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As with any hobby, collectors adopt a special language when referring to the style or type of collectible. Below is a list of some of the most common terms used in the Department 56 community.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | V | Y
A Christmas Carol A Christmas story written in 1843 by Charles Dickens. A recurring series introduced within the Dickens' Village in 1986.
Accessory Any of the characters, animals, non-lit structures, etc. that are sold to supplement and complete any one of the collections. Department 56 introduces more General Village Accessories annually than any of the individual village pieces and they are discontinued rather than retired. General Village Accessories are designed to accompany any village. They include items such as animals, bridges and roads, fences and walls, lighting, mountains, trees, snow, and backdrops.
American Architecture Series A series within the Original Snow Village, introduced in 1990.
Animated Those pieces which include movement through the use of electrical and/or magnetic devices.
Annual A collectible issued yearly to commemorate an anniversary, holiday, or other special date or event.
Bachman's A Minneapolis-based floral supply company that was the parent company of Department 56 until it was sold in 1992.
Bachman's Hometown Series Introduced in 1987, a series of three porcelain buildings manufactured by Department 56 for sale exclusively by Bachman's retails stores.
Bisque A porcelain, generally white, that has no glaze or enamel applied to it.
Bottom Stamp Specific information embossed on the bottom of the building. It contains the Department 56 logo, copyright information, and the name of the piece.
Case Mold This is often referred to as the master mold. It is produced with a high density composite material that will not wear out as quickly as the more porous production molds.
Casting The initial step in the production of a porcelain collectible. Liquid clay is poured into a production mold and, after being allowed to dry, removed as a semi-firm piece.
Celebrations The third name for Department 56's quarterly magazine. It was originally titled Quarterly followed by Fifty-Six.
Ceramic A form of clay finished by firing it at a high temperature.
Certificate of Authenticity A document that attests to a piece's being genuine and establishes its place within a limited edition or production.
Charles Dickens Signature Series™ Any of the buildings in the Dickens' Village specifically designated as belonging to this series. These building are limited to year of production and carry the special bottom stamp depicting the Arms, Crest, and Badge (Lion) of the Charles Dickens Heritage Limited Foundation.
China A high quality clay fired at a high temperature.
Chip The location on a piece where a small portion of porcelain or ceramic has been broken off.
Clay Any of the earthen materials used to make ceramic items. It becomes hard when fired at high temperatures.
Closed-End Series A limited edition series that is defined by the number of pieces that will be produced.
Club 56 This title is given to Department 56's upper echelon of dealers.
Cold Cast Porcelain (CCP) A porcelain collectible that is produced by mixing a resin with porcelain dust and forcing it into a mold under high pressure where it is allowed to harden.
Collectors Club A group of collectors who regularly gather to exchange ideas and information about a particular collectible.
Commemorative An item specially made to mark an event, anniversary, or holiday.
Crack A break or split in an item.
David Copperfield A story written by Charles Dickens. A series within the Dickens' Village, introduced in 1989 and retired in 1992.
Dickens, Charles An English author born in 1812, he wrote many well know stories including A Christmas Carol and others referred to in the Dickens' Village. He died in 1870.
Discontinued The classification of an item, other than a building or accessory, that is no longer in production.
Earthenware A type of clay usually glazed and fired at relatively low temperatures.
Eden Prairie The suburb of Minneapolis Minnesota where Department 56 is headquartered.
Edition The total number of items produced with the same name.
Elf Land™ A sub-series within the North Pole Collection. The buildings are slightly smaller to accommodate the smaller elfin figures.
Emboss To mold or stamp a design or information into a product.
Event Piece A collectible produced to be sold only at a specific event of series of events.
Factory Flaw Any defect, usually a chip, crack or firing line, that occurred while the item was being manufactured.
Fifty-Six Former name of Celebrations, Department 56's publication featuring the villages and their other collectibles. Previously named Quarterly.
Fire To heat at high temperatures and harden a ceramic or clay in a kiln.
Firing Crack A crack in the ceramic or porcelain product that occurred during the firing of the piece.
Firing Line A line in a ceramic or porcelain product that occurred during the firing of the piece.
Firing Period The length of time during which a manufacturer produces a fired product.
Gathering An organized event for Department 56 collectors. Features guest speakers, seminars, swap & sell, show & sell, make & take sessions, and social events. See Calendar of Events.
GCC Gift Creations Concept a buying group to which dealers belong.
Gift Set A packaged grouping of building(s), accessories, usually trees and snow, specially priced and sold for a limited time.
Glaze A liquid material that is applied between firings to create a glossy shine.
Gold Key The distinction is given to many of the larger Department 56 dealers.
Greenbook A reference and Secondary Market Guide to Department 56 Villages and Snowbabies.
Hand Cutting The cutting of windows and other openings before a piece is fired.
Heritage Village Collection®, The A term that encompasses Department 56 porcelain villages, including Dickens', New England, Alpine, Christmas In The City, The Holy Land, North Pole, and Disney Parks.
Historical Landmark Series™ Introduced in 1997, a series that highlights famous landmarks.
Holy Land™ Collection, The In 2001, this name was introduced as an umbrella for the Little Town Of Bethlehem™ Series and The Easter Story™ Series.
Issue To introduce. Also refers to a particular item within a series.
Issue Price The suggested retail price of an item when it is first introduced.
Knock-Off A copy of an original, usually crude in quality.
Licensed Pieces Buildings or accessories produced under a special agreement with another company that depict that company's products or use its logo and/or name.
Limited Edition An item that is produced in a specific quantity or for a specific period of time.
Make & Take A craft session at a gathering where you learn how to make an accessory or other item that can be used in your displays.
Master Mold This is often referred to as the case mold. It is produced with a high density composite material that will not wear out as quickly as the more porous production molds.
Meadowland Series A ceramic springtime series that was introduced in 1979 and retired in 1980. It consisted of two buildings and two sets of accessories.
MIB Mint in box.
Mid-year Introductions Pieces introduced each year in May.
Mint Condition Means that a piece is in its original, like new condition, free of any flaws with all documentation and box.
Mold The form in which an item is created.
Mother Mold This mold is taken from the clay mold and is made with superfine plaster to allow fine details to be impressed into it.
Ms. Lit-Town Department 56's name for its consumer service manager.
NALED The National Association of Limited Edition Dealers a buying group to which dealers belong.
NCC National Council of 56 Clubs. An Organization for Department 56 Collectors Clubs whose purpose is to promote, cultivate and facilitate the exchange of information between Member Clubs.
NIB New in box.
Nicholas Nickleby A story written by Charles Dickens. A series within the Dickens' Village, introduced in 1988 and retired in 1991.
North Pole Woods™ Collection A sub-series within the North Pole Collection. This group of buildings in trees was introduced in 2000 and retired in 2002.
Oliver Twist A story written by Charles Dickens. A series within the Dickens' Village, introduced in 1991 and retired in 1993.
One Village Place The name for Department 56's headquarters in Eden Prairie.
Open House An event given by a dealer having special activities.
Paste Porcelain in its raw form before shaping and firing.
Porcelain A hard, white translucent ceramic made by firing pure clay.
Primary Market The market in which items are sold for the first time.
Prototype The original design, often the piece initially shown to dealers when they place orders.
Quarterly The original name for Celebrations, Department 56's magazine.
Retired Buildings and accessories that are no longer being produced and will not be in the future.
Room Hop An activity at a gathering where collectors sell items in their hotel rooms while other collectors roam from room to room looking for bargains or that hard-to-find piece.
Round Robin Individuals at tables demonstrating how to make accessories or scenes for your displays. Unlike most demonstrations, you are up close to where you can ask questions and see in detail what is going on.
Secondary Market The market in which retired and discontinued items are bought, sold, or traded.
Secondary Market Dealer A person or company that sells retired and discontinued pieces.
Secondary Market Value The price a retired or discontinued item is selling for on the secondary market.
Show & Sell The section of a gathering that is set aside for vendors of non-Department 56 items such as accessories that can be used to enhance your Department 56 displays.
Signed A piece that has been autographed by the artist.
Sisal A strong fiber obtained from an agave plant.
Sleeve The cardboard cover that slips over the Styrofoam packing box of a building or accessory.
Slip Liquid clay that is poured into a mold or used to adhere two pieces together.
Starter Sets Gift sets that are stand-alone vignettes intended to attract new collectors.
Swap & Sell The section of a gathering that is set aside for collectors to buy, sell, or swap Department 56 collectibles.
Topiary Trees and bushes that are cut and trimmed into decorative shapes.
Vignette A small scene or display.
Year of Issue The year in which a piece is announced for sale by Department 56.
Year of Production An annual piece that is not limited by number, but which is available on the primary market only during the year it is produced.
