Category Archives: 004. 1994 Bird of Prey

1996 Convention with Artist Lynn Norton

Lynn Norton seen at a 1996 Star Trek 30th anniversary convention in Huntsville, Alabama. These photos were posted with permission from banone77 who currently has four Norton-signed Star Trek ornaments listed on eBay. Be sure to check out these signed ornaments, linked below, while they are still available.

Lynn Norton standing behind what appears to be previous year Outpost store displays; including the popular 1992 Galileo merchandiser.
1992 Galileo Merchandiser, 1993 Enterprise D Outpost, 1994 Bird-of-Prey Outpost, 1995 Romulan Warbird Oupost
The graphics on the standee in the Hallmark booth was the same as those used in Hallmark’s 1996 magazine advertisements.
1996 Print Ad

1995 Hallmark Ornament Star Trek Romulan Warbird Signed by Lynn Norton

1994 Hallmark Ornament Star Trek Klingon Bird of Prey Signed by Lynn Norton

1993 Hallmark Ornament Star Trek TNG USS Enterprise NCC-1701D Signed Lynn Norton

1991 Hallmark Ornament Star Trek TOS USS Enterprise NCC-1701 Signed Lynn Norton

“Patented Canada 1988” Variants

For serious collectors: some Hallmark Star Trek ornaments are stamped “Patented Canada 1988” — that marking refers to the light-string ornament circuitry patent. So far I’ve only seen the Canadian designation on the 1992 Galileo, 1993 Enterprise-D, and 1994 Bird of Prey. If you’ve found it on other Star Trek ornaments, please send photos — I’ll add them to the catalog!

1992 Galileo
1993 Enterprise D – TNG Enterprise NCC-1701-D – Hallmark Ornament 1993 by Captain Foley
1994 Bird-of-Prey

U.S. Patent: US4682079A

Abstract

A decorative device is disclosed which includes a motor, music module or other electrical loads and electrical circuitry and a connector for connection to a selected socket of a string of conventional sockets for connection to an A.C. line. The connector includes an elongated flexible cable and is constructed to permit ready installation and positioning. Lamps may be provided in the device. The electrical circuit includes a bridge rectifier and Zener diodes connected to insure continuous energization of lamps of the string while protecting against excessive voltages and minimizing safety hazards.

Canada Patent: CA1243727A

Abstract of the Disclosure

This invention relates to ornaments for installation in a string of lights and more particularly to ornaments which have lights and electrically energizable musical and/or motion produc-ing devices which cooperate to produce attractive sensory effects.
Circuitry is provided for operating such devices in a safe and highly reliable manner, while being compact and readily and econo-mically manufacturable. In one embodiment, an enhanced visual effect is produced by a rotating element driven through a gear reduction unit from a small electric motor. In another embodi-ment, a music module is provided which includes a small speaker energized from an integrated circuit which generates musical tones. In an ornament constructed in accordance with the invention, connectors are provided to connect input terminals of a bridge rectifier in a string of lamps while a lamp of the ornament is connected in series with a load device and to output terminals of the bridge rectifier, with protection means being provided for limiting voltages across the lamp and the load device, and to thereby protect against possible highly adverse consequences of open circuit conditions. The connection of the lamp in the output circuit of the rectifier, in series with the load device, rather than in series with the input of the rectifier, is advantageous in connection with limiting voltages in the circuit and in permitting use of a lamp which does not need to match the lamps of the string. Preferably, the voltage across the lamp is limited by a single Zener diode, only one diode being required since the cur-rent is unidirectional in the output circuit of the rectifier.
The Zener diode across the lamp provides additional protection against burn-out and extends the life of the lamp, to provide further protection against open-circuit conditions.

Hallmark used the “Patented Canada 1988” marking from at least 1991–1997.

1991 Ski Trip
1991 Jingle Bears
1992 Enchanted Clock
1993 Bells Are Ringing
1995 Baby’s First Christmas
1997 Simba, Sarabi and Mufasa – The Lion King

004. Klingon Bird of Prey

No. 004
Released: September 10, 1994
Ornament: Klingon Bird of Prey 
Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Product Code: QLX7386
Artist: Lynn Norton
Original retail: $24.00
Dimensions: 2” H x 5” W x 4” H
Branding: Keepsake
Material: Styrene
Packaging: Gold box with white trim 
Magic: Lights
Power source: Pigtail
Front box text: 
KEEPSAKE ORNAMENT
STAR TREK
THE NEXT GENERATION
Klingon Bird of Prey TM FLICKERING LIGHTS
MAGIC
Back box text:
Handcrafted – Stardated 1994
Limited Warranty Through 1997 Enclosed
Red and green Christmas alert! The “Klingon Bird of Prey™” from the STAR TREK®: THE NEXT GENERATION T™ TV program is in orbit around your tree. This meticulously detailed starship, with its flickering and glowing lights, will fill your holiday with Keepsake Magic!
Lights flicker automatically and continuously.
Ornament plugs easily into any of the light bulb sockets on a miniature tree light string. Use only with standard U.L.-listed light strings of 3.5- or 6-volt bulbs.
Attached connector cord allows for easy placement on your tree.
Not for use with blinking lights.
Complete display instructions enclosed. 
Bottom box text: 
TM, ® & © 1994 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION is a Trademark of Paramount Pictures. Mfd. for Hallmark Cards, Inc., Authorized User.
K.C., MO 64141 Ornament Made and Assembled in China Connector Cord Made in China Connector Cord U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,218 Circuitry U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,079 OLX738-6 
Pros: A standout entry thanks to its striking paint job and impressive lighting. The deep greens and reds give it an authentic, battle-worn look, and when lit, it truly comes to life on the tree—aggressive, angular, and unmistakably Klingon.
Cons: As with all early pigtail ornaments, powering it can be a challenge. Finding compatible light strands is increasingly difficult, which can turn setup into a mini engineering mission. When it works, though, it’s glorious.

Classic Hallmark Star Trek Commercials Revisited (1992-1995)

1992 Galileo Commercial

Leonard Nimoy portrayed Lt. Spock for nearly 50 years and in 1992 he recorded a special holiday message from Spock for use within Hallmark’s Shuttlecraft Galileo ornament. That same year, Nimoy appeared as himself in a television commercial for the ornament where he gives the famous Vulcan salute.

  • Leonard Nimoy: ”Excuse me. I’m interested in the new collectors ornament from Hallmark.”
  • Hallmark Employee: “Ahh…the shuttle craft Galileo from the starship Enterprise.”
  • Leonard Nimoy: “Precisely.”
  • Hallmark Employee: “You know? It lights up when you plug it in. And listen…”
  • Spock Ornament Recording: “Shuttle craft to Enterprise. Spock here. Happy holidays. Live long and prosper.”
  • Leonard Nimoy: “Fascinating.”
  • Voiceover: “For a store in your sector now carrying the Star Trek ornament call 1-800-HALLMARK.”
  • Hallmark Employee: ”Live long and prosper, right?”
  • Leonard Nimoy: “No, I’ll take five.“

1993 Enterprise D Commercial

In 1993, Hallmark aired a television commercial featuring Patti Yasutakein the role of Nurse Alyssa Ogawa, who was seen questioning the shipboard computer and then replicating a USS Enterprise-D Keepsake ornament. Patti Yasutake played Nurse Alyssa Ogawa in 16 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and in Star Trek Generations and Star Trek: First Contact.

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry provided the voice of the computer. Majel, the “First Lady of Star Trek”, famously played the Trek roles of Number One, Nurse Chapel, M’Ress, Lwaxana Troi and the voice of most onboard computer interfaces throughout the series.


  • Nurse Ogawa:
    “Computer, access the new Keepsake Magic Ornament from Hallmark.”
  • Ship Computer/Replicator: “Accessing U.S.S. Enterprise, a collectible ornament accurately representing the the Galaxy Class starship. Ornament carries Earth date 1-9-9-3 and illuminates in a realistic manner.”
  • Nurse Ogawa: “The new starship enterprise ornament please.”
  • Ship Computer/Replicator: “Replications are copies. Only Hallmark carries authentic Keepsake ornaments.”
  • Nurse Ogawa: “Suggest solution.”
  • Ship Computer/Replicator: “Call 1-800-HALLMARK for store nearest you.”

1994 Klingon Bird of Prey Commercial

Hallmark’s television commercial for the 1994 Klingon Bird-of-Prey ornament featured Robert O’Reilly in the role of Gowron, commanding the bridge of a Klingon ship. His raucous Klingon language pitch was subtitled in English.

Robert O’Reilly appeared in the Star Trek franchise for over ten years primarily in his recurring role on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Chancellor Gowron, the leader of the Klingon Empire.

O’Reilly made his first appearance in the Star Trek franchise with an appearance in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Manhunt”and his last as the character Kago-Darr in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode “Bounty”.

Marc Okrand, creator of the Klingon language, provided the language for the commercial.  He is the author of three books about Klingons – The Klingon Dictionary, The Klingon Way and Klingon for the Galactic Traveler, as well as two audio-courses: Conversational Klingon and Power Klingon.

  • Gowron (speaking Klingonese): “Greetings! In our many battles we have fought with honor and achieved…victory! So to celebrate I have gotten you all a gift. It’s a Klingon Bird of Prey Ornament.”
  • Klingon #1 (speaking Klingonese): “It looks so real.”
  • Klingon #2 (speaking Klingonese): “It even has working lights.”
  • Voiceover: “Hallmark introduces the exclusive Klingon Keepsake Ornament. Call 1-800-HALLMARK for a Gold Crown Store near you.”
  • Klingon #1 (speaking Klingonese): ”That was really nice of him.”
  • Klingon #2 (speaking Klingonese): “Yeah, we should get him a thank you card.“

1995 Romulan Warbird Commercial

Martha Hackett appeared as the female Romulan officer. Martha auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, but lost out to Terry Farrell.  She was cast as a member of the Terellian alien species in the finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation, “All Good Things…”. She appeared on Deep Space Nine as the Romulan Sub Commander T’Rul in the two part episode “The Search” in season three and starred as Seska in thirteen episodes of the television series Star Trek: Voyager.

  • Hallmark Employee: “May I help…you.”
  • Sub-commander: “You are aboard the Imperial Warbird Khazara. You are here to explain this.”
  • Hallmark Employee: “Oh…the new Hallmark Star Trek Keepsake Magic ornament?”
  • Female Romulan Officer: “Pirated from the Romulan Empire!”
  • Male Romulan Officer: “Sub-commander, it lights up!”
  • Sub-commander: “Tell us what you know.”
  • Hallmark Employee: “Oh…well, the Romulan Warbird ornament is at Gold Crown Stores for a limited time. You should get yours soon.”
  • Voiceover: “Call 1-800-HALLMARK for the store nearest you.”
  • Hallmark Employee: “You guys in town for a Star Trek convention?” 

004POS1. 1994 Hallmark Klingon Bird of Prey Poster #1

A 20.5” x 30” 1994 Hallmark store poster promoting the release of the Klingon Bird of Prey ornament. Unfortunately, this image is quite blurry and it difficult to make out anything but the largest type.

Join Us For A Stellar Weekend

September 10-11, 1994

Celebrate the Holiday with the KLINGON BIRD-OF-PREY Keepsake Magic Ornament


IMG_4966
203D2744-E1C7-4E65-9291-DDCEE3E92882

04) 1994 Klingon Bird of Prey

 image

IT’S THE KLINGONS! Shields up, and red alert! Just kidding – the Klingon’s are now allies with the United Federation of Planets … or are they???

The 1994 Klingon Bird of Prey Hallmark ornament is modeled after the imposing Klingon space vessels from the hit television series: STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. With this fierce battleship orbiting around your tree, you had better notify Starfleet Command to send help immediately, just in case the Klingon commander has something up his sleeve. This meticulously detailed Klingon starship features automatically and continuously flickering and glowing lights from the front torpedo launcher and the rear engines.
You can plug this ornament into any miniature light bulb socket on a standard miniature Christmas tree light string, or plug it into the Hallmark Legacy Cord (sold separately).
Artist: Lynn Norton

1994 Bird of Prey Commercial

Robert O’Reilly appeared in the Star Trek franchise for over ten years primarily in his recurring role on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Chancellor Gowron, the leader of the Klingon Empire.

O’Reilly made his first appearance in the Star Trek franchise with an appearance in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Manhunt”and his last as the character Kago-Darr in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode “Bounty”.

Marc Okrand, creator of the Klingon language, provided the language for the commercial.  He is the author of three books about Klingons – The Klingon Dictionary, The Klingon Way and Klingon for the Galactic Traveler, as well as two audio-courses: Conversational Klingon and Power Klingon.