About Julip
Julip Horses Ltd is a British brand of model horses started in the 1940s by Lavender Dower. The original models were made of leather but the company then moved to producing horses in latex and later solid plastic as well.
Julip horses were sold from a shop in Beauchamp Place in London and were a popular destination for many a horsey loving child. In the 1960s the shop moved to the basement and is infamous amongst collectors who were lucky enough to make a visit. Julip models were sold through a printed list during this period, meaning that buyers often didn't know what they were receiving until the item arrived.
In the 1980s the company was purchased by Annabel Levaux who shortly after introduced a range of solid plastic models known as the Horse of the Year range. The latex models were then sold under the name Julip Originals. In 2013 the company was split and sold in two parts. Julip Horses Ltd continued to produce the Horse of the Year models until it ceased trading in 2016.
Julip Originals are still produced and can either be ordered to your own colours or purchased ready painted as 'spares' through the J Club forum or at events.
Julip horses were sold from a shop in Beauchamp Place in London and were a popular destination for many a horsey loving child. In the 1960s the shop moved to the basement and is infamous amongst collectors who were lucky enough to make a visit. Julip models were sold through a printed list during this period, meaning that buyers often didn't know what they were receiving until the item arrived.
In the 1980s the company was purchased by Annabel Levaux who shortly after introduced a range of solid plastic models known as the Horse of the Year range. The latex models were then sold under the name Julip Originals. In 2013 the company was split and sold in two parts. Julip Horses Ltd continued to produce the Horse of the Year models until it ceased trading in 2016.
Julip Originals are still produced and can either be ordered to your own colours or purchased ready painted as 'spares' through the J Club forum or at events.
The Ranges
All Julip horses are produced in the same scale, approximately 1:12 scale. But within this are a variety of different ranges and 'types'.
Julip Originals
Julip Originals are produced in latex over a wire frame. With some exceptions the models have a synthetic mane and tail. The material used to create the mane and tail has varied over the years. The new Julip Originals have a more fluffy mohair mane and tail.
Julip Originals are poseable and have mouths that can be opened to take a bit. Some of the models are more solid than others and some such as some foals and donkeys do not have opening mouths or synthetic manes and tails.
There are a variety of different moulds covering a huge range of horse breeds and other equines. New moulds are occasionally still produced and the range is always expanding.
Horse of the Year
Horse of the Year models started production in the 1980s and ceased production in 2016. These models are solid plastic and have a synthetic mane and tail (with the exception of some models such as the foals).
There are a limited number of moulds available: Moondance, Cob, Silver Mist and Clydesdale Foal. These models were sold as part of gift sets often including riders and tack. They were produced as standard runs, all with names and matching tack sets!
Catalogue Originals
Catalogue Originals are a style of standardised runs of Julip Original models. These models were all produced in the same colour and featured in the Julip catalogue. These could then be ordered by collectors. Each model would still be unique due to the hand painted with variations in the mane and tail colour as well as the coat colour.
Special Runs
Over the years Julip have produced a selection of different special runs for events such as anniversary shows or for clubs and organisations such as Model Horse Love.
These models are often numbered under their hooves and will be produced in a run of a single colour. Some could be very unusual decorator colours.
Julip Originals
Julip Originals are produced in latex over a wire frame. With some exceptions the models have a synthetic mane and tail. The material used to create the mane and tail has varied over the years. The new Julip Originals have a more fluffy mohair mane and tail.
Julip Originals are poseable and have mouths that can be opened to take a bit. Some of the models are more solid than others and some such as some foals and donkeys do not have opening mouths or synthetic manes and tails.
There are a variety of different moulds covering a huge range of horse breeds and other equines. New moulds are occasionally still produced and the range is always expanding.
Horse of the Year
Horse of the Year models started production in the 1980s and ceased production in 2016. These models are solid plastic and have a synthetic mane and tail (with the exception of some models such as the foals).
There are a limited number of moulds available: Moondance, Cob, Silver Mist and Clydesdale Foal. These models were sold as part of gift sets often including riders and tack. They were produced as standard runs, all with names and matching tack sets!
Catalogue Originals
Catalogue Originals are a style of standardised runs of Julip Original models. These models were all produced in the same colour and featured in the Julip catalogue. These could then be ordered by collectors. Each model would still be unique due to the hand painted with variations in the mane and tail colour as well as the coat colour.
Special Runs
Over the years Julip have produced a selection of different special runs for events such as anniversary shows or for clubs and organisations such as Model Horse Love.
These models are often numbered under their hooves and will be produced in a run of a single colour. Some could be very unusual decorator colours.
A grey donkey
Other Animals & Accessories
The aim of Julip was always to produce a miniature stableyard and as a result a huge amount of different accessories and other animals were produced to go with the horses.
The other animal range has grown greatly over the years. As well as a wide variety of different dogs and cats several other country creatures can be purchased, from chickens to mice! There are also more exotic animals such as silver foxes and guinea pigs.
The Julip stables were made of wood and flat packed so they could be slotted together. Over the years the design has varied little from the originals. Better variations have doors that open and close instead of a single piece of wood that can be removed. These stables can be modified for a more realistic finish and are compatible with dolls house items.
Julip Horse of the Year models were sold in sets with tack, accessories and riders. The tack was made of leather and of a simplified design suitable for play. The Julip Horse of the Year riders were more solid than the Originals range and less poseable, but the sets were very affordable.
These items could also be purchased individually, dolls, tack and accessories were available through the Julip catalogue.
The modern Julip Originals company produce a wide variety of other animals and accessories. They make high quality wooden stables, jumps and carts for your models as well as a variety of other items. They also have a range of simple leather tack available. They are also responsible for introducing lots of new animals into the range. These items can be purchased from their stands at live shows.
The other animal range has grown greatly over the years. As well as a wide variety of different dogs and cats several other country creatures can be purchased, from chickens to mice! There are also more exotic animals such as silver foxes and guinea pigs.
The Julip stables were made of wood and flat packed so they could be slotted together. Over the years the design has varied little from the originals. Better variations have doors that open and close instead of a single piece of wood that can be removed. These stables can be modified for a more realistic finish and are compatible with dolls house items.
Julip Horse of the Year models were sold in sets with tack, accessories and riders. The tack was made of leather and of a simplified design suitable for play. The Julip Horse of the Year riders were more solid than the Originals range and less poseable, but the sets were very affordable.
These items could also be purchased individually, dolls, tack and accessories were available through the Julip catalogue.
The modern Julip Originals company produce a wide variety of other animals and accessories. They make high quality wooden stables, jumps and carts for your models as well as a variety of other items. They also have a range of simple leather tack available. They are also responsible for introducing lots of new animals into the range. These items can be purchased from their stands at live shows.
A Julip Originals Unicorn
Where to Buy
Julip Originals can be ordered from their website: www.juliporiginals.co.uk
'Spares' can be purchased on sale nights through the J-Club forum here: j-club.proboards.com/
Second hand models and the Julip Horse of the Year range can be found regularly for sale online through sales sites such as eBay or from private sellers. Make sure to note whether the items are Julip Originals or the much less valuable Horse of the Year.
Julip Originals also often have a stall at Julip shows and regular live shows.
'Spares' can be purchased on sale nights through the J-Club forum here: j-club.proboards.com/
Second hand models and the Julip Horse of the Year range can be found regularly for sale online through sales sites such as eBay or from private sellers. Make sure to note whether the items are Julip Originals or the much less valuable Horse of the Year.
Julip Originals also often have a stall at Julip shows and regular live shows.
A bay Hunter