The Metal Toy Soldiers of Wm. Hocker, Proprietor

Our Best Wishes for the New Year!

Here follows a list of resources that may be of use to the collector making a foray into the field. This list concentrates specifically on those resources pertinent to the collector of old or new "54mm" cast metal "toy" figures as distinct from other resources that deal with "military miniatures", "composition" and plastic figures or with larger scale "dimestore" cast metal figures. Additional suggestions for the list as well as corrections and dead/updated link notifications are quite welcome. Please email me.

Also a small disclaimer: the people and companies involved in the toy soldier world are an overwhelmingly conscientious and trustworthy lot; inclusion in this list, however, does not imply any guarantee to that effect. Please research independently those with whom you are dealing before any serious money changes hands.

Since the list is becoming a bit long you may want to jump rather than scroll to the following subjects: manufacturers, periodicals, books, associations, shows, collections/exhibits, do-it-yourself, shops, mail-order dealers, auctions, other link pages, related subjects, search engines.

modified 2 Jan 09



Manufacturers
of 54mm± cast metal toy soldiers and figures currently in production. Accessory makers (backdrops, vehicles, etc.) are listed at the end.
 
 

* Honorary member of the American Toy Soldier Maker's Guild (should you wish to collect the work of indigenous hands-on artisans of the craft.)

Grey text indicates gone (but not forgotten) members of the toy soldier community.
Accessories


Periodicals
The most necessary of resources containing information about makers, dealers, shows, books, auctions, articles and available goods.
Hardcopy Magazines:
On-line Periodicals:
On-line Articles:


Books
All have been useful at one point or another and many are absolutely necessary. Most, unfortunately, are probably out of print but may be available through their authors, dealers or at shows.

A much more extensive bibliography is available in the Fall 1998 issue of the Old Toy Soldier Journal.

Also see Brian Carrick's Books page for covers and brief descriptions of many of these books.
  • Stuart Asquith, The Collector's Guide to New Toy Soldiers, Argus Books, UK, 1991
  • Christian Blondieau:
    - Collection de CBG Mignot, Paris, Christian Blondieau, 1993
    -Petits Soldats, Paris, Christian Blondieau,1997
  • Bertel Bruun,The Confident Collector Toy Soldiers Identification and Price Guide, Avon Books, 1994 .
  • W. Y. Carmen, Model Soldiers, World Publishing Company, New York, 1972
  • Christie's South Kensington, The Britains Archive Post-Sale Edition, Christie's, UK, 1994
  • Peter Cowan, Toy Knights "The Other 100 Years War", UK, Roundtower Design, 2004
  • Johnathan Crawford, World Toy Soldier Directory and Compendium, Cullen & Coolidge Publishing, US,1998
  • John G. Garrett, Model Soldiers A Collector's Guide, Seeley Service & Co, UK,1959
  • Henry Harris, Model Soldiers, Octopus Books, UK, 1962
  • Jim Hillestad, A Guide to Collecting Toy Soldiers, The Toy Soldier
  • Peter Johnson, Toy Armies, B.T.Batsford Ltd., UK, 1981
  • Norman Joplin:
    -British Toy Figures, Arms & Armour Press, UK,1989
    -The Great Book of Hollow Cast Figures, New Cavendish Books, UK, 1993
    -Toy Soldiers, Courage Books, US, 1994
    -Toy Soldiers: The New Compact Study Guide and Identifier, 1996
    -Toy Soldiers Identifier, Apple Press, 1999
    -American Dimestore Toy Soldiers & Figures, Schiffer Publishing, 2000
    -Britains New Toy Soldiers 1973-Present, Schiffer Publishing, 2008
  • Norman Joplin & Philip Dean,
    -Britains Civilian Toy Figures, Schiffer Publishing, 2002
    -Hollow Cast Civilian Toy Figures, Schiffer Publishing, 2005
  • K. Cory Keeble, The Horourable Henry N. R. Jackman Collection of Toy Soldiers in the Royal Ontario Museum, ROM, 2002
  • Henry Kurtz & Burtt Ehrlich, The Art of the Toy Soldier, Abbeville Press, US, 1987. Henry Kurtz tel: 212-642-5904
  • Ian McKenzie, Collecting Toy Soldiers, 1975
  • Jean Nicollier, Collecting Toy Soldiers, Charles E. Tuttle, 1967
  • Richard O'Brien: 705 Greene St, Beaufort, SC 29902
    -Collecting Toy Soldiers No. 1, No. 2 & No. 3 An Identification and Value Guide, Books Americana, 1988, 1992, 1995
    -Collecting American Made Toy Soldiers, Identification and Value Guide, Books Americana, 1996
    -Collecting Foreign Made Toy Soldiers, Identification and Value Guide, Books Americana, 1997
  • James Opie:
    -Toy Soldiers, Shire Publications Ltd, UK, 1983
    -British Toy Soldiers 1893 to the Present, Arms and Armour Press, UK, 1985
    -Britains Toy Soldiers 1893-1932, Victor Gollancz Ltd, UK, 1985
    -Collecting Toy Soldiers, Collins Ltd, UK, 1987
    -Phillips Collectors Guides Toy Soldiers, Boxtree Ltd, UK, 1989
    -The Great Book of Britains, New Cavendish Books, UK, 1993
  • Dominique Pascal,
    -La Folie des Petits Soldats, Flammarion, Paris, 2001
    -Collectible Toy soldiers, Flammarion, Paris, 2003
  • Edouard Pemzec, Figurines et Soldats de Plomb, EPA, Paris?, 2001
  • Don Pielin, Norman Joplin, Verne Johnson, American Dimestore Toy Soldiers & Figures, Schiffer Publishing, US, 2000. Pielin email, Johnson email.
  • L. W. Richards, Old British Model Soldiers 1893-1918, Arms and Armour Press, UK, 1970
  • Hans Henning Roer, Old German Toy Soldiers, Palagonia Verlag, UK, 1993
  • Andrew Rose, The Collector's All-colour Guide to Toy Soldiers, Random House, US, 1997
  • Richard Scholl, Toy Soldiers: A Century of International Miniatures, Courage Books, 2004
  • Joe Wallis: PO Box 3407, Arlington VA 22203
    -Regiments of All Nations Britains Ltd. Lead Soldiers 1946-66, Joe Wallis, US, 1981
    -Armies of the World Britiains Ltd. Lead Soldiers 1925-1941, Joe Wallis, US, 1993
  • H. G. Wells, Little Wars, Da Capo Press, US, 1977 (first published 1913)
Bookshops:
Software:
  • Digital Barracks (Wintel collector's database), Jay Knox, Knox Data, email


Associations
On-line Forums:


Shows
There are now almost 2 shows going on somewhere every weekend of the year. For additional shows and exact show dates you might try (although not always up to date):

 

* Shows I will be attending in 2009

US:
  • Michigan Toy Soldier and Figure Show, MI, 1 day each in mid Jan and mid Jul, Rick Berry,
  • Kiawah Toy Soldier Show, Kiawah Island SC, 1 day in late Jan, Jack Matthews, email
  • Florida Toy Soldier & Figure Show, West Palm Beach FL, 1 day in early Feb
  • The West Coaster*, Costa Mesa CA, 3-4 days in early Mar
  • Charleston Toy Soldier Show, SC, 1 day in mid Mar, Marv Pontiff, email
  • New Jersey Toy Soldier & Sale, Shutzen Park NJ, 1 day in mid Mar, Ed Gries, tel: 201-342-6475
  • The Indianapolis Toy Soldier Show, Indianapolis IN, 1 day in late Mar, Barry Carter, email
  • Northeast Toy Soldier Society Show, Dedham, MA, 2 shows 1 day each in mid Apr and mid Oct, Arley L. Pett
  • MFCA Show and Mart, venue TBA, 2 days in early/mid May, Dennis Levy, tel: 865-665-8909
  • Jim Hillestad's Open House, Paradise, PA, 1 day each in late May and early Nov.
  • Ohio Toy Soldier Show & Sale, Richfield OH, 1 day in mid May, Doug McClure, email
  • Heart of the South Show, Annandale VA, 1 day in early Dec, Ed Gries, tel: 201-342-6475
  • Southeastern Toy Soldier Show, Columbia SC, 1 day in mid Aug, Dennis Fontana, tel: 803-419-7647
  • Annapolis Toy Soldier Show, Annapolis MD, 1 day in early Jul, Dick Sossi, email
  • Big-D Super Collectors Show, Dallas TX, 3 days in mid Jul, Don Maris, email
  • Chicago Toy Soldier Show * ( formerly the OTSN Show), Schaumberg IL, 4-5 days in late Sep, Don Pielin
  • East Coast Toy Soldier Show, Hackensack NJ, 1 day in early Nov, Bill Lango.
  • Pennsylvania Toy Soldier Show, Langhome PA, 1 day in mid Nov, Ed Gries, tel: 201-342-6475
International:


Collections/Exhibits
Museums:
On-line Galleries & Collections:


Do It Yourself
A craftsperson as well as collector? Some sources for castings, molds and knowhow.
Unpainted castings:
Molds & Materials:
Online Knowhow:
My Own Materials & Suppliers:
  • Mold Rubber: Dow-Corning 3120 RTV (red) with type S catalyst. Source: K. R. Anderson, Santa Clara CA
  • Metal: Fry Metals "Aquaclean" (96% Sn, 3% Bi, .5% Ag, .5% Cu) and spin casting equipment. Source: Conquest Industries, Sante Fe Springs CA
  • Boxes: custom rigid set-up (1000 min order). Source: Brimar Packaging, Avon OH
  • Paint: Testors gloss enamels. Source: HobbyLinc.com, Atlanta, GA
  • Melting Pot: Waage MP 20A ($375). Source: Waage Electric, Kenilworth NJ


Shops
'Bricks and mortar' purveyors for those that want to see and feel the real thing before buying. Most are also mail order vendors.
US & Canada
UK & Abroad


Mail Order Dealers
in old and new goods. All are principally mail order, internet and/or show vendors although some may also have "by appointment" shops.


Auction Houses
Upcoming auctions are occasionally noted on the show calendars above.
On-line Auctions:


Other Resource Pages
Link collections similar to this one related to ± 54mm metal figures.


Related Subjects
Contacts or link pages for other types of toy soldiers and toy soldier paraphernalia.


And finally...
the only search engine necessary,
searching on "toy soldiers".

Since 1983