Pages

▼

Wednesday, 20 June 2018

A confession

A few days ago, Mark called for a chat and one of the things he mentioned was whether I’d seen that someone paid £26 for five Hinton Hunt Old Guard Horse Artillerymen on eBay. Caught on the hop (and not wanting to appear like an idiot) I didn’t admit that it was actually me. Not strictly me I suppose as it was Mrs S bidding for my birthday, but I was the one who increased the bid from a sensible(!) £2 per figure to the outlandish £5.20 each I paid.

Now I’ve stayed clear of eBay for quite a few years because I still have way too many figures waiting to paint and these days I tend to acquire stuff through swops or privately or ideally not at all. However, I really wanted to have another Guard Horse Artillery battery and all the usual channels had run dry and there they were beckoning at me, and it was my birthday after all.

They are very nice castings (no honestly, they are) but that really is it for French artillery now!
at

16 comments:

  1. Rob20 June 2018 at 20:51

    They do look like they'll paint up a treat and if that's what you wanted then it's worth it - I've never regretted being bid up but I have regretted chickening out and losing the auction.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Good Soldier Svjek20 June 2018 at 21:06

    Confession is I'm told good for the soul , sometimes the need outweighs the money .

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ross Mac rmacfa@gmail.com20 June 2018 at 21:16

    A wise man knows when the time has come to be bold and strike!

    and just think how pleased your wife must be to have gotten you something you really wanted for your BD! Happy birthday btw.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Matt20 June 2018 at 21:44

    Sometimes a little extravagance is permissable and they are the Guard after all.Plus more Silesian Landwehr in the background - two Death Star units or are you beefing them up?

    ReplyDelete
  5. WSTKS-FM Worldwide20 June 2018 at 22:17

    And why not? They belong on your table once painted. Birthday or not.

    Best Regards,

    Stokes

    ReplyDelete
  6. Stryker20 June 2018 at 23:01

    Thanks chaps - I feel better already!

    Matt - this is a second Death Star unit, one was just not enough!

    ReplyDelete
  7. KEV. Robertson.21 June 2018 at 00:04

    Ian- Happy Birthday- and a great present from your Lady too. e-Bay is at times a very compulsive activity - I know that I've paid outrageous prices for items-especially from overseas- though my excuse is that what I've bought are indeed 'Rare' items and hard to find items...The Artillery Crew will look just great for your Collection. Cheers. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Captain Nolan21 June 2018 at 03:36

    Would you rather have had an unmemorable meal somewhere? These figures will be with you for a lifetime.

    The cost of these figures would hardly buy a handful of buttons for the Queen's Royal Horse Artillery Troop, and you got an entire troop of Napoleonic Guard Horse Artillerists for that price. A bargain at half the price. Once painted they will easily be worth 25 pounds!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mark Dudley21 June 2018 at 06:56

    I was surprised how much they went for however they have gone to a good home.

    They look to have never been painted and deserve to receive their uniforms.

    Have you decided on the artillery piece your are going to use with them - a hinchcliffe one perhaps.

    ReplyDelete
  10. lewisgunner21 June 2018 at 08:06

    Don't feel guilt...the purpose of the auction is to establish 'true value' and that is the most that anyone will pay for the lot in question. You got something rare and precious and it was worth it. Fact is that original clean HH are rare and precious and command those prices. Many times people have paid as much for figures of less beauty . Moreover you have enhanced them with your magic brush.
    So Enjoy! Bask in the friendly envy of your mates
    Roy

    ReplyDelete
  11. MSFoy21 June 2018 at 10:48

    I think it's really good to talk honestly about doing this sort of thing. Actually doing it is dumb, of course, as we all remember each time we do it, but talking about it is very healthy. Your crew will be a lasting treasure when painted up, I have no doubt, so enjoy them!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Aly Morrison21 June 2018 at 22:02

    So... you paid the price of four or five pints of beer in a trendy up town craft beer establishment... an exercise although enjoyable will only end in your purchase going down the toilet... one way or another.....;-)

    Unless you are extraordinarily careless the Imperial Guard Artillery should last a lot longer ... an excellent purchase and happy birthday.

    All the best. Aly

    ReplyDelete
  13. Stryker21 June 2018 at 22:36

    Thanks all - seems i have struck a chord with this post!

    Aly - mental note don't take the Old Guard into the loo!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wellington Man22 June 2018 at 11:10

    If it's a rare and special thing, then paying a bit too much is OK, or at least that's what try to tell myself. It's actually more damaging to one's soul to pay too little, don't you think?

    As you say, the main thing is to try keep a lid on rate of acquisitions.

    All the best
    WM

    ReplyDelete
  15. The Archduke23 June 2018 at 08:54

    Happy birthday indeed, Ian. I think Mrs S got a bargain. The Archduchess has never hesitated to invest our future on similar eBay bargains. It would be fascinating to know the market effect of HH widows on HH chaps on eBay... Look forward to seeing these lads in their new glory, courtesy of your brush.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wargamer Stu30 June 2018 at 19:56

    Bad luck - I know someone who's young son bought a £200 netbook on ebay by mistake and the person involved was not willing to overlook the purchase, shame.

    ReplyDelete