Happy Birthday, Misty of Chincoteague

The good folks at the Museum of Chincoteague tell us that July 20th is the birthday of Misty of Chincoteague. She was foaled 72 years ago today.

Photo of Marguerite Henry and Misty, Chicago Tribune, 11/16/1947.

Marguerite Henry's books about Misty and the other ponies (Stormy, Sea Star, et al.) are must-reads for any model horse collector.  

Misty shaking hands. Illustration by Wesley Dennis.

And you can still find Misty of Chincoteague in public and school libraries (if the librarians are worth their salt).  

Breyer "Misty of Chincoteague" with original box, 1972.

Most collectors are familiar with the Breyer versions of Misty and the other famous Chincoteague ponies, but my personal favorite is the Hagen-Renaker "Misty" designed by Maureen Love and produced by HR for Breyer in 1993.  This factory test color ceramic "Misty" is on display at the Hagen-Renaker exhibit at the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Library at Cal Poly Pomona.  

Maureen Love and Maxine Renaker visited Marguerite Henry (who was living in Southern California at the time) as the piece was being designed. Wouldn't those have been wonderful conversations to hear?

Links:

W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Library, where "Miniature Menageries: The History and Artists Behind Hagen-Renaker, Inc." is on display through Spring 2019.

https://www.cpp.edu/~library/kellogg-arabian-horse-library/index.shtml

Information on the Breyer horses from the "Misty" series:

http://www.mistysheaven.com/breyermisty.html

Museum of Chincoteague:  http://chincoteaguemuseum.com/