My Purdy Custom

I don't collect customs, although I do have three early 70s ones (Pace's Hi Hopes, Scojeadon (I think that's its name), and Midwest Tumbleweed.)I also have this guy:

 Champaign Toast made by Tiffany Conwell (Purdy) in 1995.

 She brought him to Lincoln Land Live and I fell in love with him!

By today's standards for customizing, he's average, but back then, he was dynamite!

I cleaned my hobby closet out over Fall Break and found him. I am downsizing my collection (well, in SOME ways I am... haha!) and I decided to send him to my friend, Jennifer Buxton, Tiffany's best friend. She's also the one who made my the miniature halter with Abby's name on it as well as a set of sleigh bells that are my real ones only downsized for model horses.

Jennifer was thrilled. Here's her blog post about it.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015

Pre-Purdy

In my heart of hearts, I secretly believe that all the Purdy horses should belong to me. 

Today, I came one step closer to that goal, except my newest Purdy pony is so old he predates the Purdy name!

Meet Champagne Toast. He was a surprise gift from Lynn Isenbarger.

The note accompanying tells his story: When Craig was teaching at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, I held three live shows, Lincoln Land I, II and III in the early 1990's. Entries were arriving for Lincoln Land II when I got a call from a girl named Tiffany. She asked about model showing and said she was interested in attending a show and seeing what it was all about. I invited her to come join us, and she did.

It may have been her first live show, but she had wonderful entries! Her packing boxes were neat, too; I still remember a round, pink box with leopard print. Tiffany attended both Lincoln Land II and III, bringing this horse to Lincoln Land III. I fell in love with him, and ended up purchasing him. 

I am in the process of downsizing and, aside from this TWH and a few 1970's pieces from Sherry Cook, I really don't collect customs. I spent some time thinking about who might appreciate him, and you came to mind. Please feel free to what you want with him--keep him, pass him on, etc. Regardless, I hope he brings a smile to your face.
Thank you so much, Lynn. I love my new pre-Purdy pony. He definitely won't be passed along!

Freeman Leidy Circus Pony

I have watched this piece on eBay for months. It's been relisted for $40.24 several times; finally, the seller put a Buy It Now on it, and I submitted a lowball bid of $25. To my surprise, it was accepted without quibble.

(Pictures from eBay listing.)

 Freeman Leidy Circus Pony, $25, Barbara Harger, Estacada, Oregon, 10/2015

 It is far bigger than I anticipated; about the same size as a Breyer.

I am trying to find out more about the Freeman Leidy company. I have seen it called one of the California Potteries, and associated with the town of Laguna Beach. Another eBay listing for this piece dates it from 1944-1955.

I have also heard that there are three different circus ponies and a wagon for the set.

 Ed Alcorn has had these listed on eBay for over a year. He wants $250 for the pair!!

 An image pulled from Google Images shows a purple version with green ribbons.

Another picture from eBay shows the circus wagon that goes to the set.

I'd love to have all the pieces, but I'm a $25 sort of girl! We'll see.