This poor guy was the Vintage Club "extra" - not a required purchase - in 2014. He's item #712107 and was produced on the Newsworthy mold sculpted by Sue Sifton. 500 of these guys were originally produced, but 95 of them wound up being glossed and sold to VC members as extras later on.
I suppose the rate of sales must not have been that bad, as 405 is a little more than 80% of the total (I can't remember if matte extras ever showed up in the NPOD or anywhere else), but I know I hesitated to try buying one at the time due to the price tag. $135 plus shipping for something with little more than a dash of paint on it? No thanks. I did finally score one for $80 later, a price I was much more willing to pay. And yes, I know he's on his stand backward in the photo, but I like it better that way - I think it fits the mold's forward motion better.
Of course, the glossy Mr. Chips is much harder to come by and thus much more expensive, so I haven't added him to my herd yet. Maybe someday I'll find one. Although 2014 was the only year I've wanted one of the VC extras, I still wish they'd gloss and sell the leftovers - this guy and 2013's Lucy were the only times they did it.
I can see why they'd stop, though - people would probably stop ordering matte ones as often if they knew the extras would end up being glossy instead. It's a nice thought, though.
Newsworthy is currently in the regular run line as EZ to Spot, but he hasn't been used at Breyerfest in any sort of obtainable fashion, so I wonder if he'll make some kind of surprise appearance this year. The surprise, perhaps? Probably not - I doubt people would be excited to spend $85 on a pony. I guess I wouldn't have much of a problem with that - his web special sold for more than that in 2016. Or maybe he'll be a web special again this year! I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Would you be interested in purchasing a glossy Mr. Chips? I have one I am looking to sell.
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