Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2002
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/christmas.html

Johnson's Exclusive!  Personal Appearance and Ornament Signing
December 2002

    To fully understand the "specialness" of Biedermann Christmas
Ornaments, one must take a look back more than 800 years when the German
village of Schwaebisch Gmuend was founded by the Kings of Staufen. This
region became well known for its artisans specializing in the production
of gold, silver, and brass jewelry as well as decorative ornaments.
These works of art were shipped to markets in Italy and Western Europe.

    The tradition in metal arts survives today in this medieval walled
town located near Stuttgart, Germany. For generations, families have
engaged in ornament cutting, designing their own unique decorations to
give friends and relatives as holiday gifts.

    The Biedermann family originated the creation of a single Christmas
ornament commemorating each year, drawing on the talent from this
region. In the fall of 1970 they contacted several artisan families who
among them designed and cut the first ornament which depicted the town
square of Schwaebisch Gmuend.

    Each year since that first edition, a group of artists has selected
a single design from those submitted by townspeople and school children;
and the ornament to be cut for the coming season has been chosen. This
is now a tradition that the people of Schwaebisch Gmuend and America
cherish.

    Biedermann's master cutter, Georg Neumaier, directs the production
of the Biedermann Commemorative Ornament and is also involved in
selecting the year's winning design.

    The original brass ornament was supplemented in 1984 by Biedermann's
first edition silver-plated ornament. Beginning in 1987, alternate years
depict the story of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." In 1998, Biedermann
introduced the first edition of the "Christmas Quotations" series.

    Since 1970, Johnson's has taken pride in offering the Biedermann
Commemorative Ornaments to you, the collector, and to all connoisseurs
of tasteful, high quality craftsmanship. Please join us on December 9
for a personal appearance and ornament signing by Carl Biedermann and a
cutting demonstration by master cutter, Georg Neumaier.