J.H. Miller Company
J.H. Miller began in 1938 with the production of plaster Nativity scenes. It produced toy soldiers in plaster in the early 1950's, but this line ended quickly. At some point in the Fifties the company began using blow molded plastic. They produced soldiers, animals, dinosaurs, Santas, and the Nativity scenes. The company went out of business in 1959. Because of the fragility of plaster and blow molded plastic, and the realism of their designs, J.H. Miller figures tend to be fairly hard to find in good condition. Earlier figures have a single hole in the base from the injection molding process. Later figures are more likely to have multiple holes.
Plaster
Nativity Sets
These were in at least two sizes
- Camel Seated
- Camel Standing
- Dog Standing
- Dog Sitting
- Donkey Head Down
- Donkey Standing Small 1
- Donkey Standing Small 2
- Donkey Standing Small 3
- Donkey Standing Small 4
- Ox Seated
- Ox Standing
- Sheep Laying 1
- Sheep Laying 2
- Sheep Laying 3 unconfirmed as Miller
- Sheep Laying 4 unconfirmed as Miller
- Sheep Standing Flocked
Easter Figures
- Bunny Standing Large
- Bunny Sitting Large
- Bunny Sitting Small
- Bunny with Clover
- Bunny with Fan
- Bunny with Ribbon
- Bunny with Stroller
- Chick Large
- Duckling Large
Farm Set
- Farmer
- Farmer's Wife
- Farmer's Daughter
- Collie Dog
- Colt 1
- Colt 2
- Pig
Others
Plastic
The plastic is waxy feeling and very thin. There is often a hole or two on the bottom of the feet left from production, and breakage is common. Paint easily rubs off as well, so good condition is a premium.
Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life
- Large
- Small
The small dinosaurs were available in a two box set that included all 8 listed here, and were not typically sold loose.
- Sinclair Attendant Dinosaur Figure very rare
Wild Animals
The wild animals are often copies of Elastolin or Lineol animals.
- Large
- Small
The small animals were available in a two box set that included all 12 listed here, and were not typically sold loose.
Nativity Sets
Similar figures to the older plaster ones but in the waxy plastic.
- Camel Seated Early
- Camel Seated Large
- Camel Seated Small
- Camel Standing Large
- Camel Standing Small
- Camel Standing Free Standing
- Dog Large
- Dog Small
- Donkey Seated
- Donkey Seated 2
- Donkey Standing Free Standing
- Donkey Standing Large
- Donkey Standing Small
- Ox Seated Early
- Ox Seated 2
- Ox Standing Free Standing
- Ox Standing
- Ox Standing 2
- Sheep
- Sheep Seated
Others