Nativity scenes or manger scenes are a very important part of the Christmas history. They have been created, and still are, all over the world and in any material imaginary. All the nativity scenes in this collection are brought together here, while most of them are also displayed on their respective “materials” pages, but the postcards are not repeated here.

An églomisé painted by the artist Mihaela Profiriu Mateescu, born in 1945 in Tecuci, Romania. She is well known for these behind glass paintings, also in her works referred to as icons.

On the back is a label with "MIHAELA PROFIRIU MATEESCU PICTURA PE STICLA IN ULEI" (oil painting on glass).

Dimensions, including the frame: 36cm x 40,5cm.

1/13 – Lead Nativity figures.

These are homecast from Schneider molds, a German company, judging by the colors I think of the 1940s. Casting molds and kits were introduced into the United States from Germany during the early 1900s. Most of these molds can be traced to Grubner Schneider. They were sold, usually in pairs, ref. nos. 124 thru 129, for the three kings, Maria, Joseph, Jesus in the crib, star, three angels, shepherd; the cow, sheep and camel under 39 and 40 with other non-nativity figures; no. 97 the camel with an Arab; donkey no. 219 with a cow.
The two standing kings are from the same mold, but one is painted black which makes it less noticeable; the shepherd and the man behind him, with his reddish flesh color does not fit in, also from the same mold. Some of the bases are green and some brown; maybe from a different set or painted by different children at the same time ???

A search on the internet revealed that the molds have been reissued under the same ref. nos, but the links are not working anymore (May 30, 2015).

Info: http://www.concentric.net/~Richcamp/toymolds.htm
Reissued: http://www.zinnbleisoldaten.com/shop/page/1?shop_param=

Paper variations:

Diorama
The diorama in this collection are all home crafted, usually by beguines and nuns, so I have been told. But I cannot see why they could not have been made by families to decorate their home for the Christmas period.

N49
Another dimensional crèche scene in a box (diorama). The back and sides covered with shells, crumpled paper sprinkled with multi-colored glitter. The figures are all handmade with scraps, cardboard, and dressed with satin and other textiles; the sheep on the left is cardboard covered with cotton wool; old Dutch text on the ribbons at the top, sides held by the angels, and bottom reads : "Ik verkondig U een groote blijdschap. Heden is U een Verlosser geboren", sides "Gloria in excelsis deo" and 'Allelúja, Allelúja" and bottom "Vrede op aarde aan de Menschen van goeden Wil" (I proclaim to you great joy. For today a Saviour has been born for you", "Peace on earth to Men of good Will)
On the outside the creche is covered with antique, imitation leather wall paper, for the roof yellow and clear glass has been used.
Dimensions: 21,5cm wide x 18,5cm high at the back, and 12,5cm deep.

N37
Fold-out Nativity scene, 5 layers not counting the back.  Red mica behind the comet above the stable, and the moon and stars in the sky in the background. Made of very thick cardboard, and dates from around the early 1900s, judging by the cardboard and the printing.
No mention of country or publisher.
Dimensions: 39,50 x 32,50cm.

N51
Small, postcard size fold-out Nativity scene, 2 layers not counting the back.  On the back is handwritten "Joyeux Noël et Bonne et heureuse Année 1939! A notre chère Alice. Famille Hofman" and the dealer's label is still attached, reading "Papeterie du Parvis Felix De Rey 53, Avenue J. Volders Bruxelles T. 37.28.27".

Dimensions: 13,7cm x 9cm

N40
Fold-out Nativity scene, same design both sides. Signed "Artelius", and is by the Swedish artist Helge Artelius (1895-1989).

Dimensions: total length 87cm and 18cm high.

This folder includes designs for table and Christmas tree decorations - motives for Christmas menus, napkin holders, lantern and wall decorations – drawings for wooden articles that could be used for Christmas presents – models for nativity scenes. It probably dates from 1940s, as in one of the drawings for a Christmas present the number “194 ” is printed with room left for another number, and I should think from 1 to 9.
There are 9 pages, printed both sides. Four are shown here.
Sheets are 21,5 x 27,5 cm, the folder a bit larger.

N43
Below "Crèche de Noël à découper" (a Christmas manger to be cut out) by J. Werner, illustrations by Steffie Lerch, published by Cocorico, Paris, France, in 1953, from the series "Un petit livre d'or". It is a book telling the Christmas story with the figures to be cut out to form the manger.
Below are the pages with the manger figures, which are double sided, showing the cutting and folding lines. When finished, only the cover, the first and last page will remain intact.

Here and there the colors of the back and the front of the figures do not match, but this is also in the book.

N50
A cut-out manger that came with a magazine, with glueing, cutting-out, painting and assembly instructions. It seems that they only used the foliage of the palmtree and "forgot" the trunk. It is a 7-layer construction and looks very attractive on its base of 40 x 25cm. Only part of the instructions remain, design signed "J. FAVOREEL", but considering the text and color the magazine would date of the 1950s, possible "Vrouw en Huis".

Information on Julienne Favoreel:
Born in antwerp on August 1, 1923 and died on October 31, 1997. She was a very talented artist and also very handy in both, crafts and sewing. In 1953 she worked for the editor of “De Vlijt” when they launched the magazine “Vrouw en Huis” (Woman and Home), where she became editor assistant. She not only designed cut-glue and needle work, but also drew for fashion and children’s stories, the one-page strip “De perikelen van Appelsientje” (The perils of Little Orange) being her greatest success. The strip ran from 1960 thru 1965, the magazine “Vrouw en Huis” was no longer published, being replaced by the more trendy "Zie Zondagsvriend", and Julienne Favoreel left the company.

N55
A cut-out crib, No. 228; description is in four languages (English, German, French and Italian. Made in Germany.

No mention of publisher, printer or designer. Any information is welcome.

Dimensions: ca 31 x 21,5cm

N46-47-48 “Religious education material for flannel board”, which, in the 1950-60s, was used in many catholic elementary schools for religious education. They consisted of a significant number of folders, containing figures which were stuck on a flannel board, illustrating bible stories. The figures were drawn by a Father Faustinus sscc (Antonius Hendriks, Rotterdam Dec. 20, 1907 – ‘s Hertogenbos August 26, 1984).
Published by J. De Weijer & Zn., Baarn, Rutgers van Rozenburglaan 3.
Below are folders 7, 8 and 9 illustrating the birth of Jezus.

N56
Below "Les premiers cadeaux de Noël" (The first Christmas presents), illustrated by D'reen Neeves. This fold-out board book, sometimes also called concertina books, consists of 12 pages with break-out figures, published in 1988.
Together, with the cover of the book for the stable, you can make a crèche, as is shown on the front cover.

The french version first published in 1987 by Lion Publishing, in 1988 by Les Editions Sator.
The english version was published by Chariot Victor Pub. in December 1987.
In the same series "L'enfant de la crèche", in english "The Christmas baby" was also published.

N58
Small fold-out or pop-up nativity, partly made of cut-out figures that have been glued in the stable, which has a detachable roof, which has been replaced, the original one being lost. Another peculiarity are the figures of Child Jesus, Mary lying down in the hay and the group of five admiring figures in front. They do not seem to belong to a nativity, but to another religious event. Also Joseph is missing.
With the roof detached, the nativity folds-up into a small package of 11 x 8,5cm; setup it measures 27,5cm wide x 15cm deep. There are no markings.

Would appreciate some more information, please visit the help page

N41   Advent calendar in the form of a Nativity pop-up.
The Advent calendar doors are on the roof, numbered from 1 thru 24, with biblical scenes (I think) behind them. When folded-up the front and the back show the night scene and "Merry Christmas" in different languages and the assembly instructions.
On the front is the signature “H-HF”, while on the back is the publisher’s name “COPYRIGHT JOHN BRADFORD LIMITED TORONTO, CANADA”.

According to the kind assistance of the City of Toronto Archives the earliest it could date is 1943, as this is the first year John Bradford appears as Limited.
Before then it appears as John Bradford Co. rather than Ltd.

The following information I have found on the internet, the earliest being 1968, registered under the ref. CA311580, status expunged, and “Red Farm Studio”;
CA357476, 1972-1976, status Registered, John Bradford Ltd. & Design, with terrestial globes logo.

Dimensions: closed: 27,5cm x 18,5cm, open: 27,5cm x 29,5cm, top of palm tree included.
Is also shown under the Advent calendar sections, under A126.

It appears that this calendar, purchased in 1965, was also produced in Denmark.

Here is a description of various versions I found on the internet,
ref site:
http://www.isbn.pl/A-kubasta-vojtech/A-kubasta-vojtech/S-1000/
a bookshop, so it will not be permanently available and therefore I am repeating part of their description.

Version a)
Illustrated paper boards with blue cloth spine. Front cover depicts an angel holding a flowing banner bearing "Gloria In Excelsis Deo". Lighter colored boards, Kubasta signature printed on the pop-up, "Made in Czechoslovakia" in bold letters across bottom of back board, a purple cellophane window. 32 cm.

Version b)
Illustrated paper boards with blue cloth spine. Front cover depicts an angel holding a flowing banner bearing "Gloria In Excelsis Deo." , a red cellophane window. This copy without the Kubasta signature on the pop-up, darker boards, and a die-cut pattern to the Star of Bethlehem. 32 cm.

Version c)
Gubig 66 illustrates a copy with a red cloth spine (no priority known).

On the other hand I have found three different cover versions: light – middle dark – very dark. The spines also vary in color.

Another deviation between these two is the way the pop-up figures are inserted:

- dark blue above: figures are inserted in slits resulting in parts of the design not showing, such as the stones under the dog, the hat the man is holding and on the right the curled-up dog sleeping.

- light blue left: figures are glued in cut-out fields, showing the stones, hat, sleeping dog.

N35
Booklet  “RELIGIOUS STAMP ALBUM SERIES C” with 15 sheets with 10 stamps per sheet, with two different designs.
On the back it says:
“LITHO IN U.S.A.” and “COPYRIGHT 1942 WM. J. HIRTEN CO., INC., N.Y." (WM = William ?)

Dimensions Booklet: 16 x 9cm

N36 A sheet, with two nativity pictures, on the left Maria and Joseph in front of the stable, and the right the adoration by the Kings; printed in Rome, November 3, 1909, it says according to text at the bottom.
Translation of the Latin text, supplied by Frank Paul:

"The beginning of the Gospel according to John"
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

German nativity music box all made of wood, musical instrument in the box at the back to be activated by turning the key, melody "Holy Night", only the figure of Jozef is stamped "Made in Germany";
completely handmade, probably Erzgebirge region judging by the way the figures and angels are made, probably Steinbach; the yellow komet on top of the roof is a replacement;
dimensions 17cm high, green base is 20cm x 11cm, but total depth incl. the instrument box 14,5cm.

Update: A similar one on the internet had the label:

Wooden stable with figures, also cut in wood, with metal halo.
There is a hole in the back for hanging on a wall. It comes in a white cardboard box.

The white label reads:

"SPÓŁDS. zrzeszenie CHAŁUPN. I WYTW. PRZEM. LUD. I ART. w WARSZAWIE" (Google translation: SPÓŁDS. CHAŁUPN association. And generation. Ent. People. AND ART. in WARSAW)

Besides the name of the supplier, product name, symbol (1267-64-99), date of purchase is given "IV 1965".

Made in Poland
"Wisla", zam. 547. 150.000

Small wooden nativity with figures cut in wood, and a wooden star as a center piece for the crib as shown on the lid of the box. Possibly it was a do-it-yourself kit, all hand-painted. There is no halo and it was never there, certainly not attached to the star because there are no break-off points.

A few dimensions: height: Joseph 7,5cm, Maria 6cm, smallest sheep 2,2cm; the box is ca 16 x 16cm.

No markings.

Nazaire Beeusaert

The first set I bought was in Ghent, some 15 years ago, from a person whose parents used to have a toy shop. He still had an invoice from Nazaire Beeusaert, Gentsche Steenweg 19, Deinze, on which he thought the Christmas set was invoiced, dated 1949. On the base of these figures is an impressed mark “NB Belgium”.
I have been able to find the following information on this firm:

From the book “Speelgoed – Made in Belgium”:

Nazaire Beeusaert is known for the production of toys. I have not been able to find when the firm was precisely founded, but in the 1920s and 1930s they produced horses, soldiers, fortresses, farms, ranches and figures for nativity scenes.
The “NB” was first used on soldiers in papier maché. Those produced for the warehouse “Le Bon Marché” were marked “BM”.
Figures for nativity scenes were produced in several formats (I know of at least two). They were marked “NB”. Each series was decorated with the same colors and patterns.

From the Email, received from Archief Deinze:

In 1921 a Mr. N. Beeusaert started a factory, producing cardboard toys.
At present there still is a firm “Beeusaert”, wholesale trade in toys situated in the Ommegangstraat no. 60, in Deinze (Petegem-aan-de-Leie) with its registered office in the Gentse Steenweg 19, in Deinze. So this must be the same firm, still in existence today.

Thanks to:
The above information I have been able to gather due to:
- the kindness of the Communal Archives of the city of Deinze, Mr. F. De Graeve
- the book “Speelgoed – Made in Belgium” by Paul Herman.

Mrs. Beeusaert, the widow of the eldest son of the founder and now an old lady, has been kind enough to confirm that the above is correct.
This was several years ago and she also told me that some old molds were still about and now I am delighted that recently several of these original molds are shown on the Torck pedalcars site under "NB".

Recently, Mr. Luc Van Wanzeele, grandson of Nazaire Beeusaert, has written a book on the history of the Belgian toy factory; for information and ordering see his website http://www.vanwanzeele.com/beeusaert/

This stable is also a Nazaire Beeusaert product, judging by the base, the colors and the pave to the inside. The only marking is on the base, in pencil, what looks like "WE/95".

The figures came as a complete set, except the camel and attendant, being a separate addition.
Dimensions: ca 40 x 23cm and 32,5cm high.

This is another Nazaire Beeusaert stable, with straw roof. It is marked on the base with the number 3973.

Dimensions: 50 x 30cm and 34cm high..

These two figures have been found separately. The left one is qua paint and decoration similar to the sets above. The right one is somewhat different in coloring and seems to have been done with an airbrush.

Above are three bases with the "NB BELGIUM" mark. The white one is from the shepherd in the photo on the left.. Notice that the base is not painted. The green one is from the old man: notice the hole. All the figures with a green and brown base in the two sets above are marked as the brown one.

None of the baby Jesus are marked, although there is one with the pricing label of the Bon Marché still attached.

Oil painting of a nativity scene, signed by Jos Deswert.
There is no date, but considering the style and the frame, possibly 1910-1930.

It is here shown without the frame.

Dimensions: 46 x 50cm.

N57 Nativity woodcut engraving, signed "Weihnacht" and the artist "Gg. Ledbanair"
or something like that.

HELP for the correct name of the artist!

It is not dated, but considering the framing I would think 1900-1920s.

Dimensions of the engraving: ca 8,50 x 11cm.

Nativity scene made of mother of pearl and mounted in an abalone shell. I believe it comes from Bethlehem, probably made for the tourists. I have no idea of its age.

It is ca 16,5 cm high.