Hallmark "Special Edition: Santa's Showboat" Christmas Ornament, 1997

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Artifact Overview

Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Christmas tree ornament

Date Made

1997

Creator Notes

Designed by Ken Crow of Hallmark Cards, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. Made in China.

Object ID

2019.65.5247

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Plastic
Cardboard

Color

Multicolored

Inscriptions

ornament: SILVER BELLE ornament, underside: [TM] / (C) 1997 Hallmark Cards, Inc. 20 / U.S. PAT. NO. 4,682,079 packaging, front: [TM] / Hallmark / KEEPSAKE / ORNAMENT / LIGHT / MOTION / AND / MUSIC / Santa's Showboat / MAGIC SPECIAL EDITION packaging, back: Plays "Jingle Bells" / A unique ornament -- The jolly Captain waves from the pilothouse as his Showboat ties up to your tree. / Designed in the elaborate "wedding cake" style of the magnificent riverboats and floating theaters / that traveled America's waterways in the 1800s, the "Silver Belle" is destined to entertain you with a bit / of Keepsake Magic during the holidays. / Light flickers above the steamboat's twin chimneys, and portholes in the staterooms glow constantly. / To see the paddle wheel turn and the running lights operate, use the slide-switch on side of ornament. / Use the switch to stop the motion. To hear the music, press button on top of ornament. Tune will play / through once and stop automatically. / Use only with standard U.L.- listed miniature light / strings of 2.5-, 3.5-, or 6- volt push-in type bulbs. / Plug into any socket on the light string. / Not for use with blinking lights. / Complete display instructions enclosed. / Limited Warranty through 2000 enclosed. / Sculpted by Ken Crow / For decorative use only / Handcrafted - Dated 1997 packaging, top: Hallmark packaging, underside: Mfd. for and (C) 1997 Hallmark Cards, Inc., K.C., Mo. 64141 / Ornament Made in China / Circuitry U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,079 / QLX7465