Animal: Camel
Artist:Peter Calvesbert
Made In: England
Status: Retired
Carving Date: 1998
Release Date: 1/1/1999
Retirement Date: 4/3/2009
Edition Size: 15840
Dimensions (Inches): 2.17 x 2.05 x 2.64
Secrets: “It was the straw that broke the camel's back” served as inspiration for this box figurine. The nomad offering Sahara trips, wiping the camel spit from his eye, should not be worrying about straws breaking his camel's back. The camel is so loaded up with stuff -- including the kitchen sink -- that there is no room for the toy box, suitcases, or any tourists. One suitcase bears the names “River Nile, Luxor” and “Sin City” (a reference to HK's “Sin City” not USA's Las Vegas). The other bears the inscription “Dangar 1 Moorcroft 4”; this commemorates an evening in August 98 at the first UK collectors show when Nick Dangar of Harmony International had an evening on the town with four lovely women from Moorcroft Pottery. It is said that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to go to heaven. This biblical quote is referred to in the newspaper headlines: “Rich Man Enters Heaven,” and “Huge Needle Found.” Meanwhile on the other side of the figurine near the discarded tin can lays a needle. Peter's mouse, complete with very long tail, and cockatiel, Spike, take shelter from the scorching sun beneath the camel's neck. “For CD” on the end of a blanket roll is in memoriam to Carol Dixon who, with her husband, Les, was an early collector of Harmony Kingdom. “TE” on a blanket refers to Lawrence of Arabia. In the interior of Edition 1, Lawrence of Suburbia lies resting in costume. Could Peter be referring to his fellow artist David Lawrence, who counts Morris Dancing amongst his passions? Inside the Infinity Version is a map and pair of slippers. Hallmarks include ©, star, HBC logo, ed.#, and Pc.