HR Circus Animals

Lynn Lindgren, a seller on MH$P, frequently has Hagen Renakers for sale at a good price, and often she will come down in price. This time, she even threw in a free piece.

 HR Head Down Elephant, 1987 - 1989, $9, Lynn Lindgren, 8/2013.

HR Seated Elephant, 1987 - ?, free (has chip on trunk), Lynn Lindgren, 8/2013

HR Standing Elephant, 1987 - 1997, $9, Lynn Lindgren.

HR Camel Mama with Fez, 1956, 1968, $18, Lynn Lindgren, 8/2013.

HR Camel Baby with Fez, 1956, 1968, $14, Lynn Lindgren, 8/2013.

VIN Numbers Explained

From Golden Oaks Stable Blog, August 22, 2011

Breyer Horse Collecting: Cracking the Code

About two years ago a mystery fell upon Breyer collectors. As they opened their new Breyer horses many noticed something a bit different. Upon close inspection the hoof of their new horse had a series of numbers and letters on it. Many questions have come up concerning these letters and numbers but now that the code has be deciphered it can be an important collecting tool to help collectors learn more about their horses.
In spring of 2009 Breyer horses first began entering collectors hands with a few little black numbers and letters hiding under one hoof. There are two types of these combinations, one that begins with the letters VIN and one that begins with the letters A. Each of these combinations, while cryptic, can tell us a great deal of information.
In 2008 the United States Government implemented the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in response to recalls stemming from imports. One of the stipulations in this new act was that all imports need to bear an identification number that can be traced to a factory in case of a recall. On traditional horses, this number can be found on one of the horse’s hooves. On the smaller scale models, this number has been found on the actual packaging of the model.
The series of numbers and letters beginning with VIN or A then tell us which factory the models came from, but there’s another key piece of information that is very valuable for collectors. On horses marked with a VIN the three letters that follow will be the month the model is produced, example SEP or MAY.  Two digits will then follow the month which will be the year the model was produced. on models marked with A four digit number will follow, example 0311, the first two numbers indicate the month the model was produced and the second two will indicate the year.

A Model Made in March of 2011

A Model Made in September of 2010

A Model Made in May of 2011

A Model Made in May 2009

This cryptic information can be especially helpful for collectors as variations happen with certain runs and horses are reintroduced all the time. Breyer has finally created an easy to follow system for collectors to date their models with and all with a few tiny numbers and letters! 

Arnart Japan China

Also at Countryside Antiques in Lebanon was this sweet Arnart Japan foal for $5.

 Below is one that is very similar that I found on Jane Chapman's web site.

(Photo from  Eagle Ridge Collectibles.)

And some other reference photos (also from Eagle Ridge Collectibles.)

China Bison

I saw this piece at Countryside Antiques in Lebanon, Indiana earlier this summer but left it behind. Yesterday I drove down with Lisa to see if it was still there (it was) and do some antiquing. (We did!)

 China bison, $14, unknown make, Countryside Antiques, August, 2013.

I think he's pretty cool!

Palomino Grazing Mare

Lisa and I were at Countryside Antiques yesterday and in the very last booth, I found this!

Palomino Grazing Mare, #143 (no USA stamp), $12, Countryside Antiques, Lebanon, Indiana.

I saw her and said, "Well, now!" in exclamation. I think I will call her that.

She is a gorgeous metallic palomino, a little yellowed, and was a bit dirty. Her gorgeous highlights showed up after I gave her a bath. Now she's the perfect mama for my metallic palomino Grazing Foal.

BreyerFest 2013 Pieces

My childhood penpal, Beth Dickinson, and I are still in touch after forty plus years of writing! She is a model horse collector like me, and is always happy to do BreyerFest pickups for me when I cannot go. Here is this year's loot. I love everything she was able to get me.

Coasters!!

 I have not been able to find a number for them yet. $10

 Twill, #711159, $65, 800 made.

 She has a denim pattern in the blue paint.

 Rock-a-Billy, #711173, $25, 500 made.

Kipper/Vintage Showcase Box

My Breyer Kipper is in his original box. Not only is he rare, but the box is as well. Just as the article says below, I have found his box frustratingly flimsy - glad I've hung onto it all these years!!

From Tina Dils' blog, Darlin' Dils Collectibles

This Family Arabian Mare is in one of the most valuable boxes Breyer made.  She is an example of the Showcase Collection.  Previous to this time the models came in plain cardboard boxes with only the number and name of the model inside.  Retailers had a display in the store showing an example of the models they carried, and consumers would look at the display to choose the model they wanted to buy.  In the early 1970s Breyer wanted a package that showed off the model inside but also protected it from damage from handling.  This box was one of their early efforts.  It is a clamshell clear plastic with indents to keep the model from moving around too much in the box.  A catalog of their offerings for the year was generally included and there was a label somewhere on the box with the model name and number (in this case it is on the bottom of the box under the model).  These plastic boxes were quite flimsy, so after a few restylings Breyer moved to the solid cardboard box with a drawing or picture of the model on the outside instead.  The Showcase boxes are extremely rare, particularly in good condition and are usually far more valuable than the model inside.

Thanks to Christina Dils, I have a copy of an advertisement for the Kipper and the other (never produced) Thelwell models. Notice how different they are.