Model Horse Makes: Hartland Collectibles

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One of the originals, Hartland has been making scale model horses for collectors since the 1940s.

They currently offer Regal, Heritage and Legacy Series.

Read on to learn more about Hartland and more model horse hobby news.

The Model Horse | wikipedia 

Category: File - :BreyersVintage.jpg|thumb|Breyer model horses

Model horses or toy horses are scale replicas of real horses and are highly collectible. Model horses can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age or gender, although the vast majority of collectors are women. The hobby originated more or less simultaneously - but independently - in North America and the UK, followed later by Sweden (UK-influenced), Germany (US-influenced) and Australia. The hobby encompasses a wide variety of activities, from those who simply like to collect to those who enthusiastically show their models at model horse shows. Unlike many model cars or model trains, the horses do not need to be assembled from kits, although they can be altered to the collector's liking.

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What can I tell you about Hartland? 

(source: hartlandcollectibles.com)

The Hartland Story

Hartland was a small company, started in Hartland, WI, and was owned by Ed and Iola Walter until Ed's death in late 1951.

In the late 40's, Hartland was contracted to do a horse and saddle, along with a plastic base, for Mastercrafters Clock and Radio in Chicago.

Around 1954, that horse was given a rider and a new saddle, which was to become known as the Large Cowboy and his horse Champ.

Hartland sculptors created an Indian Chief set named Chief Thunderbird on an entirely new horse. They also painted their Large and Small Champ Cowboy in powder blue outfits and added a black painted facemask. These figures were paired with their respective white Champ-style horses and thus were created small and large Lone Ranger and Silver sets. Soon after came the Canadian Mountie, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. By the end of 1955, Hartland created the Lone Ranger's faithful companion Tonto, and Davy Crockett.

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The Hartland Story Continues 

(source: hartlandcollectibles.com)

Western Horses and Riders began to stream out of the factory. Paul Champion, the marketing director at Hartland, secured licensing agreements with the popular TV shows of the 50's. That created a wonderful product tie-in and Hartland cashed in. New molds were created for the horses and eventually each set took on its own individuality. With removable hats, guns, rifles, and saddles the toys became a "must have" piece for any kid.

Popular shows such as "Cheyenne", "Broken Arrow", and the "Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" created the demand and Hartland delivered. 1959 and 1960 were the heyday years for Hartland. The 1960 brochure for example, showed 26 Horse and Riders, all 10 Gunfighters, and 12 of the Baseball figures.

Hartland also sold sets like Trigger, Black Beauty, and Silver each with their own saddle but no rider as stand alone horses during this period.

The Hartland Story Conclusion 

(source: hartlandcollectibles.com)

By the 1960s, Hartland switched gears. The sales of the Western sets were dropping and 10 sets were discontinued. The 12 Mini Westerns were introduced along with a "Completely New Series" of Arabian horses. By 1963, the Westerns had been almost removed from the brochures showing only four sets.

Catalogs show the emergence of the new model horse 9-inch horse series. The Horse and Rider models were offered without tack or riders during this period along with the new 9-inch Saddlebred, Grazing Arabian Mare and Thoroughbred horses. Also in the line were the 7-inch Beef and Dairy cow sets, and the line of equally scaled horses including the Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Morgan, Pinto, Appaloosa and Arabian family sets. There was an even smaller 5-inch series of mares and foals including Quarter Horse, Arabian and Thoroughbred sets.

By 1964, the only Western sets remaining on the brochures were the set of 12 Mini Westerns. Hartland introduced their 600 series set of mid sized horse and riders called Comanche Kid, Alkali Ike, and Cactus Pete. This catalog also shows two of the new "Woodcut" horses, with the appearance of being carved out of wood. The first two were the Mustang and the Tennessee Walking Horse. Also new were the 9-inch Polo Pony, Mustang and Arabian stallion along with the first and only 9-inch horse series baby, the Weanling Foal.

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