Tag: breyer

Celebrating the Classics

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I am happy to report that I have recently been able to complete and upload the Classic scale values. I brought on some help, and her input has really spurred on the process. There is still a lot of work yet to be done, and I want to thank all of you who are supporting and keeping this project alive while we build and grow.

In today’s blog, I want to take a quick look at the Classics, from their beginning to what seems to be a modern day resurgence with new molds and renewed interest! The oldest Classic molds were released in the 1960s and were originally part of the Traditional line. The oldest Classic scale models are the Bucking Bronco and the Rearing Stallion, who are both  still very popular with collectors today. The “official” start of the Classic line originated with the 1973 release of #3055 Classic Arabian Family. Like their larger, Traditional scale counterparts, the Classic line offers a variety of breeds and action poses represented.

Over the last decade or so, Classic scale collectors have been treated with the emergence of many new and exciting molds. In just the last few years, Breyer has been releasing a new Classic mold each year in their “Horse of the Year” series. We have been introduced to Bella, Harper, Mariah, and others, not to forget Breyer’s most recent release: Mason in a new Saddlebred mold!

Plus, we have also been tempted by “classic” Classics in fresh new paint jobs released as Special Runs! In 2017 the Vintage Club presented a Classic Quarter Horse Family set in a beautifully detailed pinto finish. There was also Scotty, the quaint Swaps mold released in limited numbers in glossy, pinto and appaloosa patterns.

Classic scale models are at an excellent price point for introducing new collectors to the hobby. It is obvious that Breyer is putting more focus on this line over the last few years to grow their business and encourage young collectors. Although I did not start out collecting Classics, (bigger was better in my mind — and I wanted the Clydesdales to boot!) I think the new releases from Breyer can and do inspire collectors, young and old!

To celebrate the completion of the Classic scale model values, I am opening up the annual membership option once again. You can have a full year’s worth of constantly updated, Breyer values at your fingertips. Whether you are going through your own collection, or searching for that diamond in the rough at an antique shop, you can have all of the current Breyer values available immediately on your computer or mobile device!

Until January 31, I invite you to subscribe for 12 months for only $43.00. This is over 60% off the monthly subscription rate! The Traditional and Classic scale guides are complete with their values. The Stablemate guide will be coming soon!

Thank you for supporting the Breyer Value Guide!

Click here to subscribe today for over 60% off! Offer ends January 31.

Breyer’s Most Eligible Batchelor – Fylkir!

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Once again, Breyer did not disappoint with their choice of mold for the 2017 Stablemate Club Gambler’s Choice. Just as they did last year, Breyer chose one of the most popular Stablemate molds to release in a variety of eye-catching colors – to drive collectors crazy. And again it has!

Fylkir is his name, and he was just recently released in four colors to Stablemate Club members. The new Icelandic Stablemate mold was introduced in 2013 and there have only been 4 releases since then: three special runs and one regular run. Opportunities to buy Fylkir on the secondary market are still out there, and you can expect to pay between $75-150, on average, depending upon the color you need for your collection. The number of listings is starting to dwindle, but with a little determination, Fylkir models are still out there to be found.

The color that seems to be generating the most interest among collectors (and driving the prices higher) is the glossy black, that has been seen to bring in auction bids as high as $150. The matte dun is also pulling in prices just slightly lower than the black, in the $100-$125 price range. The appaloosa and splash pinto Fylkir models have seemed to leveled out currently in the $75-100 range.

As fewer of these models become available, where will their secondary market prices level off at? My guess is that they will level out around the $80-$100 range, with the glossy black still pulling in the bigger money. On what do I base my numbers? Well, lets look back at last year’s Gambler’s Choice Stablemate – Diesel. The market has settled on this guy, but there are still plenty of collectors looking to add him to their collections.

Diesel was released on another new and popular mold – the Stablemate Reiner. With only five other releases prior to Diesel’s Stablemate Club release in 2016 (all but one of the Reiner releases were special runs) collectors went into overdrive trying to keep their Reiner congas complete.

Today, Diesel models are getting harder to find, but collectors aren’t necessarily paying any more for them. Of the ones I was able to locate for sale, the wedgewood and glossy appaloosa Diesels could be seen selling for up to $150, while the brindle/dun and glossy bay paint versions stayed more in the $75-100 range.

Whether it is a BreyerFest surprise model or a Collector’s Club Gamblers Choice, Breyer seems to have found a concept that encourages collecting! Yes, it also encourages higher secondary market prices due to limited availability and collector demand – but that does seem to be the nature of the beast these days, doesn’t it?

Find Fylkir models on eBay. 

Find Diesel models on eBay.

 

Breyer’s New Arabian Mare, Make a Wish

Posted on by Admin

As I was browsing eBay this morning looking for some awesome Breyer finds, I couldn’t help but be distracted by all of the Make A Wish models that were getting a lot of interest, and bids! So, I changed my plan for today’s blog and decided to feature Breyer mold #706, Make a Wish.

Also referenced as Arabian Mare and Oasis, this mold was introduced at BreyerFest 2009 as a sweet dappled palomino mare, in a run of 1350 pieces. Also in 2009 Oasis was released in the Connoisseur Series as a beautiful dappled bay, limited edition of only 350. Then, around the holidays (if memory serves) we get our chance to acquire the first regular run, S’Justadream. The crazy thing about this mold, is that each of these releases had different head/neck, mane and tail combinations!

Since their initial release, the Make A Wish models have been very popular among collectors. There have only been two regular run releases, the rest have been special runs, with varying degrees of exclusivity. A quick search of eBay will yield a variety of Make A Wish models for sale, but be prepared to spend sometimes much more than their original release prices! The 2009 regular run S’Justadream regularly sells on eBay for over $100!

If you are looking to add to your Make A Wish collection, or are considering selling it, make sure you do your research and see what the models are selling for on the secondary market. Not only so you can try to sell at the best price, but to also make sure your items are priced competitively with the others on the market. And, if you are buying, to make sure you don’t overspend. A little patience will go a long way in the secondary collectibles market!

As collectors of this mold, do you collect every configuration or just one in particular? I am partial to the original Make A Wish combination, which was only offered one other time as the Web Special Summer Love. Who is your favorite? Share in the comments!