June Collector Club newsletter and auction models!

 Greetings, readers! Well, it's been kind of a slow week, but at least we got the Collector Club newsletter for June. If you're a collector club member, check your email for more. This month's feature story details the life and accomplishments of Chief of Fourmile, and the giveaway for this month is a Harley - a descendant of Chief of Fourmile! Cool stuff. There's also this sneak peek: 

Is it a web special? It's supposed to be released in July, but I don't know what it would be. Maybe the fall Classic unicorn? They're not usually released that early, though.

And in other news, we got the last batch of auction models today! Let's start with the Semi-Rearing Mustang:

That color is amazing! I bet he'll sell for a lot. And another glossy one! Our cup runneth over. 

More gloss! Hooray! Nothing I need, but she's definitely pretty.

Now this one is interesting - the mane from the Cleveland Bay, and a tail from Roxy that was apparently modified to look wrapped. Never would have expected to see Bandalero as a polo pony, but it fits him pretty well. Wonder if we'll see this combination again at some point? 

Ooh, this one is my favorite! I think we have our top seller. What a pretty color! I love him. 

And that's it for auction models we get to see in advance! The blog post notes that there are two hidden lots, and two lots that are only available to in-person bidders...so, four hidden lots. Fortunately, we'll find out what they are in less than two weeks! Huzzah! 

The road to El Dorado

 Attention, readers! We interrupt this, uh...long period of nothing new to post about...with this! The next Vintage Club release, El Dorado! Behold: 

His pattern is based on the Appaloosa Performance Horse, but in Florentine and Copenhagen, shipped at random. When I first saw them, I had the sinking feeling that one of them would be a run of 75 instead, but fortunately that isn't the case - it's a 50/50 split. Nothing I need to buy, but I hope everyone gets the color they want...and that I have more stuff to post about soon! Sheesh. Pretty slow month, huh? 

Breyerfest Closeups: Beowulf

 Good news, everyone! Now that we're done with the New Arrivals post, we can keep moving right along and get started with Breyerfest Closeups, the series of posts I do every year detailing the new models revealed in the Collector Club tent at Breyerfest. It didn't seem like we got as many new reveals this year as we usually do, but I'll keep trucking along with the ones we did get. Today's model is Beowulf! 

Breyer had a number of these models available in the Breyer Store during the event, and they all sold out (unsurprisingly, as the model was highly-anticipated). 

You may recall that there was some controversy over this model back when it was first released, after it came to light that parts of the design were lifted from an existing design that was originally used as a tattoo. The designer of said tattoo surfaced on Blab and confirmed that the design was hers, and then we didn't hear anything else. The model is still in production, and Breyer commented on a Facebook post (or was it Instagram?) that an agreement had been reached with the original artist, so (hopefully) she was compensated for her work. 

I don't collect the Semi-Rearing Mustang, so I won't be getting this guy, but I wanted to get some detailed photos of him for the blog. I like the slash marks on his face and neck. 

I wasn't expecting him to be so vibrantly red in person - he seemed like more of a brownish-red in the promo photos. 

That's it for today's post - check back tomorrow for another Breyerfest Closeups! 

Yessssss, finally some 2024 releases! LET'S GOOOOOOOO!

 The hour is finally upon us - 2024 new releases have finally been revealed! Hustle on over to the Breyer site to see them, but here are the ones I'm most excited about! 

A new Georg, YES! I love him! And he's a portrait of a horse I've seen many times at the KHP! Must buy! 

Woohoo, a regular run Constantia! Can't wait to add her to the collection either. She'll look really striking next to Via Lattea. 

Ooh, new molds for the Classics Horse of the Year release! The mare looks tantalizingly familiar, but I think she's a new mold. Not sure if I'll buy this set (they both look really awkward for some reason). The colors are pretty, though! 

There's a new Classics "Elements" collection, featuring some very handsome models! I'm not as excited about these as I could be, since they're going to be randomly shipped. Get out of here with that crap! We have enough randomly shipped stuff as it is. I added it up and there were at least twelve randomly-shipped releases last year, between Breyerfest, the clubs and various special runs. Stop it already! Fortunately, at least some dealers will be letting people order them directly - which is good, because I think we all know the Mustang is the only one people will actually want, while the other five colors will barely sell. 

Not all of the releases are on Breyer's site yet, so here's a link to Triple Mountain, which has them all. 

Here's the Halloween Horse! Ooh, a werewolf. Nothing I need to buy, but that shade of bay is really pretty. There was some drama on Facebook about that (stolen? not stolen?) wolf design on his left shoulder, so we'll see what happens with that. The discussions have disappeared, so I suspect shenanigans are afoot. 

The Holiday Horse (Apres Ski) is on Big Ben! Also nothing I need to buy, but he looks good in silver(ish) bay. Or is it just bay with a gulastra plume? Not sure. Anyway, I missed the model's name at first and spend more time than I want to admit trying to figure out if the ski poles were swords or guns, before my husband pointed out they were in fact ski poles and the brown things are the skis. Just throwing that out there. 

The unicorn ornament is a mirrored Porcelain Shire Mare with a new tail! Huzzah! I like her way better with the new tail. Does this mean we'll get her in plastic someday? I hope so, although it's more likely she'll join the ranks of the Spanish Barb, who also was an ornament a few years ago but hasn't been seen since. 

There don't seem to be any new Stablemates other than the ones that were at Tractor Supply last fall, which is irksome. Also no word of the Flagship release (or any mention of Flagship stuff, according to Triple Mountain) which makes me wonder if the whole Flagship concept has been killed off (not surprising). Guess we'll hopefully find out more on Monday. 

I'm also excited about Neptune and Cossaco! But I don't want this post to get too long, so let's move on. We also got a Breyerfest reveal - behold! 

Her name is Miss Independent, which is a Kelly Clarkson song, so I'm just going to resign myself to the fact that all of the special runs are going to be named after crappy pop songs. She's a nice color, but once again nothing I need to buy. Maybe this year I can get away with just buying one ticket and spending all the money I would have spent on horses on raffle tickets instead? I probably still wouldn't win the raffle, though, so saving my money would probably be better. 

FINALLY!

 Good news, readers! We finally got something Breyerfest-related today - the reveal of the last few live auction models! Insert grumbling about how there used to be more auction models here. Anyways, here they are! Some of them are still weirdly cropped. There are a few lots still to be revealed, such as (presumably) the raffle models and the live show grand and reserve prizes. But anyway! 

That's a Strapless done as a sooty palomino with, well, puzzle-piece dapples. At least that's what they look like to me. Pretty, though! 

This one is a wild bay frame overo Lonesome Glory - it's a popular mold, so he'll probably go high. Still, I can't help but wonder what he'd look like in gloss. 

This one is a Semi-Rearing Mustang in a grullo tobiano with cat tracks. Cool, but it'd be nice if we could see the whole photo? 

Ooh, now these are interesting, even if the mare's face is marked like a giraffe. The mare is a pearly chestnut leopard appaloosa and the foal is a pearly black leopard appaloosa. It'll be interesting to see what these sell for - they're a bit odd-looking, but cute nonetheless.

Ooh, I really like this one, especially the two-toned wings! The blog says he's a glossy metallic blue overo, but he looks like there's some green in the mane, tail and wings. Can't wait to see this one in person so I can get some photos! I wonder if the wings are removable? Usually they are, and it does look like they slot into his back. Someday will we get a more attainable winged release of this guy, since they've done at least one test like this before? I can only hope! 

Well, this knocks a few more molds out of contention for the surprise - I'm going to guess it's Goffert at this point, unless he pops up as a raffle model or something. Speaking of raffle models, I can't remember if I've posted my raffle predictions yet, so here goes: Georg and Cancion. Would Breyer use two standing molds in the same year? Who knows, but that's what I'm going with. Guess we'll find out eventually! 

In other news, this year's mid-year releases are now available to order on Breyer's website, though the new Strapless won't be shipping until August. I thought about ordering a Mojave, but I'm going to take my chances and hope they have him in the Breyer Store at Breyerfest since that's what I did last year. Here's hoping! 

Edit: the rest of the auction models and the raffle models are now posted on the auction website! Check them out here. Looks like I was right about Cancion as a raffle model, but the other one is Fireheart! Gah! 

There is a Georg auction model, though:

Along with the German Riding Pony, Carina and Selene, Anamar and the PAM. Notably, there's no Goffert...but also no Hamilton, so the speculation will continue. I'm sticking with Goffert, though! Hamilton is way too popular and doesn't need the surprise boost. 

Fireheart, Breyerfest programs and the last auction models!

 Lots of announcements today - first off, today is the first day we can finally order our Fireheart models! 

As you may have guessed from some of my earlier posts...it looks like my Fireheart is going to stay with me after all. Based on the photos of the production piece, plus the newly released photo of his auction model....well,  yeah. The above photo didn't do him any favors for me, but the photos I've seen since then make it pretty clear he needs to stay here. 

And as a bonus, apparently they are actually in stock now and able to ship! That's definitely good news. 

Secondly, the print version of the Breyerfest program can now be ordered! 

They're $5 each (seems a bit steep..) and ship for free as long as you order them by themselves with no other merchandise. You can only order one per transaction for some reason, so if you want more than one...you'll have to do a new order for each one, I guess. But at least we're getting a print one this year! 

Lastly, the last six auction models have been unveiled! Behold: 

Oh boy, this might be our sale-topper right here. As an aside, did I make any '80s hair band jokes when Fireheart was first released? I feel like I did, but if not...he definitely looks like something an '80s hair band could appreciate, am I right? Haha! That's a really nice color, too! 

Wow, an Old Timer auction model! Too bad he looks...like an updated version of the Jake raffle model from 2002. At least the hat is a different color? 

With the way these auction models are looking, the raffle models may end up being this year's "chump change" items, since they're runs of 26. But I digress.

Interesting color on this one - looks like something you'd see on a bull. 

At first I thought this one was an extremely red chestnut, and didn't really like it. Then I realized it was supposed to be a decorator and warmed up to it a little...but only a little. Needs more paint for something that'll probably sell for $5,000 or more. 

And here it is...the long-awaited Hamilton auction model! This guy might be the sale-topper, too. That's a beautiful color...and glossy! I can't wait to see how much these models all sell for so I can hide somewhere and cry die of jealousy plot world domination for plastic ponies  rob a bank  hide somewhere and cry. 

That's all I've got for today! Can't believe we only have a little more than a week until Breyerfest! 

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?

Holy crap!

Exciting news today - there's a new test run available for entry on the Breyer website! Here he is:

Okay, I'll admit I've never been a big fan of the Semi-Rearing Mustang, but that color is STUNNING!



From the website:

The Semi Rearing Mustang is one of the most popular Chris Hess sculptures! He was sampled in this striking glossy dappled black in the last decade. His mane and tail are a smoky shaded pearly grey, giving him a very dramatic look.

Dramatic, indeed! I'm surprised they're parting with something so relatively recent - I don't think many of the other tests they've sold over the last couple of years were less than 20 years old. Whoever wins this guy will have a beautiful addition to their collection! Or...they'll have a really, really nice resale piece.

I'm not going to lie; I'm entering for this guy on all our accounts. His price from Breyer is $850, but if he's sold on the secondary market, I'd be astounded if he didn't bring at least $3000. We've been saving for a new car, and well...that's a really nice chunk of change we could add to the down payment.

I'm guessing there are a lot of other people intending to do the same thing, though, so I won't get my hopes up. He should go to a permanent home first, anyway! 

Tanner is now available!

Greetings, readers! If you're a Vintage Club member, this year's extra model, Tanner on the Semi-Rearing Mustang, is now available for purchase! 

While I am a VC member this year, I won't be buying this guy - I don't collect the Semi-Rearing Mustang. Fortunately, he's not a required purchase to stay in the club, so if you're in the same boat I am, don't feel pressured to buy him.

He certainly looks interesting! I wonder how well they'll pull off that paint job. I guess we'll find out when they start arriving in mailboxes! 

We finally know the Mustang popularity contest winner!

You may remember that earlier this year, Breyer held a vote for Vintage Club members to choose which of three Semi-Rearing Mustangs would be used in next year's Vintage Club - more about that here.

Well, the winner of the poll has been revealed! Meet Tanner!



According to Breyer, he's a "freehand pinto." ...Does that mean they're all going to have freehand markings? You could get some gnarly variations that way; just saying.

But anyway, evidently the club is almost full! If you have to have this guy, don't waste any time signing up - the deadline is 12/31, and who knows how many spots are left. Fortunately. this is the optional model for next year's club, so he's not a required purchase - which means I won't have to bother with buying him, since I joined the club for the first time. I'm just in it for the Weather Girl, folks!

The Custom Contest prize is...Masala!

As expected, the Breyerfest custom contest is...the new True North mold, in an alternate color to the True North release!

 

I never thought about it before, but this is the third time the custom contest prize has been a bay version of that year's first Premier Club model. So does this mean it'll be bay every year? Interesting. Still not something I'm interested in, but good luck to everyone who enters the contest!

In other news, Breyer is holding a vote (for Vintage Club members only) to see which of three Semi-Rearing Mustangs should be in the Vintage Club next year. Here they are (photo via Blab):



 

Good thing I'm not in the Vintage Club - I wouldn't want to buy any of them. If I had to choose, though, I'd probably go for the palomino. Interesting that they're reusing the Mustang - I would have thought they'd have plenty of unused vintage molds to go around. Oh well - that's one less release to try to guess at for next year! Still crossing my fingers for glossy alabaster Thoroughbred Mare/Nursing Foal, though.

Darjeeling is revealed!

We've gotten our second SR reveal of the week, and it's the Semi-Rearing Mustang! Here he is:

My hot take on this guy: Wow!

From the blog:

Darjeeling is on Chris Hess's semi-rearing mustang mold (number 87) from the 1960's. Darjeeling is a richly-shaded bay semi-leopard glossy appaloosa with a star, snip, a single sock, lighting marks, and mottled skin. This latest Special Run model was expertly designed by Sommer Prosser.

I think they mean "lightning marks" there, but all the same. This guy is gorgeous! He would make a great companion to the 2014 Sunday Raffle Kick Up Your Heels! He'd also make a good companion to My Kind of Town, from the 2015 Sweet Home Chicago Celebration.

That being said, I won't be adding Darjeeling to my collection, simply because I don't collect the mold. That's okay - more for everyone else!

Truthfully, I'm hoping the next four items to be revealed in the special run line are things that are more to my liking - I'm planning on getting Saffron and Kaalee, but neither of them really wow me that much. Give me a nice hairy Moody sculpt, a stunning Eberl or an irresistible Sifton! I hope we get to see two more models next week - I like that pattern.