The Carnegie Collection Parasaurolophus (1988)


Prototype

An interesting bit of possible trivia: It occurred to me that the Carnegie Parasaurolophus is in a very similar pose to the classic Marx "Trachodon". As discussed at the Dinosaur Toys Collectors Guide, the Marx figure was revised during its production run to adjust the posture of the arms, with one arm initially pointing downward, switched to upward to correct a balancing issue. The Carnegie Parasaurolophus had exactly the opposite change made during its production, with an initially upward-facing arm moved downward. Weird!


1st Mold

405-01 Parasaurolophus
Species: Parasaurolophus walkeri
First release: 1988
Retired: c. 1993
Model number: 405-01 / 4005-01
Schleich number: 15405 (retired 1993)
Size: 20 cm long
Advertised scale: 1:40
Actual scale: 1:45
Sculptor: Forest Rogers

The Carnegie Parasaurolophus is the only one of the original 10 1988 models besides Australopithecus to not receive a secondary / replacement mold in 1992. For that reason, there are a large number of color and material variants of the first mold, which was finally retired in 1993-94 and replaced with a modified sculpt. 


Above: An overview of the main color variants for the first mold.



Mold: 1
Version: 1
Release: 1988
Status: Original
Variant type: Dull wash
Material: Soft beige rubber
Paint: 4 colors. Dark green (wash); black (pupils); glossy yellow (throat, crest); glossy gray-brown (top of head).
Stamp text: Centered, on right underside. (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL. / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 9/10

The original Parasaurolophus model had a significantly different color scheme. Instead of the familiar green body, yellow and white head, and black stripes of the later versions, this was dark forest green over a light beige body with yellow highlights. This version, with a glossy brown patch on the portion of the crest above the eyes, seems to have been the earliest released in the US.


This set of dull wash figures was purchased at the St. Louis Science Center in September 1988 (photo by Robb Jacobson).


Mold: 1
Version: 2
Release: 1988
Status: Material change, minor repaint
Variant type: Dull wash
Material: Medium weight beige vinyl
Paint: 5 colors. Dark green (wash); black (pupils); glossy yellow (crest); gray-brown (top of head), glossy yellow-orange (throat).
Stamp text: Centered, on right underside. (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL. / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 9/10

Another early Parasaurolophus, this one is extremely similar to the original, but uses a different base plastic and has a very slightly retooled belly stamp. This one is made of harder vinyl rather than soft rubber. The plastic is pale yellow rather than white/beige. The smooth area beneath the belly stamp has been slightly expanded and has begun to encroach on the surrounding scale detail, suggesting this is the second release. The coloration on the throat is more of an orange color than the bright yellow of the crest.

Soft rubber version (left) vs. hard vinyl version (right)

Soft rubber version (right) vs. hard vinyl version (left)


Mold: 1
Version: 3
Release: c. 1988
Status: Material change, repaint
Variant type: Twilight/ Primary
Material: Flexible beige rubber
Paint: 8 colors. Matte pale olive green (base coat); glossy Kelly green (back); dark olive green airbrushing (stripes); white (face); yellow (crest, throat); black airbrushing (face markings); silver airbrushing (highlights); orange (eyes).
Stamp text: Centered, on right underside. (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL. / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 8/10

This version is very similar to later classic color versions, but also closely matches the original paint masters (minus the glossiness, as with most of the "primary" variants). Like other primary variants, the paint is mostly matte, even in areas that would typically by glossy in most variants like the crest, though the brighter green wash on the back is glossy. The paint operations are more detailed than in most versions, with broken stripes closely resembling the original paint master (most later variants have simplified, solid stripes). Like the first dull wash variants, it is made of extremely rubbery material.


Dull wash (left) vs. primary version (right).

As seen in a 1993 Safari catalog.
 

Mold: 1
Version: 4
Release: 1989
Status: Minor
Variant type: Twilight version
Material: Hard black vinyl
Paint: 8 colors. Matte olive green (base coat); white (face); yellow (crest, throat); airbrushed dark gray-green (stripes, face details); Kelly green (stripes); gray (wash); orange (eyes); silver (claws, head).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD MIAMI, FL / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 10/10

This very unique looking variant was sold by Schleich in Germany in 1988/89. It has a highly detailed paint application compared to most other versions including the glossy forest green paintwork on the back which forms an alternating row of short, lobed stripes in between the traditional olive green stripes. This Kelly green paint becomes simplified as an amorphous single strip down the back in most other variants and, in some. The face details are more subtle, painted with finely detailed olive green rather than thick black lines and dots as in later variants. A silvery gray wash is applied, especially on the head, that is missing in later variants.





Mold: 1
Version: 5
Release: 1990
Status: Minor repaint
Variant type: Gloss wash
Material: Soft pink rubber
Paint: 9 colors. Matte pale yellow (base coat); Glossy Kelly green (back); dark olive green airbrushing (stripes); glossy white (face, belly); glossy yellow (crest, throat); glossy black airbrushing (face markings); silver (claws); glossy orange (eyes), gloss wash.
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD MIAMI, FL / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 8/10

This "gloss wash" version of Parasaurolophus has a color scheme somewhat transitional between the old dull wash versions and the classic color scheme of the 1990s. It's body is more of a beige or pale yellow-green color with a glossy wash applied to most of the upper portion of the figure. The gloss is clearly a separate paint application rather than use of a glossy paint, since some parts of the base color are glossy while the underside of the feet and the ends of the arms/hands are matte. Overall, the color scheme is much lighter/paler and more golden hued than most other variants, and is similar to other models that appeared in a 1991 Schleich catalog. 



Note that multiple different examples of the same figure have asymmetrical paint applications on the face, with much more lightly applied black marks on one or the other side. This error seems to be common among many 1989-1992 Parasaurolophus figures.

As pictured with the "gloss wash" set in a 1991 Schleich brochure. Note the yellow/beige body and lack of distinct face markings on the left side.


Above: Comparison of the gloss wash version to a much mire common "classic" early '90s paint variant which notably has a greener base color, darker gray claws, and beige paint on the belly.

Mold: 1
Version: 6
Release: c. 1990
Status: Minor repaint
Variant type: Classic
Material: Medium weight white vinyl
Paint: 8 colors. Olive green (base coat); glossy moss green (top wash); glossy dark brown (stripes, face markings); beige airbrushing (underside); glossy white (face); glossy yellow (crest); glossy gray (claws); glossy black (pupils).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD MIAMI, FL / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 4/10

The eyes lack any orange or yellow in this version, being just black dots. As you can see in the closeup of the leg below, the plastic this model was made of is white vinyl. The paint job is primarily matte, with a clear glossy wash applied relatively haphazardly across the upper part of the body. The date stamp still includes the phrase "Miami, FL". This stamp is in line with other first-run Carnegie molds, with centered text and no CE mark.

It should be noted that this version is so far the only paint variant I've been able to confirm was used as a Schleich release.

Note: Anecdotal reports suggest this variant was available in US stores around 1990-1991.


Mold: 1
Version: 7
Release: c. 1990
Status: Minor repaint
Variant type: Classic
Material: Hard black vinyl
Paint: 8 colors. Olive green (base coat); glossy moss green (top wash); glossy dark brown (stripes, face markings); beige airbrushing (underside); glossy white (face); glossy yellow (crest); glossy gray (claws); glossy black (pupils).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD MIAMI, FL / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 4/10

This is essentially the same as the previous version, though it shows signs of mold fatigue, with slightly less sharp details, especially on the info stamp. Curiously, this seems to have a slightly different head shape, with sunken cheek/eye area on its left side - this is probably also an artifact of mold fatigue. The glossy paint or lacquer coat is applied more consistently across the model (it seems the models with hard black plastic tend to be the glossiest - they also tend to have the most paint chips, and it's obvious that the glossy paint has a tendency to crack and separate from the hard PVC). There is more yellow/beige wash on the sides, but this may be down to individual variation.

The vinyl used in this model seems to be the harder variety and is very dark gray in color, almost black. This type of plastic substrate was used for new models in 1989, but does not seem to have carried over to the original models until 1990. The belly stamp has not been adjusted from previous models.


White vinyl version (left) vs. black vinyl version (right)



Mold: 1
Version: 8
Release: c. 1990
Status: Minor repaint
Variant type: Classic
Material: Hard black vinyl
Paint: 8 colors. Olive green (base coat); Kelly green (top wash); black (stripes, face markings, pupils); beige (underside, bottom wash); white (face); yellow (crest); orange (eyes); gray (claws).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD MIAMI, FL / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None
TDR rating: 6/10

This version is similar to other white-headed Carnegie Parasaurolophus variants, but has a more vivid color scheme with a brighter green wash over the back instead of olive green, and darker black stripes. The paint is thicker and glossier than the previous version which obscures some sculpt details, but the sculpt appears otherwise identical. An injection mold mark is prominent on the underside of the crest as in earlier dull wash versions. This could indicate it is actually a very early full-color variant, or simply a result of the thicker paint failing to adhere to that spot.




Mold: 1
Version: 9
Release: 1992
Status: Minor repaint
Variant type: Classic
Material: Hard black vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 9 colors. Olive green (body); Kelly green (top wash); dark green (stripes); beige (underside, bottom wash); white (face); yellow (crest); black (face markings); orange (eyes); gray (claws).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / CE
CE mark: Small
TDR rating: 4/10

This version has longer and wider stripes across the back, and a slightly modified imprint stamp on the belly. Starting with this edition, the words "Miami, FL" have been scratched out and erased from the mold, leaving a raised convex mark of smooth plastic where they used to be. This, combined with the new CE mark, date this version to around 1992.





Mold: 1
Version: 10
Release: c. 1992
Status: Material variant
Variant type: Classic
Material: Orange vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 9 colors. Olive green (body); Kelly green (top wash); dark green (stripes); beige (underside, bottom wash); white (face); yellow (crest); black (face markings); orange (eyes); gray (claws).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / CE
CE mark: Small
TDR rating: ?/10

The paint application of this version seems nearly identical to other early 90s white faced Parasaurolophus; however, it is made of the same bright pinkish-orange rubber as the early gloss wash version. Since this is a fully painted model, it is hard to say how common this variant might be.



Mold: 1
Version: 11
Release: 1993
Status: Minor repaint, retool
Variant type: Classic
Material: Gray vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 8 colors. Olive green (body); dark green (stripes); beige (underside); pale yellow (face); yellow (crest, throat); black (face markings); orange (eyes); gray (claws).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / CE
CE mark: Small
TDR rating: 1/10

The third step in the gradual evolution of the 1990s era Parasaurolophus model, this one has a fully yellow face and crest, with additional yellow paint working its way onto the throat. The face marking are slightly different and farther forward, but they're generally the same color and same pattern, so this could be one of those sample-by-sample variations due to the hand painting. In fact, as you can see on my sample pictured here, the markings differ on each side of the face! A version with an all-yellow head appears in the 1993 Safari promotional video. Note that the left side of the imprint stamp on the belly is starting to lose detail, either to mold fatigue or an attempt to re-add some of the previously missing scale detail, and moving closer to the leg. The lower half of the P is missing in my sample. In future versions using this mold, you can see that the first several letters of the name are gradually lost!


 

Earlier (left) and later (right) paint variants with the same mold/belly text.



Mold: 1
Version: 12
Release: c. 1993
Status: Retool
Variant type: Classic color version
Material: Gray vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Olive green (body); dark green (stripes); beige (underside, wash); (head, crest, throat); black (face markings); orange (eyes); gray (claws).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / RASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / CE
TDR rating: 1/10

Comparing this model to the previous one, they seem identical, minus slight variations between paintings.  But look closer - the belly stamp on this one is completely missing the first two letters of the name Parasaurolophus! This would be partially corrected in the next version. (Photos by gaspode, who discovered the mystery of the disappearing letters on the old version of Dino Toy Forum).



Mold: 1
Version: 13
Release: c. 1993
Status: Retool
Variant type: Classic color version
Material: Gray vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Olive green (body); dark green (stripes); beige (underside, wash); (head, crest, throat); black (face markings); orange (eyes); gray (claws).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / ARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / CE CHINA
TDR rating: 1/10

Comparing this model to the previous one, they seem identical, minus slight variations between paintings.  But look closer - the belly stamp on the one says "China" after the CE mark. The previous version had erased "Made in China" from the original mold, and replaced it with a CE mark, so it did not say China anywhere on the model. This one puts the country of origin back where it belongs. Note also that in this production run, the A (but not the P for some reason) in the word Parasaurolophus has been restored, so the name now reads "ARASAUROLOPHUS". Note also that the previously smooth area around the belly stamp has been modified to include some crude lumpy texturing, obscuring the rectangular scales bordering the stamp in previous versions.



2nd Mold

4005-01 Parasaurolophus
Species: Parasaurolophus walkeri
First release: 1993
Retired: c. 2012
Model number: 4005-01 / 4111-01
Size: 
Advertised scale: 1:40 (later 1:50)
Actual scale:

Mold: 2
Version: 1
Release: c. 1993
Status: Resculpt
Material: Gray vinyl
Variant type: Classic color version
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Olive green (body); dark green (stripes); beige (underside, wash); yellow (head, crest, throat); black (face markings); orange (eyes); gray (claws).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / CE MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: Small.
TDR rating: 4/10

The mid-1990s saw sculpt refreshes for many of the aging (literally, thanks to mold fatigue) models. Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus, and Parasaurolophus were among the first to have all-new tooling done, including new skin textures and revised head sculpts. Based on the fact that the Parasaurolophus resculpt was initially fully painted and came with plain paper tags minus the new 4-digit product number, it must have been among the first released, alongside or slightly after the resculpted T. rex in 1993. 

Comparing it to previous models, you will see that the head is sculpted in a more retracted position, and the face looks somewhat shorter and plumper. The crest now had a wavy, thin section hanging from the bottom, probably representing a skin flap. The arms have also been adjusted into new posture. The back has a more prominent hump over the shoulders. Overall, this appears to be an entirely new sculpt, rather than a re-tool.

Taking a look at the belly stamp, it's clear that the skin texture on the bottom of the model has been restored and a new stamp imprinted through it. The new stamp text is left-aligned, and there is no longer a raised mark covering "Miami, FL" (the words are just absent). Like other early 1990s models, the paint is glossy.


Mold: 2
Version: 2
Release: 1996
Status: Repaint
Material: Olive green vinyl
Variant type: Color vinyl version
Paint: Matte. 6 colors. Dark green (stripes); beige (underside); yellow (head, crest, throat); black (face markings); orange (eyes); gray (claws).
Stamp text: Left-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / CE MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: Small.
TDR rating: 1/10

The same retooled and partly resculpted mold was used again in 1996, when the Carnegie line was refreshed to eliminate fully hand painted models in favor of colored vinyl with hand painted detailing. The belly stamp, new head, and arm posture are all the same as the previous version. The color scheme is essentially the same, except with much more yellow covering the entire head and throat, and it lacks a beige wash on the torso.



Parasaurolophus 2nd sculpt - fully painted version (left) vs. color vinyl version (right)



Mold: 2
Version: 4
Release: 2007
Status: First major repaint
Material: Light brown hard vinyl
Variant type: 2007 repaint
Paint: Matte. 7 colors. Green (back, sides); pale yellow (spots); red (crest); dark brown (stripes); black (claws, pupils); yellow (eyes), brown (wash).
Stamp text: Left-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / CE MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: Small.
TDR rating: 4/10

The 2007 repaint included a partial retool with new belly stamp and an all-new paint scheme of two shades of dark green on the back, pale green sides and limbs, and a red crest. The underside is unpainted brown plastic.


3rd generation color vinyl version vs. 4th generation model

3rd Mold

4005-01 Parasaurolophus
Species: Parasaurolophus walkeri
First release: 1996
Retired: 2015
Model number: 4005-01 / 4111-01
Size: 
Advertised scale: 1:40 (later 1:50)
Actual scale:


Mold: 3
Version: 1
Release: c. 1997
Status: Retool
Material: Olive green vinyl
Variant type: Color vinyl version
Paint: Matte. 6 colors. Dark green (stripes); beige (underside); yellow (head, crest, throat); black (face markings); orange (eyes); gray (claws).
Stamp text: Left-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / PARASAUROLOPHUS / 10 METERS / CE
CE mark: Small.
TDR rating: 1/10

Same as the first Mold 1 variant, but lacking "Made in China" on the info stamp. It is unclear if this pre- or post-dates the alternate stamp; it's possible both were produced at the same time in different factories.


Photo by sodakobsession
Mold: 3
Version: 2
Release: c. 2012
Status: Minor retool
Variant type: 2007 repaint
Material: Brown vinyl
Paint: Matte. 7 colors. Green (back, sides); pale yellow (spots, underside); red (crest); dark brown (stripes); black (claws, pupils); yellow (eyes), brown (wash).
Stamp text: Left-aligned. Carnegie Parasaurolophus 1:50 / (C) 1988 Safari Ltd. Miami, FL / Made in China
CE mark: Large
TDR rating: 5/10

This version uses the same basic color scheme as the 2007 version, but has a brighter yellow paint application on the undersides. It seems to use a modified version of the second mold, with some restored scale detail, and it includes the scale on an updated 3-line belly stamp with large CE mark. Note that the official scale has been updated from 1:40 to 1:50.

Photo by sodakobsession

Comments

  1. I have a Parasaurolophus intermediate between version 4/5. Miami FL has been covered up, but there is no mention of China

    ReplyDelete
  2. Another one that is exactly the same as version 8, BUT lacking the MADE IN CHINA
    Has the green vinyl

    ReplyDelete
  3. I checked again both of the above figures that I had mentioned. The second one is like the second version 9, above, that is, with the lighter built and smaller head, but with light gray vinyl instead of brown. The belly stamp is identical to the second version 9. Perhaps it is its immediate predecessor, still with the older vinyl coloring, but otherwise identical to the first brown vinyl version?

    The first is of the older, cruder type, lacks the Miami FL of v.5, has a similar belly stamp to v. 6 and v. 7, but lacks the CHINA of v.6 or the MADE IN CHINA of v. 7

    ReplyDelete
  4. Picked up an indisputably v. 5 today at Value Village.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment