Semi-Rearing Mustang - Nuances

Breyer History Diva wrote a bit about how to tell the age of a buckskin Semi-Rearing Mustang, one of my most favoritemolds.

From Breyer History Diva, June, 2013

I was just thinking about that myself - there's a lot of variation in the Buckskin Mustang, which isn't surprising, since it was made for almost forever (by today's standards!)

I haven't codified all of the nuances, but here are a few:

The easiest way to tell is to check for a USA mark. No USA = prior to 1970. Nubbed/trimmed front hooves are also an indication of age, though I'm not sure when that practice was discontinued.

The very earliest ones have painted eyewhites. Those are pretty hard to come by, though. (And if you find one, snag it!)

Earlier Mustangs tended to have more greyish legs than later ones, contrasted by their black hooves. It wasn't until near the end of the run that the legs were painted true black.

Dorsal stripes are another indicator of age; again, I'm not entirely sure when they stopped putting them on - early 1970s, I believe.

Earlier Mustangs also have either neatly airbrushed or masked manes; again, it's hard to date precisely. My super-early one with eyewhites has a neatly-airbrushed mane, but a mid-1970s one I just picked up recently was masked.

Brenda Breyer Gift Set

Another piece she had came with the original 1980s box!

Brenda Breyer Gift Set, #3095, 1980 - 1985, $25, Kim Myers, Decatur, Indiana

Cream of Tartar

Tina Dils, a fellow hobbyist, just started a collecting blog. There are a LOT of artists' blogs for remaking, sculpting, and painting, but not too many for those of us who simply like to collect. It's a new blog, but her third post helped me add two nice vintage pieces to my collection!

Tina suggested that collectors look on Craigslist as well as some other places for pieces. I had looked there before without success, but thought I would give it a whirl again. And this time, I found a woman, Kim Myer, in Decatur, Indiana, who was selling her entire collection.

Better yet, she was a collector, so her pieces were good ones. Even better? Her prices were reasonable and in-line with today's market (Breyer values have been low since the economy tanked in 2009.)

I contacted Kim and bought two pieces form her. The first is one I have wanted for years: Cream of Tartar.

 Cream of Tartar, #700196, SR 1996, Breyer Show Special, $25, Kim Myers, Dectaur, Indiana

Hartland Seabiscuit

This is a very ugly piece but I am excited to add it to my collection. Why? Because it is also a very unusual and hard to find Hartland piece.

 Seabiscuit, 140929191220, Resin Legacy Model, 6/10/13, $6.00, eBay, Lost Treasures Inc.

 I will be keeping it in its box...

 ... which will help with documentation.

HR Specialty Dressage Horse and Rider

I got this piece from Gerry Bowman's Little Shoppe.

 #4002 Dressage Horse with Rider, $50.00

Breyer Mesteno's Mother

Another find from the Romney Toy Shop!

 #751103, Spirit Kiger Mustang (Walmart), $8, Romney Toy Shop.

Hartland Tinymite Arabian

I had this piece as a child, but it disappeared as time passed. (It may still be tucked in some boxes in my office closet. Who knows?) I found an orangey replacement one a few years ago, but it wasn't the same. So, when I saw this one at the Romney Toy Shop yesterday, I snagged it. (It wasn't even on the sales floor yet - she'd just gotten it in!)

 Hartland Tinymite Arabian, $1, Romney Toy Shop

It's not mint and has either a tiny eartip rub or chip, but still I am glad to have it. I love the color.