Buy Rare Hartland Items with Caution

by Gail Fitch, August 12, 2010

It was inevitable: When a collectible becomes valuable, fakes become part of the collecting landscape. It happens more as time goes on. Two recent instances of Hartland fakes include a saddle and a rider -- in separate eBay auctions, by different sellers, and going to different buyers. Both models were represented as originals, and carried high "buy it now or make an offer" prices. Both buyers are now chagrined.

The saddle was actually a common saddle, but stripped of its paint and repainted to resemble a rare saddle. It's hard to tell the rider's original color scheme because the attire was entirely covered with non-factory paint. It is now in a rare color scheme. It probably began as a common color. If it was originally the rare color, but repainted to cover rubs, it was a bad idea. Hartland models in average condition, with rubs in the paint, but original finish, are normally more valuable than blemish-free repainted or touched up models.

The names of both sellers are known. For now, give extra scrutiny to high-priced, "rare" Hartland pieces sold by individuals in Pennsylvania or Minnesota or who do not reveal their geographic location. Also, if an eBay seller asks you to pay outside eBay, don't do it. As a buyer, you would lose protection.

Here's some advice. After buying an expensive, "rare" piece, get it checked by an expert -- it's not hard to send photos by email. (My email is gfitch@tds.net.) Don't put it off. Soon after a model arrives is not too late to ask for a price adjustment or to ask to return the model. I've had people ask my advice before an auction ends, but let's face it: a "buy it now" auction encourages spending first, and asking questions later.

There are things you can check for once the model is in your hands. On factory-painted Hartland models, airbrushing was the norm; visible brush strokes in the paint are a giveaway that the model was either touched up or entirely repainted. On all but a handful of model designs -- mainly very early ones -- the Hartland factory used paint masks to neatly demarcate painted areas. Sometimes, the masks slipped, leaving a blurred line, but that is a more consistent line than the dodgy edges left behind by unmasked, hand-brushed work.

The trend toward fakes being paired with high, "buy it now" prices should make collectors extra wary of such auctions of "rare" items. Rare items, by definition, don't turn up very often. In an auction of a group of items, with no claims made about the scarcity, if you think you spot a rare item in the bunch, it is more likely to be authentic. The highly polished auctions that boast about scarcity or feature a single item are more likely to involve fakes -- although auctions featuring such calculated misrepresentation are still few and far between.

Many sellers are not well informed, and eBay is full of the garden variety of incorrect or vague identification or description. That's why a picture is worth 1,000 words. It doesn't hurt to ask the seller questions although I'm not sure how productive that would be when fakes are labeled as rare and original.

The most important issue is correct representation of the item for sale. Some collectors don't mind touched up models if it improves the appearance. Likewise, some collectors will even commission an artist to repaint a common model to look like a rare model, so that they can fill a hole in their collection. Repaint artists should always sign the underside of the model.

But I think most collectors are like me: generally turned off by retouching and repainting. I'd rather have an authentic piece. The condition doesn't need to be close to perfect.

Customizing -- repainting a model to look unique, not like any existing mass produced model, or adding more details to a model whose identity remains unchanged -- is fairly popular. Hartland never made Zorro, the Cisco Kid, or General Grant, but there are crafters who happily transform Hartland models into those and other characters and correctly label them as "custom" or "customized" in their eBay auctions. Likewise, there are hobbyists who fancy-up a Hartland Lone Ranger or Roy Rogers by adding more painted details to the tack, the horse, or the rider's outfit. Customized models can be fun.

It's all in the labeling.

Model Horse Events Peak in Summer

by Gail Fitch, July 21, 2010

Each year, the biggest model horse events are two conventions hosted by model horse manufacturers. Both happen around the third weekend of July in Lexington, Kentucky.

Equilocity, the Peter Stone Co. event, runs Thursday, July 22 through Saturday, July 24, 2010, at the Mariott Griffin Gate hotel, Lexington. Thursday events include model sales and an ice cream social. Friday begins with a pajama breakfast, and ends with a buffet dinner at 6 p.m., followed by an auction of one-of-a-kind Peter Stone models at about 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The models not only have unique paint jobs, but are uniquely re-shaped from the manufactured versions. Bids may be placed by email until noon on July 23. The Stone Age Live Model Show is Saturday, July 24.

BreyerFest is Friday, July 23 through Sunday, July 25, 2010, with a heavy schedule of model shopping and workshops, model horse shows, a Saturday night dinner and test model auction, and real-horse spectating. Most BreyerFest events are held at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, with a few at the Lexington Holiday Inn-North. The 2010 BreyerFest featured models include likeness of All Glory, a bay Standardbred roadster owned by Elizabeth and William Shatner; and Rising Sun, a palomino that was owned by Elvis Presley.

The Holiday Inn is a short walk from the Mariott, making it easy to participate in both BreyerFest and Equilocity. The BreyerFest events at the Horse Park require a BreyerFest ticket, which includes Horse Park admission. Many of the Equilocity events do not require an advance ticket purchase. In addition to the formally scheduled activities, collectors go room to room model shopping late into the night at the Holiday Inn.

For more information, see www.stonehorses.com (click the box for "Equilocity 2010"), and www.breyerhorses.com.

Hartland Values Hit Some Peaks

While second-hand collectibles are generally selling for much less than they did a decade ago, certain types of Hartland items are garnering high bids on eBay lately. On March 13, 2010, a number of Hartland horse auctions by eBay seller "jettabird" illustrated that point. "jettabird" is selling Breyer, Hagen-Renaker mini, Peter Stone, and Hartland horses owned by an East Coast collector I've known by phone and mail for more than 20 years. The Hartlands vary from 1960s-1980s breed-series horses to 1950s-2000s rider series horses. A hard-to-find rider series horse from the 1950s topped $100. So did three rider-series horses from the 2000s. All it takes is a handful of new collectors with extra spending money.

( Between then and April 10, 2010, some truly rare -- fewer than 10 made -- horses from the 11" horse-breeds series in the late 1980s-early 1990s have sold for more than $100 also.)

An old Hartland book edition from 1995 sold for $120.00 on eBay on December 9, 2009. It was from the fifth edition of Hartland Horses and Riders, and sold by "shatormar_studios" -- a collector in Pennsylvania whom I've met. (Each book was numbered and signed. The first edition came out in 1983.) That high bid contrasts with the modest price ($25-$30) for the current and far superior editions published by Schiffer Publishing: Hartland Horsemen and Hartland Horses and Dogs. It does make me feel appreciated as an author.

JANUARY and FEBRUARY EVENTS, 2010

Upper Midwest

The first NAMHSA-member model horse show of the year was held in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, in January. (For a schedule of the North American Model Horse Shows Association's member shows, see www.namhsa.org/membershowsbydate.htm.)

The 21st annual Illinois Horse Fair was March 5-7, 2010, at the state fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois.

California

The Eureka Live model horse show, sponsored by Stone Horses (the manufacturer) was February 14, 2010 in Santa Barbara, California. I attended and will report on it in the next issue of Model Equestrian: Horse Collecting and Hartland News.

New Breyer Model

While there, I saw a new Breyer action model, "Esprit" by Kathleen Moody, at a tack shop. It's an action model in dapple grey with windblown mane and tail. Other new Breyer molds include Stablemates illustrated in the January/February 2010 Just About Horses, the Breyer company's publication. (I appreciate model horses of all brands.)

MARCH EVENTS

Seeking Show Co-Host

The Show for the Cure (to cancer), hosted by Jenna Nejman, raised $3,200 on March 20, 2010 in Streamwood, Illinois. The model horse show is an annual event (see www.showforthecure.com). Jenna Nejman is looking for a co-host for a possible show in Madison, Wis., in fall. Contact her at: bellboots AT att.net.

Wisconsin Shows Grapevine

Another model show, Greatest Show on Earth, was held March 20, 2010 in Spencer, Wis. (in Marathon county). Wisconsin area model horse shows are listed at Badger_State_Model_Horse, a group at Yahoogroups.com. Show listings may be sent to Carol B. at jaxdgg2g AT yahoo.com.

APRIL and MAY EVENTS

Ohio and Indiana
Equine Affaire, a real-horse expo, is April 8-11, 2010, in Columbus Ohio. The Hoosier Horse Fair is April 9-11, 2010, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. The Stone Horses Country Fair is May 7-8 in Shipshewana, Indiana. Stone manufacturers plastic model horses (www.stonehorses.com).

Northern Illinois
No-Frills model horse shows are slated for April 10 and May 22 in northern Illinois. April 10 is an all-mini show. For information, contact lizicory AT aol.com or check GLCLiveShow, a group at Yahoo.com.

Wisconsin
The Midwest Horse Fair, one of the largest horse expos in the country, will be April 16-18, 2010, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.


JUNE and JULY EVENTS

Tennessee
Many model horse shows are held each year, but only some are for the benefit of nonprofit organizations or charitable causes. The eighth annual Big Orange Bash model horse show will help the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine buy equipment for its new Equine Sports Medicine Department. BOB 8 will be June 19, 2010, at the Hollingsworth Auditorium at the University of Tennessee Agriculture Campus. It is a NAN qualifying show. For more information, contact Jennifer Pommerance, anj@mindspring.com or see http://magmade.com/bob2010/

Kentucky
BreyerFest 2010, the model horse expo held by Breyer, the model horse manufacturer, is slated for July 23-25, 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Kentucky. See www.BreyerHorses.com.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

The Meows and Minis model horse show to benefit the Cat Guardians cat shelter in Lombard, Illinois, will be September 11, 2010. For information, contact Chris Wallbruch, wombats@earthlink.net.

Gail Fitch,
March 13 & 14, 2010; March 23, 2010; April 11, 2010.

The Great Lakes Congress' Youth Model Horse Show and Breyer Fun Day is set for Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the Huntley Park District cafeteria, 12015 Mill St., Huntley, Illinois. The model horse show is open to participants 18 or younger who pre-register and pay the $10 entry fee. A judging clinic will be among the activities. An exclusive, special-run Breyer model will be for sale there by Bentley Sales Co. All ages are welcome. To pre-register or for more information, see www.greatlakescongress.com.

Real-horse demonstrations, clinics, seminars, and a trade show will take place at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, November 12-15, 2009. For details, see www.equineaffaire.com.

The second annual Chicagoland Equestrian Lifestyle Expo & Holiday Market is slated for November 21-22, 2009, at the new Lake County Fairgrounds' Expo Center in Grayslake (Chicago), Illinois. This event sponsored by the Horsemen's Council of Illinois will feature equestrian-themed venders, information booths, and seminars -- but no real horses. The new fairgrounds is at the intersection of Peterson and Midlothian Roads In Grayslake, Ill. See www.HorsemensCouncil.org for information.

Gail Fitch
October 3, 2009

In 2010, BreyerFest will be held at the same locations as usual: The Kentucky Horse Park, and the Lexington Holiday Inn-North. Hotel reservations are already being taken for next year's company-sponsored model horse convention to be held,as usual, on a three-day weekend in the second half of July. (Last year, there was talk that BreyerFest would be moved or not held at all.) See www.breyerhorses.com for the schedule.

A model horse show to benefit a non-profit cat shelter in Lombard, Illinois, will be held Saturday, September 12, 2009, in northern Illinois. Show hostess Chris Wallbruch said the annual Meows and Minis show has raised over $8,000 for the shelter in the last six years. The show includes donated models and other items that are auctioned online. The in-person judging, similar to a real horse show, is open to mini-sized plastic, china, and resin horses under about five inches tall. For more information, contact Chris at: wombats@earthlink.net.

Wild horse and burro adoptions are scheduled for six locations in September 2009: Gunnerson, Utah, September 1; Boise, Idaho, September 11-13; Solvang, California, September 12; Blackfoot, Idaho, September 18-20; Gulfport, Mississippi, September 18-19, and New Castle, Indiana, September 18-19. The Wild Horse and Burro Program is a function of the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior. See wildhorseandburro.blm.gov or call 866-4MUSTANGS.

Gail Fitch
August 30, 2009

"Gold Coast" is a Hartland 9" series Three-Gaited Saddlebred customized in 2009 by Peggy Guinan (Copperearth Creations). Peggy's photos (above) capture the slightly metallic palomino color with a touch of dappling.
     Peggy specializes in impressionistically customized horses. Look at that reshaped and textured tail! These horses are not like factory models from Hartland, Breyer, or Peter Stone.

      Peggy Guinan is also a writer, and wrote about creating custom Saddlebreds in Hartland Model Equestrian, Summer 2007. She described the challenges of portraying action poses, and of working with styrene plastic, in Model Equestrian: Horse Collecting & Hartland News, Fall 2007. Both articles are illustrated with her work.
     Peggy has newly customized model horses available at (just about) all times. Get in touch with her at peggy_03037@yahoo.com.

July 28, 2009

February 6, 2009--This appaloosa (above) turned up near Hartland, Wisconsin, in January 2009. Have you seen one like it before? Any thoughts on what it might be? Let me know at gfitch AT tds.net. Thanks. Gail Fitch

January 5, 2009--A mail-in photo show to benefit the Made-in-Japan model horse club will be judged by club president Carolyn Winiarski on March 21, 2009. The show is open to all makes of model horses. Carolyn wrote, "I look forward to seeing everyone's models: Japans, Breyers, Peter Stones, ceramics, artist resins, and anything else you can find a class for."

The champion and reserve awards will include items from Country Artists, Cindy Neuhaus - Lakeshore Collection, Janet Bonney, Christy Allen, Lisa Bickford, and Aimee Kelly of Matriarch Creations. The raffle prizes will include Webkins stuffed animals.

For class list and entry information and pictures of the awards, visit:

http://2009mijcbenefit.webs.com,

which is listed in the links section on the MIJ Yahoo board. For more information, email Carolyn -- CactusKido AT aol.com.

Jo Maness of Texas founded the Made-in-Japan Club in 1980. Since then, the club has held nearly 300 monthly photo shows, and registered thousands of models. A book published by the club illustrates over 1,000 different molds of china horses made in Japan and sold under dozens of different brand names since World War II. Metal horses made in Japan, and some non-Japan ceramic horses are included.

January 21, 2009--Peter B. Schiffer, the publisher who opened the door to model horse books, died of a heart attack in December. He was 60. Since 1997, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., of Atglen, Penn. has published a Breyer book, three Hagen-Renaker / Maureen Love books, a general horse collectibles book, and a horse antiques book in addition to the two books on Hartland: Hartland Horsemen and Hartland Horses and Dogs. No other publisher comes close to having so many model horse books in its catalog. While Mr. Schiffer is gone, his widow, Nancy Schiffer, and son Peter N. Schiffer, assured the company's authors and book sellers that they "remain dedicated to publishing great books."