50th Anniversary Gold Pinto Family Arabian Stallion (FAS)

As of December 1st, 2009, Breyer is selling a limited edition to commemorate the 50th anniversary of "FAS" (better known to non-collectors as "Family Arabian Stallion") one of the most recognizable and beloved Breyer models.  The 50th anniversary special Family Arabian Stallion is a high gloss tobiano pinto, with gold decorator over white.  He also has a "Happy 50th Anniversary" stamp on his belly, just above the Breyer logo.

Alarmingly, this model will not ship until December 14th, and Breyer cannot guarantee that it will arrive by Christmas.  I guess they must have chosen that date to coincide with the exact anniversary date, but it seems a little short sighted!  This seems like it would have been a natural holiday special, since I imagine a large percentage of Breyer horses are sold as Christmas presents.

The Family Arabian Stallion has a long history of use, originally released as a glossy palomino in 1961. The mold has gone through virtually every horse coat color available, including grey, black, dun, roan, appaloosa, and even as Hickory, a very odd black palomino (black coat with white mane and tail).  

Family Arabian Stallion has also been used to create one of the rarest Breyer horses, "Glossy Metallic Dun Blanketed Appaloosa Family Arabian Stallion," which was made special by Breyer artists for the 2009 BreyerFest  live auction.  Only one such model was made, and it sold for $850.

Despite being one of Breyer's "legacy" models, the FAS mold (mold #7) has been in nearly continuous use since it was first released.  Although the Breyer line's aesthetics have changed, Family Arabian Stallion has been available for sale since 2008 as "Azhar, Arabian Horse."  It was previously released in early 2000 as a Collector's Edition named "Pippin," wearing a dappled grey coat.

FAS was sculpted by Chris Hess, one of the original Breyer sculptors, who also created Family Arabian Stallion's companions, Family Arabian Mare and Family Arabian Foal.  Chris Hess may be, more than anyone, the person responsible for putting Breyer on the map.  As one of the original model makers, Hess created the Breyer look and style for many years.  He retired after creating Secretariat, and passed away not long after.

This trio has been released several times in sets with matching names:
Palomino: Faith (stallion), Hope (mare) and Charity (foal)
Appaloosa: Fleck (stallion), Speck (mare), and Spot (foal)
Bay: Sheik (stallion), Sheba (mare), and Shah (foal)
Black palomino: Hickory (stallion), Dickory (mare), and Dock (foal)

It's interesting to compare the style of Family Arabian Stallion with that of many of the newer models.  This is not a sleek model, in fact it looks a little clunky and lacking in detail in many places.  The tail is a little lumpy, and there's something weird going on with his chin and muzzle that I can't quite put my finger on.  And yet, this model has a lot of charm.  

Of course, with a price tag of $125 (and a limit of two per customer) most people will not be buying the Anniversary Family Arabian Stallion as a gift for the children in their lives!  Instead, this special FAS is aimed squarely at the collectible market.