Some hobbyists think that Reeves’ involvement in the wonderful world of model horses began in late 1984, when they acquired the Breyer brand. This is not so: prior to that, they were the exclusive U.S. distributor of Steha Horses.
I didn’t know this until recently, myself. A few years ago, I purchased a couple of Reeves’ Great Lines Catalogues on eBay. These books contain bound copies of dealer catalogs of all of the lines that Reeves imported and distributed. I found a Steha catalog bound in the 1981-82 edition.
I don’t have a lot of data about Steha in my archives, aside from this bound-in dealer’s catalog. Stehas were flocked and haired horses made in West Germany, and were available from the 1950s to (at least) the early 1980s. Here’s a link to a good-sized picture of one:
http://www.instappraisal.com/content/steha-horse
Stehas were never a big part of the model horse world, at least in the U.S. First of all, they weren’t very realistic: some were nicer than others, but none of them could pass competitive muster, even in the more forgiving earlier days of the hobby. Second, they were rather expensive compared to Breyers: the wholesale prices for Traditional-scale Breyers in 1981 ranged from $3-6; the wholesale prices for comparable Stehas were $14-19! Yikes!
Some Steha items did find a place in the hobby: their carts and wagons were surprisingly nice, and of much better quality than hobbyists were able to create for themselves at the time.
I remember at least one local toy store that carried Stehas in the 1970s, but I never actually owned one. Aside from being expensive and homely, I was never a big fan of flockies in general: they’re hard to keep clean, and they have a nasty habit of yellowing, shedding and disintegrating.
Stehas are rather expensive and hard to come by nowadays, presumably for the same reason. If I had known back then that they’d have a Breyer connection now, I might have parceled out a bit of my allowance money and bought one.
19 comments:
I remember Stehas. There was a local upscale department store that sold them. I never got one since they were 5 times the price of Breyers! I have some catalog pages showing various models and, while looking at them a couple years ago, was surprised to find that Reeves had been their US distributor. They even have one traditional-sized copy of the FAM!
I left an amazing set of these at my flea market due to price/condition. there were two horses, riders, and foxes (Seemed like a fox hunting scene). The guy wanted $100 for them but the horses were literally missing legs and just in the worst condition I had ever seen a horse in. Shame too...
I have a large dapple grey Steha hunter I bought in 1977. He's kept his condition very well, except for some major light-fading on one side of his red felt saddle blanket (no staining on the white flocking underneath though). They're fun, if just for their quirkiness!
Ooh, just found this and I'll make a much-belated comment. I actually had several Stehas, as the toy store in my town carried them, so I was surprised to discover that I was in a rare pocket--thought if I had them everybody did! Mine are from late 1960s or early 1970s, and they also had early equine "heelys"--they had wheels in their hooves. Unfortunately, what made them desperately desirable also made them fragile--the flocking wore off with youthful affection, and the beautiful hair tails would pull out amid brushing. I think I do actually have a few boxed away, and I bet they look just horrible. I should probably stick to remembering them.
Hello, I've come upon this posting and would like to say that I love these horses. I have two from the early seventies and yes they were upscale in price. I remember sorting thru my Dad's nuts, bolts and washers as a job to save up for one dapple grey Steha. Now I have about 30, because I couldn't afford them as a kid! I didn't have a clue that Breyer was importing them. I wonder about the history of this company and whatever happened to them.
I'm late to this thread too because I couldn't remember the name of those "German horses with wheels." I have at least three of them dating from 1964-1972, one each bay and chestnut saddle horses and that bay with the two-wheeled buggy pictured on this site. (I seem to recall that one costing a small fortune.) I also have another set which I THINK is Steha that I've had since I was 5 years old. That would be (GULP!) 1951. They're buckskin draft horses with leatherette harnesses pulling a large hay wagon (no hay.) They have wheels just like the others but no flocking. Anybody know if they're Steha?
Yes, there are many unflocked Stehas too. Some are of the compo material, some are plastic. The most popular are the drafters.
I also have a black one i had saved for years ago. It has wheels on the bottom of the feet. Mine has held up on great conditionon my shelf for years. It was lightly played with.
Wow, I am so glad that I perused this blog this far back. I just acquired that very Steha cart pictured. I did not know what it was when I bought it. Glad I can now identify it.
I know I'm waaay late on this post but, does anyone know of someone that can do repairs on flocked Steha horses? I have one that has 2 broken legs but is otherwise in great shape. I' too chicken to try it myself! Thanks!
I have a a couple of the flocked Steha horses in mint condition. One is the horse with cart which I have put an Avon porcelain doll in because it is to scale the right size. I love the two that I have. Nice displays.
I have four or five Steha horses from my 1960's childhood. A dapple grey was my first one, then a black. The palomino is my sister's, and we had a chestnut and a posed black one together. The saddles and bridles have long since vanished, although I believe the palomino had a plaid flannel barn coat rather than a saddle. We would work for money and scrimp and save, to be able to buy a "ten-dollar fuzzy horse" at our local toy store! (or beg for one for Christmas.) All have been played with heavily, took part in hundreds of stories and adventures, and show how well-loved they have been! Sadly, their legs have warped some with time. We didn't care how unrealistic they looked - they had names and personalities and we loved them.
I purchased a large Steha horse on eBay. On its red saddle blanket, either side, is a gold metal Fleur de lis. Did Stesha ever add this decoration, or did maybe the previous owner add this.
I have a chestnut version with the English tack, and the red blanket has the same gold emblem on it. I have not seen any others like that so wondered the same. If anyone knows why this emblem is different please post.
My dad just brought my old horses (at least the ones he found) and two of them are Steha.
One large grey (bigger than the trad breyers) and one black (roughly trad size) he didn't find the carriage and the other black horse yet.
The grey has a broken (and repaired) foot, but is otherwise in peak condition, if a little dusty. The black is intact, but both miss some rollers.
They date back to the 70's and I distinctly remember getting the carriage with 2 black Stehas for Christmas one year, probably about 1977 or thereabouts.
Looking for several Stehas, if you have any you would like to sell, please email me at ranchoandalucia@earthlink.net
Thank you, Christa
I just found this post I have a late 60's to early 70's Steha horse, it is like new black velvet like with saddle and bridle. I also have the original box it came in, it's not in the best of shape. I received this horse as a Christmas present when I was young. I never left it out and always put it away in the box.
My Father purchased me a Steha Palomino on wheels. It was large, flocked, and had English bridle and saddle on it. I think it was made in the 1960’s. When I got older, I passed it on to a niece and she later passed it on to a cousin. I have grieved ever since! So now I’m looking to buy one! Please email me at mltussey@yahoo.com if you have one to sell.
I was given a Steha Circus Horse for a long-ago birthday. Think I was 12 yrs old. I was awed by the horse and still have the old guy though I had to remove the wheels in his hooves because as the rubbery body softened with age, the wheels were stretching him almost to the ripping point. He's not as white as he used to be, but he is standing on a shelf in my horse room, held upright by the horses on either side.
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