Vintage Club 2018 - Ulysses

The first offering from Breyer's 2018 Vintage Club is here, and he is a doozy! I have never been a fan of Chris Hess' Legionario III mold. Until now. Wow!

 Ulysses, #712239, 500 made, 2018 Vintage Club, $110, Breyer, 1/2018.

These photos taken with my phone do not do him justice. He is much darker than he appears, a true black like Breyer's old blackest charcoals, and his gloss is heavy and even.

 I love that one of his ears is black and speckled with just a hint of pink poking out.

I thought his belly decal was blotched until I looked closely at it. If you look carefully, you can see the Andalusian silhouette outlined on the left.

I was disappointed when the 2018 Vintage Club offerings were announced. (And even considered dropping out, even though I have been a member since the beginning.) I like the Grazing Mare and Foal, the San Domingo is okay, and I'll just tuck the free Stablemate on the shelf. (I'm not much of a Stablemate collector.) But please tell me how on earth Weather Girl is vintage? Even dressed up in vintage colors? (I'll likely be selling mine.) 

Well, if the others are as nice as Ulysses, I will be very happy and glad that I remained in the club. I may even change my mind, like I did with him, and keep my Weather Girl.

Possibly Chalky Running Stallion

While I was watching the auction for my Semi-Rearing Mustang, I saw a black Appaloosa Running Stallion come up for auction. I already have one, but this one looked chalky in its photos. It had no bids, and so I bid the minimum opening bid of $6.95.

Running Stallion, #127, 1968-1981, $6.95, 1/2018, eBay, Glenn Kremer, 636 Jener Place, Plymouth, MI, 48170

I won! He's on the way now - I am 50/50 as to whether or not he is a chalky. If he isn't, he will still be a nice addition and is probably a variation of the one I already have.

Fingers crossed!

Addendum: He is not chalky, he is in worse shape than his pictures make him appear, and someone painted his hooves black. He does have a pretty pink nose that helps to redeem him. I took a risk and I lost, but that's collecting. Plus, I did not spend much money on him.

Found! A Most Wanted

I don't haunt eBay like some collectors do, but every now and then I check it out and do searches for some of my favorite models. Last weekend I found my most wanted Breyer of all - the Semi-Rearing Mustang in woodgrain.

Recently he has been going to $500 and more - more money than I can justify. But this one was at $230 with 22 bids and was still within what I was willing to pay. So, I went to eSnipe and put in a bid. I won the auction, for $280, less than what I was willing to pay!

 Diablo, Woodgrain Semi-Rearing Mustang, #985, 1963-1966, $280, eBay/Patrick Cacciapaglia, 1740 Portland Rd., Arundel, ME 04046, 1/2018.

He has some tiny rubs, but is in wonderful condition. I am thrilled! (Photo credit to eBay seller.)

2017 Christmas Surprise

Breyer's Christmas surprise was a gambler's choice of the Bouncer mold done in clearware!

 Emerald, Amethyst, and Sapphire.

I was lucky enough to snag Emerald!

Emerald, #712233, 2017 Christmas Surprise, $95, 350 made per color, 2017 only, Breyer web order.

HR Foal, Running

Nancy Falzone also sold me this running foal to complete my palomino set.

HR Foal, Running, A-235, palomino, 1954-present (early piece), $10, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

HR Mini Family

Nancy Falzone offered me this Hagen Renaker Mini Horse Family and I was glad to add them to my collection, not only because they are old HRs, but because they were Nancy's.

HR Horse, Rearing, A-234, 1954-1985 (early piece), $100/set, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017
HR Foal, Running, A-235, 1954-present (early piece), $100/set, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017
HR Foal, Lying, A-236, white, 1954-1957, $100/set, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017
HR Mare, Running, A-233, white, 1954-present (early piece), $100/set, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

Horse Family from Nancy Falzone

It's always meaningful to acquire a piece for my collection from Nancy Falzone. She's been a dear friend for a long time, and the pieces I buy from her are "black hole" pieces - they are staying with me and most definitely not for sale!

Yesterday I went to Great Lakes Congress December show. Nancy was in attendance and had brought two things I'd purchased before the show day plus some other things, too.

This bay set of Maureen Love horses in mint condition came home with me. (Nancy has teeny tiny documentation stickers on their bellies that I intend to keep there as part of their history.)

HR Horse Rearing, A-234, 1954-1985 (early piece), $60/set of 4, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

HR Mare, Running, A-233, 1954-present (early piece), $60/set of 4, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

HR Foal, Running, A-235, 1954-present (early piece), $60/set of 4, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017

HR Foal, Lying, A-236, 1954-1957, $60/set of 4, Nancy Falzone, 12/2017