Circus Bridle Rosettes

I do not collect bridle rosettes... I do not collect bridle rosettes...

But here is my latest pair.

I'd been watching this pair on eBay for a long time, but the seller wanted $125 for them. That's more than I am willing to pay.

Even though my favorite color is orange. Even though I collect circus ponies. And even though Craig, whose hobby is genealogy, has traced his lineage back and discovered that P.T. Barnum's mother, like Craig's mother, is a Fairchild and that he is a distant cousin.

So, I bided my time and as the seller renewed the Buy It Now, I would renew my watching status.

 But when the seller finally changed from a Buy It Now to a bidding auction, I decided that I would see if I could win them.

And I did! For much less than the original $125 but still for what I consider a fair price for the seller.

I do not collect bridle rosettes... I do not collect bridle rosettes... I do not... Well, there is currently a pair of Monon Railroad ones up for bidding. My family and the town I live in have strong connections to it. I think I will start watching those.

Hasty Horses Circus Pony

(Busy week for me - I am subbing in two different schools and mentoring a new teacher in a third. I finish up tomorrow afternoon and will be back to daily posts. While I have missed blogging, it's been great to be back in the classroom!)

I had not heard of Lynn Haste and her Hasty Horses until last week. I was doing an online search for circus ponies and this photo popped up.

It reminded me a lot of the old Precious Moments figurines in its chubbiness, lack of detail, and nearly all-white coloring. The price was very reasonable and so I ordered one. I was very curious as to what it would look like in hand.

The pony arrived in a blue box with the Hasty Horses logo and a factory label.

There was also a signed COA. Apparently the piece was produced in 2004. The information online said that it was made of porcelain and that this was the last piece left. It also said that she had originally planned to sculpt a circus rider for it but had never gotten it done.

Hasty Horses Star, #4700104, $25, 2004, 11/2018, Lynn Hasty/Etsy.

There is a label on the underside of the base with the model's number, date, and the sculptor's name and label.

 He's cute, but he's also pretty unremarkable. Still, I am glad to add him to my collection.

Stud Spider and Canvas Blanket

I wanted this brown canvas blanket but had to buy the Stud Spider, too. Not a problem since the price was only $15 for both.

Brown Canvas Blanket, $15 w/Stud Spider, #2360 (1979-1980) or #2380 (1979-1981), 11/2018, eBay, Dawn Pinto, Jasper, TN.

 The horse is very white. That blanket must've protected him from yellowing.

His spots and sock also vary when compared to mine.

Stretch Morgan, Running Foal, and a Weather Girl!

Three new pieces joined the herd this week.

I love Breyer's Stretch Morgan, and when I saw this one on sale on The Model Trading Post's site, I snapped him up.

Show Stance Morgan, $15, #831, 1990-1991, 10/20/18, The Model Trading Post.

The Running Foal is a vintage mold like the Stretch Morgan, and this guy is nicely done.

Milo, $21, #1795, 2018 - current, 10/20/18, The Model Trading Post.

And while I prefer Breyer's vintage molds, I really liked Grace, the fourth Vintage Collectors Club offering this year. I also like black horses, so this gal came to live with me.

Rhapsody in Black, $36, #1752, 2016 - current, 10/20/18, The Model Trading Post.

2018 Vintage Club #4 - Grace

I was not happy when Breyer said that they would add a newer mold with vintage color(s) to this year's Vintage Club offerings, but I may have changed my mind. My Grace arrived today and she is lovely.

 Grace, VC 2018 #4, #712242, $135, October, 2018, Breyer.

There are three Gambler's Choices, all vintage colors - alabaster, dapple grey with black points, and mahogany bay. The alabaster was supposed to be chalky, but in-hand photos show a model that is a regular finish.

 Mine has some amazing shading on her near flank.

In fact, her entire body is beautifully shaded.

Also included was a renewal notice with a picture of Rockford, a chestnut pinto Pacer. The color is not a vintage one, but the mold is and he looks beautiful in it.

Ichabod, 2015 Halloween Horse

Ichabod has arrived! I got him from eBay, but it took the seller a long time to ship (in comparison to other eBay sellers.) I bought him September 24 and he was not mailed until Monday, October 1, arriving today, October 3, even though he was sent USPS Priority.  That delay in mailing is pretty unheard of on eBay where sellers are concerned about good feedback.

Ichabod, 2015 Halloween Horse, #1747, 2,500 made, $71, eBay, 9/2019, Lauren T., Rancho Santa Fe, CA.

(Photos from eBay auction.)

She had removed him from his box for photos and then put him back in; something that concerned me as that's a good way to rub a model. He does have a hoof rub as a result of being mailed in a box with loosened binders that allowed him to slide around, but everything else turned out okay.

I am happy to have this piece and will give the seller positive feedback despite my minor concerns. A note on the auction saying that she only shipped once a week or on Saturdays would have been helpful, but it is not really a big deal.

Vintage Fisher Price Circus Pony

I have expanded my search for circus ponies into toys, and just recently got this fun piece off eBay.

 Fisher Price Junior Circus Replacement Part Horse, #902, 1963, $2.50, eBay, Bob Martin, 9/2018.

(Photos by eBay seller 215lb.)

It's been played with and loved, but I am fine with that. I ALWAYS wanted one of those Fisher Price Circus Wagons, but I never got one. Even as a parent for my own children - with such a large family, money was too tight, and since they were not into circus wagons and ponies, I bought them other things.

This little guy can now enjoy being part of a collection and take his place among my other circus pony items.