Monday Markets: May 19 2025

I guess we need to open with Breyerfest prices and the effect of tariffs.

But before we even get there, a reminder. Although this blog has a heavy focus on buying and selling, you do not need to buy things to be a part of this hobby. You do not need to buy special runs at Breyerfest to have a good time. A few of my friends have recently done the No Buy Breyerfest and they said they actually had a better time than ever not worrying so much about money and standing in lines and what SRs they were going to get, etc. It can be very liberating (so I hear). Back in my day (cue granny voice) we didn't even have any SRs to buy - we got the celebration model and we had a great time at all the other events. There is certainly a part of me that is nostalgic for that simpler time.

But also, I get it. I love the excitement of the new SRs and I'm a sucker for a loot box - I love seeing which surprise I get, or if I get a glossy variation, or if there's a small run variation mixed in. I love it. So I definitely feel the disappointment of having to cut back on that as well.

But let's get to it - what actually happened? This week Breyer announced that prices were going up on Breyerfest special runs and limited editions. They were increased $1-5 from the originally announced prices, or 4-10% with an average increase of 6.5%. This is due to the import tariffs on goods coming from China and likely means that the models have recently arrived and were subject to the current 30% tariff. I'm actually a little bit relieved because I was worried for a little while they were going to have to come in when tariffs were sitting at 145% and that would have been massive.

Prices for people who already bought VIP tickets and pre-paid for their models will not go up. It is worth a quick reminder at this point that people buying VIP tickets already pay $150 extra for this privilege, or really you could say $50 extra if you take out the extras. The, at most, $20 "savings" they now have still means you would pay less than they did if you bought an AA ticket right now.

I predict this will dampen ticket sales as well as limited edition sales. However on the special run side I'm still thinking there will be surprises thrown in for the 75th anniversary and as soon as those start popping up people are still going to want to get their lottery tickets for those and may jump on extra tickets if they are available. I can remember that happening in years past when tickets were still available at the gate and then after the surprise was revealed people hurried back to buy extras and they sold out on site.

I'm going to do a deeper dive on this topic and potential future values of the BF SRs later this week, maybe Wednesday or Thursday.

Prices otherwise are holding steady and this week's buy of the week on Amazon is Theo! He is just $31 which is a great price for any RR but Georg in particular is a popular new mold and if you're a customizer this is an excellent body price. He was discontinued in 2023 so they must still need to clear out old stock.

Over on eBay last week there were some real treasures:

This lovely gold charm running mare sold for just $500. She is the least popular of all the vintage decorators and this one did have some rubs and yellowing, but that's still IMO a great price for any vintage deco. This seller also had a gold charm running foal in similar condition that did not sell at $400 and a florentine fighting stallion that did not sell at $3000.

Here's one you almost never see - the WEG re-issue Five Gaiter. In 2010, for the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY, Breyer created some very limited re-issues of older portrait models that were for sale in their booth. Some, like Salinero, who was only recently discontinued, are nearly impossible to tell from their RR counterparts. Others, like this guy, are very distinct because it had been 20 years since Wing Commander was discontinued and painting techniques had come a long way.

Another lovely and rare Five Gaiter was this glossy Sprinkles from Breyerfest 2012. Only 45 were made and he was NIB with his COA. I would have guessed closer to $800 for him, so I think prices really are coming down quite a bit on rarities (and across the board).

This gorgeous appaloosa Fighting Stallion sold for $307. I couldn't tell if he was the full belly spot version or not, but he looked like he might have been and that's probably what the bidders were also thinking. He's a beauty.

This was super cool for the stablemate collectors - a still sealed sable set! It's like brand new! I couldn't be trusted with it because I'd want to open it so badly... that family is hard to find and what if they are mint in there? But also I suspect not - they are so often rubbed up that I have to wonder if there were loose in there and a lot of them came out of the box already worn - just like the make a blanket Swaps kit. It's much cooler to have it sealed like this, Schrodinger's stablemates.

I also thought this POA was pretty cool - I haven't seen one with the spots extended like that and he also was essentially new in box with the catalog. A fun vintage find!

This guy is one of my historical sales regrets - I received him all those years ago when I submitted my UPCs for the treasure hunt and didn't love him so I sold him... but I should have hung on to him for rarity and value purposes. He sold for $1000 on May 17.