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Welcome to the National Toy Soldier Hall of Fame site! The
National Toy Soldier Hall of Fame was established to recognize those who have served the Toy Soldier Community. Eligibility
for induction is extended to all members of the Toy Soldier community. Those individuals who are inducted have,
through their efforts, made a significant contribution to the achievement, tradition, advancement or history of Toy Soldiers. The
National Toy Soldier Hall of Fame consists of a gallery of photographs, each accompanied by a short narrative detailing the
member's contributions/reasons for induction.
| Mr. Ken Osen, inducted 2009 |
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| Mr. Ken Osen is a sculptor of Toy Soldiers |
Mr. Ken Osen has probably "done more" for
the "Toy Soldier Industry" than any other sculptor in modern memory. He has not only created more "sculpts"
than anyone else, but perhaps more importantly, he has"pushed the envelope" and "elevated the level of play"
in terms of historical accuracy, animation and innovative design. Ken Osen has quite simply become the "benchmark"
for our industry. He was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1956. His mother and father supported and encouraged
his interests by planning family vacations around visits to battlefield sites and reconstructed forts.
| Mr. Ray Haradin, Inducted 2010 |
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| Mr. Haradin is the Publisher and Editor of Old Toy Soldier |
Mr Haradin's passion for early
toys started when he was a kid. By the late 1970's he was an established dealer throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area.
In 2000 he purchased the trade journal Old Toy Soldier "The Journal for Collectors". Old Toy Soldier is the
heart and soul of the toy soldier collecting world and has been in continuous publication since 1976. The journal
covers virtually all aspects of the old toy soldier hobby. In 2005 he entered the auction world. Old Toy Soldiers
Auctions USA was started in 2008. In it's first year Old Toy Soldiers hosted two successful sales, selling over 1000
lots of toy soldiers. What lies ahead for Ray Haradin? Be assured it is the pursuit of great "stuff".
| Mr. Norman Joplin, Inducted 2010 |
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| Mr Norman Joplin is an Antique and Vintage Toy Soldier and Figure Researcher, Auther, Appraiser & V |
Mr Joplin is a British Citizen who has been granted
permanent residence status in the United States based on his exceptional ability in a specialist field of knowledge in
connection with the Social History of toy figures as viewed through the eyes of children's toys during the period 1893 to
1966. Since 2007 in Joint partnership with Ray Hardin of Toys of Yesteryear he has been envolved with Old Toy Soldiers
Auctions USA as a Cataloguer, Appraiser, Photographer, and Administrator. The only US based specialist Auction
Company devoted to Old Toy Soldiers and Figures.
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| Mr. Tony Ciccarello, Inducted 2011 |
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| Mr.Ciccarello and his wife Marilyn own Armies In Plastic |
At the age of 9, Tony Ciccareilo was given his first
set of Toy Soldiers by his parents. Since that time, Tony has had an interest in toy soldiers and in the history on
which they are based. In 1985 Tony and his wife Marilyn started their metal toy soldier business. Like many
other successful businessmen, he realized there was a future in plastic. In 1997 he started his own line of toy soldiers
with Armies In Plastic, which focuses on 54MM (1.32 scale) figures. Since that time Armies In Plastic has become one
of the most diverse lines of 54MM plastic soldiers in the world, covering military campaigns from all eras, including the
French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, the British campaigns of the 1800's, World War One and most recently modern warriors.
Tony is still at work creating new lines of 54MM plastic toy soldiers which will ensure a fun future for the customers of
Armies In Plastic.
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| Mr. Richard O'Brien, Inducted 2012 |
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| Mr. O'Brien wrote many books about Toy Soldiers |
Mr. Richard O'Brien authored many books for the Toy
Soldier Collector. His book Collecting Toy Soldiers, published in 1988, introduced
many collectors to the hobby. Mr. O'Brien spent many hours interviewing employees and relatives of the major toy
soldier companies. He was on a continuous search for factual information from catalogs and other toy soldier sources.
He more than any other person, researched the manufacture of toy soldiers and then provided this data via his many books. Without
the sharing of this extensive research, the hobby would never have risen to the extent that it has.
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| Mr. Wm. Hocker, inducted 2009 |
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| Mr. Wm Hocker started his business in 1983 |
Mr. Wm Hocker (Bill to those who know him), proprietor
of Wm. Hocker Toy Soldiers, and his present crew, from left to right (including years with the company), are Muang Saeliow
(16), Kae Chiam Saechao (18), Bill Hocker (25), Sou Saelee (12) and Liew Orn Saechao (22) have developed a very passionate
and loyal clientele. The commitment, talent, forbearance and sacrifice of this crew are truly the life blood that has
kept this enterprise alive. Bill started his business officially at the OTSN show in 1983. His
goal is to balance marketable products with those he simply wants to do. Today Bill says his work is completely
satisfying and he plans to stay with it as long as he can.
The Toy Soldier Hall of Fame is a virtual Hall of Fame. |
The National Toy Soldier Hall of Fame will for the present time remain a virtual Hall of Fame. Over time new
members will be inducted and the Hall of Fame will grow with each class of inducties. We know the interest in Toy Soldiers
will continue to grow and in time the National Toy Soldier Hall of Fame will have a home. We see collecting Toy
Soldiers as a way to tell the history of our military heritage. It is an educational thing and as such perhaps it will
find a home at a University. |
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