Hagen-Renaker company is known for it’s high-quality miniatures and dedicated employees. This family business started in 1946 in Monrovia California. Founders Maxine (Hagen) Renaker and her husband John Renaker would later be joined by Maxine’s father, Ole Hagen, for help in expanding the company.
All sorts of small hand-painted animals of a very high-quality were being turned out by the company over the years. Maxine was one of the original modelers. Her first items were tiny ducks and then skunks. Helen Perrin Farland joined the company in 1947 as a painter and was quickly promoted when it was noticed that she was an incredible modeler designer. Perrin Farland created 90% of the Hagen-Renaker miniatures over the years. The company continued to expand, and featured California-based designers who created larger sized animals and creations in their Designer’s Workshop, which began in the 1960s.
One thing they were very well known for are the Disney characters. From 1955 to 1960, the company produced these under license from the Disney Studios using Martha Armstrong Hand’s models.
I wondered how they could make such wonderful little creatures that didn’t just instantly break upon handling. They used talc from California and ball clay from Kentucky and Tennessee to make their ceramics more durable. They also hired the most amazing painters and you can see the quality of their work. Hagen-Renaker pieces were much more finely crafted and painted than imports coming into the country at that time.
In 2021 production ceased in California, but the tradition of hand making figurines in America continues with Hagen-Renaker, Tennessee.
I’m personally enthralled by the tiny creatures that the company made as well as Designer’s Workshop pieces, which created larger animals and featured horses, both large and small, and other wonderful creations.
The Hagen-Renaker Museum On-Line Museum
This is my go to place to see if any of my “very little” creatures are indeed Hagen-Renaker. There are just pages and pages of good images and extra material about the company and the designers. It is indeed a labor of love by Ed and Sheri Alcorn. Please visit them and see the whole site. You will return often! The following images are from this great online museum with thanks to Ed. These are just a few of their carefully curated virtual museum.
All of the above items are from their online museum which provides hundreds of looks at HR figures. There are no sales of items in the museum. Here is a link to their store on eBay. Below are just two of their over 1500 items available.
Rare Large Sized Snow White Collection
Not all Hagen-Renaker Pieces were small in stature. Snow White is 5.75″ inches tall. Can you name all of the dwarves? I always miss one. They are available to the true-hearted Disney collector for $1250. Click on these images to be taken into the amazing world of Hagen-Renaker.
Retired Hagen Renaker Girl With Horse or Pony
When I see this 3.75″ tall figurine, I think of Thelwell’s Pony Club figures. The sweet camaraderie between them makes me smile. They are also available for $40.
