The Original 21 Precious Moments Figurines: Where It All Began
In the fall of 1978, Sam Butcher, Bill Biel, and Gene Freedman introduced a collection of 21 porcelain bisque figurines to giftware retailers across the country. The figurines were sold under the name Jonathan & David — not yet Precious Moments. Retailers were skeptical. They took a chance anyway, because of the quality of the craftsmanship and the reputations of the people behind them. 
What happened next surprised everyone — except, perhaps, the three men who had prayed over every step of getting there.
The public didn't treat these figurines as giftware. They kept them. Displayed them. Wrapped them carefully and passed them to people they loved. Collectors began writing in. Stories began arriving — of marriages saved, of grief comforted, of faith renewed — all sparked by a small porcelain figure and the message it carried.
"When we introduced the Precious Moments collection it was as part of a gift line, not as a collectible. Precious Moments figurines reached collectible status because of the response of the public. The success of the little figurines is the design — the inspired design through Sam's hands." — Gene Freedman
From Giftware to Phenomenon
The momentum was unlike anything the giftware industry had seen. In 1981, the first issue of the Precious Moments "Good Newsletter" optimistically predicted the Collectors' Club would reach 5,000 members within six months. In reality, tens of thousands of members had joined within two years of the figurines hitting shelves. By 1994, Precious Moments had become a worldwide collectible phenomenon.
That collectors' community — built on the same values of loving, caring, and sharing that Sam Butcher drew into every figurine — has only grown stronger in the decades since. This year, the Precious Moments Collectors' Club celebrates its 45th Anniversary, a milestone that speaks to the enduring bond between this brand and the people who have made it their own. Learn more and join at preciousmoments.com.
The Stories Behind the Figurines
Each of the Original 21 figurines carries a story. Some were inspired by Sam's own children. Some came from moments on a country road, a quiet walk through a department store, or an afternoon spent watching two people simply sit together on a tree stump. We've dedicated individual posts to four of those stories:
→ The Story Behind "God Loveth A Cheerful Giver" — a daughter, a box of kittens, and a misspelling that became part of history
→ The Story Behind "Make A Joyful Noise" — a bumper sticker, a car horn, and a very confused driver
→ The Story Behind "Prayer Changes Things" — a man in a department store, a heavy heart, and a figurine that saved a marriage
→ The Story Behind "Love One Another" — an uncle, a niece, and a simple tree stump that became one of the most enduring images in Precious Moments history
Do You Still Have Yours?
Twenty of the Original 21 figurines have been retired from production. The one exception is Love One Another — still available today at PreciousMoments.com. For collectors searching for the retired pieces, the Precious Moments Chapel Gift Shoppe in Carthage, Missouri may be able to help.
The complete Original 21 Precious Moments figurines
- Unto Us, A Child Is Born (E-2013)
- Jesus Is Born (E-2012)
- His Burden Is Light (E-1380G)
- Come Let Us Adore Him (E-2011)
- Love Lifted Me (E-1375A)
- Jesus Is The Answer (E-1381)
- Make A Joyful Noise (E-1374G)
- Prayer Changes Things (E-1375B)
- He Leadeth Me (E-1377A)
- We Have Seen His Star (E-2010)
- Jesus Is The Light (E-1373G)
- Jesus Loves Me (Boy) (E-1372B)
- Jesus Loves Me (Girl) (E-1372G)
- Love One Another (E-1376)
- God Understands (E-1379B)
- Smile God Loves You (E-1373B)
- God Loveth A Cheerful Giver (E-1378)
- Love Is Kind (E-1379A)
- O, How I Love Jesus (E-1380B)
- He Careth For You (E-1377B)
- Praise The Lord Anyhow (E-1374B)
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This post is part of our ongoing series celebrating the legacy of Samuel J. Butcher (January 1, 1939 – May 20, 2024). His vision, his faith, and the 21 figurines that carried it into the world continue to touch lives every single day.
→ Explore the individual stories: God Loveth A Cheerful Giver | Make A Joyful Noise | Prayer Changes Things | Love One Another
← Previous in the series: From Paper to Porcelain: The Meeting That Brought Precious Moments to Life
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