Should you go to CHICAGO? If you are seriously interested in collecting, buying or selling toy soldiers and military miniatures (plus a few Dimestores and assorted others) you simply must!

        Come on, jump in, the water is fine.

        See you in Chicago next year!

       

 

            Now, as usual, down to business …

 

1.          SO WHAT’S NEW?

A.         “FIELDS of BATTLE

As I wrote last month, ‘FIELDS of BATTLE’ is an attempt to go down the ‘less–travelled road’ as far as toy soldiers and military miniatures are concerned. I don’t expect it to have the sales appeal of Waffen SS or D.Day figures but I do believe it will appeal to the very serious collector who loves great quality and originality.

All nine of the first releases with their special packaging are available in October:

FOB001  General's AIDE-DE-CAMP

FOB002  French Officer Saluting

FOB003  Poilu Presenting Arms

FOB004  Poilu Marching

FOB005  British Naval Officer

FOB006  Marching Bren Gunner

FOB007  Marching (No Helmet) Tommy

FOB008  Standing British Tommy

FOB009  Char B1 bis (French Tank)

AVAILABILITY : EARLY OCTOBER

 

B.         BERLIN’ 38”

Our second big release in October are the latest additions to one of our most successful ranges ever – “BERLIN’ 38”.

This series featuring the black–clad ‘Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler’ on parade as well as SA Brownshirts, Hitler jugend and a whole desperate gang of Nazi ‘bigwigs’ is a sure–fire seller with collectors and dealers alike.

These newest pieces have a little something for everyone who is interested in pre war Germany

LAH57    Dr. Goebbels

LAH58    Marching Algemeine SS Man

LAH59    Marching Algemeine Officer

LAH60    Marching Algemeine w/ Standard

LAH61    Oath Taking Ceremony Set (3 figure + flag Leibstandarte SS)

LAH62    Taking the Oath (Single LAH figure)

LAH63    Wehrmacht Mounted Officer

LAH64    Wehrmacht Marching Officer

LAH65    Wehrmacht Marching Flagbearer

LAH66    Wehrmacht Marching Drummer

LAH67    Wehrmacht Marching Rifleman

AVAILABILITY : LATE OCTOBER

 

 

C.         “STREETS OF OLD HONG KONG

Five new additions to “Streets

HK137    Policeman with Martini Henry carbine standing on guard duty

HK138    Police Corporal with notebook taking notes

HK139    Policeman on Patrol. Chinese ‘Bobby’ on the beat.

HK141 The ‘New’ Street School A crusty, old teacher tries to impart some knowledge in 4 of his young pupils. Black board included.

HK142 Street Kids Two add–on figures of a pair of brothers having a little trouble with a bothersome rooster!

AVAILABILITY : EARLY OCTOBER

 

D.        “WINTER TIGER”

Since we announced the release of this very special ‘limited edition’ the response has been tremendous! Just a few pieces of these snow covered predators are remaining and I expect them to go pretty quickly!

            Check out the additional photos with this DISPATCHES’ showing the packaging and the special 4 page folder.

            AVAILABILITY : MID OCTOBER

 

E.         THE CHINESE IMPERIAL COLLECTION

Since the retirement of many of our earlier ‘Imperial Collection’ pieces we have been requested to produce redesigned and upgraded new pieces. Well, here they are in all their ‘Imperial Glory’.

            Six new sets based around the Imperial Court of the last Dowager Empress Ci–Xi. This lady ruled the ‘Middle Kingdom’ from 1865 till 1904 and presided over some of the most tumultuous events in Chinese history. Probably the most famous, in Western eyes, was the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.

            All six sets are beautifully sculpted and skillfully painted to represent this court and courtiers at the time of the 1900 Rebellion.

IC005 Peking Opera Set An operatic King and his favourite concubine – dramatic and colourful.

IC006 Opera Soldier A walk–on extra to complete the scene.

IC007 The Musician Set Four traditional Chinese Court Musicians playing their age–old instruments.

IC008 Dowager Empress Set Although physically feebled by age this ruler was still able to instill fear and awe in her court and subjects by her powerful personality and appetite for intrigue. Seated on her throne she is attended by her senior Court Eunuch.

IC009 Ladies–in–Waiting Two of the many ladies of the Imperial Chamber who served the many requests of the aging ruler.

IC010 Mandarin Set Three powerful Mandarins present petitions to the Empress accompanying them is their body guard.

AVAILABILITY : EARLY OCTOBER

 

COMING SOON

            At present we are working on a mini Chinese Opera Stage Set to go with the players. We hope to have this polystone accessory piece ready before Christmas.

 

F.          “HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS”

As dealers know every yuletide season K&C produce a Santa Claus figure …

Well this year is no different although our approach is a wee bit different …

            XM05-01 “Santa in a Jeep” is exactly that – Father Christmas, or rather a GI dressed up as Santa has exchanged his reindeer and sled for a Willys Jeep!

            The scene is December 1944 … a little besieged town in Belgium … the place is deserted except for a platoon of GI’s and an old priest looking after a dozen orphan kids.

            In the midst of battle the GI’s decide to give these kids the best Christmas they’ve ever had. All their extra rations plus a crate of Florida oranges and a case of Cola. A GI dressed up as Santa … another GI driver and a jeep called “White Christmas” make this a very special collector’s set with a military flavour.

            Only 600 sets have been produced.

            AVAILABILITY : LATE OCTOBER

 

2.          COMING SOON

A.         BASTOGNE” – The Americans

As promised here are the add–on sets for our “Battle of The Bulge” range.

Six sets with a “winter” theme and style that is very unique.

(i)                 BBA05 M21 HALFTRACK

This particular Halftrack (our 3rd K&C version) mounts an 81mm Mortar in the rear and comes with 3 full crew figures.

A slight winter dusting of snow adds to the already battle–weary finish.

(ii)       BBA06 “RETURNING PATROL”

Three greatcoat–clad GI’s return from a fighting patrol … with them a captured German prisoner.

(iii)     BBA07 “THE PRICE OF DECEPTION”

One of Otto Skorzeny’simitation” American GI’s faces a firing squad.

Two rifle firing MP’s take aim … an army padre looks on.

(iv)     BBA08 “WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING”

Another of Skorzeny’s deception plans … A German Stug III disguised with extra plates and paint as a ‘phoney’ US Tank Destroyer. 3 ‘imitation’ GI’s complete the set. Note the blue scarves.

(v)       BBA09 PACK HOWITZER SET

75mm Airborne Pack Howitzer firing over open sights. 3 paratroopers – cold and hungry, man the gun.

(vi)     BBA10 “WELCOME TO BASTOGNE

A grizzled, veteran 101 veteran of the battle greets a young replacement direct from the Depot. Between then a “BASTOGNE” road sign. A great little character set.

AVAILABILITY : EARLY NOVEMBER

 

B.         NOVEMBER NAPOLEONICS

A whole bunch of British and Allied Napoleonic releases for late November. Among them are:

NA67      Black Watch - Kneeling to Repel

NA68      Black Watch - Wounded Highlander

King’s German Legion Rifle Regiment

Very similar uniform and equipment to Britain’s own Rifle Brigade.

NA69      King's German Legion - Officer w/ Sword

NA70      King's German Legion - Sergeant Looking

NA71      King's German Legion - Standing Firing

NA72      King's German Legion - Kneeling Firing

NA73      King's German Legion - Kneeling Loading

NA74      King's German Legion - Moving Forward

NA75      King's German Legion - Skirmisher

NA76      King's German Legion - With Ramrod

And a special ‘Personality Figure’ …

NA77      His Excellency The Duke of Wellington mounted on his horse “Copenhagen

AVAILABILITY : LATE NOVEMBER / EARLY DECEMBER

 

 

C.         PANZER 1 Tank (LAH 68)

A little later than the rest of the LAH additions … LAH68 Panzer 1 Tank This little ‘tankette’ was used extensively early in WW2 but was also frequently seen in pre war parades in Germany. Model comes with half–body tank commander.

 

 

AVAILABILITY : EARLY / MID NOVEMBER

 

3.          BRITISH SHERMAN (DD65)

 

This British Edition Sherman is a one-off production only; stocks will be supplied on a “first come – first served” basis.

  

AVAILABILITY : MID FEBRUARY 2006

 

 

 

            Well that’s the story so far lots of goodies and, I hope, great sales!

            All the best.

Andy C. Neilson