|
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
 |
General Info & Background:
So far, I have not been able to positively determine what year Hartland started making Nativity sets. There isn't much literature to help out, so most of the information we have is based on clues, along with a few catalogs and a scarce document or two.
Mysteries, Clues & Comments
|
|
| Generally, they started sometime around 1949 and continued making the sets until about 1963, give or take a year or so in either direction. The larger Nativity Sets can be catagorized into five major color schemes, along with a few variations with each. Besides the five set catagories shown on this page, there are a few other sections dedicated to additional related topics such as Literature, Boxes, Stables, Variations, Etc. Click on the links or any of the photos to take you to the larger pictures and more detailed information. |
|
| Additional Info, Pages and Links: |
| Mysteries, Clues & Comments : Highlights "issues" related to the 50 year old sets. |
| 3 Pages of c1955 Dealer Jobber Sheet : A valuable link for dating & squencing sets. |
| Sande Schneider's Nativity Figures and Comments : Long time collector's comments. |
| Brian Blauch's Site with Hartland Religious Figures : Loaded with more Hartland figures. |
| Chart of Hartland Pieces in Catalogs & Ads : Ongoing, never complete, but interesing. |
|
| |
|
|
 |
Soft Color Set:
Probably Hartland's first Nativity Set offering. One set has been located in a die cut box holding only 13 figures, but the set might have had as many as 20 pieces. These sets are difficult to find. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Standard Color Set:
Well, I am calling it the "Standard" color set based on the number of them that show up. The two major features of this set are the dark hair of most figures, along with the white boots and black laces of two of the shepherds. The backs of the capes of a few figures have a muted "glaze" coat of paint. There appear to be several configurations of this set. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Bright Color Set:
This is a fairly common variation, distinguished by the brighter colors of many capes, black boots on the shepherds, and lighter brown hair and beards on most figures. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Pastel Color Set:
The Pastel Set is actually my favorite of the group. The markings are basically the same as the bright color set above, but almost all paint colors used are softer pastels. They are not very easy to find! Based on the few Pastel sets I know about, this set did not come with a stable. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
All White or Bisque Set:
To my knowledge, this set never shipped with a stable or cardboard back, and was probably Hartland's last version of the Nativity Sets. They appear to have been packaged by Hartland for other companies in the later years. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Literature:
Finding literature, documents and ads of any sort related to Hartland's Nativity Sets has been a huge challenge. Using basic information in front of us, it looks like they sold the sets for roughly ten to fifteen years, but finding ads and documents has been like finding small needles in the haystack.
Click Here or on the image on the left to see what we've found.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Stables:
To save size, weight, and bulk, Hartland created an inventive solution for their Nativity Set Stables. A plastic front was created that held the folded cardboard back. The pieces disassembled into a very small space. Many were sold in the full sets, but they were also available individually for a period of time.
Click Here to learn more about the Stables
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Smaller Sets:
The five groups near the top of this page represent Hartland's sets containing 17 pieces or more. As seen on the (1955) Dealer Jobber Sheets, they also sold smaller sets, including Three Piece sets in two sizes. They also sold Five, Six, Seven, and Nine Piece Nativity sets, along with other small groupings. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Text & Photographs Copyright Mike Jackson 1998-2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This page last modified Friday, October 19, 2007
|
