A little bit of interesting news. . .

Just a quick update today as there are a number of things waiting to be done, and I hope to get in some painting on the hussars before, you guessed it, ANOTHER dinner out this evening at a colleague's home.

First is the news that Tom Dye, of Games Figures Incorporated -- the North American producer of MiniFigs -- is thinking about the possibility of offering 25mm SYW miniatures in "old school" style packs. Many of you are probably aware of the discussion around this, which has been taking shape over at the Old School Wargaming Yahoo group for the last couple of days. The basic idea is that lovers of larger units would get everything they need in one package and at a slightly better price than if ordering everything individually.

Naturally, I'm intrigued by this possibility. While some of the MiniFigs in 25mm are a bit on the dumpy side, I have always liked their toy soldier "look". If Tom presses ahead with his idea, I might just have to add a big battalion of grenadiers in mitre caps along with the requisite mounted colonel and staff/color party. Keep your fingers crossed that we don't have to wait too terribly long for more specific news on this particular front.

I other areas, Jonathan Broadus -- the man behind Hesse-Engleburg -- and I are going to try a modern take on a play-by-mail battle. . . or, in this case, play-by-e-mail! We're going to have a stab at fighting Charles Grant's "Table Top Teaser" as featured in the current issue of Battlegames (#14).

Of course, Jonathan and I still have to work out all of the details that such an undertaking will involve. And it will probably happen over a week or so in late October or sometime in November. However, I can tell you that there will be plenty of photographs of the battlefield as well as Stollenian and Zichenauer soldiers right here at the Grand Duchy of Stollen blog, and perhaps also at one of Jonathan's blogs. Keep your eyes open for additional developments as our plans take more definite shape.

Gosh, if I could just get some of real life off my desk and out of my briefcase, I might possibly be able to finish another squadron of hussars to serve on the table in time for this! Sigh.

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Taking Stock Part II: The (As Yet) Unpainted but Planned OOB. . .

Two companies of Reichsarmee grenadiers painted back in 2017 or 2018. Minden Austrians of course. A lovely early autumn day here in the grand duchy. Bright sunshine and a light breeze with cool temperatures will make for some very pleasant late afternoon lawn mowing in a little while. But first a bit more discussion of painting plans for the future. Last time, I looked back at the various and sundry units, support troops, and civilians that I've managed to paint in the last 17 years as the Grand Duchy of Stollen project has developed. So today, let's look into the seemingly bottomless Drawer 'o' Lead to my left for a clue to the new direction. Be forewarned, it's not going to be a quick job getting everything painted and based, but there we are. The following plans are based on the pile of unpainted figures already here. Any future purchases will be limited to small things that might be needed to fill out the envisioned units (the odd few officers mounted o

Having a "No Day". . .

F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day." A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day. I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers. These have stood waiting untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday a

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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