Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo
This page pictures an assortment of Zany Zoo pieces. Zany Zoo pieces are Aurasperse painted. Aurasperse paint is a cold paint which means it was never fired on, so it wears off or washes off easily. This means they were easily damaged so people tended to throw them away. Also, Aurasperse pieces were only produced a short while in the early 60's so not many were made. Because of this, Aurasperse pieces can be fairly rare.
Zany Zoo characters are the creation of Moss Renaker. Moss Renaker drew these unusual animals with cute sayings for Successful Farming magazine. The Hagen Renaker family had these sayings made into a limited edition book which is quite rare.
12 different Zany Zoo animals were produced in the spring of 1960 only. All are Aurasperse painted and quite rare. Only 10 are pictured here. I need the Yak and the Frog. I would love to buy either piece, or possibly trade Hagen Renaker horses, or animals for them. I would be very generous in buying or trading.
Many of these pieces pictured here are test pieces that I purchased from the Estate of a factory employee.
I would love to acquire any pieces or variations that aren't pictured.
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Dog Test Mold with original Hangtag
3 1/4 inches tall
I think these dogs are a test design that was never released
I wonder if the card was changed also
A creamy white version of this mold is in the factory archives
This design probably had difficulties being removed from the mold
The ears were shortened, the dog was made smaller, and the front legs were spread in the second version
The second version is pictured below
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Dog Second Version
I believe this was the version that was sold to the public
2 3/4 inches tall
He is in poor shape, with a chipped ear, missing a foot, missing his tail, with lots of paint missing
He is very rare
He is the only one I have ever seen
I would love to upgrade him if anyone has another one
This dog was re-issued in the 80's as a DW Curbstone Setter in several colors
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Cat
3 3/4 inches tall
The middle cat is the normally issued color
The other 2 are test colors
The first cat has glossy ears that have been fired, instead of being Aurasperse
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Mouse
2 1/2 inches tall
The light purple mouse on the right is the regular issued piece
The other 2 mice are test colors painted on an earlier mold
The issued piece has the tail curved down
The 2 test molds have the tail sticking straight out
However, the middle mouse has his tailtip broken off
The first mouse has glossy ears that have been fired, instead of being Aurasperse
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Duck
2 1/2 Inches Tall
The dark yellow duck is the normal color
The other 2 are test colors
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Ostrich with original Hangtag
3 5/8 Inches Tall
The lavendar colored Ostrich is the normal color
The black one is a test color
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Lion with original hangtag
One is missing his tail
3 1/4 inches tall
Neither of these match the other Lion I've seen
Both of these may be test colors
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Baboon with original Hangtag
3 3/4 inches tall
The darker blue Babboon with a brown shaded head is a test color
He is also made with a slightly different mold
The pink area on his rear is much smaller
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Bears with original Hangtag
3 3/4 inches tall
The dark bear is the normal color
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Walrus with original Hangtag
3 1/8 inches tall
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Skunk with original Hangtag
3 inches long
Comes with purple outlined eyes and plain eyes
This purple eyed version is probably a test color
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Yak Hangtag
No Yak, Just the Hangtag
Hagen Renaker Zany Zoo Frog
I would love to have the Zany Zoo Frog and the Yak
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