Small Wonders: 2023 Chicago Toy Soldier Show
Chicago Toy Soldier Show is a scaled-down wonderland.
For perhaps as long as there have been collectors of militaria, and possibly even longer, there have been collectors of toy soldiers. The two hobbies certainly overlap, and these miniatures remain a way for those with an interest in military history to appreciate the past.
Though today video games are far more popular with kids today than toy soldiers, the organizers of the Chicago Toy Soldier Show don’t see that as a problem. In fact, they told Military Trader & Vehicles that video games could best be seen as a gateway to collecting toy soldiers, and we know that could be the first step to militaria.
“Video games are really just a virtual form of toy soldiers,” lifelong toy soldier collector and former Chicago Toy Soldier Show organizer Roger Garfield added. “We’ve just changed the way we play with the toy soldiers.”
Though the show, which was held at the end of September at the Schaumburg Marriot Hotel just a stone’s throw from O’Hare International Airport, had far more adults (big kids) than actual children in attendance, Matt Murphy, the show’s organizer and owner of the Massachusetts’ based Hobby Bunker, said there are more young people collecting toy soldiers.
“What is amazing is that thanks to those video games kids today know the weapons, the vehicles and even the equipment from those games. Toy soldiers give them a way to then experience it beyond the screen,” Murphy said.
That point was reinforced by Ericka Osen, who in 2016 with her husband Ken purchased W. Britain, arguably the most famous toy soldier company in the world. The celebrated company, which was originally founded in 1893, is clearly in good hands as Ken Osen now oversees all of the research, master sculpting, master painting and master molding — while relying on an elite group of contractors.
Once they were playthings – now they’re high-value collectibles
Though many of these soldiers are meant more for the shelf than the floor, Ericka Osen explains noted once again video games are helping inspire another generation of collector. “We are finding that there are more kids collecting than we saw just 10 years ago,” she added. “The kids today are what we would describe as a much more educated customer!”
While some kids – and plenty of adults – may still prefer the game controller, strolling the aisles of the Chicago Toy Soldier Show was like taking a trip back in time, when “battles” were fought on the floor of the living room rather than on a screen.
It was easy to see how this show has become akin to the Show Of Shows or MVPA Convention – albeit on a bit of a smaller scale. The passion from the collectors is there, and from the moment the show opened, the hunt was on for deals and a chance to find that elusive item. And for those who may not be able to afford a Flak 88mm gun or tank, there are always the scale options!
Peter Suciu is a freelance journalist and when he isn't writing about militaria you can find him covering topics such as cybersecurity, social media and streaming TV services for Forbes, TechNewsWorld and ClearanceJobs. He is the author of several books on military hats and helmets including the 2019 title, A Gallery of Military Headdress. Email him and he'd happily sell you a copy!
