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Post by Theobald on Feb 18, 2007 14:58:01 GMT
Because in the early spring 2008 there will be an anniversary of some kind I decided to start this thread. This should be about collecting ideas for an anniversary-figure. It should be a bit outstanding but typical of Mithril releases What could it be like You might think about size, finish and character ... Of course, you say that there's plenty of time until then ... but I think not for those who in the end will be made responsible for doing or not-doing. So, come on, please ... go! (I will restrict my idea not to influence this thread in any kind)
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Post by aelfwine on Feb 22, 2007 18:12:00 GMT
Well, Mithril miniatures has always been branded as a 32 mm, highly detailed, undercoated range. Sure there's a bunch which are not undercoated, and a bunch which are 54mm, but the point still stands. So the resulting figure should be a 32mm undercoated creation. I was thinking of an individual figure - Galadriel, with a pose inspired by the cover of the old ICE Lorien module. comme ca: www.icewebring.com/ICE_Products/M1/M1_3200_Lorien.phpAnother option which suddenly zipped into my mind (it happens, sorry) would be something bigger - perhaps a White Council vignette piece, or even a short series. Galadriel, Elrond, Radagast, Erestor, Saruman, Galdor, Cirdan, Gandalf and whomever else might be around. Some are sitting, some are standing, all are tense, intense and focussed. Some are weary, some are despairing...and some are plotting. Gavin
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Post by twrich on Feb 22, 2007 18:56:52 GMT
I agree that Mithril is know for it's 32mm, and a 20th Anniversary piece compatible with the main ranges of figures is most desirable, and most likely to meet with commercial success. In my opinion, though, a single figure just wouldn't due the event justice, and yet a massive vignette, although cool (say the dwarves, Gandalf and Bilbo at Bag End, or the Counsel at Rivendell), would probably be too expensive, either for us to buy, or for Mithril to give away to loyal customers (not sure of their plans, but they are a very generous bunch!).
So I suggest what I think is the defining moment in the entire LOTR: Gollum and Frodo, on the interior precipice over the fires of Mount Doom. Frodo is kneeling, holding his hand before his eyes with the missing ring-finger. Gollum is dancing on the edge with the One Ring held aloft. Sam is at the other side of the raised ridge which represents the precipice (maybe two to three inches in length) posed as though sprinting toward his master.
The part about Gollum was a previous monthly suggestion. And myself or someone else certainly might suggest this as a vignette before any decisions are made by Mithril about the upcoming 20th Anniversary. But if it is still unproduced by the time a decision is made, it would be great to have it as a special production.
What do you all think? --twrich
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Post by ddaines on Feb 22, 2007 23:07:57 GMT
I'll throw in the suggestion of Sauron in fairer form having just forged the One Ring and holding it aloft - The Lord of the Rings. I envisage Sauron at a scale midway between 32mm and 54mm, with sweeping robes and mounted on a base with Mithril 20th Anniversary engraved - possibly a small work anvil or similar could be included. I know this idea may not gain favour as mentioned on other forums due to CT's reluctance to delve too deep into Sauron's description, but whatever choice is decided on (if any) I think a single figure of any kind may keep things simple
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Post by Theobald on Feb 23, 2007 18:16:01 GMT
Thank you all for reacting to this thread so far As I said before, I won't comment on any suggestions or entries here. I just want to point out that this matter is about a 'figure'. This means it cannot be a range or series nor a vignette. There has never been a Christmas vignette, as far as I know. ... or even a Christmas army ... What I want to make clear is that this is about a single figure. If I got it right. It should be a 'special production', as twrich wrote Keep on thinking, please
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Post by Gildor on Feb 24, 2007 0:08:41 GMT
I think the figurine should capture the "spirit" of what Mithril is... for example, when the fellowship was born, the introduction figurine was Celebrimbor... it was heavy with meaning.. A talented craftman, a jeweler, whose fate is closely linked to the main tolkien theme (that can be exploited under licence) I mean : "the rings" for a 20th anniversary many factors should be taken in consideration : -Galadriel is often used in the mithril range, to introduce a range...(it was the case for the M range, and was almost the case for the gold fellowship (MS423b) -Celebrimbor (see above) -Gandalf (introduces LR and LO ranges)
all these guys are good, now it could be an evil guy. The idea of Sauron in Orodruin forging the One Ring is actually a good one but we have no real idea of Sauron's form at the time of the forging, but assuming he was often seen among the "jeweler smiths" and Celebrimbor as a fair elf he could assume this form with an evil look (or better, in a hooded dark robe clad in "black with glowing red eyes" (that's how he is mentionned by Tolkien in Barad-Dur during the 2nd Age without more details) , but not in rags like a nazgul something more "regal" and mystic I imagine a perfect "symetry" in the position between celebrimbor (which is represented like the illustration by Angus McBride) and Sauron with his Ring, like in a deforming mirror... that would quite beautiful I think. but I doubt Chris would like to make this kind of Sauron (but who knows, after all, the Annatar idea has not been rejected this month...)
Another little figurine simplier, would be Bilbo, in the goblin caves.. at the precise moment when he found the ring on the ground... This moment is THE event that changed the destiny of Middle Earth...
still the idea of a "sauron as the symetry of celebrimbor" is the strongest image and meaning for mithril, for collector and symbolic in the life of the enterprise that I could see...and the title for this figurine would be strong : "MXXX : Sauron, Lord of the Rings" !!! Simply put
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2007 15:56:14 GMT
I like the idea of a multi-part vignette, say The Council of Elrond. Each piece could be standalone, but designed to complement each other as a Vignette. As a centerpiece we could have Frodo holding up the one ring for all to see,
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Post by savage727 on Feb 27, 2007 23:19:14 GMT
Outstanding idea to start this thread Theobald! I really like Gildor's suggestion: Another little figurine simplier, would be Bilbo, in the goblin caves.. at the precise moment when he found the ring on the ground... This moment is THE event that changed the destiny of Middle Earth... I think this would make a wonderful 20th Anniversary figure.
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Post by Axel on Mar 19, 2007 21:11:15 GMT
I just suggested the first meeting of Bilbo and Gandalf as a fellowship mini, but I can imagine that it would make a great anniversary vignette if accompanied by a resin terrain piece, like the following: theminiaturespage.com/news/pics/2006/jan/21277b.jpgThats a WWI version of the Hasslefree "Kindred" (halfling soldiers modelled after British WWI units). Something along that line with the REAL Bagend would make my day, even my anniversary to be exact... It would mean to venture into the new area of resin terrain for Mithril, and I am not sure how far their license and enterprise goes. One can, however, hope.
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Post by ddaines on Mar 19, 2007 22:25:46 GMT
That looks like a quaint little scene there Axel. The idea of Gandalf and Bilbo as The anniversary 'set' is a very valid suggestion and is I suppose the first introduction most of us had to professor T's works, so perhaps it would be a fitting subject to suggest. Mithril did originally make the base of the Nazgul and Eowyn in resin although my second copy this was metal, so I wonder if there is a reluctance or difficulty for the use of resin, but yes, a part of Bag-End would round it off nicely.
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Post by andruen on May 25, 2007 14:06:19 GMT
My suggestion would be something VERY mithril - such as the gifting of the mithril breastplate by Bilbo to Frodo in Rivendell before the epic adventure really started. This would have the feel of a vignette, but would not be too heavy (or expensive).
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Post by estel on May 31, 2007 9:49:01 GMT
Mae Govannen, just a "lightning" idea: What about re-releasing of M16 female Ranger ::)or the release of the Isengart Army Box Set as blisters like the Lossarnach fiefdom army? The Isengard Army could be very successful in a economic sense. As I said, just some ideas. namarie ESTEL
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Post by Michael O'Brien on May 31, 2007 10:41:43 GMT
We will not re-release M16. We have a female ranger in the fellowship series if collectors want that character. We will not release the Isengard army box set due to license issues with T.E. (wargaming). Selling them as individual blisters would not be enough to solve that issue. We are currently seeking a way to release soldiers in a manner that will not upset T.E. or more accurately GW.
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Post by estel on Jun 4, 2007 6:22:18 GMT
Good Morning Michael, well it was more a funny suggestion to re-release the M16 (which I personaly never ever will get as it is to expensive to collect it) and defintily not e real suggestion- sorry for that. For the never relased Isengart range it is bad news and sad ones :'(as this figures are very nice and so much Tolkien- like. I would say, that you can use almost ALL miniatures for wargaming purposes. I saw some Mithril miniatures characters figures put on square bases for that purpose. Looking at the figures Mithril produces one can see, that they are not made in prior to "play" with them but that they are true collectors items for us old men and women. ;D KRGDS and best wishes to Eire We will keep faith with you and support Mithril not this "Empire enterprise" We will not re-release M16. We have a female ranger in the fellowship series if collectors want that character. We will not release the Isengard army box set due to license issues with T.E. (wargaming). Selling them as individual blisters would not be enough to solve that issue. We are currently seeking a way to release soldiers in a manner that will not upset T.E. or more accurately GW.
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Post by Halbarad II. on Jun 12, 2007 15:17:31 GMT
Hi
I like the suggestion with the mithril metal related theme. How about a little vignette like Bilbo giving the Mithril shirt (fully visible) together with Sting to Frodo in Rivendell.
Another idea is a little vignette with at least 2 to 3 dwarves mining the precíous metal at the mithril vein in Khazad-Dum.
Cheers, Hwolf
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Jun 13, 2007 10:05:12 GMT
My suggestion would be something VERY mithril - such as the gifting of the mithril breastplate by Bilbo to Frodo in Rivendell before the epic adventure really started. This would have the feel of a vignette, but would not be too heavy (or expensive). I think that idea is very suitable indeed, and would be ideal for the occassion.
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Post by twrich on Jun 25, 2007 6:56:26 GMT
andruen, I think the gifting of the Mithril coat to Frodo by Bilbo is an excellent idea for a twenty year anniversary piece (and karma for the suggestion). Adding Sting would be appropriate as they were given together, Sting first. And Michael, stating the this is a "suitable" idea is brilliant!
I hope no one minds if I speculate on how it might look.
The text doesn't say whether they were standing or seated before Bilbo help put the mail and Sting on Frodo, but I imagine they could be seated in the type of full-backed chairs that have been used for pieces based in Rivendell in the past, with a small table between them.
Sting could be laying on the table, next to cups of tea, while the seated hobbits leaned toward each other, with Bilbo holding out the Mithril mail. In Tolkien's writings, Bilbo pulled a wooden box from under his bed, producing Frodo's broken sword, Sting and the Mithril mail, and the box would be by the table.
Another version might be a standing Frodo, having been equipped with the Mithril mail and Sting by Bilbo, and with Bilbo holding Frodo's cloak and admiring him. The wooden box would be at their feet.
Well, I read that part of the story after andruen's suggestion and so come to these ideas, but I'm sure there are other good ones too. Also, I would still like to see Frodo, Sam, and Gollum at the Cracks of Doom.
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Post by estel on Jul 2, 2007 7:06:42 GMT
mae govannen, Maybe a boxed set of the 13 dwarves of the Hobbit Bilbos great journey would fit the idea of a birthday special, as with the book the Hobbit everything started and the dwarves were never ever realized by any company as a full 13 dwarf strong company. Maybe a boxed set would cost not so much, that it could be made as a fellowship special piece, but I would prefer it as a "normal" M-series box set or even as a start for a special box set- series called: Heroes of Middle Earth not to harm any license guardians. So there could be Orcish heroes in future, heroes of Gondorian fiefdoms, heroes of Rohan, the white council, and so on. Namarie ESTEL
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Post by azzyraphale on Jul 3, 2007 15:54:50 GMT
What about a very special figurine picturing... J.R.R. Tolkien smoking ? That would be a cheap one, a kind of easter egg...
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Post by ddaines on Jul 3, 2007 17:22:23 GMT
I suggested something like that before, but it is a licencing issue unfortunately..
CT sat at a small workbench at work (in a Tolkienesque setting) was another idea - a kind of self portrait would illustrate the history and spirit of Mithril Miniatures, but I think modesty might be an issue in this instance.
I think something that links both LotR and The Hobbit (as characters from other books are not allowed) would be the answer.
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Post by Hammershield on Jul 4, 2007 7:39:21 GMT
What about a very special figurine picturing... J.R.R. Tolkien smoking ? That would be a cheap one, a kind of easter egg... What a great, great and original idea! Karma to you! Unfortunately I doubt it is feasible since you would have to get the approval from the Estate of JRRT.
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Post by Hammershield on Jul 4, 2007 7:40:47 GMT
I suggested something like that before, but it is a licencing issue unfortunately.. CT sat at a small workbench at work (in a Tolkienesque setting) was another idea - a kind of self portrait would illustrate the history and spirit of Mithril Miniatures, but I think modesty might be an issue in this instance. I think something that links both LotR and The Hobbit (as characters from other books are not allowed) would be the answer. Take a close look at the Barliman 54mm Christmas figure and tell me if you recognize someone...
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Jul 4, 2007 11:09:47 GMT
No we cannot make a J.R.R. Tolkien figure. Our license does not include him.
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Post by Theobald on Nov 20, 2007 18:02:39 GMT
Well, as we all are aware of time goes by. That's why I try to restart this thread, that obviously has been forgotten by most of us, again. There are about five weeks left this year, which is not much. The anniversary will be in spring 2008. What I ask is if there are any plans left ... I do ask this publically because I think we Fellowshippers should be kept informed. First of all this is not a complaint ! But once ideas were started and accepted and even appreciated I do feel a lack of information by now. When I last contacted Michael about this matter he immediately informed me. And I really do thank you about that, Michael. So why am I writing ? I value your attempts (which now means Mithril and Prince August) to merchandise Mithril very much. I do remember the "Salute zero seven" and the "Lord of the Rings online" miniatures very well. I do hope those two initiatives contributed to keeping Mithril alive. Now, why not take a chance to merchandise Mithril with an "anniversary-figure"? ---- 20 years should be worth it, I think. As I stated at the beginning of this thread I did not suggest any idea. But I'm still of the opinion that you, please, still consider that idea and keep us informed about developments in those directions, because this could create interest not only among the collectors you can rely upon. Of course I'm not in a position to give you advice. I'm not that arrogant (because I know less about merchandising and sales strategies than you do). But, please keep us customers satisfied and teased.
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Post by landpruneir Inc. on Dec 6, 2007 1:49:50 GMT
We will not re-release M16. We have a female ranger in the fellowship series if collectors want that character. We will not release the Isengard army box set due to license issues with T.E. (wargaming). Selling them as individual blisters would not be enough to solve that issue. We are currently seeking a way to release soldiers in a manner that will not upset T.E. or more accurately GW. First, Sorry for responding to your post many months after-- I did not get the time to log on this forum Second, Why? for the M16 I had proposed 800 Euro one year ago for its re-edition (see detail in my old post Brainstorming for helping Mithril) -My offer is still in the air...
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Post by landpruneir Inc. on Dec 6, 2007 1:54:47 GMT
mae govannen, Maybe a boxed set of the 13 dwarves of the Hobbit Bilbos great journey would fit the idea of a birthday special, as with the book the Hobbit everything started and the dwarves were never ever realized by any company as a full 13 dwarf strong company. Maybe a boxed set would cost not so much, that it could be made as a fellowship special piece, but I would prefer it as a "normal" M-series box set or even as a start for a special box set- series called: Heroes of Middle Earth not to harm any license guardians. So there could be Orcish heroes in future, heroes of Gondorian fiefdoms, heroes of Rohan, the white council, and so on. Namarie ESTEL Cool ideas! the 13 dwarves of the Hobbit is excellent--Sincerely
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Dec 6, 2007 13:32:34 GMT
Second, Why? for the M16 I had proposed 800 Euro one year ago for its re-edition (see detail in my old post Brainstorming for helping Mithril) -My offer is still in the air... The M16 is a true rarity and re-releasing it would stop that. Part of the joy of collecting is getting these rare items. If all our figures are common then collecting would lose some of that excitment as members could finish a collection easily, and then become bored waiting for the next release. Half the fun is hunting for missing figures or trading for them. I do not think we will ever re-release such a figure. There is a Female Ranger figure in the Fellowship in another pose.
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Post by landpruneir Inc. on Dec 7, 2007 1:50:24 GMT
Second, Why? for the M16 I had proposed 800 Euro one year ago for its re-edition (see detail in my old post Brainstorming for helping Mithril) -My offer is still in the air... The M16 is a true rarity and re-releasing it would stop that. Part of the joy of collecting is getting these rare items. If all our figures are common then collecting would lose some of that excitement as members could finish a collection easily, and then become bored waiting for the next release. Half the fun is hunting for missing figures or trading for them. I do not think we will ever re-release such a figure. There is a Female Ranger figure in the Fellowship in another pose. Sure Michael, I understand you very much, and you are right in saying that it could ruin some pleasures for a lot of collectors, but we are talking about the super mega rare M16, and that piece is not like some M1,M2 or still the M78, which & although hard to find, could still be possible to find--that one is totally the one that is not possible to get. You know, I did not see any in circulation during the 20 years I am collecting the Mithril miniatures. (except of course; the ones I could see on e-bay once a while carried by someone we both know) I seriously do not know how many has been made before the moult broke, but I bet that they were not so many to be produced and the M16s are really seldom -- especially after all this years. I really got lucky once to be able to get one directly from a garage sell in France and this :-/for almost nothing, but I sincerely consider myself as very lucky for that one, and it is certainly not the case of everyone there. I also think that it would have been a nice opportunity for everybody to re-edit that M16 figure for the 20th An. of Mithril.
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Post by landpruneir Inc. on Dec 7, 2007 3:20:10 GMT
Well, as we all are aware of time goes by. That's why I try to restart this thread, that obviously has been forgotten by most of us, again. There are about five weeks left this year, which is not much. The anniversary will be in spring 2008. What I ask is if there are any plans left ... I do ask this publically because I think we Fellowshippers should be kept informed. First of all this is not a complaint ! But once ideas were started and accepted and even appreciated I do feel a lack of information by now. When I last contacted Michael about this matter he immediately informed me. And I really do thank you about that, Michael. So why am I writing ? I value your attempts (which now means Mithril and Prince August) to merchandise Mithril very much. I do remember the "Salute zero seven" and the "Lord of the Rings online" miniatures very well. I do hope those two initiatives contributed to keeping Mithril alive. Now, why not take a chance to merchandise Mithril with an "anniversary-figure"? ---- 20 years should be worth it, I think. As I stated at the beginning of this thread I did not suggest any idea. But I'm still of the opinion that you, please, still consider that idea and keep us informed about developments in those directions, because this could create interest not only among the collectors you can rely upon. Of course I'm not in a position to give you advice. I'm not that arrogant (because I know less about merchandising and sales strategies than you do). But, please keep us customers satisfied and teased. Yes, you are right Teobald, Mithril should expand its creation for the 20th for some merchandising purpose, (Some of us proposed this last year), but for this, Mithril and Chris need to do something really big -- I mean some big and massive piece(s), which could interest a lot of collectors (not especially Mithril), and that could be an issue because of the time, work and certainly patience that such piece(s) of realization could ask. I am thinking something like some little piece of Art that even the ones who are not collectors will be attracted to. Chris Tubb is a sculptor after all, and its talent deserves the tentative of such pieces of art. Here I expand some ideas let me know what you think… (Sorry, if it the content seems very unclear bellow, but that is some quick and furtive ideas I suggest there) I am thinking about the great battering ram Grond, for instance with the mountain trolls wielding the battering ram and shattering the gates of Minas Tirith. The Troll could be sculpted in some nice and vivid position retracing all their efforts to wield that ram and rage to destroy the gates. Another idea for marketing Mithril, could be a set (vignette) of the 13 protagonists present during of the council of Elrond with a sculpted one ring (real finger size with the inscription on it) which you can set in the middle of the scene with a nicely sculpted “deposit” for the ring. Still, something we could do are The Trolls of the Hobbits, which could be also really cool for some marketing, even if the idea is not really original (Weta released these trolls even if they were not related to the movies), but however, it would be nice to see those trolls someday. And I know I am perhaps bad to come back with this, but why not only try to focus of that figures of the Gate of the Moria and then, why not using it as symbol or new Mithril logo? I do not know if it is a great idea, but I think that gate could be massive and full of mystery with its inscription, and certainly very impressive for some merchandising— we need to definitely impress people for the 20th… Anyway, I am totally convinced that gate (even without its concerption, but in Mithril symbol only) could be a nice and killer Mithril logo for the next releases. So far, I have this & I shall perhaps come back with some more.
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Post by aelfwine on Dec 7, 2007 5:00:02 GMT
I'd love a Council of Elrond scene too.
Mithril right now seems almost like a vanity range compared to the PA stuff, which seems to be the bill paying product.
It needs to make a splash. I am absolutely convinced that there are Mithril collectors out there who scour ebay for product, but haven't made the mental connection to the current mithril range. This is due, in part, to the commercial dominance of that other license holder, but also due to the fact that many collectors once collected from local outlets - most of which are going or gone.
So Mithril does have to make a big noise. The question is: how to make that noise. The fellowship range only works for people who come to the webpage in the first place. you need to get people TO the website.
And therein lies the challenge.
Gavin
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