Pocket Dragons

Pocket Dragons are collectible depictions of friendly dragons in various situations. They were produced primarily in figurine form, but were also produced as ornaments, in flat artwork and various other forms. They were created and designed by Real Musgrave and the figurines were manufactured by Collectible World Studios.

Unlike many artists behind collectible lines, Musgrave not only created the flat artwork for them, but also sculpted them. Both Real and his wife, Muff, enjoyed nearly complete creative control over the line.

History

The story of the Pocket Dragons line dates back to a limited set of black and white drawings illustrated by Real Musgrave in the mid-1970s, depicting a small dragon in the pocket of a tweed sport jacket. These dragons were originally based on Real and Muff's dog, Flower.

The first set of Pocket Dragon figurines went on sale in June 1989, and included twenty-seven figures. They were produced in Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom.

In 1997, an animated television series was produced based on the figures, called Pocket Dragon Adventures, which was produced and distributed by BKN International. It ran for fifty-two half hour episodes (or 104 15-minute episodes in Europe) in early 1998. The writers of the series collaborated with both Musgraves, and Real contributed designs for virtually every episode. A computer game based on the TV series titled "Pocket Dragon Adventures — The Wizard’s Apprentices" was developed.[1]

As of 2006, over 400 different Pocket Dragons figures had been released, as well as games, books and hundreds of other products.

Real and Muff Musgrave announced their retirement in late 2005, along with the Pocket Dragon figurine collection, effective on December 31, 2006.[2]

In May 2006, distributor Collectible World Studios went into receivership due to high debts and ceased trading.[3] The production and distribution of what would be the last Pocket Dragon figures was uncertain. Since then, the official website and the website of the distributor are no longer online. Xystos, a company linked with Collectables (Fine Glass and China) Ltd. bought CWS later that same year.

On November 12, 2006, what was possibly the last ever UK Pocket Dragons event was held at Collectables (Fine Glass and China) Ltd. in Stockton on Tees. Real and Muff Musgrave had retired by this point and were attending to abandoned animals, but Real still produced Pocket Dragon products licensed with other companies. Proceeds from the sales benefit animal charities with which the Musgraves worked. In 2011, they continued their collaborations with Precious Gifts in Maryland to produce a special limited edition figurine to benefit Humane Tomorrow (in Texas).

Unlike many artists involved in collectibles and television, Real Musgrave has always personally owned the trademarks and copyrights for his work. The Pocket Dragon trademarks and copyrights are active.

References

  1. ^ Frank, Jane (2009). Science Fiction And Fantasy Artists Of The Twentieth Century: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland & Company. p. 359. ISBN 978-0-7864-3423-7.
  2. ^ admin (2005-10-04). "Real Musgrave to Retire". World Collectors Net. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  3. ^ admin (2006-05-26). "Collectible World Studios Calls in the Receivers". World Collectors Net. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  • None currently available.
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