SF Flair Caravan & Pony set. The cat is from my own collection and not an SF item.
I received the Flair Sylvanian Families Caravan & Pony set recently from a seller in the UK. It's also often listed as a SF Gypsy Caravan as it is a gypsy caravan toy.
It wasn't listed originally but because I was buying several items from the seller, they asked if I'm looking for any other SF item in particular and they can check against what they currently have on hand. They were selling their daughter's SF toys and apparently still have many that they haven't got around to listing online to sell.
Anyway, long story short, I wasn't expecting it but turns out they did have this set (from among a list I sent them) and boy, when I received it, it looked quite pristine and hardly played with, just like the seller mentioned. They didn't even know if the lights ever worked because they didn't play with it if at all, but they kindly tested for me and it sure does work. Score! Lol!
with the lit lamp at the corner.
The hamster holding the reins was bought separately.
The hamster holding the reins was bought separately.
It didn't come boxed. But at this point I'm not going to quibble. This set is not commonly listed for sale anymore, especially in this condition or complete. The good ones are always for auction/bidding and I find I have no time for those and I'm pretty sure the price will just inflate for such a set, too many bidders, etc.
Anyway, this one I received is almost unused. No significantly broken bits, no discoloured bits, and essentially complete. Best of all, the lights still work. I made an offer and got it for significantly less than what it gets listed for at the auction sites, and without having to bid. Boom! Amazing.
a perspective that includes a view of the back with the 2 hanging flower baskets
The only missing bits so far are the following:
- the sponge scrub - this can be substituted with any of the other sponge scrubs in my SF sets (bathroom or baby bathroom set)
- the bread tray with handle - my Tomy Home Sweet Home Kitchen set has this so it's all good
- the plain bread tray - I don't think I have this yet among my other SF sets
- other negligible items as these can also be substituted by similar if not same items from my other SF sets:
- one of the jam bottles
I'd be more concerned if it was missing any of the blue crockery, the white wash basin and pitcher, hanging flower baskets, the sleeping blanket and pillow sets, etc. The other bits essentially. As these are less commonly found in other SF sets, and if a listing does exist, they cost really extra each or would be a pain to get individually. hehe. The pony can be skipped as it can be substituted by other ponies actually.
I used to find this set strange and ignored it as we don't have gypsy caravans where I'm at, or even gypsies. It wasn't among my prioritized to-buy SF items. But as time went on, and I've been to the UK and learned more about gypsy caravans that can also be used for one's backyards for the kids, I realized it's not that strange an idea after all, particularly when the set was designed and made by Flair, the former UK distribution arm of Epoch, the toy's original owner and manufacturer.
And so I began to notice this set even more and its little accessories that make the set more attractive for a miniatures enthusiast like me. It's like an old-fashioned camper van.
The other side is where the ladder can be hung from built-in hooks when not in use. The chimney I believe is detachable. The window panels swing open.
The front door's window can be swung open. Same can be said for the back door (see previous photo above.)
The oven door can be opened and closed. As can the undersink cabinet door. The kitchen drawers are also detachable and can be slid open or close.
2 AA batteries for the lamp are installed under the caravan, where copyright info is imprinted. And based on that copyright info, as of this writing, the set is now like 15 years old.
The pulls(?) for the horse can be folded and stowed underneath. It's also detachable. The round lamp button/switch is behind the back wheels.
The other side of the caravan. The pull down walls (with the Home Sweet Home sticker and built in steps) are now pulled up to close the caravan, and secured.
The pony I believe is named Brambles(?). The saddle and cart pulls are detachable. So are the reins.
One of the beddings. The pillow is attached to the blanket. It is all one piece.
See also the dark stick that can hold the roof open and steady against the caravan body via a peg that's sticking out of the caravan wall. In the pic below, it's not attached to the peg.
I'd be more concerned if it was missing any of the blue crockery, the white wash basin and pitcher, hanging flower baskets, the sleeping blanket and pillow sets, etc. The other bits essentially. As these are less commonly found in other SF sets, and if a listing does exist, they cost really extra each or would be a pain to get individually. hehe. The pony can be skipped as it can be substituted by other ponies actually.
the lit lamp on the wall
The lamp from inside is the source of light for the lamp out front. So it's just one light source.
I used to find this set strange and ignored it as we don't have gypsy caravans where I'm at, or even gypsies. It wasn't among my prioritized to-buy SF items. But as time went on, and I've been to the UK and learned more about gypsy caravans that can also be used for one's backyards for the kids, I realized it's not that strange an idea after all, particularly when the set was designed and made by Flair, the former UK distribution arm of Epoch, the toy's original owner and manufacturer.
And so I began to notice this set even more and its little accessories that make the set more attractive for a miniatures enthusiast like me. It's like an old-fashioned camper van.
When it arrived I hadn't realized how big it was but I should have expected it. Below are some more details on the set:
The toilet folds up. The mirror is affixed to the wall and not removable as far as I can tell. The toilet also has a folding toilet seat cover and toilet cover (yup, two separate covers).
Part of the floor opens up and can store the small bits.
The other side is where the ladder can be hung from built-in hooks when not in use. The chimney I believe is detachable. The window panels swing open.
The front door's window can be swung open. Same can be said for the back door (see previous photo above.)
The oven door can be opened and closed. As can the undersink cabinet door. The kitchen drawers are also detachable and can be slid open or close.
2 AA batteries for the lamp are installed under the caravan, where copyright info is imprinted. And based on that copyright info, as of this writing, the set is now like 15 years old.
The pulls(?) for the horse can be folded and stowed underneath. It's also detachable. The round lamp button/switch is behind the back wheels.
The other side of the caravan. The pull down walls (with the Home Sweet Home sticker and built in steps) are now pulled up to close the caravan, and secured.
The pony I believe is named Brambles(?). The saddle and cart pulls are detachable. So are the reins.
One of the beddings. The pillow is attached to the blanket. It is all one piece.
It's a brilliant set. Once I held it and checked out its exterior all around, it's such a fine piece of toy I can't believe I'm actually amazed by a toy. haha! Good quality plastic. It doesn't look like junk. Typical SF. And I got my set for almost a song. Hehe!
It has several accessories and moving parts that make it quite play-able for sure. It seems flimsy as well mainly due to the different moving and detachable items. I'm extra careful when handling it 'cause it sometimes feels like any one of those moving parts can just snap right off.
This is among my top or favourite items from my Sylvanian Families toy collection. I'm trying not to get the even older version of the SF gypsy caravan (by Tomy instead of Flair I believe) but for sure that's a nice to have.
