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| Markings Code: (A)=Diamond I, (B)=Hartland Molded, Hartland Wisc., (C)= Hartland Plastics Inc, Hartland Wisc., (NM)= Not Marked |
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| Without a doubt, this variation of the Nativity sets is the hardest to find. Right now, I only know of two sets and a half sets. (Mine and Mary Ohman's, plus an incomplete set I have been trying to complete for a couple of years.) The set shown at the top of the page came to me in one single unit, with the exception of the blue Gloria Angel, which I added later. |
| I purchased a Soft Colored Camel Keeper in a small grouping of Nativity figures in 2004. Until the black and white photo turned up, we were never really certain the piece was legitimate, but it now appears to be a very rare figure
As seen in the photo below, at least one version of this set was apparently offered in a white "board game" style box with a set of three die cut inner liners—similar to other sets they sold in the early years.
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We have located a couple of Hartland documents suggesting they sold their Nativity sets in varying groupings. The boxed set on the left is a 13 Piece Nativity Set. This set may be been created and sold prior to the Stable, Camel, Camel Keeper and additional Sheep figures, but we have no way of knowing right now. |
| None of the pieces in my set have any sort of markings. Almost all the pieces found in the other variations of the Nativity sets have a Diamond I marking, so that fact at least suggests the other sets were sold in later years after they added the imprints. The box above would have been too small to hold a full stable. (Photo courtesy of Marty Ohman) |
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I photographed the set above to show what I believe to be a viable option, especially knowing the soft colored Camel Keeper exists. This is a 19 piece set, lacking the Camel Keeper and eventual stable which made up their later 21 piece sets. The paint job on these early sets mimics some of their other Religious figures, some of which have their earliest style bases, as reported by Sande Schneider. While some copper masks were used in detail areas, much of the broad color swatches were painted into areas without masks. Some might consider the paint job primitive by later standards. The plastic used on most of the figures are what I have been calling "dirty dishwater" colored plastic. The angel, bull, camel and Christ/Manger in my set are molded in more of "flesh tone" colored plastic.
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 The Gloria Angel in this set also sheds a few important clues about the timing of this set. Like the rest of the figures in the set, this angel is not marked. Interestingly, the back of the figure has a glue-on crossbar connector with a hole in the center, normally used for fastening the figure to the stable. The crossbar is actually glued onto the wings, as opposed to connecting to the two tabs found on most other angels. From all indications, the Blue Gloria Angel was not used much on what we consider "later" sets. Marty Ohman purchased a 20 piece "Standard" color set that contained the Blue Angel, but that set was in an early, generic box. |
| The lettering on this Blue Angel is engraved "into" the ribbon, and then painted black. Later angels often had raised lettering, often left unpainted on a gold banner. I am unaware of a 4" version of the Blue Gloria Angel. |
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Soft Color Nativity Figures
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| Besides the Gloria Angel shown and described above, I have included smaller groupings of the figures which show a bit more detail. These sets are described as 7" Nativity Figures. The standing figures are roughly 7" tall, while the kneeling figures are only about 4" tall. |
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Holy Family Group:
This group of three individual figures were apparently sold as a small group, along with the larger sets. The figures have very light brown hair, some detailing in the eyes, and only a slight difference in color in the face and hands compared to the plastic. Joseph and Mary both lack the painted line around the collar, typically found on later sets. The Christ Child has unpainted clothing and only a slight hint of flesh toned paint on the arms, face, and legs. |
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Shepherds and Wise Men Groups:
Again, none of these figures are marked with a Diamond I or other imprints. The plastic is dirty dishwater in color with slightly darker hair and beards. There were not many masks used on these figures except on the detailing.
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Sheep:
The single ewe in the lower right photo came to me as part of the 13 piece set, and it matches the same ewe seen in the board game style box at the top of the page. The rest of the rams and ewes pictured above were combined here because they have the same dirty dishwater color plastic used on the figures. I currently have no solid proof any of the Soft Color Nativity Sets actually shipped with a grouping of six sheep, but it is logical some did. |
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Camel:
The camel shown here almost "has" to go with the Soft Color Nativity Set, though I have no firm proof yet. Several are known to exist, but they are relatively uncommon compared to the brighter colored ones found in other sets. |
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Bull and Donkey:
These two figures can be seen in the board game style box at the top of the page, so it is easy to suggest they were part of this combination. My set came to me with them in it. The face of the donkey has much more white plastic showing than most of my other donkeys. The only other one close is the one that came to me with my Pastel set. The bull is basically like all other bulls I have owned, molded in a flesh toned plastic. |
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Sequencing Notes:
As stated earlier, our little "study" group of Sande Schneider, Mary Ohman, Brian Blauch, Bruce Schwartz, and myself have generally come to the consensus that this color variation of the Hartland Nativity Set was first. Later documentation might prove us wrong, and we will adjust accordingly. Part of our reasoning has to do with the large Blue Gloria Angel. It appears to have been the first one, and later switched out to the large White/Pastel Gloria Angel, an finally switched to a smaller White/Pastel Gloria Angel. The last one is likely to be the unpainted Bisque small angel. Along with the fact this set lacks the Diamond I imprint, and also the fact the painting style matches other very early Religious figures, all indicators point to this color variation set being first. |
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Text & Photographs Copyright Mike Jackson 1998-2008
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This page last modified Friday, October 19, 2007
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The photo is signed with the information shown here. While not conslusive, I suspect this photo was taken in 1950.
