Footnotes: On Latex
The effect of 30 years of
re-casting on the Arab Stallion mold
Julips, like the other latex brands, differ from the more common "hard" brands in the model horse hobby in that the models do not remain virtually unchanged by time. The manufacturing process alone accounts for almost constant variations.
The plaster molds used to make the models tend to wear out rather quickly, requiring the mold to be recast from an existing model. This process results in models which are smaller and less detailed than the original. This effect becomes more noticeable with every re-cast.
Since the latex takes awhile to cure, most of the horses have multiple plaster molds so as to speed up the production process, and there are often tiny differences between these molds.
Latex also continues to cure as it ages, so even when properly stored, some models can experience shrinkage and/or distortion. Older models generally go hard, gooey, or crumbly as the latex perishes. Sometimes a model will exhibit all three states at once.
A poorly Vintage Yearling
Finally, the way models are stored plays a massive role in how well they survive the passage of time. Julips like to be kept in a cool, dark environment, protected from sunlight and variations in temperature. The most dramatic repair prospects generally come from collections stored in a loft.
The fluctuations in temperature found in an loft or shed can cause the latex to repeatedly soften and harden, causing the model to ooze around anything which might be touching it before setting again. This effect causes models to stick together and rugs or tack to stick to the model. It can also cause gouges and divots where something hard pressed against the model while it was soft.