Bare-Arm Cheyenne,  2nd version, original molding. This Bossons is for sale. If interested, please make an offer over the minimum asking price of $4200.

One of the rarest Bossons with copyright date of 1967 was introduced for one year, 1969 and discontinued, 1970. If you look on page 69 of Book II, Imagical World of Bossons by Robert E. Davis (IWB), you will see both versions pictured. For inclusion in his proposed 1994 Edition of the 2nd Book, I sent Dr. Davis a picture of the full colored verion from the one in my personal collection (see below).

All versions and molds of Cheyenne are 11-inches.

Less than 50 were ever produced of the 2nd version.  For this reason, in origianl condition, the Bare Army Cheyenne commands  premium prices.

Even fewer numbers were produced in the full colored version(below). Both colorings have the same copyrightd incision of 1967 and the backs are very  similar.

 NOT FOR SALE

Full colored experimental 1st version of Bare Arm Cheyenne from our personal collection.

This full colored version has commanded a much higher price than the more often found 2nd version given above.  I have sold two in excess of $9,700 each. Notice the differences in coloring,  hair ribbons, arm band, sheild, and red heads of the feathers. Ken Potts told me "this variation was experimental and limited for economical reasons; it simply took too long to color, and only 5 or 6 were ever released."

Original molding, open cavity,  inside hanger and the incised copyright marking used when the inside  hook was imbeded into the plaster.

CHEYENNE INDIAN with red coat                        (second and final mold)        Sale Price $250.

This 2nd mold and 3rd version was produced from 1969 to 1992,  when it was discontinued and the mold permanently destroyed by Bossons. Large 11" Wall Ornament. Mold was destroyed by Bossons March 1992.

The coat was placed to reinforce the Arm that would break away from the shoulder as it was removed from the mold. As shown, they also connected the arm to the body for reinforcement. After many years of molding, notice the incised copyright is nearly worn out on these final editions.  Still, the 1967 copyright was used through the entire production span from 1969-1992.                               

These Bengali are NOT FOR SALE.

It is the eyes that make Bossons look real...           

Most initials appear as "LS" or a variation of those letters, and the date of 1970, i.e., one paintress for Bengali during year of production of around 100, NOT 50 as given in IWB Book I, p. 156.

Though placement varies, above is shown the Three-Stripe Bengali copyright incised on the BOTTOM edge.

Please write or call for additional information and pictures:

email address

don@donsbossons.com

toll free 1-888-784-1812

Ken Potts(deceased, 2003), who worked at Bossons as Factory Supervisor and earlier as principal moldmaker at Bossons from age 17 to retirement in 1995, was our personal friend for many years. He supplied this Bossons to us. Together, we gave it the appropriate name of Mexican Senorita. It is recognized as the rarest Bossons to only be surpassed by Rosa and perhaps the Red Lady; also as is the case with others, a very rare female Wall Mask. For any avid Bossons collector, especially in the original condition, this exceptional Bossons is a must have.

Dr. Don Hardisty, February 21, 2012

Note the open cavity, outside hanger and incised copyright on the back,  all unique to the original Gilded issue of Winston Churchill from Bossons.

This particular  Bossons was modeled by Fred Wright in early 1965 and produced for only one issue in 1966. Generally, one issue was a 'run' of 100 Bossons which makes it rare, especially in the ORIGINAL COLORING FROM THE FACTORY. It is one of several Bossons that has appeared on the open market having been "doctored" by amateur painters. In the original edition, it contains no less than three gloss colors of rich antique gold, irridescent copper,  and  brilliant gold leaf. If you look closely at this model you will see those three authentic and original variations of color.

Fred Wright sculpted this awesome model of Churchill in 1965 (here see his incised signature lower right). It measures 5-1/2" and though it has no number within the Bossons numbering system, it would be part of the Series B Wall Masks. It is especially unique since it is one of a few members of the 'Bossons' Cast of Characters' that is real, and not "Imagical ™."

Winston Churchill IBCS issue Sale Price $250

Special IBCS issue, 1988 (5-1/2" Series B).

This is one of several Bossons that were given as gifts by Ray Bossons at various meetings of the Internationl Bossons Collectors Society. The Only way to obtain one of these Bossons new in the original box was to have attended that particular meeting in 1988, obtained it from an IBCS member, or purchased it on the open market. This particular one was purchased in the original box from a former member of the IBCS. It is unique because it carries the gold plate that came attached only when it was given as the special gift to members by Ray Bossons at the 1988 meeting. For a very few years (until supply was depleted), it was also awarded new members as a gift by the IBCS (IWB, Bk II, p. 75.)

ABDUHL  No. 17- color variation Five-Strip Version  SERIES A WALL MASK              Sale Price $150

Exterior Hanger with open cavity (8" Series A) Bossons Wall Ornament with then usual copyright.

Incised Name and Copyright 1960 Bossons. The cost here is directly related to the value of this particular Bossons. First, it is in original condition "mint," comes sold in the original Bossons box,   and is the more rare five-stripe version. In other conditions, Abduhl (though popular), can sell for $25-85 U. S. dollars because it is easily found in relatively good condition having been produced during the entire lifespan of Bossons from 1960-1996.

ABDUHL No. 17-color variation Three-Strip Version with rare copyrights. NOT FOR SALE.

Notice the incised copyright date of 1957 in comparison with the common example above.

Though difficult to see here, the incised copyright date beside the Abduhl name is 1960, and the painters' signature is dated 8/75. This means it was formerly copyrighted in 1960, stamped with a production date of 1957(a speculated error), and painted at the factory in August 1975. The example also confirms an important fact about values as it relates to production and release dates of Bossons:  for the commonly found Bossons like Abduhl, the copyright date has little to do with value! This is a common misundersanding.  Instead, the value is directly related to numbers released/found, and   the original condition of that particular Bossons.

13-1/2" Pottery Plaques, 1959-61,                         modeled by Mrs. Alice Brindley, 

     from "...actual photographs taken by Mr. Axel Poignant during his expeditions to Arnhem Land, Northern Australia." IWB, Bk. I p. 199.                    

All three dogs are made of fired pottery. They are difficult to find, especially free of 'crazing'. These three dogs are in guaranteed new condition as they came from Bossons from 1960-62. Some of the dogs have the production numbers incised under one paw, but none have copyright incisions.                                          ALL THREE DOGS IN A SET  $875

AFGHAN DOG 5-3/4" from "Dogs of Distintion" 1969-78 (L) Sale Price $125         

 Sale price PINK $165        Green $145               Both have under collar incised 1961 copyrights.    Sold new in original boxes.

Pink 1st- coloring (left  back 1959 copyright).    More common Green Version (right) has later copyright that has no date incised on the back.          

1988 (R-above) Reissued for one year. Sale Price $175

ALBANIAN 2- colorings PINK or GREEN      5-1/2" Series B Wall Masks (1962-69).

Dr. Hardisty discovered the Pink version in1988. Reference IWB Book II, p.  63. 

Some of the earliest plaques from Bossons did not carry the incised W. H. Bossons copyright on the back as was seen a few years later.  Instead they simply plasted the attractive sticker shown above (It was not a wise idea and time has destroyed many sticekrs.) These rare plaques were produced during the years when W. H. Bossons, Ray's father,  was Director.

The first productions from Bossons, beginning in 1946 were plaster plaques of many sizes               and shapes.

Originally, they dealt with English subjects. Some of the first were entitled "Beautiful Britain Series."

You may see many of these plaques by linking to  our original web site at www.bossons.us/page7.HTML

Watch for these plaques in the coming days.

NOTE: These Bossons are called plaques, not plates.

Above is the revised and incised copyright used by Bossons from the early 1960's to closing in 1996.

When new dogs were added to the collection, Bossons would discontinue one or more models. As a result, the Afghan and Alsation Dogs are somewhat difficult to find, especially in new condition, and command a higher price than most of the dogs that were continued through to the end of productions. In alphabetical order all these dogs produced through the years, will be listed for sale, including the more rare early editions.

Many of the dogs have only the incised copyright on the back; however, when there was adequate space "Bossons" was placed on the dogs and cats.  The original collection of Dogs of Distinction included:

Golden Labrador, Black Labrodor, Basset Hound, Afghan, Alsation, Boxer, Poodle (Black), Poodle (White), Scottie, Horkshire Terrier and Cocker Spaniel (black and white).

When the factory closed in 1996, the Dogs of Distinction included: Yorkshire Terrier, West Highland White, Cocker Spaniel, Alsation, Labrodor (Black and Golden), Basset Hound, Boxer, and Scottie. Other temporary editions included Liver and White Spaniel and reissues of both the Afghan and Alsation with slightly different colorings.

Notice these early dogs have the outside hook for hanging and display. The inicsed copyrights will be:

BOSSONS

ENGLAND

WORLD COPYRIGHT

RESERVED

Other markings can indicate  the year of production and capital letters are "mold makers initials used as factor of quality control assigned by WRB."

American Bald Eagle - Large 22" Wing Span Fraser-Art (FA) from Bossons 1963-1996.  Sale Price $395

After 1980, many of the gypsum plaster plaques from Bossons included the names and copyright notices on the front of the plaques. Difficult to see here, but it reads: "Anemones" Copyright (c) 1982 Bossons Congleton England.  Floral subjects were numerous in 6, 12, and 14" sizes from 1950 forward.

The incised copyright read "Ponty Girl (c) 1968 Bossons ENGLAND"

Except for the extremely limited prototypes in the "Tiny Tots" series, these three studies of children are the only know examples of children from Bossons.

Robin Hood 6-3/4-inches No. 149 European Collection, Copyright 1985, released 1986-1996.  Sale Price $140

Scrooge, 1981-1996 Sculpted by Alicde Brindley. 5" from Charles Dickens Characters. Sale Price $135.00