In the early 1970's, Sam and a friend at CEF, Bill Biel, started a small company to produce the Precious Moments art on a line of cards and posters, calling their company Jonathan & David.
Sam and Bill took their cards and posters to the annual CBA Convention in Anaheim and their tiny booth was filled with enthusiastic retailers wanting to order the new line. The crowd became so large that neighboring vendors come over to help the two young men write orders.
Shortly thereafter, Sam was approached by Enesco Corporation to develop a three-dimensional figurine based on the artwork Love One Another. Sam was so overwhelmed when he saw the first sample that he fell to his knees and wept. It was the beginning of a phenomenon for both Sam and the gift industry. (Info from preciousmoments . com) |
