1978 Red Cardinal, Rare
1978 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament
QX1443
This 1978 Hallmark Ornament is part of the Tree-Trimmer Collection and features a beautifully-painted male cardinal with a clip-on attachment at the bottom to attach to your tree branch. The realistic looking bird may just fool your friends and family...if you hide the green clip! The copyright is on the underside of the spring clip, which is in working condition. It's packaged in the original box, with clear, plastic lid and molded green flocked velvet plastic tray.
Fun Fact: Cardinals are North American songbirds that do not migrate. They mate for life and get their vivid red color from the carotenoid pigments in the fruits and seeds they eat, although a rare genetic mutation, "xanthochromism," can sometimes cause them to be bright yellow!
Duane Unruh started with Hallmark in 1977 and was known for his craftsmanship and traditional designs, inspired by a rural upbringing. A self-taught artist, his "Wreath of Memories" was chosen to be the ornament that launched the Keepsake Ornament Collector’s Club, in 1987, and in celebration of their 1998 Keepsake Ornament 25th anniversary, Hallmark had him sculpt two of the attendee gifts. Other famous ornaments he sculpted, in addition to numerous Santas, were: Coca-Cola, The Wizard of Oz, March of the Teddy Bears, A Christmas Carol, Kobe Bryant, Wayne Gretzky, and Arnold Palmer.
Material: Plastic and metal
Artist: Duane Unruh
Size: 5.337" L x 1.654" W x 1.754" H
