Sanibel - America the Beautiful Series

Breyer did a draw for this lovely piece, and I was lucky enough to win it!

 Sanibel, America the Beautiful Series, #712254, $135, 350 made, 2018 only, Breyer.

 Not only is Sanibel gorgeous...

... he's chalky, too!

HR Circus Pony - Arrives Broken

I got this new Circus Pony from another hobbyist in the mail Friday.

HR Head Up Circus Pony, A-266, 1980-1983, $45 ppd, Jeanne Nandell McCall, Monticello, IA.

Sadly, it arrived broken.

 Actually, I wasn't surprised.

 As I opened the inside box and saw how tightly the foam was squished around the piece, I feared the worst. And I was right - between the bubble wrap and the foam, the pressure had snapped the leg. The outside box was in perfect shape, so it was not the PO's fault.

I know the seller meant well and tried her best. Nonetheless, I am still disappointed. And it is ironic that she was worried about how I would pack a clinky that I was going to send her - she even gave me advice on how to pack it. (And it arrived without incident.)

I am not angry, but I am sad. Yet these things happen, and I do already have this piece in my collection - I bought another one because, well, circus ponies!!

Black Diamond #2

Today I popped into an antique shop and found a piece I already had - a Lefton Saddlebred! But he was in mint condition and, for $8, too nice and too inexpensive to be left behind.

 Lefton American Saddlebred, H1446, $8, 7/11/2018, Klassy Klutter, Lafayette, Indiana.

He is in mint condition and is lovely.

 It's a Lefton and its number is H1446

 And, it has its original Made in Japan sticker and 108 incised into its inner thigh.

 My original Black Diamond (who I got in the 1960s) is on the left.

 You can see subtle differences between the two.

 Mine is missing the H1 from its number, for one thing.

 It, too, has the 108 incised into its inner thigh.

 Its hooves are a bit lighter and it does not quite stand square.

 My original has a narrower, longer blaze and slightly different eyes.

 The newer Black Diamond has less striping in its mane.

Its tail has more white and that white color is brighter.

Black Diamond #2 will be offered for sale - I don't need two of them, and the original is one of my favorites and I would never replace it with another one. So why did I buy him? To get him into the hands of other collectors where he will be loved and appreciated.