Kikimalou's Indian rhinoceros collection updated June 19 2024

More interesting old models (and a Papo that is not so old). It seems to be a French characteristic to have painted eyebrows. Several Clairets and Blancherie Frères have it, and now I see that the JEM rhino has it too. Does the French Macaque have it too?

This topic is a very good example for old interesting figures that we often dont know here.

Lovely rhinos again!
I have a huge sentiment for the papo one. I bought one back in 2014 in a zoo souvenir shop in Rotterdam (Blijdorp) and I immediately knew it was a keeper. It will always remind me about my first visit to this zoo. Very good model, of course I still have it, together with the calf.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] I was sur you would like the Jim one, it is probably the rhino who inspired your Pseudo-Clairet one  

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Papo’s dinosaurs aren't realist but they strong personnality well made toys for children    Not my taste though   except the Kronosaurus which have a great vintage look. We'll see for theSuchomimus, it seems very tempting indeed

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Painted eyebrows   Thats's true    

French Macaque prefer Raybans  
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[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], I'm glad you like this topic, I'm really enjoying making it too.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] It gives me great pleasure to know that this Rhino mom is still part of your collection.

I also love especially the JIM rhino with a slice of watermelon on his shoulders.
I still have a few Norev cars, they are very good but they will be sold.

Watermellon ??? ... Yes and also a banana on its nose

Sunglasses to hide the eye paint! I suppose Blancheries Frères were the first to adopt this fashion, or are there earlier models? I think it is quite curious that it was adopted by several French companies.

Such a neat collection.
And yep, the JIM rhino's a cute one!

Thank you very mich Cyhyraeth

Roger, I don't think that eyebrows are an exclusively French speciality. German toys in composition sometimes have this distinctive sign and the same is true for celluloid animals whether they come from France, Germany, USA or Japan.

Tonight it's n°73 and 74's turn.  I could very well have started this topic with these two, because there's something very special about them: they're Pfeiffer! But what else?
It is an Austrian toy manufacturer, based in Vienna and founded by Emil Pfeiffer in 1898.
It was this gentleman who really invented the concept of making models out of composition.
In 1900, he made the first industrially-produced series of animal toys.
So here we are at the genesis of our passion.

This rhinoceros, like all the animals in the "1900" series, was manufactured from the dawn of the century to 1914.
He is therefore between 110 and 124 years old. Its composition is hollow and finding it in good condition is quite a feat.
For me, it was a Grail for a very long time, a dream I thought unattainable. It is rare, sought after on the German market and therefore far too expensive for me.
In December 2021, a miracle happened: I came across a whole bunch of old Pfeiffers from the 1900 series on eBay.fr, bidding at 10% of the going price in Germany.
Ricardo and I made very small bids together, saying to ourselves "either we'll get the deal of the century, or we'll have saved a lot of money".
We were the only bidders, a real Christmas tale. So we both ended up with absolutely unimaginable wonders in our hands.
Here is the jewel
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On the eve of WWI, Pfeiffer replaced the 1900 series with new toys, the 1914 series, which would be produced until 1925, when Hausser bought our Austrian company.
This series included a new rhinoceros. Although its finish was inferior to that of its ancestor, it was to have a successful career, serving as a "model" for other companies such as Czechoslovakia's Durolin.
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Father & son
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With Schleich
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You say the animal is in good condition? It clearly has dermatitis in a rather advanced stage!
Just kidding, congratulations for your joint venture with Ricardo to acquire such a rarity. Very beautiful heads and elegant design with scute shaped shields.

I get excited every time I remember the story of the Pfeiffer 1900 rhino... A real early Christmas!

Another nice rhino

Roger wrote:

You say the animal is in good condition? It clearly has dermatitis in a rather advanced stage!
Just kidding, congratulations for your joint venture with Ricardo to acquire such a rarity. Very beautiful heads and elegant design with scute shaped shields.

I wonder why I'm discussing dermatology with a crocodile?

Stripedhyena wrote:

I get excited every time I remember the story of the Pfeiffer 1900 rhino... A real early Christmas!

Indeeed

widukind wrote:

Another nice rhino

Thank you Andreas

Amazing to see such old models. Even the younger one is very old. And as you already say, in such a beautiful condition. I am curious what other models were in your Christmas present.

My xmass part was : Brown bear, Dromedary, Hyena, Indian rhinoceros, Polar bear, Tiger and Zebra

Ricardo part was: Elephant, Hippopotamus, Leopard, Lion, Lioness, Monkey and Wolf

Who should follow the two venerable Pfeiffers? A delicate matter...

Tonight I present a rhino that was for me the rhino of the renaissance and also the opportunity to tell you a little story about my life as a collector. I'm talking about Safari Ltd in 2012.

This one appeared in the middle of a desert, at that time no brand was offering Indian rhinoceros. The dice seemed to be cast and the favourite rhino of the 20th century was going to give way to its African cousins.
Fortunately, that year Safari Ltd was to offer what is still for me the crème de la crème of Indian rhinoceros.
The first photos I saw filled me with joy , but also with fear!
Safari Ltd was preparing to produce a magnificently sculpted model, but unfortunately with a very rough and basic paint job. Every fold of the animal, every relief was reinforced by a band of dark paint that contrasted sharply with the rest of the paint. I couldn't bear to see my future new favourite smeared like that.
So I plucked up my courage and managed to contact Ramona Pariente, the CEO of Safari Ltd at the time, to explain her that the paint was ruining the model's potential and that it would be better to paint it more soberly. After a few exchanges with this nice lady I managed to convince her and the model was given a paint job that was still marked but much softer than originally planned. Every time I look at my rhino, I feel my chest puff out and a smile of satisfaction takes over my face.
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In 2016, Safari Ltd decided to change the paintwork on their rhino once again, much to my delight. This latest version is even better than the first, even if I don't puff out my chest in front of it.
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All together now
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Great story! You must have made many collectors very happy (even if they didn't know). I have to say that I prefer the slightly more striking paint job of the earlier version.

Kikimalou wrote:

So I plucked up my courage and managed to contact Ramona Pariente, the CEO of Safari Ltd at the time, to explain her that the paint was ruining the model's potential and that it would be better to paint it more soberly. After a few exchanges with this nice lady I managed to convince her and the model was given a paint job that was still marked but much softer than originally planned. Every time I look at my rhino, I feel my chest puff out and a smile of satisfaction takes over my face.  
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Wonderful story Christophe! there really are just normal humans behind these little plastic figures
and there I was looking at the photos before I read your story thinking about the dark areas on this first rhino. It's good to see them both together, and I really do love how detailed and expressive their mouths and faces are from the front .

Wow I didn't know that! One of the things I love most about Safari is how much they care for their customers. Not only did she respond, but actually took your recommendation! I didn't know they made another paint version in 2016, I have that one

Thanks to you a very beautiful and realistic model!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] I prefer the second one but I love so much the earlier version of course.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], thanks for enjoying my story  

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], Yes Ramona Pariente is a really nice person and yes Safari Ltd people are concerned about their products, their customers and not only the money  

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Thank you Alain

Those old composition rhinos are magnificent, what a striking pair! They could not have ended up in better hands. It is always exciting to find a grail for an incredible price.

Also a wonderful story with the Safari. That was bold and brave and it turned out so successful. Good on her for listening to a collector as well, that is not what I would have expected.

Two great little historical stories in the world of plastic rhinoceros.

Thank you Jill and Andreas