Sunday, December 8, 2024

More Sumerians and a Bit of Shopping

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.
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:


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.

On the gaming front, one more First Battle of Azukizaka is on deck for a Tuesday game.

41 comments:

  1. Great looking Sumerians and quite a varied group of new acquisitions, Jonathan.

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    1. Thank you, Dean! Often, my goal with board games is as resource material for either scenarios or campaigns.

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  2. Jonathan, I wish I could keep the purchases in check and increase my painting output to match yours!
    To 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

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    1. 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.

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  3. Great looking addition for your Sumerians. I don't blame you taking advantage of the sales to pick up some extra reading

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    1. Thanks, Neil! My weakness may be a near universal wargaming trait.

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  4. Nice 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.

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    1. Thanks, Steve! Finger-pricking possibilities, for sure, but when pointed horizontally, less likely to do damage. Boardgames are an overlooked resource for inspiration.

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  5. Fine additions to the Sumerian collection and some purchases on the sales front are not to be sniffed at.

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    1. Thanks, Phil! Your support on the splurge front much appreciated!

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  6. Great 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.

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    1. Thank you! More grey cloth next time! As for foregoing the sales, you have a stronger resolve than I.

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  7. You're cracking out the units again Jon. Some intriguing titles there. Are we likely to see any Royal Marines tabbing across your table top?

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    1. Painting output, for now, has picked up. No Royal Marines planned but Royal Walloon Guards are in work.

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  8. More 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.

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    1. Thanks, Donnie! I know nothing about the Swabian War either but I am about to learn once the book arrives.

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  9. Another lovely batch of Newline Design figures, Jon!
    Interesting 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.

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    1. Thanks! You remember your history correctly, Keith! I remember following this conflict daily in the newspaper.

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  10. Your 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.

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    1. Thanks, 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.

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  11. Forward to Swabia! By the way: will you play the battles of the German Bauernkrieg?

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  12. Beautiful Sumerians Jonathan.
    That's an interesting and varied batch of reading you've acquired. I look forward to some reviews... especially the Swabian War.

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    1. 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!

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  13. Splendid looking Sumerians,I'm probably glad I missed the Helion sale, best all round really! The Swabian book looks intriguing!
    Best Iain

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    1. 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.

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  14. Great looking Sumerians and a great spread of books and games Jonathan.

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  15. I 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.
    Anyway, 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!

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    1. 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.

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    2. Yes, they would be the ‘go to’ team.

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  16. That's a nice haul, Jon! I have been good these year and abstained from the holiday sales.

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    1. On the bright side, I have not been buying figures.

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  17. Lovely Sumerians Jonathan…
    And some excellent shopping..

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thank you! While everyone may not appreciate Sumerians, we all enjoy shopping.

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  18. Great work Jonathan always nice to see Newline's 28s on here!

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    1. Thanks! If you look through the archives (using labels), you will discover many Newline 28s!

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  19. Brilliant addition to the collection Jon, and quite a lot of reading coming up too!!

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    1. Thanks, Ray! Lots of reading and quite a large Pile of Possibilities on the gaming front.

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