The basic starter set - Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, were originally offered as part of the Hallmark Little Gallery line in the late 1970s. There are two versions of the Hallmark Mary Hamilton Nativity - one is handpainted porcelain in soft pastel colors and the other is unpainted all white bisque porcelain.
When the Hallmark Little Gallery line was discontinued the painted porcelain set was added to the Hallmark line. Because the early pieces were in production for so many years they are the easiest to find. The later pieces (specifically the angels, the Drummer Boy and the Goose Girl) are hardest to find as they were in production for a much short time.
Two stables were offered for the Nativity - a wicker stable which was discontinued quite early - and a painted porcelain stable that was added in 1986.
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