Relatively common, certainly common-enough
for an over-priced buy-it-know example to have been sitting on evilBay for
several years now! Tai Sang's
subsidiary Red Box produced this 54mm/1:32nd-scale mare in several colours, possibly for a
plastic toy vehicle - farm lorry or horse-box, maybe issuing them in pairs of
contrasting colours, although mine came seperately? Thanks to Jim for the black
one.
The marking is a clear 'Redbox HONGKONG'
and the reason I suspect a toy vehicle accessory rather than a bog-standard
farm animal is that most Redbox farm
and zoo have the same generic Hong Kong or Made in Hong Kong marks as their Blue-Box sister-stuff; the mark suggests
a special purpose for this animal, the lack of similarly marked animals of
other species suggests a unique role.
Seen here before I think, but more colours
have turned-up! Marked 'J∙K' in a triangle frame the horse is smaller than the
Redbox one (around 40mm-compatable) and the pose suggests several roles from
circus performer (no other obviously 'circus stuff' similarly marked, has
turned up), through rodeo set (similar criticism of a lack of matching stuff)
to a horse-box load, or fence-leaner!
Mark is a standard HONG KONG with the J∙K in a small triangle and it could even be a
cocktail-glass novelty if it wasn't for the paint, the upper bent knees are in
line so suggesting it's designed to be looking over something, rather than
rearing-up in the open? And I think Jim or Chris Smith are to thank for one of
these!
The previous two were standard polyethylene
and probably date from (or started life) in the 1960's, this one is in that
dense 'Macau' type PVC and dated to 1972, marked Rae, it is the smallest (around 1:64th) and is almost certainly for
a die-cast vehicle or - perhaps - mini-playset?
Photo was harder on shiny white PVC, so
I've over-marked; it's not accurate (font wise), but a reasonable guide, anyone
got any ideas on any of them?
15th Aug. 2021 - Continuing research finds some US evilBay sellers listing RAE - often as Rae - in conjunction with or alongside ARCO/Arco, with reference to to Noah's Ark sets. Which suggests that the same Arco petrol (gas) premium collection was previously or subsequently issued by this RAE/Rae, which would back-up another old contention of mine that Giant/PMC/Arco were jobbers, NOT manufacturers.
I've since also found a Hippopotamus who has the clear remains of a - removed from the tool -Rae mark, he seems to be the same as the Arco Hippo'.
