The Carnegie Collection Protoceratops (1989)
Original 1988 paint master prototype
Species: Protoceratops andrewsii
First release: 1989
Retired: c. 1995
Model number: 413-01
Schleich number: 15413
Size: 4.5 cm long (adult)
Advertised scale: 1:40
Actual scale: 1:40
Sculptor: Forest Rogers
The Carnegie Protoceratops is the smallest model ever produced in the line, looking just at the dinosaur itself. It was sculpted onto a nest filled with eggs and a juvenile, similar to most mid-20th century depictions of the species. Of course, this model dates to a time before most of the world-famous "Protoceratops" eggs turned out to belong to the supposed egg thief Oviraptor. The Carnegie Protoceratops looks to have been particularly inspired by the art of Neave Parker.
Like the Australopithecus and original Maiasaura figures, this model was not included in Safari's "Retirement Program" lists and does not seem to have ever been issued with 1996-era color tags. It therefore seems to have been taken out of production around 1995, though it did appear in 1996 collectors' guides along with Australopithecus and the new version of Maiasaura.
Version: 1
Release: c. 1989
Status: Original
Variant type: Primary
Material: Hard gray vinyl
Paint: 9 colors: Tan (base coat); pale green (body); dark green (stripes); brown (detailing); terra cotta (nest wash); off-white (eggs); yellow (eyes); black (pupils), glossy finish.
Stamp text: PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD, MIAMI, FL / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
TDR rating: 9/10
Like Dimetrodon, the original release of Protoceratops with nest had a sharper sculpt and more complex paint application. It had thinner paint applied as a series of washes which blend together. The sculpt has obvious, though minute, scale details on the animals' bodies, details which were lost as the mold wore down. The paint applications on older models also tend to be more precise, with dirt painted below the body of the adult individual.
Material: Hard gray vinyl
Paint: 9 colors: Tan (base coat); pale green (body); dark green (stripes); brown (detailing); terra cotta (nest wash); off-white (eggs); yellow (eyes); black (pupils), glossy finish.
Stamp text: PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD, MIAMI, FL / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
TDR rating: 9/10
Like Dimetrodon, the original release of Protoceratops with nest had a sharper sculpt and more complex paint application. It had thinner paint applied as a series of washes which blend together. The sculpt has obvious, though minute, scale details on the animals' bodies, details which were lost as the mold wore down. The paint applications on older models also tend to be more precise, with dirt painted below the body of the adult individual.
The most obvious differences between the two versions are the presence of the words "Miami, FL" on the bottom stamp of the original, and a more reddish-brown color of the nest, compared to plain dark brown striations on the retooled nest.
A version with an overall lighter and warmer tone matching this one appeared in 1988 promotional photography. The color scheme of that model was lighter, with much lighter green stripes and a more solid colored reddish brown nest. I am uncertain if that model was actually released or if it was simply a paint prototype.
Release: 1989
Status: Minor repaint
Variant type: Twilight version
Material: ?
Paint: Dark green stripes, dark brown stripes, light green-yellow body, yellow and black eyes, tan nest base, brown nest, white eggs.
Stamp text: PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD, MIAMI, FL / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
TDR rating: 7/10
This version has a darker overall color lacking the warm "gold wash" of the original. The nest is a stark, high contrast dark brown on light tan color scheme, but it otherwise the same mold. The mold retains its sharpness so must have been an early paint change, and it's higher-contrast color places it as consistent with the 1989 "catalog versions". (Thanks to EmmaLVV at Dino Toy Forum for alerting me to the existence of this variant and providing these pictures.)
Material: ?
Paint: Dark green stripes, dark brown stripes, light green-yellow body, yellow and black eyes, tan nest base, brown nest, white eggs.
Stamp text: PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD, MIAMI, FL / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
TDR rating: 7/10
This version has a darker overall color lacking the warm "gold wash" of the original. The nest is a stark, high contrast dark brown on light tan color scheme, but it otherwise the same mold. The mold retains its sharpness so must have been an early paint change, and it's higher-contrast color places it as consistent with the 1989 "catalog versions". (Thanks to EmmaLVV at Dino Toy Forum for alerting me to the existence of this variant and providing these pictures.)
Release: 1989
Status: Minor repaint
Variant type: Gloss wash
Material: Hard gray vinyl
Paint: 9 colors: Glossy pale yellow (base coat); glossy pale green (body); glossy dark green (stripes); glossy light green (wash); brown (detailing); terra cotta (nest wash); off-white (eggs); yellow (eyes); black (pupils).
Stamp text: PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD, MIAMI, FL / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
TDR rating: 10/10
This version has an extremely glossy paint application consisting of a series of translucent, overlapping blended washes. The overall color is extremely light compared to other early variants. As in other early variants, the paint detailing is very crisp, with the various body colors not bleeding over to the nest, and the nest color carefully painted under the body of the adult individual. Overall, this seems to match the "gloss wash" set, though it was not among the models pictured in the 1991 Schleich brocure. As you can see in the photos below, it shipped with the original parchment style tags which seem to have been out of use by 1990.
Material: Hard gray vinyl
Paint: 9 colors: Glossy pale yellow (base coat); glossy pale green (body); glossy dark green (stripes); glossy light green (wash); brown (detailing); terra cotta (nest wash); off-white (eggs); yellow (eyes); black (pupils).
Stamp text: PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD, MIAMI, FL / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
TDR rating: 10/10
This version has an extremely glossy paint application consisting of a series of translucent, overlapping blended washes. The overall color is extremely light compared to other early variants. As in other early variants, the paint detailing is very crisp, with the various body colors not bleeding over to the nest, and the nest color carefully painted under the body of the adult individual. Overall, this seems to match the "gloss wash" set, though it was not among the models pictured in the 1991 Schleich brocure. As you can see in the photos below, it shipped with the original parchment style tags which seem to have been out of use by 1990.
Above: Gloss wash version (left) compared to earlier(?) version with darker and less blended paint.
Version: 4
Release: c. 1992
Status: Minor repaint, retool
Material: Hard gray vinyl
Paint: Dark green stripes, dark brown stripes, light green-yellow body, yellow and black eyes, tan nest base, brown nest, white eggs.
Stamp text: PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / CE
CE mark: Small
TDR rating: 7/10
Later releases of Protoceratops suffered from mold fatigue and a subsequent loss of detail, rendering the body of the adult almost totally smooth rather than bumpy. Paint applications are also simplified, with blotchier colors and less details in the nest coloration (it is tan with brown streaks, lacking any reddish clay colored wash or highlights. Often in these samples, most of the nest beneath the adult Protoceratops is painted with the green underbelly color, not brown. The revised date stamp lacks the words "Miami, FL".
Status: Minor repaint, retool
Material: Hard gray vinyl
Paint: Dark green stripes, dark brown stripes, light green-yellow body, yellow and black eyes, tan nest base, brown nest, white eggs.
Stamp text: PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / CE
CE mark: Small
TDR rating: 7/10
Later releases of Protoceratops suffered from mold fatigue and a subsequent loss of detail, rendering the body of the adult almost totally smooth rather than bumpy. Paint applications are also simplified, with blotchier colors and less details in the nest coloration (it is tan with brown streaks, lacking any reddish clay colored wash or highlights. Often in these samples, most of the nest beneath the adult Protoceratops is painted with the green underbelly color, not brown. The revised date stamp lacks the words "Miami, FL".
Comparison shots of the first version (right) with the later version (left):
 |
| This sample of the original model shows the first-run info stamp but with significant mold fatigue, probably produced close to the time of its replacement. |
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