Wow, where do I start with all these reveals?

There have been a ton of new reveals today - maybe Breyer decided to stop holding back on information since the winter doldrums are now over? Well, anyway, I'm not going to complain - I always love the new reveals! I'll start with Crystalline!

In case you don't recognize her, this is the sneak peek that was in last month's Collector Club Newsletter, and I love her! Breyer has really been on a roll with their decorators lately, and this girl is no exception! They're limited to 4,000 pieces (a bit of an increase from the usual 3,000 or 3,500) so it shouldn't be too hard to get your hands on one eventually if you're so inclined. I reserved mine from Golden Oaks, so I can't wait to see what she looks like!

Next, there's a new spring release - Winx!

So we finally get a reveal of that blurry Winx photo from a while back! I'll have to get my hands on one eventually, but I didn't order one just yet - I can wait until later for this one.

Next, we got a reveal of one of this year's Breyerfest raffle models - say hello to Order of the Thistle!

My reaction: be still, my heart. Ugh - I knew this mold had "raffle horse" written all over it - I should have stuck with him as one of my raffle model predictions. He's basically the same color as Champagne Wishes. Hope I can win one...

Lastly, and most excitingly (or devastatingly...) we have the special runs for the now-canceled Seattle Soiree event! First, here's Puget, the Stablemate included with every ticket:

Whew, nothing I need. Wish I could say that about the rest of it. Well, here goes - I'll start with Bellevue and Nirvana:

They are runs of 104 and 96, respectively - ugh! A braided Idocus! If only he were the loose mane and tail, I wouldn't need him! Since his piece count is so high, maybe it won't be hard to get one later...

Next, here's Pinchot and Storm:



Their piece counts are 60 and 52. Ughhhhh, I'm never going to be able to afford Storm. He sure is pretty though! Pinchot is stunning too - I wonder if he's glossy? At least I don't need that one...

And lastly, here are Duwamish and Olympia!



Their piece counts are 48 and 40. I don't need Olympia, but I love Duwamish! Unfortunately, he'll be about impossible to find for a decent price too, but I can always hope.

So I believe the way it works is that the attendees will send in their preferences for Group A (Bellevue and Nirvana) and Group B (the other four). Then they'll be assigned numbers in their respective color groups, a number will be drawn, and then the line "starts" and their preferences will be selected according to their spot in line. Sounds complicated, but maybe this is how the Breyerfest special runs could be distributed if it comes down to it? I suppose I could live with that...maybe. Anyway, congratulations to the lucky would-be attendees! I know I'd love to have had a shot at these. Maybe next time...

More auction goodness!

Exciting news - we got more auction lots on the blog today! Check out lot 16!



Wow, he's stunning! The blog says he was inspired by Labyrinth, the raffle model from 2005 - but in blue! I love his silver mapping and hooves.

Next, lot 17 - a Semi-Rearing Mustang!



The blog says he's yet another liver chestnut. Sheesh, this has to be the fourth one in the auction so far - what's with that? He is really nice, though - I could see him going really high. It's going to be hard to predict this year's top seller with so many great models, though!

Lot 18 is the Live Show Reserve prize Triumph, which we've already seen, so I'll skip to Lot 19 - a Legionario!



I think that's one of the nicest red dun paint jobs I've ever seen. The blog says he was designed by Sommer Prosser, so that would explain why he's so nice. Now if Breyer could figure out how to put that color on a larger release without mucking it up!

Those are all the auction models for today - I wonder if we'll get more on Friday? They have to save something for next week though, don't they?

First 2018 Vintage Club Release and 2018 New Releases, Available Now!

Vintage Club members, beware! Ulysses is now available for purchase!



I'll be selling mine, but from his pictures he does look pretty nice. I remember some rumblings about Isabelle's execution not being the best (though I might be thinking of another release), so hopefully he's nicely done. Can't wait to see those gambler's choice Weather Girls!

In other exciting news, the new releases for 2018 are now available on the website. At least, the ones that aren't already in backorder are available. Unsurprisingly, Zena is backordered, along with all of the new Classics and a few other things. I thought about ordering some of the new items, but I think I'll wait until a free shipping weekend comes along and order then (also, maybe Zena will be back in stock by then). Hopefully there's a free shipping weekend soon!

Breyer: It's the 2018 Vintage Club! Me: NOOOOOOOO

So the 2018 Vintage Club lineup has been revealed, and I'm not happy about it. Behold:



Weather Girl? WEATHER GIRL? As a Vintage offering! And not only that, she's the gambler's choice...so if I want them all, I have to hope I can get into the club on all three of my accounts next year, then hope I can at least sell everything I don't want at cost until the Weather Girl is released? Blargh! Why must you do this to me, Breyer! Haven't you gotten enough money out of me over the years?

Oh well. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to join on all three accounts, then drop out of two of them once the gambler's choice is over and done with. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be surprised if the gambler's choice is the last release this year. And they aren't telling us what the optional extra model is (again). Maybe that'll be something I want. I'm going to need the Stablemate, too, so if the optional release is something I want, it might be worth joining on at least one account.

I can see why they're using Weather Girl - those are all old PAM colors (splatter dapple gray, alabaster, mahogany bay) - so it's like they're updating the old PAM releases. Just...why not the FAM instead? Ugh.

I'm also curious about the Legionario. Uh, we've already had a dapple black release - Isabelle, in 2014. There are a ton of vintage colors they could have used on Legionario - like, any of them, since his original release was the alabaster. Why use a color they've already done once?

Also, not that it matters to me that much, but where's the Semi-Rearing Mustang they did the poll on earlier this year? Maybe he's the optional release...which seems odd. But whatever.

I don't have any complaints about the other releases - the San Domingo and the Grazing Mare/Foal look glossy, and the San Domingo appears to have a more modern paint job - which isn't a surprise, given this year's Sham (though he looks the same color as that Sham).

The Stablemate is on the G2 Saddlebred - that seems random, but whatever. The color looks like the old-style red roan, which isn't my favorite color, but gotta have it for the collection. Let's hope they don't waste too much time opening up club renewals to the rest of us!

Ooh! New Warehouse Finds!

So, I got an email today that Breyer had put up some new Warehouse Finds on the website. If you aren't familiar with the Warehouse Find situation, in 2013 some mysterious models showed up in the Breyer Store at Breyerfest. They were essentially reissues of old regular runs, but in generic boxes and with the longer Special Run-type item number. After Breyerfest, they showed up for sale on the website, and others have periodically been added to the lineup since then.

We never got much of an official explanation from Breyer as to exactly what they were, but I did overhear longtime Breyer employee Ed telling someone in the Breyer Store that the models had been leftover whiteware found in the warehouse that they painted up to sell. Not sure why they didn't turn said whiteware into some type of actual special run rather than paint it as old regular runs that (for the most part) haven't sold out, but there it is.

Actual bundles of whiteware models have been offered for sale at Breyerfest as well; though they always seemed to sell well, maybe the amount of whiteware Breyer found was too much to justify throwing it all into the store.

Anyway, the six new Warehouse Find models are as follows:

Bluegrass Bandit in black (reissue of Elvis Presley's Bear)
San Domingo in palomino pinto (reissue of Let's Go Riding Western)
Legionario in mulberry gray (reissue of Medieval Knight)
Stock Horse Mare in dapple gray (reissue of American Quarter Horse Mare)
Justin Morgan in bay (reissue of Double Take)
Quarter Horse Yearling in sorrel (reissue of American Quarter Horse Yearling)

If these warehouse finds are anything like the previous ones, they'll be similar to the originals, but with small differences. For instance, it looks like the Bluegrass Bandit doesn't have painted horseshoes, the chestnuts are the same color as the body, and eyewhites are minimal. The San Domingo looks a lot yellower than the original release, and so on. We'll have to wait and see what we get when they arrive (I only ordered the BGB), but I'd guess they'll be in the generic reissue boxes with special item numbers like the previous ones.

Happy ordering, if you're so inclined! And don't be a dummy and forget to use your Collector Club discount like I did (d'oh!).

Wailua Selections and Vintage Club Quinn Available to Order!

Just a couple of notes today - firstly, selections for Wailua went out today! Congrats to everyone who was drawn for this pretty guy! Here he is again:

 

If you weren't drawn, here's hoping you get pulled off the wait list next week!

Secondly,  Quinn, the Vintage Club Sham, is now available to order. Here he is again as well:



His order deadline is 11:59pm on March 20, so don't miss out on his yummy glossy goodness!

That's all I have for today. Let's hope we get some more exciting announcements this week!

Wailua, Second 2017 Web Special!

Wow! We already have a new web special for this month - Wailua, the second America the Beautiful release!




They certainly didn't waste any time with this one.

Beautiful Wailua captures the soft grey splash of the twin falls known as Wailua Falls on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Wailua is also home to NouNou Mountains (also known as the Sleeping Giant) that divides the island, and the 20-mile long Wailua River. This striking Andalusian with soft dapples and dark points was inspired by the mists of this lush tropical paradise.  His high gloss finish is a rare feature on the Legionario mold!  Pad printed on the belly with Wailua 2017.

He's definitely pretty, but I won't be entering for him. I used to halfheartedly collect Legionario and had four of them at one point, but he fell victim to a shelf space shortage and had to be cleared out. Now the only Legionario I have is Grane, and I'm fine with that. Ah, well - my wallet is happy.




He looks similar to the Excalibur release from the Big Easy Bash in 2014, really. But less rosy and more glossy. And with a release of 350, there should be plenty for everyone who wants one. Good luck to all the entrants! Collector Club members can enter for him here.