Riah - I Don't Think So

As many collectors predicted, hobbyists are having a difficult time figuring out which Riahs are the black point variation and which ones are not.

Include me in that crowd of puzzled hobbyists.

The photos I posted of mine did make it seem as though I had gotten the black point version. For a refresher, here's one of those photos.

His mane and tail (the better identifier than the socks) do look very dark.

But just as the photos Breyer posts of new pieces often differ from what collectors receive, be it due to tricks of the light, the fact that the sample pieces are a bit different, and so on, my Riah did look darker than he really is in those photos I'd posted. But with the piece in hand, I could see that difference.

And so I'd written that I'd gotten the regular, more common variation. Within a few hours, I'd received a flurry of texts, emails, and comments from readers who thought I'd actually gotten the black point. Thank you all for writing; I wish he were, but here is why I think he is not.

I began by comparing Riah's color to my black point PAM.

There is a definite difference in color but (once again) it is not showing well in the photos.

This one is better - it shows how grey my Riah's mane is next to the PAM's tail.

A mane to mane comparison.

Someone said on social media that a good way to tell the difference was to compare the mane and tail's color to Riah's coat color - was it grey like the coat, or was it much darker? 

Look at how the mane's color matches the coat's color.

This photo really shows how well the two areas match - grey coat and grey mane. Those colors are so close, it's very hard to tell where the coat ends and the mane begins in this photo.

A better shot of the tail at the base of the spine also shows a matching color, grey to grey.

That is why I believe my Riah is the regular grey model and not the black point variation. Could I be wrong? Certainly. But I am sticking with non black point for now.

My advice if you want to buy a Riah second hand? Make sure you can look at it in hand before purchasing to be sure you are getting the Riah you want.

And boy howdy, I sure hope Breyer never does variations that are that close again! 

Surprise! Riah's Here

My Riah arrived yesterday - three days before tracking said he was scheduled to be delivered. Not that I am complaining, but I sure was surprised!

Like other collectors, I am playing the "is he or isn't he?" game a bit.

I am pretty sure that mine is not the black point version, but still, it is hard to tell.

Regardless, he's really pretty and his splatter spots are nicely done.

I was hoping that mine might have some halo spots, but I've gone over him a couple of times and don't see any. But check out this black point PAF that belongs to Sande Schneider.

Can you see all those halo spots? Those are so cool! (Photo by Sande.)

Sande sent me these photos to show me an even rarer version of the black point PASs, PAMs, and PAFs - the black points with white socks. The number of white socks can vary from one to four and the PAS has been found with the white socks, too. (Photo by Sande.)

Thanks, Sande, for taking the time to send the info and the photos!

Another surprise? Riah is an optional piece, not a must-buy, but included with it was a COA like you get with the four. As I looked at that COA, it had my VC number on it like the must-buy models do.

I don't remember finding my number on the COA for any optional VC pieces. By the same token, I often do not purchase those, so perhaps this is not unusual. If you can clarify for me, I'd appreciate it. Just put a note in the comments. Thank you!

I'll spin to win for the October Give Away tomorrow. Stay 'tooned!

The Black Point Variation of Riah

Breyer added a photo of the black point version of Riah yesterday.

To me and to many other collectors, it does not look very different from the non black point Riah.

The mane and tail are darker but the shading at the knees and hocks is awfully similar. Regardless of which variation I get, it will be the mane and tail that I use to determine whether or not it is a black point.

It is quite different from the original black point models. The black point Proud Arabian Stallions, Mares, and Foals do not have white socks and Riah does.

The black extends from hoof to hock or knee or a bit above.

Telling the variations apart from each other is very easy as a result. The difference is quite distinct.

When you find a black point PAM, PAS, or PAF, you know what you have.

I think that there is going to be a lot of wondering and comparing going on when Riah begins arriving at collectors' homes.

Am I disappointed? Maybe a little. But even though what Breyer produced is not quite what I envisioned, I think I will be happy regardless of the variation I receive. And, I do hope to get the black point Riah.

I was one of the lucky winners in 2023 when Breyer swapped out 50 glossy chestnut Man O'Wars for gold charm ones.

It was a fun surprise and, while chances are low that I will get a black point Riah, you never know. I certainly did not think I'd get the gold charm Man O'War, and yet here he is on my shelves.

My fingers are crossed so stay 'tooned!

Splatter Dapple Grey? Sign Me Up!

One of my favorite vintage colors is Breyer's splatter dapple grey.

The first splatter dapple grey piece in my collection was the Old Timer (left). Years later, if I see one in a thrift shop, I will rescue it, either for myself or to pass on to someone else.

The early Clydesdale Stallion also came in the color so of course, variations!

It's a lovely color that suits many molds.

So, when Breyer announced Riah yesterday, a splatter grey Vintage Club special run, you can bet I didn't wait to order it.

Splatter dapple grey on the Anamar sculpture looks lovely. (Photos of Riah by Breyer.)

There is some speculation that the model may be glossy, and I can see why that is - the legs in the above photo do look like they may be glossed. However, Breyer says the piece is matte.

Adding to the excitement, 75 pieces will be the black point splatter grey variation that was found on some Proud Arabian Stallions, Mares and Foals from 1983.

I'm hoping for the black point version, but I'll be happy with the other as well. (I'm also crossing my fingers for some halo spots, too!)

Guess we will all find out when Riah begins arriving at collectors' homes.

Stay 'tooned!