Enesco Products
Precious Moments
I began collecting Enesco products in the form of Precious Moments figurines and plush toys in my late twenties. I thought, and still think that Enesco products are well made, unique, and endearing. Precious Moments figurines are whimsical glimpses at innocence. Their religious message is stated in such a way that everyone can relate to it regardless of beliefs. Sam Butcher is the artist behind the Precious Moments line which started as greeting cards. Mr Butcher and his friend / business partner, Bill Biel formed their own commercial art business and called it Jonathan and David in the 1970's. In 1978, Enesco Corporation approached Mr. Butcher with the idea of converting his artwork into three dimensional figurines. Although he was hesitant at first, seeing how master sculptor, Yasuhei Fujioka gave life to his drawings; Butcher agreed. The rest --as they say-- is history!... and production marks. There was a new 'affordable' collectible. There were 21 original figurines that were released in 1979. There have been thousands released since. There have been bells, plates, ornaments, jewelry, musicals, frames, and many other additions to the Precious Moments line. Within those early years, Enesco and Mr Butcher came up with the production mark; a mark on the underside of each figurine which denotes the actual year the figurine was manufactured. A production mark is used for only one year. Therefore; even though the same figurine may be produced for several years; you can differentiate the age of each individual piece - a factor that appeals to the collector! As collectors of Precious Moments grew, the Enesco Precious Moments Collector's Club was established in 1981 and a separate Precious Moments Birthday Club in 1985. Thus special Club pieces also became available. But all have maintained the original whimsical innocence throughout the years that Sam Butcher first put into his artwork. All have maintained his message of love and spirituality.
I collected Precious Moments until I became a grandmother. Then I continued collecting them for my granddaughter until she was obviously her own person with little or no apparent interest in collecting them. Then I more or less gave up collecting them. All these figurines are therefore at least 15 or more years old.
My granddaughter is quite the young lady herself now!
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