Note: Above pieces are not my work
As we move into the age of inexpensive 3D printers where virtually anyone who can use software can now produce a reasonably good "print" and make it available as a kit, we aren't fully there yet. A majority of producers still rely on the classic art of sculpture and the old method of casting, be it in metal or resin.
Today's sculptors and producers are truly among the best that have ever been. The detail that is now possible (sculpted or cast) is light years ahead of kits produced 10-20, 40 years ago. Just like anything else, time has made for better materials, better skills and thus better products.
20-40 years ago though, there were a number of producers that were truly the best then, and still stand up to today's standards. They also offered subject matter that for one reason or another, aren't produced as much today. Long out of production, occasionally these kits may pop up on ebay, or sadly when a collector passes on.
I love these kits and have managed to build my collection to have all of them in these catalogs. I don't typically sell them, because I intend to live to the age of 600 and eventually paint them, but from time to time I may come across a duplicate.
I am also happy to help identify kits within a collection and their approximate estimated current value. If you need help, just click here.
Today's sculptors and producers are truly among the best that have ever been. The detail that is now possible (sculpted or cast) is light years ahead of kits produced 10-20, 40 years ago. Just like anything else, time has made for better materials, better skills and thus better products.
20-40 years ago though, there were a number of producers that were truly the best then, and still stand up to today's standards. They also offered subject matter that for one reason or another, aren't produced as much today. Long out of production, occasionally these kits may pop up on ebay, or sadly when a collector passes on.
I love these kits and have managed to build my collection to have all of them in these catalogs. I don't typically sell them, because I intend to live to the age of 600 and eventually paint them, but from time to time I may come across a duplicate.
I am also happy to help identify kits within a collection and their approximate estimated current value. If you need help, just click here.
Vintage Figure catalogs
While doing research I came across this website from France that offers up PDF versions of vintage catalogs of many lines of figures that are no longer in production. A helpful tool if you also collect and come across some of these kits on ebay.
The main site is in French, but all catalogs are listed in their native language. This is a great reference and has a treasure trove of information on vintage kits. In time, I'll be building my own library of catalogs and scans - my goal is to make this page a one stop resource for modelers and collectors of vintage kits. |
Share your collection!
If you have a collection of vintage kits, and would like to share it, please email me photos and I'll add them to the page. If you have any information on the sculptors and manufacturers of days past please share it and I'll post it during updates.
Click on the logos below to be take to their pages