Walk into any thrift store or scroll through eBay’s "Vintage Collectibles" section and you’re bound to see them. Big eyes. Oversized hats. Children dressed in adult clothes that don’t quite fit. These are Pretty as a Picture figurines, and if you grew up in the late 90s, they were basically the soundtrack to your mother’s living room decor.
They weren't just dust collectors. For a solid decade, they were a cultural phenomenon.
Based on the photography of Kim Anderson (a pseudonym for German photographer Bertram Bahner), these Enesco-produced statues captured a very specific brand of nostalgia. It was a "sepia-toned" innocence that felt safe. Today, as Gen Z and Millennials lean into "Grandmacore" and "Cottagecore" aesthetics, these figurines are escaping the donation bins. They're finding new life. Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating how a resin statue of a kid holding a giant sunflower can suddenly feel relevant again after being "uncool" for twenty years.
The Story Behind the Lens: Bertram Bahner’s Vision
Most people call them Kim Anderson figurines. But Kim Anderson isn't a person. It was the professional name Bertram Bahner used when he started taking photos of his young daughter, Nicola, and her friends in the early 1990s. He had this specific trick. He would dress toddlers in oversized vintage clothing—think giant trench coats, heavy wool sweaters, and boots that swallowed their legs—and photograph them in black and white.
Later, he’d add a tiny pop of hand-painted color. Maybe a single red rose or a yellow rain slicker.
Enesco, the same company that turned Precious Moments into a billion-dollar empire, saw the goldmine. They licensed Bahner’s photography and turned those 2D images into 3D resin figurines under the brand name Pretty as a Picture. By the mid-90s, the collection exploded. You couldn’t go into a Hallmark store without seeing a wall of them. They weren't just statues; they were "sentiments." Every piece had a title like "Love is the Best Medicine" or "A Gift of Love."
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It worked because it tapped into a universal longing for a simpler childhood. Even if your own childhood involved 1990s neon windbreakers and GameBoys, these figurines suggested a world of meadow picnics and hand-holding.
What Collectors Actually Look For Today
If you’re digging through a box in the attic, don't expect to retire on a single figurine. Most Pretty as a Picture pieces sell for $10 to $25. They were mass-produced. Millions exist. However, the market isn't dead—it’s just more specific now.
Serious collectors hunt for the "Enesco Event" pieces. These were limited releases only available at specific gift shows or for members of the Pretty as a Picture Collectors Club. These often feature more intricate details, like multiple figures or larger "scenery" elements.
Watch the markings.
The bottom of a genuine piece will have the Enesco logo, the year of production, and the specific item number. Early pieces from 1994 and 1995 generally hold a bit more charm for purists. Also, the condition of the "hand-painted" accents matters. Because these were resin and not high-fired porcelain like Lladró, the paint can flake if they were stored in a damp basement or a hot attic.
People want the "Flower" series. Anything involving oversized hats or umbrellas also tends to move faster on platforms like Etsy. There’s something about the silhouette of a kid under a giant umbrella that hits the "cozy" vibe people are decorating with lately.
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Why the Resale Market is Heating Up
It’s easy to dismiss these as "clutter." But look at the numbers on Mercari and Poshmark. There is a weirdly consistent demand.
Why? Nostalgia is a hell of a drug.
The kids who grew up with these on their parents' mantels are now decorating their own apartments. They aren't necessarily buying 500 of them. They’re buying one or two. Maybe the one that looks like them and their sister. Or the one their grandmother used to keep by the phone. It’s a "micro-trend" of sentimental maximalism.
There's also the "re-purposing" crowd. I've seen artists taking these figurines and "goth-ing" them up—painting them in matte black or neon colors. It’s a way to subvert the saccharine sweetness of the original design. Whether you love the original look or want to hack it, the "Pretty as a Picture" brand provides a solid, recognizable base.
Authenticity and the "Kim Anderson" Confusion
One mistake people make is confusing Kim Anderson’s work with other "kid-core" figurines of the era. You’ve got Precious Moments (the teardrop-eyed ones), Cherished Teddies, and Hummel figurines.
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Pretty as a Picture figurines are distinct because they are meant to look like real children, not cartoons. They have realistic facial proportions, even if the eyes are slightly stylized. If the kid looks like they’re wearing Grandpa’s Sunday best from 1940, it’s probably a Kim Anderson piece.
The most valuable items aren't actually the figurines themselves sometimes. It's the musical globes and the photo frames. Because the original art was photography-based, the frames were a huge seller. Finding a "Love is Patient" frame in its original box can actually fetch a higher price than a standard figurine because people actually use them for their own family photos.
Caring for Resin Collectibles
If you’ve got a collection, don't use Windex. Don't use harsh chemicals.
Resin is porous. If you spray it with a heavy cleaner, you risk stripping that delicate hand-painted color that makes the Kim Anderson style famous. The best way to clean them is a soft, dry makeup brush. Just dust them once a month. If they’re really grimy, a slightly damp microfiber cloth with just a tiny drop of Dawn dish soap will do. But dry it immediately.
And for heaven's sake, keep them out of direct sunlight. The "sepia" look is intentional, but "UV-faded yellow" is not. Sunlight will turn the white resin into an ugly, brittle yellow over time.
Actionable Steps for New Collectors or Sellers
If you're looking to jump into this world—either to clear out an estate or start a small collection—here is the play:
- Check the "Retiree" Lists: Enesco officially retired the line years ago. Search for "retired" catalogs online to see which pieces had shorter production runs. These are your "white whales."
- The Box Matters: If you have the original box with the molded Styrofoam, the value can increase by 30% to 50%. It makes shipping safer and appeals to "new-in-box" collectors.
- Bundle for Value: If you’re selling, don’t list them one by one. Group them by theme (e.g., "The Wedding Collection" or "Winter Scenes"). Buyers hate paying $12 shipping for a $10 figurine. A bundle of four for $45 makes much more sense.
- Verify the Artist: Ensure the "Kim Anderson" signature is stamped into the mold or printed on the base. Knock-offs exist, and they look "muddy" compared to the crisp Enesco molds.
These figurines represent a specific slice of 90s Americana that didn't care about being "cool." They were about being sweet. In a world that feels increasingly cynical, it’s easy to see why people are starting to put these little kids in oversized coats back on their shelves.