Breyer Santa Surprise – 2018 Christmas Day Special Run
| January 7, 2019 | Posted by aidanstoytrove under Model Horse |
Breyer Santa Surprise – 2018 Christmas Day Special Run
Historically, Breyer has released a Special Run for Collector’s Club members on Christmas day. This year was no different. Collectors were treated to the Breyer Santa Surprise 711259. The mold was Wintersong as a Unicorn who’s current release is Xavier. The Santa Surprise was limited to one model per Collectors Club membership but sold out quickly. The release time was somewhere around 5:00am est and the Santa Surprise models were all gone by 11:06am est. This was especially disappointing for west coast collectors who were largely still asleep. I would like to see Breyer split the release for runs like this at different times throughout the day and would love to hear other ideas on how to make a sale like this fair to all.
Of note, this particular model was more expensive than past years. The Santa Surprise was priced at $150. Past year’s Christmas Day Special Runs have been $85. Free shipping was included but it appears that international shipping was glitched and international customers are receiving partial refunds for the cost of shipping. Domestic shipping was calculating correctly and was free. Combining shipping with something like the Stablemate Club Darley voided the free shipping. I could write a whole blog post about Breyer’s new website but that’s a discussion for a different day! I personally do not feel that the price tag of $150 was out of line but understand the shock and dismay of those who had budgeted for $85. The Wintersong mold is highly desirable and like it or not, unicorns are ‘in’ right now. To top it off, the size of the Wintersong mold makes it both more expensive to produce and more expensive to ship because of the extra weight. Rumorsare flying that the Santa Surprise is repainted overstock of Xavier but I personally feel that this information is false.
The Santa Surprise was offered in 3 colors: green, gold and blue. These decorator colors were pearly with glitter in the manes and tails. The rarest model of this run was not in fact a unicorn at all but rather a glossy black Brighty who was aptly name Coal. 12 Coals were blindly distributed. 350 of each of the Santa Surprise decorator colors were produced making a run total of 1062. Breyer seemed to have taken more care in sending different colors to people who ordered multiples and avoiding another Fruitcake fiasco.
Here is what Breyer had to say about Santa Surprise 712259:
SANTA SURPRISE FOR 2018 COLLECTOR CLUB MEMBERS!
Have you been good this year? Or perhaps you’re wondering if you’ve earned a place on Santa’s naughty list? There’s only one way to find out. Purchase the Breyer Santa Surprise to find out whether you’ll receive one of three magnificent unicorns on the Othello sculpture: one pearly blue with a silver horn and hooves, one pearly green with a silver horn and hooves, and one pearly gold with golden horn and hooves, Unicorns are symbols of goodness, so you better be on your best behavior! If not, you may be one of twelve (12) purchasers who will find themselves on Santa’s naughty list, and will randomly receive for Coal: a glossy solid coal-black Brighty!
Comes in a Breyer mail order box. Model is a blind draw and will be chosen at random by Breyer. And shipping for this item is on us!*
Limited to 350 pieces of each color Unicorn, plus twelve (12) of the coal-black Brighty. Model chosen at random (you cannot choose which one you will receive). Limit one (1) model per Collector Club member, while supplies last.
Breyer Wish and Wonder – History of the Breyer Christmas Mare and Foal Set
| November 17, 2018 | Posted by aidanstoytrove under Model Horse |
Breyer Wish and Wonder – Christmas Mare and Foal
A few pictures of a grey Breyer Misty appeared in the Back In the Saddle catalog and some other places. Now, that Misty is officially available for purchase directly from Breyer’s website! She is being released with the Stormy foal in a set called Breyer Wish and Wonder 712279. A number of collector’s have expressed distaste for the look of the unpainted plastic that Breyer typically uses for white markings. This was an especially big problem with Dundee who’s mapping sometimes looked downright strange alongside the bare plastic. I noted that Emerson, the latest Breyer 2018 Premier Club model that the white markings were painted. The Breyer Wish and Wonder appear to be chalky, meaning that their white is painted on and is not bare plastic. Bravo Breyer! I personally do not collect the Breyer Christmas Mare and Foal sets but I might make an exception for Wish and Wonder. They look really nice! Misty is a lightly dappled grey and Stormy is and adorable sooty buckskin or bay pinto. The chalky white basecoat compliments their fuzzy hair and make me want to hug them!
The Breyer Wish and Wonder set is available for anyone to purchase on Breyer’s website. You don’t need to be a member of any Breyer’s Clubs. Here is the direct link to Wish and Wonder. The description from Breyer’s website in its entirety reads:
A LIMITED EDITION BREYERHORSES.COM EXCLUSIVE
Every child (or child-at-heart) wants a pony for the holidays, and now you can bring home two! With their chalky coats, this delightful mare and foal set will bring joy to collectors of all ages.
Chincoteague Ponies can have many different coat colors and patterns, just like the ones seen on this island-dwelling pair. The windswept mare Wish has a beautifully-shaded dapple-grey coat, and her sweet filly Wonder has a sooty buckskin pinto coat.
This set comes in a festive satin gift bag, making it a beautiful gift to give and receive! One per order.
Ages 8+
The Breyer Wish and Wonder set is priced at $50. Domestic shipping is FREE <gasp>. Historically, Breyer has offered Free Shipping on the Gambler’s Choice Christmas Decorator but not on the Christmas Mare and Foal Sets. The Christmas Mare and Foal sets also came with cute winter blankets (including realistic working buckles!) but Wish and Wonder do not have blankets but they do come with a festive cloth bag.
2014 was the first year that Breyer offered the Christmas Mare and Foal set. The first offering was the Vixen and Blitzen set. Sadly, this set seemed to have a lot of staining from the horses being shipped with the blankets on despite that protective plastic layer (Athos and Kris Kringle anyone?!). They were the Breyer Running Mare and Running Foal molds in matching bay pinto.
The 2015 Christmas Mare and Foal were Eve and Claus. They featured the Breyer Thoroughbred Mare and Nursing Foal molds in strawberry roan. https://www.ebay.com/itm/323522766140
The 2016 Christmas Mare and Foal were Vixen and Blitzen. The were Breyer Running Mare and Running Foal. The mare was a beautifully shaded dapple grey and the foal was solid grey. https://aidanstoytrove.com/product/breyer-crystal-and-crispin-712184/
I will leave the Christmas Decorators for another blog post but 2 of the decorators are:
Ivy who was released alongside Holly. https://aidanstoytrove.com/product/breyer-ivy-712167/
Emerald who was released alongside Amethyst and Sapphire. https://aidanstoytrove.com/product/breyer-emerald-712233/
Breyer 2019 Stablemate Club Open For Enrollment
| November 15, 2018 | Posted by aidanstoytrove under Model Horse |
Breyer 2019 Stablemate Club Open For Enrollment
I know that a number of you have been waiting for the Breyer 2019 Stablemate Club enrollment to open and enrollment is officially open! This beautiful glossy Mirado model was featured in Breyer’s promotional email and I’m fairly certain that he will be a Breyer 2019 Stablemate Club Special Run. I personally was not overly fond of the grulla pinto Mirado but I do like this chestnut!
Here is the link to join the Breyer 2019 Stablemate Club https://www.breyerhorses.com/products/2019-stablemates-club-welcome-kit
Here is the Stablemate Club description taken directly from Breyer’s Website:
If you find Breyer’s Stablemates impossible to resist, then the Breyer Stablemates Club is for you! These small wonders are hand-crafted with great detail and their decorations share the finesse of their larger Traditional counterparts!
Deposits must be made by 11:59pm EST December 31, 2018
2019 Stablemates Club Deposit
$30.00
Become A Member of the Breyer Stablemates Club
You must be a 2019 Collector Club member to access the buy box. Once you have purchased the club, you will no longer have access to the buy box.
International Customers: Click here to join the 2019 Stablemates International Club
Benefits include:
- (6) new members-only Stablemates Club models in beautiful colors exclusively designed for the club.
- Each model is packaged in a miniature version of Breyer’s iconic yellow window box.
- Includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
- A brand-new Stablemates sculpture will debut each year in the Club!
- All Stablemates Club members are eligible to be entered into a raffle for a unique collectible!
- Access to Stablemates Club Forum
2019 Stablemates Collector’s Club Member Terms & Conditions:
Each model is only $20, and is shipped to your home in a miniature Traditional-style window box. To join, you must have a valid 2019 Collector Club membership and sign up by December 31, 2018with a non-refundable deposit of $30. We’ll deduct $5 from each model when it ships, so you pay $15 per model (plus S&H). This program is a continuity club which means you are obligated to purchase all six models. First Shipment for US members is in February 2019, with subsequent shipments every other month.
International members will receive two consolidated shipments of three (3) models ($45 per shipment plus $25 S&H) each following the third and sixth releases. You must purchase an International Membership in order to receive the consolidated international shipments.
Please note: Reeves International, Inc. reserves the right to terminate any membership at any time and refund the applicable pro-rated deposit or membership amount. If member elects to cancel their membership, deposit and membership fees are non-refundable.
Finn the Breyer 2018 Stablemate Club Gambler’s Choice Mule
| October 10, 2018 | Posted by aidanstoytrove under Model Horse |
Finn the Breyer 2018 Stablemate Club Gambler’s Choice Mule
The Breyer Stablemate Club began in 2016. Each year features a Gambler’s Choice Special Run. 4 different colors on the same Stablemate mold are offered once per year, these are referred to as Gambler’s Choice models as the color you receive is random. The Breyer 2016 Stablemate Club featured Diesel, tbe G4 Reiner. Diesel was offered in Glossy Grulla, Glossy Bay Appaloosa, Dun and Wedgewood. At the time, we had 4 separate Stablemate Club Memberships and were thrilled to receive 1 of each color (unlike the Bouncer Christmas Pony, eek!)
The Breyer 2017 Stablemate Club featured Fylkir, the Icelandic Pony. Fylkir was offered in Glossy Silver Black, Bay Splash Pinto, Dunalino and Bay Roan Appaloosa. I had my heart set on the Glossy Silver Black but received a Bay Splash Pinto (trade anyone??)
For 2018, Breyer offered Finn on the mischievous mule mold. Finn is offered in Grey Grulla Pinto, Dun Appaloosa, Glossy Sorrel and a Rainbow Pinto. Finn is the model many were waiting for and at long last, he is now available for Breyer 2018 Stablemate Club Members to purchase. The total cost of Finn shipped to any US address is $25.95. Here is the pricing breakdown:
Cost of model: $15
Credit Applied For Club Deposit: $5
US Shipping: $5.95
I love my Breyer Prism and I’m hoping for the Glossy Rainbow color on Finn as well!
Finn must be paid for by 10/22/18 (for procrastinators like me!)
Breyer 2018 Stablemate Club Members can access Finn’s page directly using this link. Here is what Breyer says about Finn:
Meet Finn! He is offered as a gambler’s choice, as four exciting colorways grace this delightful mule. You will randomly receive one of the following: A shaded grey grulla pinto with a matte finish, a shaded dun appaloosa with matte finish, a shaded chestnut with a high gloss finish, or a shaded rainbow pinto decorator with a high gloss finish. Finn comes in a miniature Traditional-style window box.
Breyer Kehinde – The Newest Web Special Run
| October 2, 2018 | Posted by aidanstoytrove under Model Horse |
Breyer Kehinde – The Newest Web Special Run
Kehinde is Breyer’s newest Web Special Run and is product number 712255. He is part of the new Wild Animal Series which is open to a broader range of patterns than the Big Cat Series. Kehinde is based on the Clock Horse or the American Saddlebred Stallion mold sculpted by Kathleen Moody. He is painted to resemble a wild okapi. At first glance, I didn’t particularly care for Kehinde but I’m starting to warm up to him and will be entering for a chance at purchasing him. Kehinde is open to Breyer 2018 Collector’s Club Members who may enter enter the lottery once a day through October 7’th for a chance at purchasing him. Winners will be notified on October 8th. Kehinde is priced at $175 plus postage. Breyer recently recalculated their shipping costs (as well as their entire website!) and I’m unsure how much shipping will cost. Historically, shipping for the Web Special Runs cost around $17.50 for domestic shipping. Current Breyer 2018 Collector’s Club Members may click this link to see Kehinde’s listing on Breyer’s website. Here is what Breyer has to say about Kehinde:
Our world is home to many fascinating creatures. With landscapes from deserts to rainforests, savannas to mountains, and everything in between, it’s no surprise that the world’s animals are as diverse as the landscape! Our new Wild Animal Series is a celebration of wildlife everywhere.
The first release in Wild Animal Series is Kehinde, and he’s inspired by the enchanting and elusive okapi. Artist Karen Williams designed this piece, and gave him an incredibly realistic coat. Just like the okapi, Kehinde has zebra-like striping on his legs and hindquarters. His richly-shaded coat has a velvety appearance, fading into his dusky face. With his alert appearance and expression, Kehinde truly evokes the look of the okapi! Kehinde has “Wild Animal Series” printed on his belly.
