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Post by Gildor on Feb 14, 2006 17:42:28 GMT
I had an idea this afternoon when I was thinking about fellowship figurines, and also the fact that I miss some new, greatly detailed, 54mm figurines. And this lead me to this idea.
the project of making 54mm figurines for the fellowship has already been made, years ago, there has been only one reference released, MA1 : Galadriel (which is a remake of the 1992 christmas gift).
Considering that planning on such big figurines to be exclusive to the fellowship would be quite expensive, even compared to vignettes, my suggestion was to dedicate a month, every SIX months or so, to a 54mm (the same way we plan months for vignettes or months for singles) This figurine should be on foot and single (I don't even consider a 54mm mounted or in vignette that is a pure utopy considering the price it would cost) and in ordrer to "revive" a referencing system that already exists, the range could be the "MA" range, the MA1 already being made... (referencing system being one of my prefered topics... since I still work on this database project of mine)
I'd like comments from any of you, both members of the fellowship, but also Michael and Chris, on this idea, do you think it is a good idea? and possible?
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Post by Axel on Feb 14, 2006 21:07:27 GMT
I am not a fan of the 54mm scale myself. I not even count myself a collector of that size. While I am not against using up a slot in the fellowship for 54mm, the less the better for me. Once per year would imho be acceptable.
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Post by bombadil1963 on Feb 14, 2006 21:47:39 GMT
Well, I like the 54mm scale figures. Though I´ve got only one, Faramir, up until now. But, yes, it would be a quite expensive development. And I really don´t want to imagine the price for a limited Gold Status Fellowship release! I have to vindicate my hobby every third day towards my wife and family. For me it´s hard to have 9 Gold Status Fellowship Minis ought to be bought every year because I´m still hunting for missing M-series-figures in the www! Not for little amount as you can unhardly guess. It would be enough for me -personally- when only 6 Gold Status Fellowship Minis would be released per year and one can pass 1 or 2 . . . And if one should be a 54mm scaled then, why not? But I really can feel the pressure lying on Chris to hurry up and try to satisfy all of us mithril-hungry collectors.
Let´s wait and see! I actually can not say I´ll support the idea but it´s not absolute unreal to be realized. It´s depending on the price.
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Post by Ori on Feb 14, 2006 23:12:58 GMT
Uff!!! I am not a very good painter, and that makes 54mm minis even harder to paint. So I prefer 32mm minis... And as a diorama maker, I will need a bigger house to keep dioramas with 54mm miniatures.
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Post by Gildor on Feb 15, 2006 9:55:00 GMT
well we could maybe at least then give suggestions for christmas figures? that would make one 54mm per year. (as a matter of fact, there has been no christmas 2005 figurine made yet.. Has the range of christmas figurines stopped?
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Post by Axe99 on Feb 15, 2006 20:09:02 GMT
While the 54mm go alright, I'm really only a 32mm collector - of course, I have nothing against 54mm collectors and think that one a year would be fine, but would probably pass on it m'self.
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Post by presto247365 on Feb 15, 2006 21:01:18 GMT
I do like the idea of 54mm Christmas figure. It revives the old tradition and then is only once a year for those not interested in 54's. I also like the idea of using MA designations.
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Feb 16, 2006 9:51:33 GMT
I do like the idea of 54mm Christmas figure. It revives the old tradition and then is only once a year for those not interested in 54's. I also like the idea of using MA designations. WE will consider the idea of one 54mm single figure a year. Keep posting your opinions.
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Feb 16, 2006 10:23:56 GMT
well we could maybe at least then give suggestions for christmas figures? that would make one 54mm per year. (as a matter of fact, there has been no christmas 2005 figurine made yet.. Has the range of christmas figurines stopped? We have stopped making the Christmas figures for the time being.
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Post by hsf62 on Feb 16, 2006 12:12:24 GMT
I fully support the idea of the 54mm figurines. I think it was and still is a great idea. And by the way it's not harder to paint a 54mm or even a 80mm figurine compared to a 32mm one. The only difference is, you don't need the ++++ magnifying glasses.
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Post by Ori on Feb 16, 2006 16:56:39 GMT
Hey HSF62, you are getting older an loosing your sight....
I have never used magnifying glasses. Does anyone recomend using them?
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Post by twrich on Feb 16, 2006 20:20:27 GMT
I think a great series for 54m figures, perhaps one a year to replace the Christmas line, would be for Chris to sculpt his interpretation of the great powers: first Manwe, then Elbereth, then perhaps Aule. . . and so on.
It would be great to see a 54m line of the Valar and then of the Maiar. They would be larger in scale than most M series characters, as would be appropriate. Are these available under Mithril's lisencing agreement?
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Post by Gildor on Feb 16, 2006 20:58:07 GMT
I remind you that the licence does not cover Silmarillion characters and also, in Tengwar 1, Chris has clearly said he did not want to represent Valar nor Sauron... (well finally he made a Sauron but that is the only representable Sauron he could make actually) But I agree with you : those 54mm should be personnalities, important ones (if possible, not already existing in this scale, mostly in the LO range) which have an interest in being made at this scale (I mean, requires quite a lot of details) characters such as Aragorn in king armor, or Elendil why not... king Dain in battle gear. Thranduil in regal costume or in armor . Glorfindel, missing in 54mm too... well, personnalities in anyway
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Post by mshartmann on Feb 17, 2006 1:13:25 GMT
I am not crazy about the 54mm figures. I like the smaller one and I guess my bias will remain - I just have no desire for them - I wouldn't want to keep others from getting them but I would definately not like having them become part of the "gold fellowship."
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Post by wvberghe on Feb 17, 2006 20:33:55 GMT
Well I would be interested in a 54mm figure once a year. I only painted two 54mm figures yet, but I like them. And so does my wife, who thinks that all those 32mm are far to small... (we also have a range of those big Weta statues)
I also think that it should be a range of personalities who are not yet made in 54mm.
BTW, that King of the Dead figure is looking incredible!
Cheers, Wim
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Post by barliman on Feb 18, 2006 12:10:02 GMT
Sorry, hate to be a wet blanket but I don't support the idea of even one 54mm figure a year - I am and always will be a 32mm (28mm, or whatever you want to call it...) man. I've never bought a single 54mm Mithril, and the last 54mm figure of any kind that I bought was about 30 years ago. If the idea of a single 54mm figure per year was 'officially' adopted, then I'd have to ask that the minimum number of figures we're expected to buy per year is corresondingly reduced from nine to eight. That would be only fair, since 54s weren't on the agenda when the Gold Fellowship scheme was initiated.
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Post by twrich on Feb 18, 2006 20:38:34 GMT
Hey Barliman, I don't think anyone is suggesting the 54mm become one of the monthly selections for the Fellowsip members. I would hope that it would be a seperate piece, outside of our current 9 of 12 agreement, if Chris produces one again each year.
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Post by barliman on Feb 19, 2006 8:37:13 GMT
Are you sure about that? Re-reading all the comments, it seems to me I'm not alone in thinking that issuing the figure as part of the '9 out of 12' arrangement is exactly what's being suggested. Obviously, if the 54mm figure was outside of this arrangement I'd have no objection at all, since I'd be unlikely to buy it (except perhaps as an investment to support me in my old age - have you seen the price the Galadriel Christmas figure has reached on eBay at the moment...?).
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Post by Gildor on Feb 19, 2006 19:10:46 GMT
talking about the Galadriel figure... 350£ at the end... well that places it just after M16 in rarity!! amazing...
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Post by twrich on Feb 19, 2006 19:36:13 GMT
Hi Barli, (seems like we are conversing a lot lately).
I reread the previous posts, and you are correct in that some are proposing that we take up a monthly Fellowship selection once (or even twice) a year. Many, however, have voiced opposition to this, and some are neutral.
For myself, I wouldn't care if once a year Chris and Michael decided to make a 54mm piece, as it seems to have been a past tradition that many members liked. Although like many, I have enough to do to keep up with the new "M" series 32mm's, the Fellowship pieces, and filling in the missing older figures in my collection.
But Michael, as you are in charge of the administrative/business end of things, I think it would be a mistake to use up monthly slots on a 54mm miniature. I believe that many Fellowship members who would purchase virtually any 32mm production (single or vignette) would skip the 54mm piece, depriving Mithril of sales. From a marketing vantage point, why not offer any 54mm's once a year (or more if Chris can manage) to the general public? You'd certainly have some Fellowship members purchasing the pieces, without losing any of your regular Fellowship sales. AND others who aren't members now would have access to these pieces and be able to purchase any they wanted. Perhaps even some of those would learn about the Mithril Gold Fellowship and join!
The after-market values of 54mm Galadriel and others also argues for this approach!
twrich (buhman)
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Feb 23, 2006 10:30:00 GMT
Due to the mixed feelings about the 54mm figure we will NOT include it in the Fellowship. However we will reconsider making Christmas figure again as there does seem to be a lot of interest in 54mm. When I have a final decision I will inform everyone.
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Post by Hammershield on Feb 23, 2006 15:08:56 GMT
A good decision, Adam. I always thought that the unique 32mm scale was Mithril's "thing". No 54mm miniature Chris Tubb has sculpted so far has made me change this opinion.
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Post by Stift on Feb 23, 2006 15:11:20 GMT
I collect only the 32mm range and therefore I'm not really interested in 54mm figures.
Sincerely, Alex
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Post by Gildor on Feb 23, 2006 15:56:45 GMT
Well does that mean that the LO range is over now, like the LR and LT ? (just to know)
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Feb 23, 2006 17:27:54 GMT
Well does that mean that the LO range is over now, like the LR and LT ? (just to know) The LO range is not over.... We had stopped making Christmas figures (54mm) this year but Lars is reconsidering that decision. If so we may release a Christmas figure in 2006
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Post by Gildor on Feb 23, 2006 17:42:47 GMT
arghhhh a "hole" in the referencing!! damnit, no 2005 after 2004 and before 2006! lol not good for referencing lol
(I know I am a maniac with numbers and references)
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Post by Theobald on Feb 24, 2006 16:43:08 GMT
I do like the idea of 54mm Christmas figure. It revives the old tradition and then is only once a year for those not interested in 54's. I also like the idea of using MA designations. This is how I feel about the discussion of 54mm. Last Christmas there was something missing I got used to for many years. It was the first time since ... well, everybody knows. So to say a break in tradition (though usually I don't mind about traditions - but Mithril-tradition is something that matters to me). Just to give a clear statement: I really would like to face next Christmas with another 54mm as a Christmas Figure. I don't think that 54mm-miniatures should be released in the MS-series, as they could be too much expensive for those of us, who simply cannot afford to pay the price for them. So do I think about the vignettes, released so far. Couldn't we just restrict those ideas about further releases a little bit that way, that those who join and try to keep membership can afford ALL releases? I am really enjoying special releases, such as the MX or the Christmas Figures. But I think we should keep our feet on the ground. As this is called a "Fellowship" we should respect the limits some of us do have. To me there is no sense in creating more complex ideas for new vignettes. There is no sense in competiting with other ("minor"- as they maybe are thought of) ideas and suggestions. What concerns me is the fact that the membership of this board is shrinking for the first time. So I have to think: why? Sorry, I didn't want to accuse anybody here - if someone sees it like that. I just want to support this idea of a "fellowship" where all can follow.
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Feb 26, 2006 12:21:43 GMT
The membership is not shrinking, I periodically remove old obsolete or duplicate memberships. Usually AOL members. Some members joined before the update to the forum that requires the activation code and they had to change their emails, BUT left the old usernames/emails on our system. I just try to clean the list when I have a few minutes. We are actively recruiting all the time. After all the more members that join the fellowship, the better prices we can offer.
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Post by Gildor on Feb 26, 2006 21:22:57 GMT
Does that mean that the price of the MS gold fellowship releases depend on the number of fellowship members? (indeed that would be logical, since we are bond to buy at least 9/12 figurines a year)... I had never considered it that way ... but that's good news indeed As for 54mm figurines... Actually my proposition at first, was motivated by the lack of christmas figurines this year, which made me quite sad... but I am in no hurry of new figurines at all , I have no time to paint them at the rate they are released... but knowing there will be new 54mm to come, LATER, would be good news for me
(of course, I do not paint christmas figurines lol)
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Post by savage727 on May 9, 2006 16:33:36 GMT
Hello Michael: Well this is my first post as a Fellowship member! I had been collecting 54 mm Lord of the Rings figures from Rawcliffe over the years. They must have had a license from you to produce these figures as they are exactly like the ones you have for sale. Am I correct in this assumption? Are Mithril's 54mm figures cast in Pewter like Rawcliffe's? I seem to have most of the line except for about the last 10 or so of your figures. Thanks.
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