Sunday, April 13, 2014
Susecion & LeFire Reissue
Breyer found some body blanks in their warehouse and reissued the very popular Susecion and LeFire set. I have the first release and only bought this set because it is a very popular set, thinking perhaps I would resell it down the road. The reissue's paint job is far superior to the original!
Arabian Mare and Foal, Reissue, #430011, $34, Breyer Web Site, 2014 only, 4/2014.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Mortens Studio Prancer
My second Mortens in a month! (See Morainewood Kennels blog as the other is a Collie.)
Mortens Studio Small Prancing Horse, $14.99, 1940s, eBay/Aloma Dolan, Sun Prairie, WI, 3/2014.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Information on Zebras and Japan Labels
From Amy Peckham (who bought my three china zebras.)
The blue/yellow oval label is one that Arnart used along with several others.Arnart used a rectangular shape blue/yellow paper label a lot also, same as Shaffords red/gold "Japan" foil rectangular and oval stickers.
I did a bit of quick research on that unmarked zebra. Robert Simmons did two zebra models called "snip and snap", your unmarked one is a copy of one of them, you can see those models by Simmons at the hrgallery.8m.com website in the Robert Simmons section.
He copied the models from a German company.I can tell right away it's not Japan. I have over 600 Japan horses from 98 different stickered companies, the crazing isn't typical of Japan models and I can see the larger pour hole in belly,again not typical of japans.I really like the zebra though, he has a sort of art deco styling from 1940's or 50's. Arnart also operated under the name royal chintz,that's when they used the oval sticker. I have spent probably a thousand hours studying Japan companies.
I'm working on trying to get better at identifying American pottery companies,The zebra has the shape of Simmons zebra but has a lot of qualities of freeman-McFarlane pieces such as the eyes and feet(coloring and shape).
The blue/yellow oval label is one that Arnart used along with several others.Arnart used a rectangular shape blue/yellow paper label a lot also, same as Shaffords red/gold "Japan" foil rectangular and oval stickers.
I did a bit of quick research on that unmarked zebra. Robert Simmons did two zebra models called "snip and snap", your unmarked one is a copy of one of them, you can see those models by Simmons at the hrgallery.8m.com website in the Robert Simmons section.
I'm working on trying to get better at identifying American pottery companies,The zebra has the shape of Simmons zebra but has a lot of qualities of freeman-McFarlane pieces such as the eyes and feet(coloring and shape).
Friday, March 28, 2014
Diablo - Vintage Collectors Club 2014
My favorite mold in a luscious red roan - not a color that has ever been done on the semi-rearing Mustang. I am soooo happy with this piece!
Joining the Vintage Collectors Club when it first began was a good decision on my part - I have loved all that they have put out, and this year looks to be the best of all!
Diablo, #712103, Vintage Collectors Club 2014 #2, $127, 3/2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
North Lights - a History
This was posted on Blab today by Whitestones_uk.
History of North Light
First produced in 1978 by Guy Pocock and Anne Godfrey at the 'factory' at Yarn Mill, Biddulph, Stoke On Trent England.
NL started with dog models when designer Guy Pocock pioneered the application of the Kennel club breed standard to dog models available to the gift trade. Seven pedigrees were designed in collaboration with the sculptress Anne Godfrey and from their success in the gift trade North Light was born. In the pursuit of excellence North Light sketched, photographed and measured dogs of the first pedigree.
The studio name was selected to refer to the ideal direction from which the light should pour into an artist’s studio, the North Light.
At the beginning they built up a line of 160 pedigree dogs. It was in the mid 1980s they began the working on horses. They also began to introduce farm animals, wild birds and other exotic animals from around the world.
North Light models are crafted in a mixture of ceramic and resin, with the addition of porcelain powder. Cold Cast Bronze models were a mixed with powered bronze then painted to look like bronze, they are heavier than normal NLs.
North Lights were painted with Liquitex Acrylics. They were painted in a mix of airbrushing and hand painting by a highly skilled workforce.
Dates on models are not the year it was made but the COPYRIGHT year
North Light went through many years of financial hardships and their history is 'chequered' ...
In 2005, the North Light factory located in Stoke-On-Trent, England was sold (including all existing North Light molds) to the company: WADE CERAMICS LTD. They repackaged and resold the North Light horses under the new trademark: North Light @ Wade. Production of most of the animal figures continued in the UK until July 2008, when the decision was taken to cease UK production of the North Light animals. A new range of animal figures was introduced - the North Light @ Wade Premier Collection - consisting of 17 horses and 22 dogs. The new range was made in China, but sold at a considerably lower price (sadly the quality of finishwork from China was not to the same high standard). Unfortunately Wade ceased production of all North Light figures in January 2009. All moulds are now discontinued.
There are over 50 horse moulds.
Horses: Smaller Trad.
Arabian
Hanoverian
Morgan
Small Shire
Regular Trad. Size:
American Saddlebred
Andalusian (on and off base) [there were 2 types of base]
Lipizzaner - there were 3 different moulds: Piaffe [on base], Levade and Capriole [on base]
Broodmare (& Suckling Foal)
Carthorse with a rope halter and blanket moulded on
Clydesdale
Cob
Donkey Jennet
Large Friesian (head turned & up)
Friesian 1st version - head down
Friesian 2nd version - head up
Grazing mare
Hunter with braided mane & tail
Part Thoroughbred (same as the Hunter, but a loose mane and tail)
Irish Draft – braided main & tail
Jumper (with base & wall)
Warmblood - (same as the ID, but a loose mane & tail)
Mule with teeth showing
Percheron
Quarter Horse
Reclining Mare
Rolling Stallion
Royal Storm - rearing horse ( there are at least 2 sizes)
Shire Mare
Shire on the move (like carthorse but with the halter and blanket removed)
Shire Stallion (large)
Suffolk Punch
Thoroughbred (on base)
TWH
Zebra/Quagga
Farrier – horse with raised leg and farrier adding shoe
Pony Moulds:
British Spotted Pony
Welsh Cob
Welsh Mountain Pony
Welsh Pony Stallion
New Forest Pony
Norwegian Fjord
Exmoor Pony
Shetland - Miranda
Shetland Pony.
Fell Pony.
Action Fell Pony.
Dartmoor - Kirtly Ladybird
Dartmoor Stallion.
Pony Stallion
Highland
Foals:
Yearling Scratching
Shire Foal
Small scratching foal
Lying foal
Shetland Pony Foal
Standing Foal
Grazing Foal
Arabian Foal
Donkey Foal
Suckling Foal
Micro Minis
Exmoor
Highland
New Forest
Welsh Mountain Pony
Shetland
Donkey
Twin Horses (lying)
Foal
Fell
Dartmoor
Ridden (moulded on tack and rider)
Child rider with pony
Pony Club with pony
Ridden Hunter (Huntsman)
Dressage (small classic with rider)
Piaffe
Levade
Half Pass
Canter Pirouette
As well as horse head 'busts' and 'Flying Horses' wall plaques
History of North Light
First produced in 1978 by Guy Pocock and Anne Godfrey at the 'factory' at Yarn Mill, Biddulph, Stoke On Trent England.
NL started with dog models when designer Guy Pocock pioneered the application of the Kennel club breed standard to dog models available to the gift trade. Seven pedigrees were designed in collaboration with the sculptress Anne Godfrey and from their success in the gift trade North Light was born. In the pursuit of excellence North Light sketched, photographed and measured dogs of the first pedigree.
The studio name was selected to refer to the ideal direction from which the light should pour into an artist’s studio, the North Light.
At the beginning they built up a line of 160 pedigree dogs. It was in the mid 1980s they began the working on horses. They also began to introduce farm animals, wild birds and other exotic animals from around the world.
North Light models are crafted in a mixture of ceramic and resin, with the addition of porcelain powder. Cold Cast Bronze models were a mixed with powered bronze then painted to look like bronze, they are heavier than normal NLs.
North Lights were painted with Liquitex Acrylics. They were painted in a mix of airbrushing and hand painting by a highly skilled workforce.
Dates on models are not the year it was made but the COPYRIGHT year
North Light went through many years of financial hardships and their history is 'chequered' ...
In 2005, the North Light factory located in Stoke-On-Trent, England was sold (including all existing North Light molds) to the company: WADE CERAMICS LTD. They repackaged and resold the North Light horses under the new trademark: North Light @ Wade. Production of most of the animal figures continued in the UK until July 2008, when the decision was taken to cease UK production of the North Light animals. A new range of animal figures was introduced - the North Light @ Wade Premier Collection - consisting of 17 horses and 22 dogs. The new range was made in China, but sold at a considerably lower price (sadly the quality of finishwork from China was not to the same high standard). Unfortunately Wade ceased production of all North Light figures in January 2009. All moulds are now discontinued.
There are over 50 horse moulds.
Horses: Smaller Trad.
Arabian
Hanoverian
Morgan
Small Shire
Regular Trad. Size:
American Saddlebred
Andalusian (on and off base) [there were 2 types of base]
Lipizzaner - there were 3 different moulds: Piaffe [on base], Levade and Capriole [on base]
Broodmare (& Suckling Foal)
Carthorse with a rope halter and blanket moulded on
Clydesdale
Cob
Donkey Jennet
Large Friesian (head turned & up)
Friesian 1st version - head down
Friesian 2nd version - head up
Grazing mare
Hunter with braided mane & tail
Part Thoroughbred (same as the Hunter, but a loose mane and tail)
Irish Draft – braided main & tail
Jumper (with base & wall)
Warmblood - (same as the ID, but a loose mane & tail)
Mule with teeth showing
Percheron
Quarter Horse
Reclining Mare
Rolling Stallion
Royal Storm - rearing horse ( there are at least 2 sizes)
Shire Mare
Shire on the move (like carthorse but with the halter and blanket removed)
Shire Stallion (large)
Suffolk Punch
Thoroughbred (on base)
TWH
Zebra/Quagga
Farrier – horse with raised leg and farrier adding shoe
Pony Moulds:
British Spotted Pony
Welsh Cob
Welsh Mountain Pony
Welsh Pony Stallion
New Forest Pony
Norwegian Fjord
Exmoor Pony
Shetland - Miranda
Shetland Pony.
Fell Pony.
Action Fell Pony.
Dartmoor - Kirtly Ladybird
Dartmoor Stallion.
Pony Stallion
Highland
Foals:
Yearling Scratching
Shire Foal
Small scratching foal
Lying foal
Shetland Pony Foal
Standing Foal
Grazing Foal
Arabian Foal
Donkey Foal
Suckling Foal
Micro Minis
Exmoor
Highland
New Forest
Welsh Mountain Pony
Shetland
Donkey
Twin Horses (lying)
Foal
Fell
Dartmoor
Ridden (moulded on tack and rider)
Child rider with pony
Pony Club with pony
Ridden Hunter (Huntsman)
Dressage (small classic with rider)
Piaffe
Levade
Half Pass
Canter Pirouette
As well as horse head 'busts' and 'Flying Horses' wall plaques
My North Lights
Back in the 1990s a British company began producing a resin/porcelain powder series of horses. They were mid-range price, and Laura Pervier, a hobbyist in Washington state, was the only US dealer. I purchased a British Spotted Pony, the same piece in silver dun, and a paint Scratching Foal.
Later, after they had been discontinued, prices fell and the line faded into hobby obscurity. During that time, I bought the Clydesdale foal from Lynn Weber and the Lippizan and Welsh Pony from eBay, all very cheaply.
North Lights have recently had a resurgence on popularity and their values (and thus their prices) are rising. I don't have any plans to sell, but I am keeping an eye on them.
Just in case. :)
North Lights have recently had a resurgence on popularity and their values (and thus their prices) are rising. I don't have any plans to sell, but I am keeping an eye on them.
Just in case. :)
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Spring Break Score!! Woodgrain Brahma Bull
Spring break score! And on the first day, too! Whoo hoo!
Lisa and I went down to Thorntown/Lebanon to Countryside Antiques yesterday - she to look for vintage Christmas ornaments, me to look for HSOs. And to my surprise, I found the most HSOs I have ever seen at any antique store or flea market. Ever!
This year's collecting focus is vintage Breyer boxes. I have never seen any in antique shops; the ones I have have been from Craigslist, eBay, or MH$P. Yesterday there were three Breyer boxes - a black stretch Morgan, an alabaster Andalusian, and another which I can't remember at the moment. The prices were in the $40 range - too much money in today's market.
I also found a woodgrain FAS in excellent condition for $38, but I felt the price was a bit high and I already had that piece. There was a Stud Spider, an alabaster San Domingo, and a black appy Phantom Wings, all of which I either already had or were in poorer condition than I wanted to buy.
Still, it was amazing to see so many Breyers at one time scattered among the shop. And then, we stopped by a booth that has had a few pieces before, and I saw this piece:
A woodgrain Brahma Bull! Not one I had, and one that I have looked at (and turned down) at BreyerFest and MH$P either due to condition or cost (or both.)
I paid for it and tucked it into the car. Call me a happy shopper! (And Lisa was sweet enough to buy me a book I'd had as a kid, Annette and the Mystery of Moonstone Bay, a horse story/mystery. Thanks, Lisa!)
Lisa and I went down to Thorntown/Lebanon to Countryside Antiques yesterday - she to look for vintage Christmas ornaments, me to look for HSOs. And to my surprise, I found the most HSOs I have ever seen at any antique store or flea market. Ever!
This year's collecting focus is vintage Breyer boxes. I have never seen any in antique shops; the ones I have have been from Craigslist, eBay, or MH$P. Yesterday there were three Breyer boxes - a black stretch Morgan, an alabaster Andalusian, and another which I can't remember at the moment. The prices were in the $40 range - too much money in today's market.
I also found a woodgrain FAS in excellent condition for $38, but I felt the price was a bit high and I already had that piece. There was a Stud Spider, an alabaster San Domingo, and a black appy Phantom Wings, all of which I either already had or were in poorer condition than I wanted to buy.
Still, it was amazing to see so many Breyers at one time scattered among the shop. And then, we stopped by a booth that has had a few pieces before, and I saw this piece:
Mentally, I thought about what I was willing to pay for him - I always have a limit in mind when I find a piece and before looking at its price tag. For this one, I thought $45 would be a good price if the piece were in good condition.
I flipped the tag, and its cost was $45!
Woodgrain Brahma Bull, #970, 1961-1963, $45, Countryside Antiques, 3/2014.
I paid for it and tucked it into the car. Call me a happy shopper! (And Lisa was sweet enough to buy me a book I'd had as a kid, Annette and the Mystery of Moonstone Bay, a horse story/mystery. Thanks, Lisa!)
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