Picture Sections:

Natures Heritage, 1993-94, 1995-96, Wings of Night, 1997-98, 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2003

I first discovered these delightful mice in the late 1980's through a mail-order catalog. Over the years the line has changed, and even the mouse has changed. In the paragraphs below, you can learn a little of the After the Party history.

The Guests have all gone, And the lights are out, The house becomes quiet, The mice scurry about... Let the festivities begin!

Munro has been producing the After the Party mice since 1982. Munro began making these in conjunction with Country Artists in England. Victor Hayton was the original sculptor and he sculpted 4 mice as part of the Natures Heritage line of birds and animals. [If Hayton's sculptures look familiar, he has also designed for Border Fine Arts.] In 1984 Munro formed a partnership with Holland Studiocraft and expanded the line to 8 pieces. The sculptor was Alan Maslankowski. Munro decided in 1992 that they wanted to expand the line and market it under the After the Party banner. At this point product was moved to the Far East so a top quality product could be made at a more affordable price. Steve Vyse was selected to be the sculptor for this line. During 1997 Steve decided to change the look of the mice by making them chubbier and more whimsical in order to keep the line looking fresh. Munro decided that they would make all pieces limited to 7500. The above information was provided by Douglas Mitchell at Munro. Enjoy the pictures and information provided. If you have something to add, please contact cburb@networksplus.net

In March, 2002, I was contacted by a California collector who had purchased a retired piece with Vyse's signature. I called the store where she had purchased the piece; the owner confirmed that Vyse had appeared at a trade show in 1995 and had signed some of the After the Party mice pieces. The owner had sold the signed pieces for an individual who was liquidating her collection. Sorry to say, the store has sold the few it had.

Natures Heritage, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1997-98, 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2003

Other collectors often ask me where I find my After the Party mice. Stores may not have all the retireds. Listed below are my favorite sources for current pieces: Friends Collectibles - 1-661-298-2232 or friends@thevine.net Sleepy Cat Quilting - 1-303-238-6847 or http://www.sleepycatquilting.com Wild Wings - 1-800-445-4833 or order online at http://www.wildwings.com Kathy's Kollectibles - 1-201-845-7624 or Kathykoll@aol.com

 

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