Bright Color Nativity Sets

Hartland Bright Color Nativity Sets

Markings Code: (A)=Diamond I, (B)=Hartland Molded, Hartland Wisc., (C)= Hartland Plastics Inc, Hartland Wisc., (NM)= Not Marked

21 Piece "Bright" Color Set

21 Piece Bright Color Nativity Set:
The set above shows the basic configuration of a 21 piece set. When counting the pieces, the Christ Child and manger count as one piece, the stable front and cardboard back count as one piece, and the combined ewe and lamb count as one. We are fairly sure this set was produced after the set I have been calling the "Standard Color" Nativity Set. The major distinctions of this set are the lighter color brown hair and beards on most figures, black boots on one of the Shepherds, and a brighter paint finish on the back side of the three Shepherd's capes.

I've located a John Plain Book (mail order catalog) showing a Standard Color set still being sold into 1958, so there is good chance this set was available in 1958 and maybe sold with the full paint job for only a short period of time. A 1958 Montgomery Wards Catalog shows an All White set. We are working with a much too meager supply of documentation to make too many firm comments on this set. The large mail order concerns may have opted to sell only the white sets in later years, while full service religious supply distributors may have sold the bigger, painted sets for a longer period of time. This Bright Color set is still fairly common, especially compared to the Soft Color Sets and the Pastel Color Sets.

Large Decorated Nativity Set Box
(No Date) 12" x 19" x 4"

Plastic Stable Front

To my knowledge, all of the Bright Color Nativity Sets were shipped in a large decorated box. While some earlier Nativity Sets were sold in smaller configurations, such as seven or nine piece sets, I am inclined to believe this set was sold in 19, 20, or 21 piece combinations, with the Camel and Camel Keeper being the normal variable. It is very possible this set was "only" sold as a 21 Piece Set. (Still working on this info)

Mary (A) , Christ Child (NM) , Joseph (A)

Brown Hair
The hair on most figures in this set is light brown, as seen on Joseph in the photo on the left. The Infant Child normally has light brown hair, flesh tone painted arms, legs and face. The Child's garment can be either unpainted white plastic (common) or painted white. Mary and Joseph's white gown is often white plastic, with brown or red solid paint and gold trim.

Three Wise Men (A, A, A)

Three Shepherds (NM, A, NM)

Wise Men & Shepherds:
The Three Wise Men in the Bright Colored set are almost identical to the ones in the Standard Color Set, with the exception of the lighter hair and beard on the two figures on the right. The standing Shepherd in the Standard Color set has white boots with black laces and the kneeling Shepherd has unpainted laces in this version. All three of the Shepherd's capes are brighter, lacking the dull glaze on the Standard Color set, shown below.

Three Shepherds from the Standard Color set:
I hesitate to include these three figures on this page, but it is probably necessary to illustrate the dull, glazed paint job on the backs of the "Standard" Color Set. Note the dark hair and differences in the painted finish of these three figures.

Angel (A) #236

Camel (NM) and Camel Keeper (A)

As far as I know, ALL of the Bright Colored Sets contained one of the smaller Gloria Angels, marked 236 on the bottom of the back side of the figure. The Camel and Camel Keeper were painted with deep purple paint, along with complimentary yellow accents. The earlier Camel had a gray saddle, and the Pastel Set Camel has a light turquoise blanket. The Camel and Camel Keeper may have been omitted on some of the 19 and 20 piece sets (not sure about this issue yet).

Lying Down Sheep & Lamb (NM)
Ram (NM)

Walking Sheep (NM)
Grazing Sheep ( (NM)

Hartland created five different Sheep molds. I only show four here, but there is another Ewe version with her head raised. You can see one in the large photo at the top of the page. A 21 Piece Set would have a total of six sheep, but the combination of those seems to vary some. My first set came to me with two Lying Down Sheep and Lamb pieces and no Ram. Other sets seen on eBay seem to follow a similar issue, even if specific pieces vary. Occasionally, as set passes through eBay being sold by the original owner or relative of the original owner. Those sets are fairly reliable combinations, but after 45 years of going through collector's and dealer's hands, it is not always certain that a set being offered is exactly the same as it was when originally sold.

Bull (A) and Donkey (NM)

Bull and Donkey:
The Bull looks about the same in every set I have seen except for a slight variation in the Pastel sets. They are lighter in value and have a bit more "palomino" color. The Donkeys in later painted sets were often solid gray, varying a little in the sheen and texture. The Donkey in the Soft Color Set and the Pastel Color Set have more white showing in the face, and are sometimes lighter gray.

This page last modified Friday, October 19, 2007