More Clinkies from Nancy Falzone

It was a good mail day yesterday - I received another box from Nancy Falzone! After I'd purchased the Metlox Clydesdale, she'd asked if I were looking for anything else. I mentioned a few things, and soon new models were on their way to my home. 

 When I opened the box and cleared the top layer of packing peanuts,

I found four individually wrapped packages. It felt like I was opening another BreyerFest surprise horse or grab bag!

Nancy's packing jobs are always first rate. Each piece is carefully wrapped in several layers of paper and bubble wrap.

Inside the first package was a Monrovia Hagen Renaker Scamper in matte palomino. ($50) (Photo by Nancy.)

 A Zebra of an unknown manufacturer was in the next one. (I have a guess, but want to confirm that after doing some research.) ($15)

An old Lefton Donkey (with the original label under his belly) was in the third. ($20) (Photo by Nancy.)

And last was this matte palomino Monrovia Roughneck.

Nancy included the card she used to document him - I am thrilled to have this piece of ephemera and to learn the history of the model. ($50)

But there was one more surprise in that box.

Nancy had popped in a little gift - a Christmas ornament!

I always enjoy getting new models. But when they come from a friend, especially a dear friend like Nancy, they are sweet reminders of that friendship. And when I look at them on my shelves, not only do I see the horse, but I see my friend, too.

A New Metlox Piece

Any day that you get a box from Nancy Falzone is a good day.

And yesterday was a very good mail day - look what she sent me!

This is the Metlox Poppytrail Turning Budweiser Clydesdale, a piece that Anheuser-Busch commissioned the Metlox company to produce.

My photos do not do it justice - the mane ribbons and bobs are beautiful and the gold accented hardware is stunning.

The piece is very large (as big as the large Metlox Drafters) and very heavy. It is the second version (indicated by the better gold detail and mane decorations) of the piece.

Nancy is known for her fabulous Hagen Renaker collection, but she has also acquired a lot of other chinas over the years. She is parting with some of those as well as some of her Hagen Renakers. (I have a palomino Roughneck and Scamper, a Lefton donkey, and an unknown Zebra coming in the next box from her.) 

Thank you, Nancy, for letting me add this beautiful boy to my collection!

HR Foal, Running

Nancy Falzone also sold me this running foal to complete my palomino set.

HR Foal, Running, A-235, palomino, 1954-present (early piece), $10, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

HR Mini Family

Nancy Falzone offered me this Hagen Renaker Mini Horse Family and I was glad to add them to my collection, not only because they are old HRs, but because they were Nancy's.

HR Horse, Rearing, A-234, 1954-1985 (early piece), $100/set, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017
HR Foal, Running, A-235, 1954-present (early piece), $100/set, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017
HR Foal, Lying, A-236, white, 1954-1957, $100/set, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017
HR Mare, Running, A-233, white, 1954-present (early piece), $100/set, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

Horse Family from Nancy Falzone

It's always meaningful to acquire a piece for my collection from Nancy Falzone. She's been a dear friend for a long time, and the pieces I buy from her are "black hole" pieces - they are staying with me and most definitely not for sale!

Yesterday I went to Great Lakes Congress December show. Nancy was in attendance and had brought two things I'd purchased before the show day plus some other things, too.

This bay set of Maureen Love horses in mint condition came home with me. (Nancy has teeny tiny documentation stickers on their bellies that I intend to keep there as part of their history.)

HR Horse Rearing, A-234, 1954-1985 (early piece), $60/set of 4, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

HR Mare, Running, A-233, 1954-present (early piece), $60/set of 4, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

HR Foal, Running, A-235, 1954-present (early piece), $60/set of 4, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

HR Foal, Lying, A-236, 1954-1957, $60/set of 4, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

Another Circus Pony

Another Circus Pony, and from Nancy Falzone to boot!

 Hagen Renaker Head Up Circus Pony, A-266, 1980-1983, $40, Nancy Falzone, 12/17

She only sold it because she broke it, but it's an easy fix. Plus, I am always glad to have some of Nancy's models join my collection!

Circus Pedestal from Nancy Falzone

I bought this Hagen Renaker Circus Pedestal from Nancy Falzone at GLC's December show.

HR Circus Pedestal, A-268B, $40, 1955-1956, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017.

Lenox Appaloosa

I have wanted this piece for a long, long time.

 Appaloosa, Fury of the Plains by Lenox, 1990, $60, Staff Bodamer (at Nancy Falzone's party), 11/2017.

Sleeping Fjord

Kristina Lucas Francis had ten of these Sleeping Fjords for sale at Nancy's. They sold quickly - there were only four left to choose from when I decided to get one!

 KLF Sleeping Fjord, $100, 15 made, 11/2017/

Okaptopus

Also at Nancy Falzone's party, I picked up one of Kristina Lucas Francis' Okaptopus!

 Okaptopus, $80, ceramic, #5/6 in purple orchid glaze, 11/4/2017.

 I am not a fantasy animal collector, but I do like this one!

San Dimas Zara

My Hagen-Renaker Zara arrived today! I bought her from my friend, Nancy Falzone, and she is stunning.

Zara ($180)

 Her detail is beautiful; she is a San Dimas era piece in doeskin. Lots of crackle in her graze and nice shading.

I bought her to match my Monrovia era Amir. When I put them together, I was surprised to discover that I actually liked his color better - he is that luscious soft-edged color they did on their doeskin pieces back then while her detail is crisper.

Next up? To find the third piece of the set, the foal, Zilla.

Nancy Falzone

This is what a good friend does for you when she has a piece you've asked about purchasing:

Hi Lynn

Good to hear from you again on this windy cool day here.  I dread the thought of winter, but that gets us closer to Breyerfest, right?

I would be happy to take time payments for my Zara, you can go longer if you like.  I will say there is a beautiful Zara on eBay for much less money (& one for more money) if that is an option.  It does have a break & chipped ear  though.  You are a friend & I just wanted to let you know that.  I would be very pleased if mine went into your collection however. 

I have had the best collecting week that I have had in a long time.  I got a very nice palomino Peggy Lou.  It has wonderful coloring & chiseling & a nice eye on the near side.  I was very pleased.  I was also surprised that Peggy is a "boy".  The second horse is a buckskin Monrovia Daisy with original sticker.  She is beautiful too!  She completed my set, now I have all three.  Took me all these years to find these two horses.

Scarlett arrives next week.  I will send you a picture of her in a separate email so you can see what the finished product looks like.  I simply cannot believe my good luck in these three great horses, I won't need another horse for quite awhile. :-)

Have a nice weekend.

Nancy 

Thanks, Nancy. I'll still buy yours. I know it is of the highest quality; better yet, it is a piece from a dear friend's collection.

Nancy Falzone

Mention the name "Nancy Falzone" around a bunch of chinaheads, and you get their attention. Who is Nancy Falzone? She probably has the premiere Hagen Renaker collection in the United States if not the world.

She's a friend of mine who I met at an auction probably twenty years ago in Illinois. I had heard there would be models for sale, so I drove up north to it (cannot remember where it was, but it was northern Illinois) and met Nancy and her friend, Michelle Oviatt.

Nancy and Don Falzone

They approached me during the time before the auction where you could go look at the merchandise. I was looking for HSO (horse shaped objects) and did not notice that they were, too. They noticed me, however, and approached me and introduced themselves.

"I knew you were one of 'us,'" Nancy crowed when they discovered I, too, was hoping to pick up a model or two. And we struck up a friendship then and there.

I have no idea if I bought anything, but I do remember thoroughly enjoying the two women. We exchanged contact information, and Michelle sold me my woodgrain FAF dirt cheap when she learned I was looking for one.

Nancy and I have stayed in sporadic contact over the years. About ten years ago, her stepson was injured in a bad automobile accident in the Champaign/Urbana area, and I was able to be a resource to her then. And, we've talked models, etc. online, and touch base every now and then. When I decided to attend this year's BreyerFest, I emailed her, hoping we could meet up there. And we will!

Below is some of our more recent correspondence. She is a classy lady, and I look forward to seeing her in a few short weeks.

Hi Lynn

I had a class reunion this past weekend & was so busy with that and could not find the time to look up a picture of Don & I.  I have one here for you now.  It is 5 years old but should still be alright.   I think we are in the 300's for Breyerfest and hope that you & I can connect up there.  It is coming on fast now & I have most of my sales stuff paced up now.  That is the worst part to get ready. 

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Nancy

Wow, that is so exciting that I may get to see you once again after so many years.  Please get my attention because I may not recognize you after such a long time, my memory is not at all what it used to me.  I was thinking of you just a couple days ago when I bought a HR off eBay.  The seller lives in Springfield & I would of loved for you to bring it to Breyerfest, but at the time I didn't know that you were going.  The horse is a very fragile head up Arabian with Abu Farwa sticker.  I can't wait to see it in person.  Looking forward to seeing you again too, it will be here before I know it.  I am hoping for a room in the 300's, do you have a reservation? 

Good to hear from you.

Nancy

----- Original Message -----

From: Lynn Isenbarger

To: Nancy Falzone

Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2012 11:40 AM

Subject: BreyerFest

Hi, Nancy!

For the first time in umpteen years, I am going to BreyerFest. I am also showing at Breakables.

Any chance I will see you at either event? Would love to have a chance to say "hello." 

Lynn Isenbarger

Hi Lynne

I was so glad to hear from you.  Nice to reunite with old friends.  I have thought of you often over the years & wondered where you were.

I am going to Breyerfest as of now.  I am having some back issues & I have a month to get that fixed, so that I can go & have a good time.   I didn't have a way, but now looks like my husband will take me.  I knew of this collector friend named Bonnie Ellis that I was hoping to find & we could go together, but I had no luck there.  I tried every angle I could think of but never located her.   Next year maybe you & I could go together.  That would be nice. :-)

I don't know the maker of your horse either.  It is nice & resembles a Albany, but I don't think it is.  Maybe someone out there will step forward & will know who made it.  There are so many wonderful models out there I think & lots of people with so much knowledge.  I still collect mostly Hagen Renaker, but can't find much there to buy anymore.

Well, Lynn, it was so nice to chat with you.  Like I said, it is so nice to know you are still invoved in our hobby.  I hope your surgery goes well. You have a great day.

Nancy 

----- Original Message -----

From: Lynn Isenbarger

To: Nancy Falzone

Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 5:43 AM

Subject: Re: ID Help, Please?

Remember you?? Of course! And fondly, too. :)

I would love to go to BreyerFest, but I am having my second knee replacement in June and just won't be able to handle the walking. The following year maybe?

Attached are some pictures. I am not sure why they did not come through on breakables. I don't post much (although I read daily) so maybe I just don't know how to do it. The horse I have reminds me of one that Tom Bainbridge listed for sale and posted on Breakables a month or so ago. I saved his picture and have attached it, too. (The horse on the base.) His is Mill Reef by Albany Fine China. I have done some searching online but been unable to find out more. My horse does resemble his.

I hope you and yours are doing well. It is truly good to hear from you and has made me smile. :)

Lynn

  ~o

_'/<,_

(*)/ (*) I'd rather be biking!

---

From: Nancy Falzone <hrlady1@comcast.net>
To: lisenbarger8@yahoo.com
Sent: Mon, May 23, 2011 9:12:12 PM
Subject: Re: ID Help, Please?

Hi Lynn

I hope you will remember me because the minute I saw your name I remembered you so well.  I am Nancy Falzone & I just wanted to drop by & say Hi.

Any chance you will be at Breyerfest this year?

I could not retrieve any pictures of the horse you wanted id'd, so I am not much help there.

Nice to know you are still involved in the hobby!!

Nancy Falzone