Fall 2000
| China collectors realize that easily fixed
damage, such as a clean leg break or a small chip, affects the value of Hagen-Renaker
horses surprisingly little. The price difference between an outstanding, mint model and a
similar restored model may be as little as 10%. So it is easy to assume that the same
applies to Pour Horse. Or does it? I compared auction prices for damaged Pour Horses to prices for mint pieces in the same mold, color, and variation that sold around the same time. The results surprised me. For models with structural damage, such as a clean leg break, the selling price was about two-thirds less than that for comparable mint models. So a horse that would sell for $300 if mint would sell for $100 with a broken leg! Models with cosmetic damage (the most common was a tiny ear chip) sold for about one-third less than mint models. Interestingly, the price differential was not alleviated by having the model professionally restored. Pour Horses, unlike H-Rs, were sold directly to the model horse hobby. They have never been toys, school project props or knick-knacks, so a large fraction remain in perfect condition. With no shortage of outstanding, mint Pour Horses, folks don't want to settle for less. On the good side, some of the damaged models that have been sold are rare variations or particularly nice examples. If you don't mind some minor damage, you may be able to get a great model at a bargain price. Happy hunting!
article written by Liz Holm
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