My recent reviews of my armies has moved on to a rationalisation process that examined my figure holdings compared to what I really need. I was somewhat shocked at what I discovered.
Now, I have been collecting soldiers since the late 1960s and have accumulated a wide variety in significant numbers. One reason for this is that I simply like toy soldiers and really enjoy painting them but as a wargamer there are far more than I need. I worked out that I had five French 25mm napoleonic armies; a Minifig, a Minifig S Range, Prince August, Warrior and Ros Figures. I decided to shed three, leaving one for the Penisular War and the other for more general conflict.
I did the same for my British armies shedding an almost equal number. In addition I rid myself of a large Austrian and a Russian army. My collection of 1/72 plastic tanks and vehicles has gone (to a very good home) as well as Minifig Roman and Barbarian armies. In all I have reduced my holdings by about 3000 figures both painted and unpainted.
The decision to do this was not taken lightly and I really loved many of those collections, but they would never all be used and the lead mountain is now just a large hill.
This process has been very time consuming, but I am nearing the end of it and I look forward to spending more time on the remaining armies, which remain quite large.
I have a Warrior British army and another made up of Ros figures, a Ros Prussian Army, French armies by Ros and Warrior, Minifigs S Range Russian and Austrians, as well as a Bavarian force. I also still have my Ros Prussian. Plenty to keep me busy!
I look forward to getting back to painting and gaming.
It's good to have a collection of unpainted figures to have a go at when the mood takes us .
ReplyDeleteI agree, and I have plenty to keep me going, probably for the rest of my life!
DeleteI have realised that the lead mountain probably exceeds my painting and gaming years and the trick of boxing up figures until I have time is wearing a little thin! I salute your bravery/honesty.
ReplyDelete