Two Josef Original Foals

One of the best things about any Great Lakes Congress show is that, not only are entrants selling models and tack from their tables, there is also a dedicated space in the show hall where tables are set up for model horse businesses to use solely for vending!

Last weekend there were at least four vendors in attendance with a great variety of vintage and new models of plastic and china. I was enamored of two Josef Original foals, but at $50/both, the prices were higher than I was willing to pay. When the vendor came down to $35/both (or $17.50 each) that was more reasonable to me.

 This lying down cutie with her original sticker on her side was so sweet and painted beautifully.

 A close up of the sticker.

The underside reminded me a bit of Breyer's chalkies - the paint had that quality to it. And, she had a second sticker labeling her as from Japan.

 Josef Originals have big eyes and this piece was no exception.

You cannot tell very well from the photo, but her eyes are actually tried-toned - eye whites, and then a black pupil painted on an almost-black eye.

 The other piece that I was eyeballing throughout the show was this Josef Original bay standing foal.

 He did not have any stickers, but he, too, was unbroken with just tiny flakes at the tops of his ears.

 He had the tri-eyes but his eye whites were much more prominent.

He also has an interesting whitish spot on his belly where they filled in the pour hole.

I intended to leave them behind but when the vendor offered to make a deal at the end of the day, coming down $15 on the price of both, I accepted.

They join this little guy who I found at an antique shop in 2017. Read about his story here.

Some New Faces - Lightning Ridge and Dominante XXIX

A couple of new pieces have arrived recently to add to my collection.

 I am definitely a vintage girl, but when Breyer released Lightning Ridge, I was smitten.

Lightning Ridge, 1817, $55, 2019 Limited Edition, 3000 made, Lynn Luther, The Model Trading Post.

 He is so pretty - I love the new decorator colors that Breyer has been trying out.

 Dominante XXIX, 1809, $36, 2019 - , Lynn Luther/The Model Trading Post

I also purchased Dominante XXIX, another non vintage mold, because I love Spanish horses.

 I love the dark bay and the shading on this piece.

Found! A Long Wanted Piece

I have wanted Poppy, the Performing Pony by Cybis for a long time. They come up on eBay occasionally and are usually listed at $200. That's more than I wanted to pay for the piece, so I have watched as they have come and gone for several years now.

Last year, one popped up for $149. It sold fairly quickly, and then another was listed for the same price. I have been watching it for months. $149, while better than $200, is still more than I was willing to pay to acquire a Poppy.

 Last week I got an eBay message saying that the seller was willing to accept $99 if any of those watching the auction were interested. Most definitely, I was!

Poppy, the Performing Pony, $99, eBay, 1976-1979, 1000 made, Cybis, Tracy Beachy, Piqua, OH.

And now I have my own Cybis Poppy, safely ensconced in my china cabinet.

Poppy was made 1976 - 1979 and was a limited edition of 1000 according to the Cybis archives.  Mine is #363 and bigger than I'd realized. There are no chips or breaks.

She's a nice addition to my circus horse collection and I am already thinking of taking her to Great Lakes Congress' October show for a special collector's class they are having.

BreyerFest 2019 Banner

If you are lucky enough to know hobbyist Heather McCurdy, then you know that she is a kind and generous lady.

Nancy Falzone and Heather McCurdy at the April 2019 GLC show. (Photo by Liz Cory.)

Last April she surprised me with a gift that she'd found while out antiquing. (Read about that here.) But she had another surprise for me this month.

Because Heather was judging one of the live shows at BreyerFest on Friday, she had a conflict with her tent ticket time. She had texted me and asked if I might be able to trade tent tickets with her. So, on Thursday after I arrived at the Clarion, I went down to the hall were the Breakables show was being held (she was judging that show, too!) and waited for her to have a free moment. We swapped out our tickets along with a quick hug and catch-up chat.

Heather was aware of my upcoming surgery. She also knew that I'd hoped to get a Banner, and after BreyerFest was over, texted me to see what I had gotten with my tent ticket. I explained that I had not gotten Banner but was happy with my purchases.

 Banner, BreyerFest 2019 Tent Special,#711341, 800 made, $140, Heather McCurdy.

Heather then offered to sell me the Banner that she had gotten for herself.

She texted, "Figure you need him to keep you company after your surgery. You need him more than I do. I'm glad he'll be there to help you recover."

Banners are in short supply and very sought after. Not only did Heather give up the one she'd bought for herself, but she offered it to me at a very reasonable price - she could have made a lot more money selling it on eBay or MH$P.

Banner is going to be on my bedside table after I get home from the hospital. He will indeed be my surgery recovery buddy. But his name isn't Banner anymore.

It's "Heather's Generosity."

Thanks, Heather. I love this piece; even better, he is a wonderful reminder of a dear friend and her kindness.

Heroes' Welcome Surprise Andalusian

There were only two BreyerFest models that I wanted to buy this year (Banner (which was sold out when it was my turn to go through the line) and the Heroes' Welcome Surprise Andalusian. It came in five colors, and I wanted the pearly rose grey.

Heroes' Surprise Andalusian, #711343, $85, BreyerFest 2019 tent model. 520 made.

They were handed out in blind bags, and I was delighted to get the one I'd wanted!

Alabaster Indian Pony

The Indian Pony is one of my top five favorite models, vintage or otherwise, and I have been looking for an alabaster one with warpaint for quite some time.

Indian Pony, #177, 1970 - 1971, $160, BreyerFest vendor in covered arena, 2019.

The seller had a price tag that originally listed her at $375! Then they'd crossed that out and written $175. I got her for $160.

Bay Balking Mule

I have wanted a bay Balking Mule to go along with my childhood seal brown one for a long time, but they are harder to find and often costly or in poor shape.

Balking Mule, #207, 1968 - 1973, dorsal stripe and semi gloss version, $35, The Horse You Want/Heather Wells, BreyerFest 2019.

He is really a nice color and I love the semi-gloss.

He also has good shading, too.