[Originally posted June 30th; revised, expanded and updated for July 30th.]
Few companies sell cryptids as a set, although 2009 saw one of the first ones ever. The set above includes a Bigfoot (Sasquatch), a Nessie (resembling a classic Sea Serpent), a Mothman, a Chupacabras, and a Jersey Devil. It first appeared in February from Entertainment Earth.
The shortcomings with cryptid models and toys are most apparent when you begin to compare them to the museum-quality, inexpensive replicas that are out there in toy stores and other outlets.
Because cryptids oftentimes are referenced from extinct animals, most of the Replica Cryptia issue from the different representations of prehistoric mammals, dinosaurs, extinct birds, and large marine animals.
A very special new edition to my collection is the Procynosuchus from the Korbach Museum in Hessen, Deutschland (Germany). Thanks to the generous efforts of Andreas Müller, I have some of these for the museum, both for exhibition and for trade with other collectors, to hopefully fill some gaps in extinct species replicas. (While some Procynosuchus have been offered for prices as high as $245-$300 on eBay, they are worth more to me for their trading value, to add to the collection here.) Thanks to Andreas, I have some here, in both color phases.
Photograph by bokisaurus. Used with permission.
That’s the news, now I want to talk of the better models, toys, and replicas out there, especially those which come in recognized collections, most of which come via companies who have associated themselves with museums.
I will soon have this seascape here at the museum, thanks to a donation. I have noted that cryptozoologist Darren Naish has one too. Marine mammals and other oceanlife often are mistaken for Sea Serpents and other aquatic animals. These kinds of replicas are great for demonstration purposes during educational talks and lectures.
No self-respecting cryptozoology student would be without a sizable number of dinosaurs, for a variety of reasons. The mountain above is part of my collection. I stumbled into obtaining this when I discovered it was on sale for 1/10th of its original cost at a store that was discontinuing its dino stock. That was manna from heaven, thanks to the cryptozoo gods, I felt.
But, needless to say, my favorite replicas, outside of those of cryptids (Bigfoot & Nessie being the most frequent ones out there), happen to be the ones of the so-called “prehistoric” or “extinct” mammals. Besides the fact that some of these extinct forms may still exist and are today’s cryptids, I’ve always been more interested in mammals. These replicas just are more appealing to me.
I have several individuals of the collections shown here from the various companies. (Some images above are from Darren, and most below are thanks to bokisaurus. Permission granted from them all to share with you here.)
I don’t have this “mountain,” pictured directly below, which does look interesting to use for display purposes, but I do to have the majority of these prehistoric mammal replicas.
The following collection is one that I have never seen except through images on the web. It looks like a worthy group to try to obtain.
Some specific mammal replicas that are on my “special wish list” include these two:
Synthetoceras from Chick Yeut, a Chinese company (generally easier to find in Canada than in the USA, I hear).
Deinotherium from Bullyland (here again, easier to obtain outside America, in this case in Germany). Image: DinosaurCollector.
A couple extinct bird groupings are ones that I have likewise only viewed on the Internet. (More boki images, throughout.)
Thanks for thoughts and images to sites and people, including bokisaurus, Dinosaur Collector, Boki’s Prehistoric Mammal Collection, Jason Adams’ photo of Cenozoic mammals, The Dinosaur Toy Blog, and Darren Naish’s toy photos.
First and foremost, I encourage people to appreciate your own replicas, give your favorite museum-quality replicas as presents for cryptozoologists-in-training and cryptozoology/Bigfoot research associates, and, most of all, collect them yourself, with a focus on your areas of cryptid interest.
Want to trade a museum-worthy item you have with me for a Procynosuchus? Get in touch. I’d trade three Procynosuchus for one Deinotherium!
If you have replicas you wish to trade, or have leads to good ones not easily available to the International Cryptozoology Museum, your exchanges and/or information will be appreciated.
For those who sent me special wishes for my July birthday, a big thank you.
Snail mail address:
International Cryptozoology Museum
PO Box 360
Portland, ME 04112
Your assistance is greatly important in supporting the museum. Please…
Thank You.
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