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.

Oliver, 2019 Breyer Celebration Model

This is Breyer's 2019 BreyerFest Celebration model.

Oliver, #711339, cost included in ticket purchase price, BreyerFest 2019.

I don't collect the Cleveland Bay mold so he will be sold or donated.

Natasha

A BreyerFest 2019 tent run Special run.

Natasha, #711348, 1,650 made, $60, 2019, BreyerFst.

She is lovely, but she is a tippy and a shelf eater, so I may sell her.