Treasures Abound!

 “The suspense is Terrible… I hope it will last.”
- Willie Wonka

 

The O.G. of Wooden Wars!

Over the last few months or so, I've acquired or discovered some really cool toys, and want to share them with you- which of course is just a fancy way for me to show off.

I’m going to start out with props to these beautiful 19^th century wooden soldiers, that sold at auction recently.  Here’s the catalogue write up:

“A set of twelve early 19th century Folk-Art hand carved and painted wooden soldiers, each dressed in uniform wearing a black Shako cap with two ...

single white bands, cream coats, grey trousers with black boots, raised upon circular bases, each approximately 11cm high, stored in an oval bentwood box, the lid inscribed in black ink 'Soldiers Robert Lowe bought at Stockport August 29th 1820' (Faults) Provenance - the soldiers were bought at Stockport August 29th 1820 for Robert Lowe afterwards Lord Sherbrooke, lent by Mrs Chaworth-Musters, Annesley Park, Nottinghamshire. Robert Lowe, 1st Viscount of Sherbrooke was a pivotal figure who shaped British politics in the late 19th century. He held office under William Ewart Gladstone as Chancellor of the Exchequer and later as Home Secretary between 1873 - 1874. “

 

I think the going price for these fine lads was 6,000 pounds sterling.  And this is why I make my own Wooden Wars soldiers!  They are the Heirlooms of the future!

Stratego!

At the flea Market of Kublacon (the Khan of Cons)  I scored these beautiful complete sets of circa 1961 wooden Stratego game pieces.  I have a super fondness for this game, not only was it my first introduction to wargaming, but also the spring board to my first game design.  I was in 6^th grade and   bought a second stratego board (I already had one set) at a church bazaar for 50 Cents.  I raced home on my Huffy Moon buggy, complete with banana seat, sissy bar and ape hangers, and cut the board down the middle with a dull hacksaw.  Then, at my father’s suggestion and guidance, I cut one more square deeper using a utility knife and straight edge. Much better.

Adding the half of the board to my original, and creating a basic points system (the pieces already had values) I proceeded to build a mega Stratego. It was quite fun, even when my pals would spend a ton of money on bombs!

Not sure what I’ll do with the pieces yet. May make Jewelry out of them, or just add them to my current Stratego set!

Here’s some old school action comercial of Stratego. I still sing this jingle when playing"regular" wargames, much to the chagrin of my opponents.

Sail ho- Tiny Gems with rigging!

 My 5th rate English ship- image from J.White's blog

It should be no great shock that I love ships!  All periods, all kinds, if it floats and has gun ports, or can be used for boarding, or courting some lass, I’m loving it.  This particular Gem of a ship is a Langton miniatures 1/1200 scale 5th Rate English ship from the Anglo Dutch wars, built and painted by the extremely Talented Mr. J  White

Reading Mr. White’s blog , he commented that this fine specimen was a mistake order (he usually delves in Napoleonic period ships) so I reached out to see if she was for sale- and now she’s mine, sitting proudly on top of my computer monitor for me to gaze at daily.

You can find more of J. White’s awesomeness on his blog

I am always -always -always in awe of tiny ship builders, and have fond memories when I was very young,  of my father’s commercial fishermen mates attempting to teach me how to make ships in a bottle, and showing me the one’s they did.

There is another reason for this particular purchase. I am currently working on a secret project or two, ship related, and this fine 5^th rate is an inspiration to that end.

What do you have in your pocketesses?!

Okay- enough of my show and tell- who out there have scored anything or came across something cool or brilliant!