Close upon the heels of last week's Sumerian reinforcements (see Sumerian Reinforcements), a similarly sized batch of Sumerian javelinmen departs from the painting desk. This dozen light infantry is split between a four-figure stand of skirmishers and an eight-figure stand of light infantry. Figures are, again, from Newline Designs.
While attention at the painting desk has turned toward projects not Sumerian, I did dig out a pack of two dozen Akkadian spearmen to prep for pushing into the painting queue. First, though, more FPW Prussians are on deck as is a return to the SYW/WAS project. Time at the workbench has actually increased over the last two weeks and progress is being made on the painting front. I may reach 900 figures painted by year-end. We will see.
While figure purchases have remained very much at a minimum this year, recent sales on books and games have dented the wallet slighty.
I know, these annual holiday sales can be so difficult to resist. While 19th Century Miniatures always holds a Christmas sale on 15mm Old Glory figures, I am resisting in order to keep my 2024 Figures Purchased tally in check. Since the sale runs through 04 January, I can place an order in the New Year after the counter resets.
Helion recently offered a Black Friday sale with 25% discounts and free shipping to the USA. An offer I could not refuse! The two books shown above are part of the order.
In similar sales and preorder releases, the following games dropped into my mailbox of late:
On the gaming front, one more First Battle of Azukizaka is on deck for a Tuesday game.
Great looking Sumerians and quite a varied group of new acquisitions, Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dean! Often, my goal with board games is as resource material for either scenarios or campaigns.
DeleteJonathan, I wish I could keep the purchases in check and increase my painting output to match yours!
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, I seem to have bought more terrain and "support" materials ( bases and scenics) as well as books, rather than figures, although there have been some.....
Games are another downfall. I try to ensure they will be useful as campaign mechanics.
Neil
Neil, since I set a simple table, terrain always seems to take a back seat to painting figures. I ought to put more emphasis on terrain but I do not get much joy from terrain works. Games are very useful resources for scenarios and campaigning.
DeleteGreat looking addition for your Sumerians. I don't blame you taking advantage of the sales to pick up some extra reading
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neil! My weakness may be a near universal wargaming trait.
DeleteNice to see some more Sumerians Jon, even if they have those rather nasty finger pricking spears! Nice books too and this year I've been on a bit of a spree, given I've received a fair few book vouchers, or at least that's my excuse;). Board games not really my thing, but as you say, they can provide good scenarios and useful for campaigns too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve! Finger-pricking possibilities, for sure, but when pointed horizontally, less likely to do damage. Boardgames are an overlooked resource for inspiration.
DeleteFine additions to the Sumerian collection and some purchases on the sales front are not to be sniffed at.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil! Your support on the splurge front much appreciated!
DeleteGreat work on the Sumerians and I especially like the ones with the grey cloth. I managed to resist all the Black Friday sales but looking at your haul from Helion I wish now I had looked at them.
ReplyDeleteThank you! More grey cloth next time! As for foregoing the sales, you have a stronger resolve than I.
DeleteGreat looking new miniatures Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michal!
DeleteYou're cracking out the units again Jon. Some intriguing titles there. Are we likely to see any Royal Marines tabbing across your table top?
ReplyDeletePainting output, for now, has picked up. No Royal Marines planned but Royal Walloon Guards are in work.
DeleteMore lovely Sumerian units for your collection, nice work. Some very interesting books bought as well, the Helion Swabian War looks very intriguing, not a conflict I know anything about but intriguing for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donnie! I know nothing about the Swabian War either but I am about to learn once the book arrives.
DeleteAnother lovely batch of Newline Design figures, Jon!
ReplyDeleteInteresting purchases too....like Chris above, I noted the Goose Green game, if memory serves, it was the Paras at Goose Green....their colonel, H Jones, was KIA leading from the front.
Thanks! You remember your history correctly, Keith! I remember following this conflict daily in the newspaper.
DeleteYour Sumerian units are quite interesting and well done. I look forward to seeing you put them in a scenario. . The books are eclectic but I also gravitate towards the Swabian War tome, mostly for novelty.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe! Not sure when the Sumerians will next hit the table but not in the three weeks remaining in 2024, that’s for sure. I look forward to exploring the Swabian War book. Hopefully there is a scenario to be created in there somewhere.
DeleteForward to Swabia! By the way: will you play the battles of the German Bauernkrieg?
ReplyDeleteAndré, I know nothing of the German Bauernkrieg!
DeleteBeautiful Sumerians Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting and varied batch of reading you've acquired. I look forward to some reviews... especially the Swabian War.
Thank you, Richard! The Swabian War book caught my attention too. This is a conflict i know nothing about but fits into a period that I collect and game. Swiss and Landsknechts in battle...sounds good to me!
DeleteSplendid looking Sumerians,I'm probably glad I missed the Helion sale, best all round really! The Swabian book looks intriguing!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain! The timing of the Helion sale was perfect for me in the USA. 25% discount and free shipping. That is a bargain since I usually put books in my, cart, see the shipping charge, and then abort my order.
DeleteGreat looking Sumerians and a great spread of books and games Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ben!
DeleteI have the Bosworth book, which is very enjoyable, as much for its analytical approach as anything else. I bought it because I wanted to put together a well researched scenario based on the new location of the battlefield ….. however! I also bought Ospreys Bosworth by Gravett and they conflict on the alignment of the armies …. All to do with the ridge / furrow of the ploughed field, so I started to try and work something out based upon the found artefacts of where cannonball landed.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, to that end, I have just picked up Bosworth - The Archaeology of the Battlefield by Mackinder (pen & sword), which I hope might settle things ….. I will take the 2 out of 3 approach. I have not read it yet, so we shall see!
As an interesting sidenote, I vaguely recalled the Ingram book. When I saw the sale announced, I scoured my library to confirm that it was already in-house. Not finding it, I ordered the book. Only later did I find the Ingram book on my wargaming literature bookcase upstairs in my office. I will soon have two copies! Report back on your findings from your readings of Mackinder. The Bosworth book I would like to get my hands on is the Foard and Curry work.
DeleteYes, they would be the ‘go to’ team.
DeleteThat's a nice haul, Jon! I have been good these year and abstained from the holiday sales.
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side, I have not been buying figures.
DeleteLovely Sumerians Jonathan…
ReplyDeleteAnd some excellent shopping..
All the best. Aly
Thank you! While everyone may not appreciate Sumerians, we all enjoy shopping.
DeleteGreat work Jonathan always nice to see Newline's 28s on here!
ReplyDeleteThanks! If you look through the archives (using labels), you will discover many Newline 28s!
DeleteBrilliant addition to the collection Jon, and quite a lot of reading coming up too!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ray! Lots of reading and quite a large Pile of Possibilities on the gaming front.
Delete