It was with a very sad heart that I wrote my last Editorial in July 2025.
My unfortunate task then was to pass on the news that Ray Haradin, owner and publisher of Old Toy Soldier magazine and of Old Toy Soldier Auctions, had passed away. Ray was a larger than life figure whose energy and enthusiasm enlivened our hobby. His shoes were very hard to fill.
As reported last July Old Toy Soldier Auctions will “soldier on” under the auspices of Morphy Auctions as detailed elsewhere on this site.
At that time the future for the Old Toy Soldier magazine looked uncertain. However, I am now pleased to report that the path forward is now clear.
The magazine was started, back in 1976, as a simple Newsletter by Roger Garfield, Don Pielin, Steve and JoEllen Sommers and Joe Wallis (see the accompanying image from 1983).
The Usual Suspects – the crew responsible for the original Newsletter back in 1983: from left to right – Joe Wallis, Steve and JoEllen Sommers, Roger Garfield, and Don Pielin. The first issue of the Newsletter came out in October 1976.
Ray took over the magazine in 2000, appointing Norman Joplin as editor. Together, they introduced various changes, including most recently providing past copies of the magazine online for free.
I took over the editorial reins in Winter 2020. It was a pleasure working with Ray and the rest of the team over the past almost 5 years.
Following detailed discussion with Nancy Haradin we have now agreed a way forward. We are therefore able to continue publishing article and other material to celebrate our 50th Anniversary in 2026.
We plan to include a number of new articles this year, including contributions from many of our regular authors including Bill Anderson, Norman Joplin, Robin Forsey, and more.In addition, we have the usual Reconnaissance, Readers Messages and related pages, where various contributors keep us up to date with what is going on in the hobby.
Thanks to all these authors, as well as all previous contributors to the Magazine over the past almost 50 years. Hopefully, this will not be the end of the story, but to ensure that we need your input too!
Send in your thoughts to: r.a.wilson@rob-wilson
Rob Wilson, July 31st 2026