| Learn more about Christmas thimbles |
Build and share your knowledge about thimbles - new topics added regularly
THERE ARE 32 "LEARN MORE ABOUT..." TOPICS
Brass Advertising |
British Placenames |
British Royalty on Thimbles |
British Silversmiths |
Charles May |
Christmas |
Coalport
Dorcas Thimble Boxes |
Easter |
Gadgets |
Francesca |
Hallmarked Thimbles set |
'Mother' |
The World's Greatest Porcelain Houses
Royal Albert |
Royal Crown Derby |
Royal Doulton |
Royal Worcester Handpainted Thimbles
Royal Worcester Decal Thimbles |
S + H Foskett |
Silver Advertising Thimbles |
Spode |
Stratnoid |
SylvaC
Thimble Books |
Thimble Collectors Club |
Thimble Societies |
Thimbles with Slogans
Thimblefuls |
Victorian Silver Scenic Thimbles |
Wedgwood Jasperware |
Wedgwood Bone China
THERE ARE 22 PAGES OF THIMBLES & OTHER ITEMS TO BUY
aluminium 1 -
books 1 -
brass 1 -
china 6 -
display cases 1
gold 1 -
needlework tools 2 -
other collectables 1 -
pewter 1 -
plastic 1
silver 3 -
steel & metal 1 -
unusual materials 1 -
wood 1
Click on a photo to see a bigger picture
I used to have a thimble stall at a series of collectables fairs where one of the prerequisites was to have a display. The fairs were themed and one of my most popular displays I did featured Christmas thimbles. It was fairly simple, using a small Christmas tree as the backdrop and displaying the colourful thimbles that usually depict Christmas. From that display seeds were sown as to how easy it was to have a collection within a collection. Thimble collecting with a theme is really popular. One of the most collectable is the annual Christmas thimble.
It is often difficult to establish a start and/or finish date for a specific series - hence this alphabetic listing. This series is not confined to china, ceramic or porcelain: it also includes pewter, sterling silver and wood.
Those not included in this listing are non-commercial china Christmas thimbles, and those not dated (i.e. Twelve days of Christmas sets). Some of the brands below are not dated, but they originate for the specific Christmas listed - more of an oversight on their part?
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * David Andersen * * *
Denmark, sterling silver and enamel
in 1986, David Andersen started production of a series of six Christmas thimbles, to match his Christmas spoons
The other designs planned were: Candle, Christmas garland, Christmas tree, Christmas bell and holly
Were these ever produced?
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Christmas 1986 Heart |
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* * * Avalon * * *
Staffordshire, bone china
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Christmas 1982 |
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* * * Avon * * *
USA, porcelain
Self-pattern apex with snowflake
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Christmas 1981
BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1983
BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1982
BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1984
BUY THIS THIMBLE |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Bing & Grondahl * * *
Denmark, porcelain
| Christmas 1978 | 
| Christmas 1984 |
| Christmas 1979 | 
| Christmas 1985 |
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Christmas 1980 |  |
Christmas 1986 |
| Christmas 1981
BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1987 |
| Christmas 1982
BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1988 |
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Christmas 1983 |
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* * * Birchcroft * * *
England, bone china
includes the backstamp for Bronte
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Christmas 1994 |  |
Christmas 2002 |
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Christmas 1999
Bronte backstamp |
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* * * Tony Bouchet * * *
Jersey, agateware
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Christmas 1985 |  |
Christmas 1991 |
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Christmas 1986 |  |
Christmas 1992 |
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Christmas 1987 |  |
Christmas 1993 |
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Christmas 1988 |  |
Christmas 1994 |
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Christmas 1990 |  |
Christmas 1995 |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Castlewynd * * *
England, china
| Christmas 1980
similar decal to Highland China |
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* * * Caverswall * * *
England, china
most have a robin and holly on the verso
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undated Christmas
flying Santa |
||
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Christmas 1977
coach and inn |
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Christmas 1985
undated handpainted snowman with a black china hat 'Merry Christmas' |
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Christmas 1978
couple skating signed by Mary Grant |
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Christmas 1986
umbrella'd couple gold snowflake patterned apex BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1979
children tobogganing BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1987
coach in street scene gold snowflake patterned apex |
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Christmas 1980
carollers signed by M. Grant |
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Christmas 1988
snow skating scene gold snowflake patterned apex |
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Christmas 1981
plum pudding and Christmas tree BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1989
winter bridge scene gold snowflake patterned apex |
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Christmas 1982
family decorating the tree BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1990
decorating the tree gold snowflake patterned apex |
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Christmas 1983
sleigh scene signed by John Ball |
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Christmas 1991
skating couple gold snowflake patterned apex |
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Christmas 1984
santa in sleigh |
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Christmas 1992
family decorating snowman gold snowflake patterned apex there are two versions of 1992 Christmas thimbles; the 2nd produced was for the Thimble Collectors Club has a different verso with bells and holly |
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Christmas 1985
family caroller BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1993
Santa with children gold snowflake patterned apex produced for the Thimble Collectors Club there are two versions of 1993 Christmas thimbles; the second [not for TCC] has a verso with a robin
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* * * Coalport * * *
England, bone china
Learn more about
Coalport thimbles
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Christmas 1979 | 
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Christmas 1980 |
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* * * Constantia* * *
South Africa, china
| Christmas 1982
Mary and baby Jesus in gold |
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* * * Crown Staffs * * *
England, china
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Christmas 1979
Holly |
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Christmas
Christmas rose/Poinsettia |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Gili Davis * * *
South Africa, porcelain
handpainted
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Christmas 2006 |
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* * * M I Dorman-Brailsford* * *
London, England, Britannia silver
photo: Ray Nimmo |
Christmas 1984
Unto Us a Child is Born |
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* * * Dunheved * * *
England, china
handpainted by Derek Wilson and Sheila Whitcombe
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Christmas 1987
Robin and holly |
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Christmas 1995
Geese |
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Christmas 1988
Reindeer |
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Christmas 1996
Hare and robin |
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Christmas 1989
Pheasants OR Wren on branch |
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Christmas 1997
Snowman and robin |
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Christmas 1990
Mistletoe and holly |
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Christmas 1998
Boy in front of snow covered house |
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Christmas 1991
Penguin |
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Christmas 1999
Church and sheep |
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Christmas 1992
Polar bears |
  |
2000
Shepherds and star of Bethlehem OR Snowman and robin |
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Christmas 1993
Church |
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Christmas 2001
Red Squirrel OR Pheasant |
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Christmas 1994
Turkey |
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Christmas 2002
Blue tit OR Blackbird |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Enesco * * *
USA/Taiwan
there are some undated Enesco Christmas thimbles not listed here
see also "Precious Moments" Christmas set by Enesco under [P]
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Christmas 1979
Handpainted porcelain an owl on a tree stump |
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Christmas 1986
Handpainted porcelain jack-in-a-box bear |
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Christmas 1979
Handpainted porcelain squirrel on a tree stump |
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Christmas 1986
Handpainted porcelain bear cub sits atop the thimble with red and blue drum. Christmas wreath around rim |
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Christmas 1979
Handpainted porcelain racoon on a tree stump |
| Christmas 1987 Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus |
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Christmas 1985
Handpainted teddy bear |
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Christmas 1987
Handpainted porcelain Christmas angel bear |
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Christmas 1986
Handpainted porcelain girl with her teddy bear |
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Christmas 1988
Mary and Jesus thimbles |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
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* * * Fenton China * * *
England
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Christmas 1983 |
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* * * Franklin Mint * * *
Sterling silver
most have a wreath on the back with the date, and a bird
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Christmas 1982 flowers |
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Christmas 1985 Christmas tree |
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Christmas 1983 poinsettias |
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Christmas 1986 deer and squirrel |
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Christmas 1984 candle |
|
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* * * Stephen Frost - Warwick Models * * *
England, handpainted pewter
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Christmas 2003 |
|
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Gorham * * *
USA, fine china
with gold-painted apex
the scenes are by Norman Rockwell
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Christmas 1979 | 
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Christmas 1981 |
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Christmas 1980
Tiny Tim |
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Christmas 1982 |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Hallmark * * *
USA
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Christmas 1990
china, bell-shaped |
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Christmas 1995
Alice in Wonderland painted pewter |
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Christmas 1991
china, bell-shaped |
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Christmas 1997
White Rabbit painted pewter |
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Christmas 1992
china, bell-shaped |
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Christmas 1996
Mad Hatter painted pewter |
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Christmas 1993
china, bell-shaped /td> |  |
Christmas 1998
Cheshire Cat painted pewter |
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* * * Heritage Collection * * *
England, sterling silver or gilt sterling silver, hallmarked Birmingham
these were made for the Australian market
the makers marks are ALtd for Ammonite Ltd and the unknown maker's marks of BL and COG
they were boxed and each had a certificate of authenticity
each certificate is numbered and some issues were limited to 1000
with 2 different designs for 1981, they may have been made for a market other than Australia?
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Christmas 1981
ribbon garlands and holly in relief all round |
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Christmas 1983
Christmas trees in relief all round |
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Christmas 1981
Christmas bells all round |
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Christmas 1984
We Three Kings in relief all round |
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Christmas 1982
santa and reindeer in relief all round |
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* * * Highland China * * *
Scotland, fine bone china
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Christmas 1980
robin similar decal to Castelwynd China |
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Christmas 1982
mistletoe and 3 bells signed RT |
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Christmas 1981 |
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* * * Hummel * * *
Germany, silver-plate and enamel
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Christmas 1983 | 
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Christmas 1986 |
| Christmas 1984 |  |
Christmas 1987 |
| Christmas 1984 | 
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Christmas 1988 |
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Christmas 1984 |  |
Christmas 1989 |
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Christmas 1985
Guiding light |
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Christmas 1990 |
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* * * Hurley Porcelain * * *
handpainted
| Christmas 1979
Mary Joseph and baby Jesus |
| Christmas 1981
Shepherd and Christmas star |
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Christmas 1980
The Three Wise Men photo: Brian Kagan |
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Christmas 1982
Three heavenly angels |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Irish Dresden * * *
Ireland, porcelain and lace
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Christmas 1985
1st in series roses with green lace |
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Christmas 1988 |
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Christmas 1987 |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Kaiser * * *
Germany, porcelain
all have a snowflake patterned apex and the scene is all round
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Christmas 1979 |  |
Christmas 1983 |
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Christmas 1980
BUY THIS THIMBLE |
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Christmas 1984 |
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Christmas 1981 |  |
Christmas 1985 |
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Christmas 1982 |  |
Christmas 1986
|
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Lindner * * *
Germany, porcelain
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Christmas 1998 |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Mason's * * *
England, ironstone
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Christmas 1978
Holly |
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Christmas 1981
Christmas tree |
| Christmas
Bells and wreath |
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Christmas
Santa |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Graham Payne * * *
England, handpainted china or handpainted enamel
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Christmas 1981
robin gold painted apex |
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Christmas 1981 |
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* * * Precious Moments * * *
by Enesco, porcelain
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Christmas 1985
God Sent His Love (angel with holly wreath) |
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Christmas 1990
Once Upon A Holy Night (girl with candle and book) |
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Christmas 1986
Wishing You A Cozy Christmas (girl with muff) |
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Christmas 1991
May Your Christmas Be Merry (girl with bird) |
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Christmas 1987
Love Is The Best Gift Of All (girl with present) |
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Christmas 1992
But The Greatest Of These Is Love (girl holding Christmas list) |
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Christmas 1988
Time To Wish You A Merry Christmas (girl with clock) |
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Christmas 1993
Wishing You The Sweetest Christmas (girl with gingerbread cookie) |
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Christmas 1989
Oh Holy Night (angel with violin) |
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A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Queen's * * *
England, fine bone china
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Christmas 1979
Christmas tree |
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Christmas 1981
red and gold with an angel |
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Christmas 1980
red green and gold bells |
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A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Raesuevic Ceramics * * *
England, fine bone china
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Christmas 1991
red ribbon and holly gold glitter on apex |
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* * * Royal Crown Derby * * *
England, china
Learn more about
Royal Crown Derby thimbles
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Christmas 1979
Holly |
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* * * Royal Grafton * * *
England, china
|
Christmas 1978
Holly |
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* * * Royal Worcester * * *
England, fine bone china
Learn more about
Royal Worcester decal thimbles
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Christmas 1980
presents and the tree MADE FOR THE AMERICAN MARKET |
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Christmas 1983
couple on sled and holly trim MEANT TO BE SECOND THIMBLE IN A SET OF TEN .... STOPPED MAKING THIMBLES BEFORE COMPLETION OF SET |
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Christmas 1981
children and the tree MADE FOR THE AMERICAN MARKET |
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Christmas 1984
MEANT TO BE THIRD THIMBLE IN A SET OF TEN .... STOPPED MAKING THIMBLES BEFORE COMPLETION OF SET |
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Christmas 1982
MEANT TO BE FIRST THIMBLE IN A SET OF TEN .... STOPPED MAKING THIMBLES BEFORE COMPLETION OF SET |
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A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Schmid * * *
West Germany, porcelain
inspired by Berta Hummel
names lettered inside each thimble
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Christmas 1983
"Angelic Messenger" |
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Christmas 1988
"Cheerful Cherubs" |
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Christmas 1984
"A gift from Heaven" |
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Christmas 1989
"Angelic Musician" |
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Christmas 1985
"Heavenly Light" |
| Christmas 1990
"Angel's Light" |
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Christmas 1986
"Tell the Heavens" |
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Christmas 1991
"A Message from Above" |
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Christmas 1987
"Angelic Gifts" |
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Christmas 1992
"Sweet Blessings" |
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* * * Spode * * *
England, fine bone china
all have the apex painted gold with a self-pattern
Learn more about
Spode thimbles
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Christmas 1982 |  |
Christmas 1984 |
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Christmas 1983 |  |
Christmas 1985 |
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Christmas 1983
Click to see verso |
| Christmas 1986 |
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undated |
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* * * Sutherland * * *
England, fine bone china
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1st series Christmas 1981?
Three kings there is a 2nd thimble with this design
|
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Christmas 1997
Carol singers and robin produced for Thimble Collectors Club |
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2nd series Christmas 1983
The Shepherds there are 2 versions - with and without crystal apex the date '83 is inside the thimble |
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Christmas 1998
produced for Thimble Collectors Club |
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Christmas 1984 |  |
Christmas 1999
produced for Thimble Collectors Club |
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Christmas 1994
Santa on his sleigh with reindeer produced for Thimble Collectors Club |
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Christmas 2000
produced for Thimble Collectors Club |
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Christmas 1995
Family Christmas scene all around produced for Thimble Collectors Club |
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Christmas 2001
produced for Thimble Collectors Club |
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Christmas 1996
Robins produced for Thimble Collectors Club |
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Christmas 2002
produced for Thimble Collectors Club |
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* * * Peter Swingler * * *
England, handpainted enamel on sterling silver
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Christmas 1975 |  |
Christmas 1980 |
 
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Christmas 1976 |  |
Christmas in London 1984 |
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Christmas 1977 |   |
Christmas 1984 |
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Christmas 1978 |   |
Christmas 1987 Dutch Prettige feestdagen |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Thimblecraft * * *
England, porcelain
by Shirley Hewitt
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Christmas 1989 |  |
Christmas 1991
Merry Christmas 1991 Made exclusively for Thimble Society of London |
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Christmas 1991
Merry Christmas 1991 |
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Christmas 1991
Vrolijk Kerstfees [Dutch] 1991 |
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * John Urwin * * *
England, wood
 |
Christmas 1991
Behind every man is a great woman - Santa's wife |
|
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
* * * Wedgwood * * *
England, jasperware
the thimbles are dated on the verso
Learn more about
Wedgwood Jasperware thimbles
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Christmas 1981
Snowflake on blue Christmas tree on sage green BUY THE PAIR |
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Christmas 1986
Angel of the Annunciation on blue The Virgin Mary on blue |
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Christmas 1982
Christmas bells on blue Robin on holly on lilac |
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Christmas 1987
Joseph and baby Jesus on blue Shepherds and baby Jesus on blue |
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Christmas 1983
Santa's face on blue Candle on primrose yellow |
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Christmas 1988
Star over the town of Bethlehem on blue The Three Kings on blue |
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Christmas 1984
Reindeer on blue Christmas wreath on terracotta |
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Christmas 1989
Mary and child on blue Three Wise Men bearing gifts on blue |
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Christmas 1985
Sleigh on blue Christmas stocking on pink BUY THESE THIMBLES |
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Christmas 1990
Mary and donkey on blue Flight into Egypt on blue |
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Christmas 1985 [to conclude 1st series] Gold star on black basalt |
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Christmas 1990 [to conclude 2nd series] Gold dove of peace on black basalt |
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* * * Woodsetton Peeps * * *
England, brass
Gill and David Bates
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Christmas 1986 |  |
Christmas 2002 |
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Christmas 2000
Seasons greetings for the millennium year |
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Christmas 2005
Best wishes 2005 |
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Christmas 2001
Seasons greetings |
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DO YOU KNOW ANY MORE DETAILS ABOUT ANY OF THE THIMBLES LISTED ABOVE?
DO YOU HAVE PHOTOS OF THE CHRISTMAS THIMBLES NOT PICTURED? DO YOU KNOW OF ANY OTHER ANNUAL CHRISTMAS THIMBLES? EMAIL thimbleselect@bigpond.com TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE. |
Contributors
Wendi Aguiar, Brenda Barber, Sue Burt, Mary Craft, Charlotte Goldberg, Lorraine Hatton, Margaret Hickling
Gladys Junge, Ray Nimmo, Joyce Nixon-Smith, Ro Olbricht, David Pantland, Moyra Peckston, Cathy Pezzota
Sue Pickles, Elaine Pollard, Wanda Ralston, Jenny Scharff Bockel, Ray Nimmo, Linda Shaneyfelt, Norma Shattock, Karen Stoner
Val Torrington, Audrey Turner, Hans Vogel, Joanna Waciorski, Jenny Yuhas
References
David Andersen Norwegian enamel thimbles / Marion A Nugent TCI Bulletin, vol.5, no.2, January 1987. p.8-14
Hurley porcelain thimbles / Charlotte Goldberg TCI Bulletin winter 2009. p.10-11
This listing of Christmas Thimbles does not purport to be complete or accurate in all aspects. Rather it invites comment and contribution to add to our knowledge of these themed thimbles. My thanks to the other contributors.
Enjoy!
© Sue Gowan
December 2002
THERE ARE 32 "LEARN MORE ABOUT..." TOPICS
Brass Advertising |
British Placenames |
British Royalty on Thimbles |
British Silversmiths |
Charles May |
Christmas |
Coalport
Dorcas Thimble Boxes |
Easter |
Gadgets |
Francesca |
Hallmarked Thimbles set |
'Mother' |
The World's Greatest Porcelain Houses
Royal Albert |
Royal Crown Derby |
Royal Doulton |
Royal Worcester Handpainted Thimbles
Royal Worcester Decal Thimbles |
S + H Foskett |
Silver Advertising Thimbles |
Spode |
Stratnoid |
SylvaC
Thimble Books |
Thimble Collectors Club |
Thimble Societies |
Thimbles with Slogans
Thimblefuls |
Victorian Silver Scenic Thimbles |
Wedgwood Jasperware |
Wedgwood Bone China
THERE ARE 22 PAGES OF THIMBLES & OTHER ITEMS TO BUY
aluminium 1 -
books 1 -
brass 1 -
china 6 -
display cases 1
gold 1 -
needlework tools 2 -
other collectables 1 -
pewter 1 -
plastic 1
silver 3 -
steel & metal 1 -
unusual materials 1 -
wood 1
Any questions or comments?
thimbleselect@bigpond.com
I do not offer any type of valuation or advice on prices.
| Last updated 21 November 2009 |