Hallmark "The Nutcracker Ballet Series: Clara" Miniature Christmas Ornament, 1996

Christmas tree ornament

1996

Designed by LaDene Votruba of Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. Made in China.

at Henry Ford Museum in Miniature Moments: A Journey Through Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

on bottom of ornament: 1996 / (C) HMK. / 1 on front of stand: The / Nutcracker Ballet on back of stand: The Nutcracker Ballet / Christmas Eve is always a time of enchantment. But, for a little girl / named Clara Stahlbaum, Christmas Eve is the beginning of a / truly magical adventure... / Clara's parents have prepared an elegant party complete with a / splendid Christmas tree. Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara's godfather, arrives / with his handsome young nephew. Drosselmeyer presents Clara and / her brother, Fritz, with wondrous gifts, including a large, brightly / painted wooden Nutcracker for Clara. Fritz is jealous of Clara's / present and breaks it, but Drosselmeyer manages to repair it. Soon / after, the party ends and the children go off to bed. But Clara creeps / quietly back into the living room to see her precious Nutcracker and / eventually drifts off to sleep. / When the clock strikes twelve, Clara awakens. She returns to the / Christmas tree to see her Nutcracker, only to discover he has grown to / life size. Clara and the Nutcracker dance until they are interrupted by / a group of huge mice led by the terrible Mouse King. The Nutcracker / leads a company of toy soldiers in a battle against the mice. The / soldiers appear to be losing until Clara throws her slipper at the / Mouse King, knocking him down. The Nutcracker slays the Mouse / King, turns into a handsome prince (who resembles Drosselmeyer's / nephew), and whisks Clara away to a wondrous celebration in the / Kingdom of Sweets. The entertainment ends with the lovely "Dance / of the Sugarplum Fairy." Clara and the Prince return home in time / to enjoy Christmas Day. / (C) 1996 Hallmark Cards, Inc. on front of packaging: KEEPSAKE / ORNAMENT / The Nutcracker Ballet / Ornament and Display Stage / NEW COLLECTOR'S SERIES on back of packaging: Handcrafted Ornament and Display Stage / Ornament Dated 1996 / Sculpted and illustrated by LaDene Votruba / First of five ornaments in The Nutcracker Ballet Series. / Look for series verification 1 on ornament. / Each of the five ornaments in this new series will represent a / character from Tchaikovsky's delightful ballet, The Nutcracker. Your / first edition is a charming depiction of Clara, the little girl who / begins a magical adventure one Christmas Eve. / A wonderfully detailed Display Stage has been created to hold / and showcase this series. The 1996 edition and the four future / editions will fit nicely onto the stage. You may want to place Clara / in the living room scene between the window and the door. You / can also display Clara and the future ornaments in this series on a / Christmas tree or wreath. / Each year, as you add another ornament to your display, the / story of The Nutcracker will come to life. / Wherever you display this enchanting series, it is sure to add a / classic holiday touch to your home year after year. on top of packaging: Hallmark on bottom of packaging: Mfd. for and (C) 1996 Hallmark Cards, Inc., K.C., MO 64141 / Made in China QXM4064