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
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.
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
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 1990 Schleich brochure. 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.
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 1990 Schleich brochure. 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.
Above: As pictured in the 1990 Safari Ltd. catalog.
Release: c. 1990
Status: Minor repaint
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 a relatively early paint change. (Thanks to EmmaLVV at Dino Toy Forum for alerting me to the existence of this variant and providing these pictures.)
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 a relatively early paint change. (Thanks to EmmaLVV at Dino Toy Forum for alerting me to the existence of this variant and providing these pictures.)
Version: 4
Release: c. 1992
Status: Minor repaint, retool
Material: Hard gray vinyl
Paint: Dark green stripes, dark brown stripes, mint green body, yellow and black eyes, tan nest base, brown nest, white eggs.
Stamp text: CE / PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / CE
CE mark: Small (one partial, one full)
TDR rating: 7/10
This version of Protoceratops has removed "Miami, FL" and "Made in China" from the embossed info text. It has added a CE mark beneath the text. There is also another, partially imprinted CE mark to the left of the text. It is close to the mold seam, so it's likely the mark was routinely partly washed out of the mold during injection, necessitating the addition of a clearer CE mark in a different spot. Theoretically, there should be transitional samples that have the partial mark near the seam but lack the mark beneath the main text. Note also this version has a distinctive mint green color, but the scale details on the bodies are still sharp and the paint application under the protos are neat.
Status: Minor repaint, retool
Material: Hard gray vinyl
Paint: Dark green stripes, dark brown stripes, mint green body, yellow and black eyes, tan nest base, brown nest, white eggs.
Stamp text: CE / PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / CE
CE mark: Small (one partial, one full)
TDR rating: 7/10
This version of Protoceratops has removed "Miami, FL" and "Made in China" from the embossed info text. It has added a CE mark beneath the text. There is also another, partially imprinted CE mark to the left of the text. It is close to the mold seam, so it's likely the mark was routinely partly washed out of the mold during injection, necessitating the addition of a clearer CE mark in a different spot. Theoretically, there should be transitional samples that have the partial mark near the seam but lack the mark beneath the main text. Note also this version has a distinctive mint green color, but the scale details on the bodies are still sharp and the paint application under the protos are neat.
Images courtesy Mike Partington
Version: 5
Release: c. 1993
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: CE / PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / CE
CE mark: Small (one partial, one full)
TDR rating: 7/10
This version is very similar to the mint green version, but with a much more pale green base color on the body. It retains the double CE mark.
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: CE / PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / CE
CE mark: Small (one partial, one full)
TDR rating: 7/10
This version is very similar to the mint green version, but with a much more pale green base color on the body. It retains the double CE mark.
Images courtesy Mike Partington
Version: 6
Release: c. 1995
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: CE / CE / PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / CE
CE mark: Small (two partial, one full)
TDR rating: 6/10
Note that this version has three CE marks. Two partially visible CE marks to the left of the info text, and a clear one beneath it.
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: CE / CE / PROTOCERATOPS / 6 FT (1.8 METERS) / (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / CE
CE mark: Small (two partial, one full)
TDR rating: 6/10
Note that this version has three CE marks. Two partially visible CE marks to the left of the info text, and a clear one beneath it.
Comparison shots of the first version (right) with the later version (left):
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