Introduction
Over the past several months I've been gradually introducing a good friend to the world of model horses. Although this friend has no particular interest in collecting horses, they do appreciate the artistry of models, and demonstrates a deep understanding and respect for what can be described as "the collector mentality." As a result of my efforts to explain model horse collecting and the hobby, I felt the urge to write an article about the different factors that inspire model horse collectors.
And so, in no particular order, here is a list I've compiled of different types of model horse collectors/collecting I've observed during my years in the hobby. I've tried to describe what seems to motivate each type of collector, and (where a hobby term didn't already exist) attempted to coin a shorthand term describing each collecting style.
1. Completionists
For completionists, the joy of collecting stems from the pursuit of having a "complete" collection. This type of collector, which I generally associate with original finish models, focuses on having at least one example of every model ever released by the brand or brands which they collect. This means that for each mold produced by the company, a completionist strives to acquire at least one example of each and every factory color released on each mold. For companies that have been around for a long time, such as Breyer, some molds have been produced in dozens of different colors. This type of collecting, of course, can be a tremendously costly pursuit, consume a great deal of time - and will definitely take up a lot of space!
- Congas: A variation of completionist collecting involves building a "conga line." Conga collectors only focus on building a complete set of their favorite mold or molds. They try to get an example of every factory color on only a few select molds that they particularly like, rather than collecting an example of every model ever produced by the company.
In sum, the constant pursuit of retired runs, new releases, limited editions, and unusual variants to fill the "gaps" in their model herd, is what brings happiness to this type of collector.
2. Specifists
Specifists collect according to certain self-imposed criteria, and generally do not acquire horses outside those parameters. These limitations are usually in place due to a collector's subjective tastes, but can be motivated by external factors as well (such as a limited budget!). Some common specifist collecting categories include:
- Medium: Some collectors only buy horses made of a specific material. For example, many collectors only buy plastic models, due to their relative abundance and lower prices compared to artist resins and chinas. Inversely, some collectors focus on artist resins and chinas because they enjoy having rarer or unique pieces. Interestingly, among china collectors, I have noticed that some folks have a preference for bone china models as opposed to earthenware models. (
- Scale: Some collectors will only buy models of a certain scale or within a certain range of scales. There's thriving market for detailed miniature scale models, including mini-focused live shows. Minis appear to be popular for a few reasons. First, they are generally inexpensive compared to larger scale models across all model mediums, which is great for people who are on a budget. Second, they take up much less room than larger scale models, which can be important for collectors who live in small spaces such as apartments, and therefore don't have room for shelves full of hundreds of large scale models. Minis are also easier to transport to shows because they don't require big tubs and boxes that fill up the vehicle. On the other hand, some collectors only enjoy collecting larger models, because they can be visually appreciated even from across a room, and (especially for chinas) are less delicate than minis. There's also exists a perception that a larger model gives a collector more for their money, so to speak.
- Breed/Type: Some collectors only collect models that represent their favorite real-life horses. They may have a breed-specific focus; such as Arabians or Thoroughbreds. Some collectors may have a specific interest in a horse type; such as drafters, sport horses, and ponies. Or they may be big fans of famous equines, such as champion racehorses, and try to collect every model ever released depicting their horsey hero.
- Color: Everyone has a favorite horse color or two. It should be no surprise then that there are collectors who, given the choice between a wide range of original finish and custom colors available on model horses, will have a preference for certain model colors. There are collectors who love the timeless, sleek look of solid colors (I am a "Bays n' Grays" collector, myself!). There are also collectors who get very excited about horses of a different color in unusual, flashy, intricate patterns.
- Brand/Artist Loyalty: Some collectors will only buy models of a certain brand or limited number of brands. This is not to be confused with completionist collecting, because their focus isn't so much collecting one of every model made by the brand(s) of their choice. Rather, for any variety of personal reasons, they find a particular company's products to be the most appealing. Likewise, some collectors may focus on acquiring pieces sculpted, painted, or customized by a specific hobby artisan whose work they admire.
- Vintage versus Modern: Collectors who focus on collecting vintage models seem to gravitate toward retro pieces out of a sense of nostalgia (especially if they are older collectors who have "grown up" with the hobby) and appreciation of model horse history. Other collectors, particularly younger hobbyists and live showers, tend to focus on newer production models, which often include exciting new sculpts by popular hobby artists, and more interesting paint work or glaze finishes than vintage models.
- Original Finish or Custom/Artist Resin: Some collectors will only buy original factory finish models, while others will only buy customized models or painted artist resins. I think the breakdown here depends on whether a hobbyist views model horses more as collectibles (original finish models) or as works of art (customs and resins). It seems like collectors who focus on customs and artist resins like the idea of being able to create or order their "dream model horse" rather than pick from mass produced models that everyone else seems to have. I also note that at least for plastic models, customization means the destruction of an original finish model - or several original finish models - in order to create a custom model. This is less the case for clinky collectors, where there is normally an option to order a china release in a standard issue glaze color, or commission a custom glaze color on a bisque.
3. Exhibitors
There are collectors for whom the primary motive behind model horse collecting is to compete in live showing. Therefore, they assess potential new acquisitions through the lens of live show judging criteria to increase their chances of success in the show ring. What they look for depends on what showing division they are competing in. Of course, all models must be as close to mint condition, or live show quality (LSQ) as possible, and it is possible for one model to be competitive in more than one showing division.
- Halter: Exhibitors will seek out models that have the greatest accuracy in conformation compared to real horse breed standards. Realistic anatomy and biomechanics are key.
- Workmanship: Exhibitors will seek out the most realistic, even hyper-realistic, paintwork and glaze finishes. Intricately detailed colors, such as dapples, extensive pinto and appaloosa patterns, and roaning are particularly sought-after, as they require a high calibre of artistry to be realistic.
- Collectibility: Exhibitors will seek out the best examples of rare or very limited edition models. Although new limited edition models are regularly exhibited in this division, there is also a heavy emphasis on historical significance. Therefore, vintage decorator finishes, complete gift sets with matching accessories, old sticker labels and hang tags, original vintage boxes and packaging, prototypes, test pieces, interesting variants and factory goofs are all desirable.
4. Connoisseurs
Some collectors thrive on pursuing the "the best" and/or being the first on the block to have the hottest new releases. This is not the same as saying they want ALL new releases. Rather, they seem to identify highly-anticipated upcoming limited releases, and make it a point to acquire one for their collection as soon as possible - either by ordering directly from the company, or, in cases where a limited release has sold out quickly, buying on the secondary market, even if it means paying a markup. Theirs is a contest quest for the "next big thing."
Alternatively, connoisseurs of vintage models will seek out models that are perceived to be the "benchmarks" of having an impressive collection, whether this means specific very rare and sought-after pieces, or, as with vintage chinas, having a herd of horses produced by a revered high-end brand.
This is not to be confused with exhibitor-type collecting, although there is certainly overlap. There are plenty of connoisseurs who actively seek out the latest and greatest models, but never intend to show them, and only display them in their homes for their own enjoyment.
5. Eccentrics
Eccentrics don't follow conventional tastes for realistic model horses and aren't driven by any sense of the monetary value or show quality of a horse. They collect horses that are bit more offbeat, and enjoy having an "interesting" collection rather than a typical one.
Stylized proportions, unrealistic eye-catching colors, fantastical details, and whimsical facial expressions appeal to this type of collector. Novelty is also a contributing factor. Eccentrics might see a model produced by an obscure company, or a mystery piece that has no identifying marks, or just something that they've never seen in anyone else's collection, and decide it would be neat to have it in their herd due to its uniqueness.
6. Black Holes
Black hole collectors are true to their long-established hobby (and astronomical) namesake. This type of collector never intends to part with even a single model horse once it has been added to their eternally-growing herd. This is not to say necessarily that they are constantly buying new models willy-nilly. More to the point, if they've made a decision to add a horse to their collection, they are signalling that they will keep that horse forever.
As with completionist collecting, black hole collecting can lead to homes crammed to the gills with model horses on every available inch of surface space - including the floor! But no matter how crowded with horses the home becomes, black hole collectors will not sell to "thin out the herd" or "free up some room." Theirs is the joy of being utterly surrounded by ALL the horses they've acquired over the years.
7. Curators
Curators resemble their museum-world counterparts in that they are constantly refining their collections. "Onward and upward," is the curator's motto. This type of collector operates with a two-pronged goal to keep the size of their collection manageable, and also gradually raise the overall quality of their collection.
Not only do curators actively collect new models, but they also regularly reassess their collections and sell horses to make room for and/or fund new arrivals. They will not hesitate to turn around and sell a newly-purchased horse if it arrives and they find that it is not up to the standards they anticipated. Likewise, they will not be unwilling to sell a piece they have had for a long time if they eventually find that it is no longer a piece that they would buy at their current level of collecting.
8. Equiholics
Model horses aren't enough to satisfy equiholics, oh no. Any horse-shaped-object ('HSO' in hobby parlance) or horse-themed item will do. Businesses have long-recognized the commercial value of "little horse girls" who have grown up and and now have disposable income, and it is fully possible to decorate one's entire home with equine motifs and horsey trinkets.
Hobby artists also cater to this market with an attractive range of beautiful giftware items such as pins, busts, ornaments, and tiles. Such artisan items are increasingly collectible in their own right in the hobby, as they are generally less expensive than a model, are often made in very limited numbers or awarded as live show prizes, and can be used and displayed in various ways.
9. Menagerists
Menagerists don't just collect horses, they appreciate the beauty of other animal figures as well. To be clear, a menagerist may have many model horses, and horses may even comprise a majority share of their collection, but they also collect other animal (and sometimes even human) figures, usually produced by the very companies that also make model horses.
Menagerists may have started out collecting only horses, but happened along into an appealing non-horse figure that was made by the same brand, which piqued their interest and spurred them to start investigating and acquiring other non-equine pieces in the company's production line. Or, they may have always had an interest in animal figures and collected them alongside horses. For example, many collectors of horses also collect dog figurines. Birds, deer, cats, exotic animals, and even fish are other examples of collectible critters.
Conclusion
Of course, there is no "best" method of collecting. Most model horse collectors are a combination of any number of the above categories, and there are likely collecting styles that I've missed. Some collectors may start in one category and find themselves transitioning to another. The important thing is that collectors focus on a methodology that gives them the most personal enjoyment.
From my perspective, it is always fun and interesting to see collections with different "personalities" that reflect their owners' tastes, even if they don't necessarily collect what I would acquire for myself. Diversity and variety keeps the hobby exciting, and there really is something for everyone!
I would love to hear from my readers (if I have any left after such a long hiatus!) with any comments and discussion about their collections.
Thanks for reading! :)
P.S. - Next time I'll have some pictures. I promise!
