Masterclass / Deja Vu releases

[elgreco]

Besides their latest release of "The Templar" (75mm, Sculpted by Antonio Zapatero), Masterclass have also announced the following (as translated from their website):

EXTENSION OF THE DEJA VU SERIES with the inclusion of 10 masters from
ALEXANDER MINIATURES
​

These include 9 beautiful pieces in 75mm, sculpted by great artists including Yuri Serebriakov, Pablo Deheleanu Bogdan, Salvatore Miraglia etc...

This last effort has been rendered possible thanks to the sensitivity of the former owner Alexander who has entrusted us with the safeguarding of his "creations" ...


These models are available on their website at: www.masterclass.it and many are also available for pre-order on our website.

Below is the list of masters acquired:

EFDV5439 Africa Korps Infantry
54 mm

EFDV7501 King Leonida I
75 mm

EFDV7502 Celtic Nobleman, 1 Century B.C
75 mm

EFDV7503 Villanovian Warrior
75 mm

EFDV7504 Marine Roman Tribune
75 mm

EFDV7505 Miles Legio X, Gallia, 58 – 57 a.C (two heads
included)
75 mm

EFDV7506 Osco Sannita Warrior
75 mm

EFDV7507 Standard bearer
75 mm

EFDV7508 Celtic Chief
75 mm

EFDV7509 Markos Botsaris Greak revolution hero
75 mm

 

[Figurenfreund66]

Oh thats good news, thank you .

Hendryk

 

[Gellso]

I feel like I've seen these somewhere before!

 

[Gaudin]

This last effort has been rendered possible thanks to the sensitivity of the former owner Alexander who has entrusted us with the safeguarding of his "creations" ...

The former owner Alexander ( or be it Francesco Mellone) should have a sensitivity to refund the money that he obtained without posting the products (to numerous individuals).

At present Masterclass are talking of sensitivites of a thief making a further buck by "entrusting with the safeguarding of his "creations" to someone else (to make profit - isn't it?)

Or must it be a pure charity on his part then?


Francesco has our heartfelt thanks to the helpfullness and seriousness shown
(a Francesco va il nostro sentito ringraziamento per la disponibilità e la serietà dimostrata).


ah, me bad - he is actually a noble gentleman...

Yet he hasnt been availiable to mere mortals for 9 month who tried to ask for money back.

What about manufacturers he owes to, that will never see their money, never mind the customers?

 

[elgreco]

Dear Dimitry,

We are sorry to hear this. We ourselves have never had any dealings with Alexander Miniatures, and were only bringing to attention what Masterclass themselves sent us as their news.

We have no idea who Francesco is, which is why we only translated the first part of the announcement.

We have been doing business regularly with Masterclass and have never had any reason to complain. You may need to rephrase your comment below:

nothing personal, but if you are endorsing, advertising and distributing these products - please consider the above ethical dilemma.It is of course primarily the business of Masterclass in the end of the day.
Feel free to raise this issue with them as I doubt my concerns will be accepted there.

Masterclass have acquired the masters from Alexander Miniatures and they are producing these kits under their own range of products. Masterclass do NOT have to pay any dues which Alexander Miniatures owed. We, as well as various other traders, would be dealing with Masterclass. So it is unfair and unjustified of yourself to taint Masterclass, ourselves and other traders for any wrongdoings carried out by another company. Masterclass have borne the expense of buying the masters and producing the kits. What Alexander Miniatures has done in the past has NOTHING to do with what Masterclass is doing now.

But we will raise your concerns with Masterclass and ask them to intervene on the matter with the former Alexander Miniatures. As stated previously, we have never had any contact with Alexander Miniatures.

We are at a bit of a loss here as we have no idea of the past history of Alexander Miniatures. But it is wrong to take Masterclass to task about this issue. If you have issues with Alexander Miniatures, you should address your queries to them directly, or those directly involved in the transactions.

Regards,
Celine

 

[Gaudin]

Hi Celine

At no stage I have or had issues neither with yourself not Masterclass, both I am sure are reputable companies. My appologies if comments were misconscrewed and I think perhabs misdirected solely because you copied the contents of masterclass website.

I also dont hold them responsible for other company's debt - that will be absurd.

The issue is however and was with Mr Mellone who is untill late is/was the owner of late Alexander miniatures. I do feel strongly about it and not because of money I have lost personally.

It is unfortunate that on Masterclass website it is quoted as if he bestowed a blessing and passed his legacy to Masterclass whilst beeing co-operative and helpfull. I hope you would agree that it seems rather inappropriate and to a degree offensive, now that you know the background story.
To date I am not aware of any effort of him to recompense neither customers nor manufacturers. I am aware of huge efforts of various people to get Alexander miniatures to honour their promises and debt to no avail. I do sincerely hope that the funds that he received for them will go to settlle his debts yet reality is different.
It is also interesting that it seems not possible to leave comments on Masterclass webiste in a similar fashion as Alexander mini website used to behave.

As I said earlier - it is unfortunate that you chose to quote the website verbatim and it turned to be a " shoot the messenger" experience
I do appologise and shall amend the post accordigly.

 

[elgreco]

Hi Dimitry

You are right in feeling very short-changed on the matter and we hope that there will be a satisfactory conclusion to the matters raised with regard to Alexander Miniatures. We will try to assist if possible in any way.

Thanks for amending the post

 

[elgreco]

To whom it may concern:
Franco Carcione from Masterclass requested that we post a clarification on the above matter. We are hereby reproducing their e-mail to us, as translated from Italian:

1) We [Masterclass] did not know [Francesco] Mellone beforehand and had no knowledge of his commercial activities.
2) We have simply acquired the masters from him and all negotiations with us regarding this were correct.
3) During this negotiation, we acknowledge that there was a constructive attitude on the part of Alexander with regard to an evident willingness to cede to Masterclass in particular the series from the Alexander range, with the purpose of maximising the value of his collection - and this was advantageous for us since we did not have to take part in auctions or restart negotiations, besides being a compliment for us (and it is in this respect that we felt duty bound to thank the owner of Alexander for the collaboration).
4) We are sorry to hear that there were irregular commercial transactions to your detriment but we could not know this, and neither can we do anything about it.
5) From today onwards, the pieces have become available again and may be purchased together with the whole Masterclass and White Models range from ourselves [Masterclass] and our resellers.