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  #1  
Old 18-09-20, 07:10 PM
Arnhem Jim Arnhem Jim is offline
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Location: Arizona Territory
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Default Revisit “Are You a True Collector…?” by Roy, a fellow Arizonian

To Fellow and Lady Collectors,

A Serious Collector’s Curriculum Vitae

Having recently celebrated an 84th birthday, paused to reflect upon the fact that I’ve been actively collecting both toy soldiers and militaria for over seven decades. Consider myself a reasonably advanced amateur military historian (https://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/p/ope...et-garden.html), and serious collector. In the past two decades, since retirement, have been able to acquire a great many of the items which had been on a personal wish list developed from teenage to young adulthood. Have completed the elements of several personal historical projects (Complete authentic mannequins of a LCol. 92nd Gordon Highlanders in full dress unifom (circa 1936) and LCol. British Parachute Regiment in full battledress (circa 1944), equipped and fully armed. Originated and maintain a reasonably successful internationally recognized blog (https://arnhemjim.blogspot.com) Am a reasonably active member of the British and Commonwealth military badge collectors forum and two toy soldier forums.

Most importantly established a personal acquaintance and friendship with internationally known toy soldier/military miniature collectors (Ed Ruby*, James Opie, and Bill Connolly) and military special forces/airborne insignia collectors (Bob Bragg*, Andrew Bragg, Roy Turner, Mike Sheperd*, and Mike Whitley*, *deceased).

Readily acknowledge the fact that I’m not an extreme purist, but pragmatic in my collection habits and discipline. When the point is reached in an element of my collection that the item is either so rare or so expensive, that it can only be found in relic condition, museums or extremely affluent collections, I’m completely content with a filler. Call it what you will, an acknowledged restrike, replica, reproduction, or copy, at least it is a representation. Having been burned several times over the decades (fortunately not seriously) obviously try hard to avoid identifiable outright fakes and forgeries.

My friends and I have often reflected on the categories of collectors, “outpatients” or “commitables”.

If diagnosed as either, it has been a rich, extremely rewarding and gratifying experience, which I continue to enjoy, as well as the acquisition of great friends and an advanced educational degree in military history, albeit informal.

Arnhem Jim aka Arnhemjim
Arizona Territory
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  #2  
Old 18-09-20, 10:09 PM
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Fatherofthree Fatherofthree is offline
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A belated happy birthday AJ.

Keep collecting and you'll live for many more years.

Regards.

Brian
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  #3  
Old 19-09-20, 12:08 AM
Artynut Artynut is offline
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Location: Ontario, Canada.
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From a fellow octogenarian, may I wish you a belated “Happy Birthday”.
I’ve only been collecting less than 50 years and I believe my “Bug” is incurable. (Does that make me Committable?). I do however get immense pleasure from being a member of this forum and reading most of the posts even though many do not touch upon my particular field of collecting. I have on occasions, posted notes that are in fields I know little of but generally finish up learning something interesting. Thereby proving the old saying, “You’re never too old to learn”!
Do please continue posting in this forum, your knowledge must forever be disseminated to we eager readers. Yours very sincerely, David j.
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Old 20-09-20, 04:37 AM
Mike B Mike B is online now
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Thank you for your excellent memorial piece on Operation Market Garden
https://arnhemjim.blogspot.com/p/ope...et-garden.html
Mike
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Old 20-09-20, 02:47 PM
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CAM CAM is online now
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On on!


Chris
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