The collection is now well over 1,500 pieces with new introductions offered each year. The success of the Precious Moments figurines was amazing, yet Sam never lost touch with his original purpose to create art which combined his heartfelt emotions with his abiding faith. In less than a year after their introduction, demand was overwhelming. People began to write to Sam, telling him about how the Precious Moments figurines had touched their lives in a moving and heartfelt way. The response to the collection was incredible.

By the end of 1978, the first twenty-one original Precious Moments figurines were introduced to the market. It was the beginning of a phenomenon for both Sam and the gift industry.

Shortly thereafter, Sam was approached by Enesco Corporation to develop a three-dimensional figurine based on his artwork titled “Love One Another.” Sam was so overwhelmed when he saw the first porcelain sample that he fell to his knees and wept. The crowd became so large that neighboring vendors came over to help the two young men write orders. They took their goods to the annual Christian Booksellers Association Convention in Anaheim and their tiny booth was filled with enthusiastic retailers wanting to order the new line. In the early 1970s, Sam and a friend, Bill Biel, started a small company to produce his Precious Moments art on a line of cards and posters, calling their company Jonathan & David. His dedication earned him a scholarship to the College of Arts & Crafts in Berkeley. A man of deep personal faith and conviction, Sam demonstrated artistic talent at an early age and, encouraged by his Mother, he pursued formal art training following his high school graduation. Today, his Precious Moments artwork is among the most recognized art in the world, sharing messages of loving, caring and sharing with collectors from around the globe. It all began more than forty years ago when Precious Moments® creator Sam Butcher began drawing the endearing teardrop-eye children he called 'Precious Moments' as gifts for family and friends.

Precious moments joplin