Monday, February 28, 2022

The Unexpected

I unexpectedly got the weekend off, and I didn’t know quite what to do with myself. What is this thing they call “free time”, and what do I do with it?

(I decided to finish prepping a long-delayed appliqué quilt project – something to keep me busy during jury duty this week!)

And since I have a few free moments here, I’ll randomly open one of the “Breyer Breeds” models that I purchase a few weeks back and never had the chance to unpack, because such is my life right now. And the winner is…


There he is, my beautiful boy! (I know the likelihood of you believing this was something randomly pulled from my stack of boxes is slim, but I’m sticking to my story.)

They did a wonderful job with his facial details, perhaps to make up for the fact that he is a solid, unshaded black:


He reminds me a great deal of the Classic Best in Show Thoroughbred release in Solid Black, the popular #935 release that ran from 2011 through 2018, and was even briefly released as a “Special Run” for Pottery Barn Kids in 2012. (As far as I know, the Pottery Barn release is identical to the Regular Run, but I haven’t gotten around to owning or inspecting one in person yet.)

So does that make this Man o’ War a “Maxi Me” of the Classic Thoroughbred, or is the Classic a “Middle Me” of the Man o’ War? Details, details…

I still want a vintage Black Man o’ War (I know, still dreaming) and I am kind of hoping that these releases – except for the Quarter Horse Gelding, naturally – get included in the Collector’s Club Appreciation Event this year. They would all look amazing in Gloss, but a Gloss Black Traditional Man o’ War would be delightful

And since we’re talking about Thoroughbreds, am I the only one who wants the current Test Color offering? I have two Sample Cigars – Nosferatu and Aintree, both lucky NPOD purchases – and a true Test Color would make it a nice trio. Plus I love the “Gold Chestnut” variation of Golden Charm in general, and wish this Gold Medalist series had taken off. 


I do remember that nonhobbyist fans of Valegro were both baffled and put off by this Gold Medal release, and the whole concept of Decorator colors in general, which was possibly part of the reason why the series never came to be. 

5 comments:

EllOnWheels said...

I agree on the gold models. I am kicking myself for NOT picking up one of those Gold Valegros now and seeing the price on the secondary market... I also want to see them continue the 'rock' series like Lightning Ridge and Bisbee... I even bought Obsidian... because hey, why not? lol

Little Black Car said...

I fought the urge to name my black Man O'War "Baby Boom" because it seems like EVERYONE got him. I mean, unsurprisingly, since he's beautiful. It was just sort of funny. (I also got the Black Beauty.)

timaru star ii said...

I am making a connection between "baffled and put off by this Gold Medal release" and the original slowness of sale of the 1960s Decorators.

Yes, your Black would look lovely in gloss. I will whisper one word: "(Krylon)"....

Anonymous said...

custom gloss is garbage.

Adah R. (Spotted Dreams Studio) said...

Custom Gloss is very nice sometimes, especially on vintage.