The Carnegie Collection Triceratops (1988)

Original paint master prototype.

The Carnegie Collection Triceratops sculpted by Forest Rogers was in production in one form or another from 1988 to 2015. During its lifetime, the model was produced using at least 5 distinct molds, and issued in 4 different basic color schemes (each with their own minor variations). The prototype, presumably designed by Rogers, featured a gray body with a black back and frill stripe. Production versions included a gray and beige variant, a gray and black variant similar to the prototype (later versions of which included greenish or even turquoise paint washes), a multicolor piebald variant, and finally a brown variant.

Several of the different colorways and molds used for the Carnegie Triceratops.

1st Mold

406-01 Triceratops
Species: Triceratops horridus
Release: 1988
Retired: c. 1993
Model number: 406-01
Schleich number: 15406
Size: 18 cm long
Advertised scale: 1:40 (later 1:45)
Actual scale: 1:40 - 1:45
Sculptor: Forest Rogers

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Mold: 1
Version: 1
Release: 1988
Status: Original

Variant type: Dull wash
Material: Medium weight light gray vinyl
Paint: Matte. 5 colors. Golden brown wash (face, frill, sides); gray (back, epiossifications); dark gray (face markings, mouth, nostrils, horn tips, pupils); orange (eyes), white (horns).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
Mold number: None.
Mold lines: 3-part mold. Belly and sides molded separately. Mold cuts between horns and bisects frill.
TDR rating: 10/10

The first version of the Carnegie Triceratops ever released is not fully painted, and is cast in a pale gray vinyl, with paint applied only to the top of the model. It has a slightly darker gray color applied to the back in the areas that would be black in the later "standard" model. It has a dull brownish wash. The horns are painted white, and there is more brown on the frill. The face markings are dark gray, rather than blue as in 1990s versions.

One of the most noticeable changes to The Carnegie's original Triceratops model over the years has been the evolution of the frill markings - from spots to lines to shading. Ironically then, the original Triceratops seems not to have had any frill markings at all, except some light gray paint on the "scalloping" (epiossifications).

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Mold: 1
Version: 2
Release: 1988
Status: Material variant

Variant type: Dull wash
Material: Gray/green plastic
Paint: Matte. 5 colors. Golden brown wash (face, frill, sides); gray (back, epiossifications); dark gray (face markings, mouth, nostrils, horn tips, pupils); orange (eyes), white (horns).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
Mold number: None.
Mold lines: 3-part mold. Belly and sides molded separately. Mold cuts between horns and bisects frill.
TDR rating: 10/10

This is reportedly similar to other dull wash variants, but is significantly heavier and made of a different type of plastic.

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Mold: 1
Version: 3
Release: c. 1988
Status: Repaint

Variant type: Primary
Material: Hard black vinyl
Paint: 5 colors. Gray (base coat); gold (wash); dark brown (back, frill); black (back markings, frill markings, horn tips, pupils); pale blue (eye markings); glossy white (horns); glossy orange (eyes).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None
Mold number: None.
Mold lines: 3-part mold. Belly and sides molded separately. Mold cuts between horns and bisects frill.
TDR rating: 10/10

This version is the closest of any production sample to the original color master prototype. I am unsure if it would have been produced before or after the more gold-tinted version. The biggest difference between the very earliest Triceratops models and these later, slightly tweaked ones, is the frill markings. The earlier ones did not have any markings on the frill. Here, there is a semicircle of small, closely-packed dark spots decorating the frill. A second semicircle of spots is painted onto the front sides (not the tops) of the scalloping on the outer edge of the frill.

Note that this version matches the original paint master, pictured above, very well, particularly the detailing in the back markings), though it is much less glossy.

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Mold: 1
Version: 4
Release: c. 1989
Status: Minor repaint

Variant type: Dull gloss
Material: Soft beige rubber
Paint: 5 colors. Glossy gray (base coat); glossy black (back, frill markings, horn tips, pupils); glossy gold (wash); glossy white (horns, eye markings); glossy orange (eyes).
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None
Mold number: None.
Mold lines: 3-part mold. Belly and sides molded separately. Mold cuts between horns and bisects frill.
TDR rating: 10/10
 

The paint application on this version is covered in both a gold wash and glossy finish.

 
Above: Comparison with the primary version.

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Mold: 1
Version: 5
Release: 1990
Status: Minor repaint

Variant type: Gloss wash
Material: Brown vinyl
Paint: Matte. 6 colors. Dark brown (back); beige (sides, frill, face); white (horns); orange (eyes); black (pupils, feature scales, horn tips); light gray (belly)
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
Mold number: None.
Mold lines: 3-part mold. Belly and sides molded separately. Mold cuts between horns and bisects frill.
TDR rating: 10/10

The third Triceratops variant is very similar to the second, but instead of a semicircle of small, closely-packed dark spots, there is a semicircle of large, widely spaced dark spots on the frill. A second semicircle of spots is painted onto the front tops (not the sides) of the scalloping on the outer edge of the frill. Some feature scales are painted black, a detail that would carry forward to all future releases until the late 1990s. This figure was photographed for a 1990 Schleich catalog (pictured below).

(Photos by Webdragon)

As seen in a 1990 Schleich brochure.

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Mold: 1
Version: 6
Release: 1990
Status: Minor repaint

Variant type: Gloss wash
Material: ?
Paint: Matte. 6 colors. Light brown (back); beige (sides, frill, face); white (horns); orange (eyes); black (pupils, feature scales, horn tips); light gray (belly)
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
Mold number: None.
Mold lines: 3-part mold. Belly and sides molded separately. Mold cuts between horns and bisects frill.
TDR rating: 9/10

This Triceratops variant is very similar to the earlier gloss wash version, but instead of a semicircle of dark spots, there is a solid semicircle as in the classic color version. The color on the back continues to be more of a light wash than a dark counter-shading as in standard 1990s versions. It also lacks dark horn tips.

Photo from the 1990 Safari Ltd. catalog.

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Mold: 1
Version: 7
Release: 1990
Status: Repaint

Variant type: Classic

Material: Hard gray vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Brown-black (back, frill stripe); light gray (underside); green-gray (sides); white (horns, beak); orange (eyes), pale blue (face markings); black (epiossifications, pupils, feature scales)
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: None.
Mold lines: 3-part mold. Belly and sides molded separately. Mold cuts between horns and bisects frill.
TDR rating: 7/10

The third Triceratops paint variant set the standard template for all subsequent releases. The back was covered in black, with gray limbs and belly and a slightly greenish wash. The orange eyes are surrounded by light blue or violet. Instead of a line of dots on the frill, there is a solid line, either blurry or sharply delineated. The belly stamp includes the words "Miami, FL". This version is made of very hard black or dark gray vinyl with a thick coat of glossy paint somewhat prone to peeling. It first appears in photography advertising the original terrain display in 1991 (photographed in 1990). Note: Anecdotal reports suggest this variant was available in US stores around 1990-1991.

Second generation (top) compared with first generation (bottom)

Above: Comparison with the primary version. Note how the paint applications have been simplified and the model is much more glossy.

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Mold: 1
Version: 8
Release: 1991
Status: Minor retool

Variant type: Classic

Material: Gray vinyl
Paint: 7 colors. Brown-black (back, frill stripe); light gray (underside); green-gray (sides); white (horns, beak); orange (eyes), pale blue (face markings); black (epiossifications, pupild, feature scales)
Stamp text: Center-aligned: (C) 1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD., MIAMI, FL / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / MADE IN CHINA
CE mark: Small.
Mold number: None
Mold lines: 3-part mold. Belly and sides molded separately. Mold cuts between horns and bisects frill.
TDR rating: 8/10

This version appears to be nearly identical to the previous version, but with slightly more black on the upper hind legs, a more greenish color, and the addition of a small CE mark that suggests this was a 1991 production and likely a 1992 release.

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2nd Mold

4006-01 Triceratops
Species: Triceratops horridus
Release: 1992
Retired: 1996
Model number: 4006-01
Size: 18 cm long
Advertised scale: 1:40 (later 1:45)
Actual scale: 1:40 - 1:45

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Mold: 2
Version: 1
Color scheme: 2
Release: 1992
Status: Retool

Variant type: Classic
Material: Medium weight gray vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Black (back, frill stripe); light gray (underside); green-gray (sides); white (horns, beak); orange (eyes), pale blue (face markings); black (epiossifications, pupild, feature scales)
Stamp text: Left-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / CE
CE mark: Small.
Mold number: None
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR rating: 2/10

Like other early 1990s Carnegie variants, this one has a slightly adjusted paint application (notice lots more black on the back compared to previous versions) and a blockier, "refreshed" mold. The original belly stamp has been replaced with a new one, this time with left-aligned text.

Note that in this version, the "Miami, FL" has been removed. Notice also that the frill stripe has given way to an undefined dark-shaded area at the top of the frill.

A version similar to this but with a more defined frill stripe was photographed for the 1992 Early Learning Centre brochure. Since the frill stripe seems to have first switched to a gradient and then back to a sharp line around the time of the color vinyl version, this particular one likely dates to 1993-1994.

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Mold: 2
Version: 2
Color scheme: 2
Release: c. 1994
Status: Material variant

Variant type: Classic

Material: White vinyl
Paint: Matte. 7 colors. Light gray (base coat); brown-black (back, frill stripe); green-gray (sides); white (horns, beak); orange (eyes), pale blue (face markings); black (epiossifications, pupild, feature scales)

Stamp text: Left-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / CE
CE mark: Small.
Mold number: None
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR rating: 6/10

Around the mid-1990s, several of the duplicate Carnegie models were produced in a white plastic material. These tended to have a more matte paint application prone to scuffs and chips. These are relatively rare and don't seem to have been in production long, having been replaced by a second round of new molds cast in color vinyl between 1996-1997. The mold appears to be identical to the early '90s retool, so the only difference here is a variation in the kind of plastic used. These molds seem to have been quite fatigued by this time, and many models in this "set" have relatively soft features with quite "blurry" info stamps (possibly also a result of using softer material). Note the especially greenish tint to the finishing wash on the sides, limbs, and face on this one (somewhat similar to the turquoise version) and the more defined frill stripe.

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Mold: 2
Version: 3
Color scheme: 2
Release: c. 1995
Status: Repaint, material variant

Variant type: Multicolor transitional

Material: Soft gray rubber
Paint: 7 colors. Light gray (base coat); brown-black (back, frill stripe); turquoise (wash); white (horns, beak); orange (eyes), pale blue (face markings); black (epiossifications, pupils, feature scales)
Stamp text: Left-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / CE
CE mark: Small.
Mold number: None
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR rating: 

Around the mid-1990s, several of the older Carnegie Collection models seem to have been released with a short-lived run of brighter colors. This Triceratops continues to utilize the second mold, and is otherwise similar to other versions, but has been given a prominent blue wash to liven up the model. This may have been a preliminary attempt at a brighter paint scheme before the introduction of the much gaudier piebald Triceratops of the late 1990s. This figure is made of very soft, rubbery light gray plastic, similar in texture to the white vinyl edition.

Gray mold 1 (right) vs. blue mold 2 (left).

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Photo by indy1936

Mold: 2
Version: 3
Color scheme: 2
Release: c. 1995
Status: Minor repaint

Variant type: Classic
Material: Gray vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 7 colors. Light gray (base coat); brown-black (back, frill stripe); green-gray (sides); white (horns, beak); orange (eyes), pale blue (face markings); black (epiossifications, pupild, feature scales)

Stamp text: Left-aligned: (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / CE
CE mark: Small.
Mold number: None
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR rating: 4/10

This appears to be a late production run of the remolded Triceratops. Note that the horns are very blunt, likely a result of mold fatigue. Notice also that the frill stripe has changed to a thin, solid stripe, so the paint application process has been adjusted for this run - the thin frill stripe would carry forward into the first few production runs of the 3rd mold.

Photo by indy1936

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3rd Mold

4006-01 Triceratops
Species: Triceratops horridus
Release: 1996
Retired: c. 2012
Model number: 4006-01 / 4115-01
Size: 18 cm long
Advertised scale: 1:40 (later 1:45)
Actual scale: 1:40 - 1:45

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Mold: 3

Version: 1
Color scheme: 2
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
Variant type: Color vinyl
Release: c. 1996
Status: Retool
Material: Gray vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 5 colors. Black (back, sides, frill highlights), gray-green (head), white (horns, beak); orange (eyes); blue (face markings, mouth).
Stamp text: Left-aligned: TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / MADE IN CHINA / CE / 1
CE mark: Small.
Mold number: 1
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR rating: 1/10

This model seems to have been completely retooled or remolded to add more definition, and the mold lines are different than the "refreshed" early 90s model. It is now molded in base-colored gray plastic so it would not require a full coat of paint. The belly stamp has been updated, adding a number 1 after the CE mark, possibly to indicate the concurrent use of two separate molds to speed production. The only other difference is the return of the solid frill stripe.

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Mold: 3
Version: 2
Color scheme: 2

Variant type: Color vinyl
Release: 1998
Status: Minor retool
Material: Gray-green vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 5 colors. Black (back, sides, frill), white (horns, beak); orange (eyes); blue (face markings, mouth, nostrils); gray (claws).
Stamp text: Left-aligned: TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / MADE IN CHINA / CE / 1
CE mark: Large.
Mold number: 1
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR rating: 1/10

This model is the same mold as the 1996 edition, but cast in a more green-tinted plastic. The small CE mark has been replaced with the larger version characteristic of the late '90s and beyond, and is followed by a number 1.

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Mold: 3

Version: 3
Color scheme: 3

Release: 1999

Variant type: Multicolor

Status: Repaint

Material: Light gray vinyl

Paint: Matte. 5 colors. Black (back, spots, head markings, pupils); bright blue (spots, face); beige (horns, epiossifications, beak, belly); maroon (markings), orange (eyes).

Stamp text: Left-aligned: TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / MADE IN CHINA / CE / 1

CE mark: Large.
Mold number: 1
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.

TDR

This piebald pink and blue version of Triceratops was released in the late 1990s shortly after the similarly colored Pachycephalosaurus. While the colorful Pachycephalosaurus was featured in the 1998 collector's guide booklet, the colorful Triceratops was not, so it probably debuted slightly later, but before the resculpted Triceratops model released in 2000. Note that the sample pictured here uses the primary mold from 1996, indicated by the number 1 under the imprint stamp.

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Mold: 3
Version: 4
Color scheme: 4

Release: 2007

Variant type: 2007 repaint

Repaint model number: 411501
Status: Repaint
Material: Hard black vinyl
Paint: Matte. 4 colors. Orange-brown (body); brown (spots, wash); cream (horns, beak, epiossifications); black (claws, face markings, mouth, eyes)/
Stamp text: Left-aligned: TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / MADE IN CHINA / CE / 1
CE mark: Large
Mold number: 1
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR rating: 3/10

This model uses the same 1996 primary mold (marked with the number 1), but has been completely repainted in brown and burnt orange. Interestingly, it appears to be completely painted, with an underlying very dark gray or black hard plastic similar to the plastic used for the 1989 "catalog version" models.

4th Mold

4006-01 Triceratops
Species: Triceratops horridus
Release: 1996
Retired: c. 2012
Model number: 4006-01 / 4115-01
Size: 18 cm long
Advertised scale: 1:40 (later 1:45)
Actual scale: 1:40 - 1:45

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Photo by indy1936

Mold: 4
Version: 1
Color scheme: 2
Variant type: Color vinyl
Release: c. 1996
Status: Secondary mold
Material: Gray vinyl
Paint: Glossy. 5 colors. Black (back, sides, frill highlights), gray-green (head), white (horns, beak); orange (eyes); blue (face markings, mouth).
Stamp text: Left-aligned: TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / MADE IN CHINA / CE / 2
CE mark: Small.
Mold number: 2
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR rating: 2/10

This model is basically the same as the first version of mold 3, but subtle differences and a different imprint stamp on the belly show it was a second mold, probably run concurrently to increase production. Note that the "2" is double-stamped. Also note the feet on this mold are better defined and less stump-like than the feet on the primary 1996 mold.

Photo by indy1936

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Mold: 4

Version: 2
Color scheme: 3
Release: 1999

Variant type: Multicolor
Status: Repaint, minor retool
Material: Light gray vinyl
Paint: Matte. 5 colors. Black (back, spots, head markings, pupils); bright blue (spots, face); beige (horns, epiossifications, beak, belly); maroon (markings), orange (eyes).
Stamp text: Left-aligned: TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / MADE IN CHINA / CE / 2
CE mark: Large.
Mold number: 2
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR

This piebald pink and blue version of Triceratops was released in the late 1990s shortly after the similarly colored Pachycephalosaurus. While the colorful Pachycephalosaurus was featured in the 1998 collector's guide booklet, the colorful Triceratops was not, so it probably debuted slightly later, but before the resculpted Triceratops model released in 2000. Note that my repainted sample uses the secondary mold from 1996, indicated by the number 2 under the imprint stamp. The stamp has been revised with a larger CE mark and to fix the double-stamped "2", with additional skin texture added over the old marks.

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Mold: 4
Version: 3
Color scheme: 4

Release: 2007

Variant type: 2007 repaint

Repaint model number: 411501
Status: Major repaint (secondary mold)
Material: Hard black vinyl
Paint: Matte. 4 colors. Orange-brown (body); brown (spots, wash); cream (horns, beak, epiossifications); black (claws, face markings, mouth, eyes)/
Stamp text: Left-aligned: TRICERATOPS / 9 METERS / (C)1988 THE CARNEGIE / SAFARI LTD / MADE IN CHINA / CE / 2
CE mark: Large.
Mold number: 2
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR rating: 3/10

This is the same repainted 2007 version as the previous model, but using the second 1996 era mold. Note the number 2 on the imprint stamp.

Prototype

5th Mold

4115-01 Triceratops
Species: Triceratops horridus
Release: 2012
Retired: 2015
Model number: 4115-01
Size: 18 cm long
Advertised scale: 1:45
Actual scale: 1:40 - 1:45

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Mold: 5
Version: 1
Color scheme: 4

Release: 2012

Variant type: 2007 repaint
Repaint model number: 411501
Status: Retool
Material: Light orange vinyl
Paint: Matte. 4 colors. Orange-brown (body); brown (spots, wash); cream (horns, beak, epiossifications); black (claws, face markings, mouth, eyes)/
Stamp text: Left-aligned. Carnegie INST. Triceratops 1:45 / (C) 1988 Safari Ltd., Miami, FL. USA / Made in China CE / 1
CE mark: Large.
Mold number: 1
Mold lines: 4-part mold. Face, belly, and sides molded separately.
TDR rating: 3/10

This model represents yet another nearly complete retool of the Carnegie Collection Triceratops replica, the first since 1996. The mold lines, though difficult to make out, are different than the previous version. Overall the sculpt has had some large-scale detail added, like more pronounced skin folds and more pronounced and well-defined toes. The sculpt is chunkier than the 1996 version, with a thicker tail, thicker horns, thicker beak, and broader back and frill. It has a completely revised imprint stamp on the belly, and the 2012-era Wild Safari style tag. Note that the scale is now being advertised on the belly stamp as 1:45. There is a small "1" imprinted on the inner thigh opposite the main imprint stamp, suggesting two of these molds were in use concurrently, though I have yet to confirm the existence of a number 2 version, specially since the number is removed from the main imprint and so not likely to show up in eBay photos.