DEPARTMENT 56 COLLECTOR BOOKS

Unquestionably, one of the best resources for any information regarding Department 56, its villages and giftware product lines is that which comes directly from the source.  The company has produced several books that can expand and enlighten any collector.  Depending on your area of interest, any of these would be great assets for your village library.

VILLAGES & GIFTWARE

Snow Village Tradition

Published- January 1986, 26 pages

Illustrator: Kristi Jensen Pierro

Snow Village Tradition is a small 26 page pocket book full of interesting facts about the first ten years of The Original Snow Village pieces.  This hard bound book features full-color artist illustrations and the process that Original Snow Village buildings and accessories go through.  It is the pre-curser to The Original Snow Village Collector’s Album- 1976-1990.

The Heritage Village Collection: A Book for Collector’s, 1988 Edition ($7.95 SRP)

Published- June 1988, 40 pages

Published with a blue hardback cover and blue jacket The Heritage Village Collection: A Book For Collector’s, 1988 Edition is dedicated to Ruth Lund and outlines the creative process as well as the evolution and underlying focus of all buildings and accessory pieces offered for The Heritage Village Collection from their inception through 1988.  It includes information on Dickens’ Village, New England Village, Alpine Village, Christmas in the City, and Little Town of Bethlehem.  The commemorative book also includes high gloss photos, a complete history list and very limited space to record future additions from 1988 on.

The Heritage Village Collection: A Book for Collector’s, Second Edition 1989 ($7.95 SRP)

Published- June 1989, 56 pages

ISSN: 1043-7037

ISBN: 0-9622603-1-2

Published with a blue hardback cover and blue jacket, The Heritage Village Collection: A Book for Collector’s, 1989 Edition is an updated version of its 1988 predecessor.  The book is dedicated to Ruth Lund and outlines the creative process as well as the evolution and underlying focus of all buildings and accessory pieces offered for The Heritage Village Collection from their inception through 1989.  It includes information on Dickens’ Village, New England Village, Alpine Village, Christmas in the City, and Little Town of Bethlehem.  The commemorative book also includes high gloss photos, a complete history list, and very limited space to record future additions from 1989 on.

The Heritage Village Collection: A Book for Collector’s, Second Edition, 1989 GOLD JACKET ($7.95 SRP)

Published- June 1989, 56 pages

ISSN: 1043-7037

ISBN: 0-9622603-1-2

Published with a blue hardback cover and special gold jacket The Heritage Village Collection: A Book for Collector’s, 1989 Edition is an updated version of its 1988 predecessor.  The book outlines the creative process as well as the evolution and underlying focus of all buildings and accessory pieces offered for The Heritage Village Collection from their inception through 1989.  It includes information on Dickens’ Village, New England Village, Alpine Village, Christmas in the City, and Little Town of Bethlehem.  The commemorative book also includes high gloss photos, a complete history list, and very limited space to record future additions from 1989 on.

The book has a special gold jacket that was created for a retailer event.  The back of the sleeve is hand-signed in gold by Heritage Village Artist and Master Architect Neilan Lund.

The Original Snow Village Collector’s Album- 1976-1990 ($24.95 SRP)

Published- June 1, 1990, 116 pages

Author- James P. Wickesberg

ISBN: 0-9622603-3-9

Published with a gold hardback cover and jacket, The Original Snow Village Collector’s Album outlines the creative process as well as the evolution and underlying focus of all buildings and accessory pieces offered for The Original Snow Village collection from 1976-1990.  The 25 year commemorative book also includes high gloss photos, a complete history list, postcards, and limited space to add future additions from 1990 on.

Welcome To Hide-A-Way Hollow

Published- December 1988, 29 pages

Author- Bill Kirchner

Illustrator- Kristi Jensen Pierro

Publisher- Department 56, Inc.

Welcome to Hide-A-Way Hollow tells the story of a community of rabbits who search for a new place to live after being inconvenienced by Calhoun, a neighboring canine.  The book was written as a companion for the giftware village collection by the same name that was sold exclusively by Department 56.

Winter Tales of the Snowbabies ($18.95)

Published- June 1995

Publisher- Department 56, Inc.

Illustrator- Kristen Soderlind

ISBN: 0-9622603-4-7

This is a green hardbound book with a colorful white jacket featuring the creative works of Bill Kirchner and Snowbabies Artist Kristi Jensen Pierro, this book tells the fascinating story of the Snowbabies and their frosty frolic land.  The little girl featured in the tale was unnamed by Department 56 until 1998 when the company accepted the name “Crystal” as suggested by collector Richard Puckett. Crystal went on to be featured in special, limited edition Snowbabies Friendship Club pieces.

The Original Snow Village Rendition of the “Old Chelsea Mansion” Residence of Clement C. Moore, Author of “A Visit From St. Nicholas” (NFRS)

Published- May 1997, 32 Pages

Prologue: Judith Price

Illustrations: Cynthia Markle

This blue hardbound book, with Old World inspired pages,  was included as part of the Old Chelsea Mansion (54903) set of 3 that was released for the 175^th anniversary of “A Visit From St. Nicholas” during mid-year 1997. The ceramic building is inspired by the home of the story’s author Clement C. Moore. The prologue to the book, researched and written by Judith Price, shares interesting details about Moore’s family life as well as providing insight in to the inspiration for and structure of the story itself.  The second half of the book features the story with beautiful illustrations by Village Accessory Artist Cynthia Markle.

Traditions (NFRS)

Published- 2001, 39 pages

Traditions is a soft back, spined, book published for the Silver Celebration in St. Paul, Minnesota (August 2001). Designed as a keepsake, it shares the story of Department 56 as told by founder Ed Bazinet and highlights the significant events around the evolution of the company, the villages, as well as some of the company’s most sought after pieces.   The book also provides a place for photographs from the event to be placed as well as a pocket for mementos from the event.  The book was only offered to attendees and not offered for retail sale.

DECORATING & DISPLAY BUILDING

The Building of a Village Tradition: Display Techniques for Collectors

Published- 1994, 41 pages

This booklet is a companion to the VHS tape of the same name that was released in 1994.  The 35-36 minute VHS tape takes collectors through a step-by-step process on creating vignettes and displays.  Brick streets, candy cane posts, landscaping, Styrofoam carving and lots more are all covered.

Starting New Traditions: A Complete Guide to Decorating Your Home for the Holidays

Published- 1997, 52 pages

Starting New Traditions is a companion to the VHS tape of the same name that was released in 1997.  It is a step-by-step instruction guide on decorating all aspects of the home for the Christmas season.  Numerous upscale looks are presented include how to execute exquisite holiday bows, wreaths, tablescapes, and village display vignettes.  An interesting feature on page 50 shares the number of lights, ornaments and other items necessary to have a well-  decorated Christmas Tree.

EVENTS & TRADITIONS

The Little Book of Wedding Customs and Keepsakes (NFRS)

Published- 1994. 45 pages

Author- Kathy Mullins

Publisher(s)- Clarkson Potter

ISBN: 0-517-59679-2

This small book was included as part of the Season’s Bay the Perfect Wedding Gift Set (s/8) and not available separately for retail sale. The book was researched and included in Bride’s magazine.  Department 56 copyrighted the outer jacket in 1999.  It shares the history of many customs as well as how-tos’ on creating the perfect ceremony. The book was not offered for retail sale.

A Christmas Diary: Display Techniques for Collectors

Published- January 1995

ISBN-10: 0962260355

ISBN-13: 978-0962260353

A Christmas Diary is a white hardbound book focuses on recording and preserving Christmas holiday memories.  It provides ample space for collectors to record and preserve the cherished traditions that they celebrate.

COOKBOOKS

Time to Cook With Department 56 and Company

Published- 1991

You can learn the secret favorite recipes of Department employees from the 1990s.  Submissions include Founder Ed Bazinet, MS Lit Town, and Melinda Seegers as well as those of the Bachman family and Department 56 staff.  Starters & snacks, side dishes, snacks, beverages and every course in between are shared over 376 pages.  All proceeds from the original sale of the cookbook were donated to Ronald McDonald House.

Mary Cratchit’s Recipes: The Dickens’ Village Christmas Carol Cookbook

Published- 1996, 90 pages

Publisher- Heritage Yule Time©, Inc.

Illustrator- Neilan Lund

ISBN: 0-9649423-1-3

Mary Cratchit’s Recipes is a small hardbound book contains recipes typical of those served during Dickensian times.  The book is wonderfully illustrated by Neilan Lund featuring his artwork of early Dickens’ Village pieces.  The book is written as if the recipes inside are those of Mary Cratchit herself. It is part of the Heritage Village Collection Cookbook Series.

Santa’s Favorite Recipes: The North Pole Village Cookbook

Published- 1996, 58 pages

Publisher- Heritage Yule Time©, Inc.

Illustrator- Neilan Lund

ISBN: 0-9649423-0-5

Santa’s Favorite Recipes is a small, white hardbound book contains recipes and a whimsical story of some of Santa’s most cherished delectable recipes. The book is wonderfully illustrated by Neilan Lund in full color and features his artwork of early North Pole pieces and brings some of his favorite inspirational characters to life.  It is part of the Heritage Village Collection Cookbook Series.

COUNTED CROSS STITCH

The Dickens’ Village Series Cross Stitch Patterns ($19.95)

Published- 1996

Publisher- Cy DeCosse, Incorporated

Contributing Writer: Barb Lund

ISBN: 0-86573-850-5

The Dickens’ Village Series Cross Stitch Patterns is a green hardbound book is the first in a series of four books featuring fifteen popular Heritage Village Collection- Dickens’ Village buildings converted into counted cross stitch patterns. Each chart features the finished, framed project with all dimensions, instructions (including floss numbers) to create a wonderful lasting piece of handmade art for the home.  Heritage Village Artist Barb Lund contributed text for the book which also features glamour shots of each piece.

The New England Village Series Cross Stitch Patterns ($19.95)

Published- 1996

Publisher- Cy DeCosse, Incorporated

Contributing Writer: Barb Lund

ISBN: 0-86573-851-3

The New England Village Series Cross Stitch Patterns is a burgundy hardbound book is the second in a series of four books featuring fifteen popular Heritage Village Collection- New England Village buildings converted into counted cross stitch patterns. Each chart features the finished, framed project with all dimensions, instructions (including floss numbers) to create a wonderful lasting piece of handmade art for the home. Heritage Village Artist Barb Lund contributed text for the book which also features glamour shots of each piece.

The North Pole Series Cross Stitch Patterns ($19.95)

Published- 1996

Publisher- Cy DeCosse, Incorporated

Contributing Writer: Barb Lund

ISBN: 0-86573-852-1

The North Pole Series Cross Stitch Patterns is a blue hardbound book is the first in a series of four books featuring fifteen popular Heritage Village Collection- North Pole Village buildings converted into counted cross stitch patterns. Each chart features the finished, framed project with all dimensions, instructions (including floss numbers) to create a wonderful lasting piece of handmade art for the home. Heritage Village Artist Barb Lund contributed text for the book which also features glamour shots of each piece.

The Christmas in the City Series Cross Stitch Patterns ($19.95)

Published- 1996

Publisher- Cy DeCosse, Incorporated

Contributing Writer: Barb Lund

ISBN: 0-86573-853-X

The Christmas in the City Series Cross Stitch Patterns is an ivory hardbound book is the first in a series of four books featuring fifteen popular Heritage Village Collection- Christmas in the City buildings converted into counted cross stitch patterns. Each chart features the finished, framed project with all dimensions, instructions (including floss numbers) to create a wonderful lasting piece of handmade art for the home. Heritage Village Artist Barb Lund contributed text for the book which also features glamour shots of each piece.