One thing leads to another

Some of Roger Morrow’s Poles, sculpted by Paul Hicks.

An example of Frank Hammond’s Minden Miniatures sculpted by Richard Ansell.

It’s funny how things can seem to take on a life of their own. Before I started the BfK Limited Edition Figures Project, I had hardly taken any notice of other people who had commissioned figures for their own purposes. Now I find myself thinking of little else in hobby terms and I am constantly on the look out for other people afflicted with this same peculiar brand of insanity as me.

On top of that, I’ve talked myself into a situation where I actually need to find such people. Why? Because, following an e-mail discussion with Dan at Wargames Illustrated magazine, I’ve been commissioned to write a whole article about the gentlemanly eccentricity of privately commissioning one’s own figures. Now the intention is to base the core of the piece on my own little project, so I have plenty of time to plan things out and get the writing done. What I have realised, though, is that it would be a richer article if I could draw on the experience of others who have already trod this path. By which I mean people who have done it for personal rather than commercial reasons but may have chosen to defray at least some of the costs by making their figures available for sale.

Luckily, I already knew of a couple of foolhardy brave souls who have been at it far longer than me. One is Roger Morrow who has gradually been building his personal range of 1813 Poles; the other is Frank Hammond who has spent a number of years steadfastly satisfying his own stylistic preference for the kind of Seven Years War collection he wants. I am delighted to say that both these fine fellows have consented to answer my series of dilettante questions. Without giving away the game – you’ll need to wait for the article to be published – there’s a lot of commonality between what Frank and Roger have told me.

Despite already gathering plenty of material, I’m on the lookout for more examples of private figure commissions. So, if you’ve done it or know somebody who has and who is willing to submit to my interrogation for the article, please feel free to contact me.