"Historicon Thanks from ATKM" Topic

Hey, folks. This is Ken Cliffe from All the King's Men Toy Soldiers. I just want to thank everyone who came by the booth to chat and check out our 54mm playset and wargame, Washington's Victory. It was a great show. We were in the annex "dungeon" as newcomers this year, but I look forward to being in the big room next year. I can't tell you how many demo games took place at the booth, and I lost all but one! Even my wife whooped me!

Sorry I missed you guys. I was only up Sunday and only made the main exhibitor floor room. I never got up to the balcony either! Will we see you at Fall In! ?
VR
James Mattes
Co-Director
Fall In! 2007

Hey, James! Sorry we missed you too! We were sequestered to the annex, which I believe many people missed. I'm told we get to set up in the big area next year. I don't anticipate being able to make Fall In. We're slated to go to the Columbia toy soldier show in SC August 11, and the big OTSN show in Chicago the week leading up to 9/23. You able to make either of those?

Ken

Ken,

I thought that your figures were absolutely fantastic with incredible prices. I haven't made the jump to 54mm but I am seriously considering it.

Thanks for the compliments, Rdfraf. I'm pleased to be able to represent the scale. Come over to the dark side! You get cool powers…

Ken

Hi Ken,
I'm glad that the show went well for you. And I hope Dave didn't cause you too much trouble. (He was the one guy you beat, wasn't he?)

Do you have plans to produce thoxe figures in plastic?

thoxe = Ancient Greek for "those". At least, that's the story I'm sticking with.

Ken: where is the OTSN show being held in Chicago? Is it still in Schaumburg? which hotel? That is in my neck of the woods and I'd like to drop in for a visit when you are there so that I can see your 18th century range of figures.

Jim,

The show is in September in Schaumburg. It is in the Hilton or Hyatt on Golf Road just on the other side of Woodfield Mall. I go every year to the pre show days in the hotel rooms.

Michael S Cosentino

Saw your stuff. VERY good stuff and the prices made me look twice! Seriously folks, you should check this stuff out.
Ed

Thanks for all the kind words, guys!

Andy: Good to hear from you again!It's been a while! Unfortunately, we never got a chance to play any games with Dave. We just drank and smoked cigars together! I am working on plastic figures, but it's still very much a work in progress. I don't want to ever say "Yes, they're available" until I actually hold them all in hand.

Fritz: Yes, the OTSN show is in Schaumburg again, at the Hyatt on Golf Rd, as Michael says. The cool part is, dealers show up as early as Wednesday and sell from their rooms. We'll be there as of Thursday, I believe, with hotel room open. I don't know yet what room we'll be in, but it will be on the 4th or 5th floor. The show proper is held in the lobby on Sunday, 9/23. That means we'll be open for business on the 20th or so. Come on out! It'd be great to meet you and all other TMP members. This toy soldier show is freaking amazing!

Ed: Thanks for checking us out in PA. Glad you liked what you saw!

Ken

I couldn't make Historicon, but as compensation I ordered some of Ken's prepainted figures. Ken shipped them to me before the con and I can confirm that they are excellent figures.

You should all try 54mm gaming, it works and it looks great.

Bill

I had heard that a lot of wheelin' and dealin' goes on among the dealers in their rooms. Can the public just walk in and buy toys or do they have to wait until Sunday? I definitely plan to attend this year.

Fritz,

I would say that most activity done in Chicago's room selling is to customers. Yes, vendors will do deals among themselves, but customers are the focus. It's odd to just stride into someone else's hotel room, but you get used to it quickly. You'll knock the first couple times and then just waltz in thereafter. The general rule of thumb is if a vendor's door is closed, he's not in business at that time.

IIRC, there's a $10 USD fee to attend the Sunday show. You can wander the hotel rooms for free preceding that. Some vendors attend the Sunday aspect only, but most are available days in advance.

Sounds odd going from room to room, but if that is the way business is done, then so be it. Hope to see you there.

Yeah, I can just imagine walking in on someone: "I'm here for 54mm figu--whoops, sorry miss. That's OK, keep dressing, I'll wait."

Oh that your vision for the show were only true, Chris! More likely, you'd walk in on one of us lumpy-shaped guys -- and he might demand to take his time!

Strolling right into someone else's room is an odd experience at first, but you get used to it before long -- especially when there's promise of unknown toy soldier delights beyond.

And it's only a total toy soldier geek (I include myself here) who would be dreaming of a "promise of unknown toy soldier delights" than a promise of any other kind of delights.

I've always felt that toy soldier geeks are the most faithful of husbands--why the hell would we waste time, money, and energy on anything else?

I have started painting a few of the soldiers I picked up at Historicon; I bought 2 packages of Continentals, 1 of Riflemen, 1 of Grenadiers 1 of Fusiliers and 1 of Jagers. As soon as I get a few painted I'll post them to my blog, they look great and are reasonably clean of flash.

The Continentals could easily be painted as British hatmen; although it would be nice to see a variant in breeches, stockings and low gaiters!

Ken has hinted that the War of 1812 maybe next, I would ask that you finish this line first or get it close to complete before moving in a different direction. I suspect I'll buy the 1812 range also if the price stays reasonable and I have some confidence in the ranges being completed.

Great job Ken, I'll be sending you an email about upgrading my units to 24-36 man Regts soon!

Donald~