Featured JAH - 8/31/2024, Sept/Oct 2002

 Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured JAH! This week's issue is Sept/Oct 2002, so let's get started! 

On the front cover, Chris Kappler and Rafiki take a jump at the 2001 American Gold Cup. On the back cover, we see the coveted bronze Classic Shire! This mold and a few others were released in bronze around this time, but didn't sell well (they cost $225 in an era when paying $95 for a Connoisseur directly from Breyer was a princely sum). They ended up decorating tables in the Collector Club tent at Breyerfest for a few years, and now who knows where they are. 

Usually I skip the table of contents, but you get to see it this week because we get the debut of the second Halloween Horse, Nosferatu! Behold his awesomeness, and admire his bats with their clearly-visible, not-fuzzy-at-all outlines. 

In this week's Editor's Desk, Stephanie poses with a droolworthy Batal & Amira set and talks about the generosity of model horse hobbyists. On page 3 is the first part of the Breyerfest 2002 wrap-up! 

On page 4-5 is more Breyerfest wrapup. 

On page 6 is more recap, and page 7 has some nice quotes about Breyerfest! I see a few familiar names in that list. 

After skipping the Breyerfest live show results, a news roundup, Letters to the Editor and the Hope-N-Glory entry form, on page 14 we find the (unused) bronze Shire order form, and on page 15 is the announcement of the Design Spirit and Rain's Foal contest! Interestingly, participants were instructed to download and color one of three images of foals from the Breyer website. They were lineart drawings of Breyer foals - I think the Scratching Foal and Action Stock Horse Foals were two of them, but I can't remember what the third one was. Somewhere I still have the foals I designed for the contest, but never got around to sending in. 

After skipping an article about show jumping, on page 20-21 is an article about the real-life horse pair Cupid and Arrow. Where are they now? After some searching through Facebook posts, it appears that Arrow is still alive (with the same owner, at the same farm) as of Aug. 6 of this year, but Cupid has probably passed on (not surprising).

In this issue's centerfold is the pretty Hope-N-Glory, alluded to earlier in the magazine. Even in 2002, Lady Phase's forelock and ears were deteriorating badly. LP is a pretty popular mold, so I'm still wondering why they haven't tried to fix that. 

After skipping an article about jumps, another article about tackmaking, Horse Trader (down to 3 pages), and Breyer jr., on page 40-41 we have an article about goats accompanying the introduction of a new release on Breyer's companion goat mold! 

On page 42-43 is this week's Vintage Point article, featuring the PAM! 

And on page 44-45 is the rest of the PAM article! There are some droolworthy models in the photos - the woodgrain and appaloosa PAMs are both quite rare and hard to come by. But that brings us to the end of today's issue. Check back next week for Nov/Dec 2002! 

Finally, some news! And the Collector Club newsletter!

 Greetings, readers! Well, I finally have something new to post about - the reveal of Breyer's Halloween releases for this year! It starts with Beowulf, but we've already seen him, so I'm going to move on to the Classic! 

Meet Draftula! I actually like this design, but I don't collect the mold, so I won't be buying him. I need to save my money, anyway. 

We also get more Stablemate blind bags, as is tradition. I only collect the Icelandic, so I'll buy one and leave it at that. I could have sworn we already got a mini version of Goblin, but I guess not. Breyer, give that poor mini Magnolia mold a rest already! 

And lastly, we get this cute little plush! I love her little heart eyes, even if the rest of her is kinda sinister-looking. 

All of this will be available to purchase on Sept. 5, so prepare your wallets! 

We also got this month's Collector Club newsletter! Members, check your email for more information. There’s an Apparition giveaway and an informative article about sun-bleaching yellowed models, and this sneak peek!

The speculation I’ve seen is that this is the next Wild Animal release and could be an orca, or a poison dart frog, but I’m going with poison dart frog myself - unless it’s sitting under something REALLY blue, it looks more blue than white to me. Let’s hope this isn’t another black and blue/yellow and gold dress situation. 

And a note on the article about sunbleaching models - it correctly notes that this method shouldn’t be used on Stablemates because the plastic they’re made from (ABS) actually yellows more in the sun, but also, not every modern Stablemate is made from ABS. Stablemates Club releases are molded from cellulose acetate and thus can be put in the sun, as well as some other releases, like my Willamette. On the other hand, the article also states that the sunbleaching method can be used on Traditionals and Classics, which is generally true - but be careful, because there’s at least one Trad molded from ABS (the WEG autograph model Cleveland Bay), and one or two Classics as well (the 90s Throwback). 

That’s all I have to say about this month’s newsletter. If you’re entering for Apparition, good luck! 

Dylan is here

Greetings, readers! Well, in the midst of our slow news month, my Dylan has finally arrived! Though I didn't order him until the day of the deadline, so his late arrival is really my fault. Drat! 

 

Despite my lack of fondness for his mold, he really is very pretty. If only they'd used a mold I collect! But hopefully I can sell him. I did eventually find a buyer for my Wallowa, so there's still hope. 

That's it for today. I hope we get some new news soon! 

Slow News Week

 Sheesh, there really hasn’t been much to post about lately, huh? I can’t remember the last time things were this slow. The only tidbit I have is that I saw a post by a dealer on Facebook that the fall releases will be revealed next week. Now I can’t find that post, so I don’t know if Breyer made her take it down or what. I guess we’ll find out next week!

Also, Breyer teased a reveal to happen in August in their last Collector Club newsletter,  but we haven’t seen that yet either. Presumably it’ll happen tomorrow or Friday, since August is almost over? Here’s hoping. Anyway, here’s a comic for your enjoyment. My apologies for it not being model-horse-related. 

Featured JAH - 8/24/2024, July/Aug 2002

 Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured JAH! This week's issue is July/Aug 2002. Perfect timing, since it's still August as of this writing. Let's get started! 

On the front cover, RSV Inolvidable is his handsome self. On the back cover, the Delivery Wagon with Clydesdale Team makes its debut! I don't think this release sold especially well at the time (maybe it did? Not sure), but they're in high demand now. They should come out with another one of these! 

In the Editor's Desk, Stephanie talks about War Emblem's near-miss in the Triple Crown that year and pumps us up for Breyerfest 2002. There's also a preview of the first Halloween horse, Nosferatu! On page 3 we see the porcelain Sir Buckingham, later to be released as a Classics model, and the porcelain Roy Rogers and Trigger set! You may recognize Trigger as the first Premier Club release, Desatado. Why don't we get these porcelain-to-plastic releases anymore? I guess the Premier Club made them obsolete. 

On page 4-5 we have an article about the Peruvian Paso breed. 

On page 6-7 is the rest of the Peruvian Paso article. 

After skipping a how-to article, a book review, Letters to the Editor and an article about AQHA, on on page 16-17 is another Breyerfest preview! This time featuring the handsome Saturday raffle model Gold Rush. I was really underwhelmed by this one when he was first released, but now I really want one. Funny how our tastes change over the years. 

On page 18-19 is more Breyerfest stuff, including WH Annie and the porcelain Stablemates. 

In this week's centerfold is the beautiful Molly Maguire! This is the only time (so far) we've seen Wixom with a roached mane. She's still pretty without it, though! I like the little Molly Maguires in the borders of the photo, too. 

On page 22-23 is an article about selecting the right model horses to bring to a show. I need to start working on my show string for my next show, so this is very relevant for me! And anyone else thinking about entering a model horse show. 

On page 24-25 is the rest of the model horse show article. 

On page 26-27 is another Breyer Scrapbook, featuring various Breyer Tour events that took place in 2002. 

After skipping Breyer jr., Horse Trader (down to 3 pages), a death notice for Seattle Slew (RIP), the rest of the AQHA article and a tackmaking article, on page 40-41 we have this week's Vintage Point featuring the G1 Native Dancer. 

And that brings us to the end of this week's issue! Check back next week for Sept/Oct 2002!

Second Chance sale is live!

 Well, the Breyerfest second chance sale is live! Check it out if you're a ticket holder. No big surprises there, except there were some Fighter and Survivor sets available - I would have thought they all sold out beforehand. I guess extras turn up for everything, though. Other things that are currently sold out: Wild Things, Girls Run the World Surprise, Fight Song and various swag items. It'll be interesting to see if/when anything else sells out. 

I'm not buying anything, but you'd better hurry and get in there if there's anything you want to buy, because who knows how long it'll last. Well, Gascon the Great will probably last quite a while, depending on the quantities I saw in the store on Sunday, but other than that...

Also, apparently the April Fool's blind bag Stablemates are back in stock, so pick those up too if you're so inclined.

Breyerfest Second Chance sale!

 Good news, readers! The Breyerfest second chance sale has been announced - it's happening on Thursday, aka tomorrow!

I hope pretty much everyone has gotten their orders by now...but anyways. It's another chance to buy anything you may have missed out on the first time. I don't think there's really anything I need to buy, but I'll likely check this out just to see what's available. The sale starts at 1pm EST, so log on fast before things sell out! 

Blue Zeus mea culpa?

 Well, good news for the backordered Blue Zeus buyers out there - Breyer sent out an email today with a coupon code for $20 and promise of a Blue Zeus pin to be sent out with the remaining Blue Zeus models in December! Now I kind of wish mine had been backordered…but, nah. I’m happier that he’s on my shelf now. At least we’re finally getting some acknowledgement of the situation! Let’s hope we get some news soon to break up this dry spell!

Featured JAH - 8/17/2024, May/June 2002

 Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured JAH! This week's issue is May/June 2002. It's been a bit of a dry spell this week, but at least Featured JAH is here to fulfill your blogging needs. Let's get started! 

On the front cover, Spirit and Rain hang out on top of a hill, building hype for the release of everyone's favorite animated horse movie, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. On the back cover, Shockwave makes waves! I had a Shockwave back in the day. 

 

In the Editor's Desk, Stephanie talks about Spirit some more and also updates readers on the 2002 Breyer Tour and of course Breyerfest 2002. On page 3 is the first part of the article about the making of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. 

On page 4-5 is more of the Spirit article. 

On page 6 is the rest of the Spirit article, and on page 7 we have some Letters to the Editor. 

After skipping an article about shopping for horses on the Internet and another article about customizing, on page 12 we have a news roundup. On page 13 is a reveal of various special runs produced in 2002. 

On page 14-15 is an article about Kiger Mustangs, where the real-horse model for Spirit came from. 

On page 16-17 we have a Breyerfest update, complete with some mouthwatering reveals! Check out St. Louis Blues, the raffle model! They also sold a Mauvelous in the silent auction and a set of artist proof models of Batal and Amira in the live auction, along with a Bourbon Street. 

On page 18-19 we have more Breyerfest items, including some of the special runs! 

In this week's centerfold is the handsome Bold Impression, the next installment of the Connoisseur series. 100 of these guys ended up being glossy, but I can't remember why? Maybe it was just a random surprise? 

After skipping an article about western tackmaking, on page 24 is an announcement of the West Coast Model Horse Collector's Jamboree (sort of like a western version of Breyerfest) and a death notice (RIP) for Lonesome Glory. On page 25 is a listing of the 2002 Breyer Tour events. 

After skipping a Breyer scrapbook, on page 28-29 we find an article about Felicia Browell's Breyer Animcal Collector's Guide, as well as the rest of the article about the Spirit movie. 

After skipping Horse Trader, Breyer jr. and the Red, White and Blue photo contest results, on page 38 we have an Artist's Eye by Tom Bainbridge, and on page 40 is the first part of this week's Vintage Point featuring the Traditional Black Stallion, based on the Black from the Black Stallion series of books by Walter Farley. I may have told this story before, but I bought the original Black Stallion sight unseen from a Horse Trader ad shortly after I started subscribing to JAH at the tender age of 10. When he arrived, I was really disappointed with him because he didn't fit my vision of what the Black should look like at all. It's just a walking horse. The Classic Black Stallion is a much better representation, in my opinion. 

On page 40 and the IBC (see what I did there?) is the rest of the Vintage Point article, and that brings us to the end of this week's issue. Check back next week for July/Aug 2002! 

Featured JAH - 8/10/2024, Mar/Apr 2002

 Hello and welcome to another edition of Featured JAH! This week's issue is Mar/Apr 2002, so let's get started! 

On the front cover, a cute little girl poses with an equally cute little donkey and lots of flowers. On the back cover, Alida and Elidor make their debut, along with the Mystical Pegasus on the Classics Lipizzaner! 

In the Editor's Desk, Stephanie recaps the Breyer Premiere event and talks about other things going on in the world of Breyer. On page 3 is the reveal of the Spirit Collection, the many tie-in products Breyer produced for the the Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron movie. 

After skipping an ad for said Spirit movie, on page 6 is the reveal of the (still-insanely-popular) Susecion and Le Fire molds as their inaugural portrait models. On page 7 is Letters to the Editor. 

After skipping an article about materials selection for customizing and another article about Shetland Ponies, on page 14-15 we have an article about Miniature Sicilian Donkeys in conjunction with Breyer's new Miniature Sicilian Donkey mold. 

On page 16-17 is an article about tackmaker Cary Nelson. 

On page 18-19 is the conclusion of the Cary Nelson article. 

In this week's centerfold is the beautiful Shalimar! One of the best Connoisseur models, in my opinion. 

After skipping an article about western tackmaking and the rest of the Shetland Pony article, on page 26-27 we have some photos from the Breyer Premiere event. The event was Mardi Gras-themed and the centerpiece raffle model (now a staple at Breyer collector events) was a surprise to everyone involved. I wanted a Bourbon Street of my own really badly after I saw these photos! Guess I'm over him now, though. 

After skipping Artist's Eye, Horse Trader, the rest of the western tackmaking article, Breyer jr. and a listing of 2002 Breyer Tour events, on page 38 is a Collector's Corner, and on page 39 is the first page of this week's Vintage Point featuring Hobo. 

On page 40-IBC (?) is the rest of the Hobo article, as well as a sneak preview of Felicia Browell working on the Breyer Collector Guide. That brings us to the end of this week's issue! Check back next week for May/June 2002!