Once in the studio, Michael was rapt at being surrounded by zillions of soldiers filling shelves and surfaces. He had plenty of questions especially about my home-made pewter soldiers. By the time we got back up to the house he had a new interest and I had a Toy Soldiers Forever! ammo chest for him filled with BMC figures. he was off and running setting up his own battles.
With each scenario he'd ask Susan or I which battle it looked like. "Malvern Hill" I'd say, "because the Yankees have all the cannons and they're on the high ground." It quickly became clear to him that there was some method, as well as history involved. He was really having a very good time.
He'd ask our opinion of his various scenarios and wanted to preserve them in pictures.
Later that afternoon Susan brought him out to Antietam and with my employee discount I was able to load him up with the BMC/Americana Dunker Church and Burnside Bridge, both of which come with more soldiers. He got loaded up with reinforcements and I got off really cheap!
Seems to me the hobby continues in new and enthusiastic hands.
Reminds me of another nine-year-old...
some fifty years ago.
Soldier On!
Mannie
Glad to hear you are passing on your enthusiasm - keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteMannie,
ReplyDeleteAnother fun post.
My two kids didn't get the soldier bug. My son only wanted "frrucks" (Trucks) and is now a car buff. My daughter of course only wanted girly stuff. At least both of them left my soldier shelves alone even as toddlers.
I had the soldier LEGOS with an 1812 army and a Civil War army that went on eBay last summer. A hard drive crash lost all the photos of them.
It is great to see a kid playing with something that doesn't have a joystick controller or take batteries. My BMC sets were purchased so I could play with my boys without risking my old Marx figures. But the boys are off to college. Guess the brave men of BMC will have to wait for the next generation.
ReplyDeleteHey everyone, I just started following this blog. I think it is great what you are doing. I have my 8 year old and my 11 year old into toy soldiers quite a bit. I paint them up and stuff, and they really enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI used to mostly have green army men and plastic dinosaurs (perfect mix) as a kid. Now I see so many "kits" on the market. Very cool!
Did you notice the paragon guidon with kepi has a bugle and not crossed sabres on his kepi? How did that happen?
ReplyDelete