Found and Lost

I am always on the look out for circus ponies, and the Freeman Leidys are extremely elusive and hard to find. Needless to say, my jaw dropped when this set showed up on eBay with a starting bid of ninety-nine cents. (All photos from eBay.)

 My fingers flew over the keys as I went to make a bid, and then I saw the notation that only local pickups would be accepted. The set was in Rhode Island. And I am in Indiana.

The set included the head down green pony - I did not even know that color existed until a year ago when I found (and purchased) the head up pony in green. I've suspected since then that it had a matching head down pony, and there it was!

The set included the head down pony in pink, too! I have the head up pony in pink but have been looking for its counterpart for years. I already have the head up and head down ponies in blue, but am always happy to add Freeman Leidys to my collection. (I have the circus wagon in purple.)

My head up ponies in pink and green.

My head up and head down ponies in blue.

I contacted the seller and asked if she would reconsider and ship the pieces, telling her that I was very interested in the set but lived in Indiana. She said that if the set did not sell, then she might. Relieved at her answer, I settled in to watch and wait.

No one bid. Until the very last minute. And they won that entire set for ninety-nine cents.

I was crushed. So much Freeman Leidy goodness at my fingertips and lost in just a few seconds. Whoever won that auction got an incredible deal. And I will keep looking.