Model Horse Success Story

Founded in 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, Breyer AnimalGold. These models are not intended to be the usual
Creations, often referred to merely as "Breyer", is arealistic depiction of a horse, but are intended to be
division of Reeves International (which acquired them indecorative pieces.
1984) and one of the oldest model animal companiesExperienced collectors also point out that a specific
to date. Breyer Animal Creations began as the Breyerpiece for sale may look different in some details from
Molding Company. The company specializes in modelits model line as featured in a Breyer company
horses, although they have produced wildlife andphotograph. This is due to the aforementioned fact
domestic animal models at various times.that each Breyer horse is totally hand crafted by up to
Breyer model horses are among the most coveted20 different people.
model horses amongst collectors. They companyAlthough Breyer is far and away the most collected
manufactures in excess of five million models eachmodel horse and the most sought after, there are
year, and they're not only very realistic but highlyother fine model horse makers that some collectors
affordable.prefer to or hold in similar regard to the Breyers.
The company first garnered great recognition when inOne of these model lines is that of Stone Horses.
1950 the F.W. Woolworth Company commissionedFounded in 1996 and located in the lush countryside
Breyer to create what is now known as the #57village of Shipshewana, Indiana, by Peter and Elaine
Western Horse model to be used to adorn aStone, the Peter Stone Company makes collectible
mantelpiece clock. But Woolworth soon becamemodel horses that are almost always hand-painted
inundated with requests from people who saw it andright on site, with numerous artists coming from all
wanted to know if they could purchase just the horseacross the nation to work together in the beautiful
as a stand-alone piece. Breyer's reputation was almostsetting.
instantly solidified and it has only grown even betterPeter Stone says of the horses his artisans make, "I
through the decades.never get tired of looking at them." One of the great
Today, Breyer supplies Reeves with its single largestappeal factors of the Stones is their limited availability,
line. Headquartered in Pequannock, NJ, Reevesmaking them more prized. Like Breyer's, no two Stone
International was founded by Swiss entrepreneurhorses are ever exactly alike and the company strives
Werner J. Fleischmann in 1946, and entered the toyto make its models as life-like as possible.
industry as the U.S. distributor of fine European toysBased in Greenwich, Connecticut, Paradise Horses
and collectibles to the 'carriage trade,' or toy specialtystates that its mission is to recreate the horse
stores and upscale department stores. Reeves carriesownership experience, especially with an eye toward
several well-known toy and model lines including thefostering and furthering children's seemingly natural love
highly collectible Stieffs.of horses, with a complete line of posable horses and
Every Summer Breyer holds a festival for modelponies, as well as all of the tack, clothing, and
horse collectors called the Breyerfest. 'Just Aboutaccessories required to keep a horse happy and
Horses' is the Breyer company magazine.healthy. In May of 2008, Paradise was given two
All of the Breyer model horses have their origins asawards by the iParenting Media organization, with
sculptures. Every one is hand crafted, without the useParadise Horses and Barn Buddies both receiving
of any machinery, and hand painted using bothawards for their exquisite craftsmanship and realistic
airbrushes and traditional paintbrushes. Approximatelyappearance.
20 different artisans handle each Breyer model horse"We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award from
from its inception to the final brush stroke. By way ofiParenting. Having our product recognized for its
all this artistic, 100% human handling, no two Breyersuperior quality as well as for the experience that it
model horses have ever been exactly alike.provides to children is an incredible honor for us," said
Breyer model horses are approximately 12" long by 9"Amy Pennington, President and CEO.
high. The Breyer Horse Traditional models are scaled"I loved the concept of this product. I always wanted a
to 1/9th the size of an actual horse. Most of thehorse growing up and, as it is for most little girls, was
Breyer horse molds are made in this size, and thesenot granted my wish. Having a toy like this helps a
Traditionals constitute Breyer's main product line.child's imagination to bridge the gap between fantasy
However, their total set of product lines is enormous.and reality," stated one of the iParenting reviewers.
There are some Breyer horses that sell at auction orModel and toy manufacturer ERTL began producing
on eBay for thousands of dollars. Scarcity, age, andmodel horses and horse accessories such as trailers in
condition influence the value of a given model horse.1997, adding them to its vast array of other toys and
Experienced collectors consider whether or not amodels ranging from cars to biplanes to toy farm
horse is part of a Regular run or a Special Run; amachines. Although ERTL clearly strives to compete
model's color scheme; and whether a model is paintedwith Breyer and offer hand-painted, inexpensive model
in a Breyer Special Color, of which there are currentlyhorses, they seem to use a flimsy and brittle plastic,
six. The most important model names when collectingunlike the quality hard plastic of Breyer models. But
by color are Gold Charms, Wedgewood, Copenhagen,some of their models are nice looking all the same.
Silver Filigree, Woodgrain, Antique Bronze, and Antique