June is already upon us, and some savvy Star Trek fans (like Yours Truly) are looking ahead to the holiday season and how to incorporate their favorite series and characters into their decor. Christmas ornaments are a great place to start, so from now until December, Redshirts Always Die will spotlight one Hallmark ornament per month, beginning with the dashing Jonathan Archer from Star Trek: Enterprise.
Who is Jonathan Archer?
When Star Trek: Enterprise premiered in 2001, fans got their first look at Captain Jonathan Archer (played by the always-delightful Scott Bakula), the captain of the Enterprise NX-01, the first Starfleet vessel to explore space. Jonathan’s father, Henry, was the inventor of the warp drive engine and one of the designers of the ship his son commanded.
Archer is outgoing, intelligent, and born to explore the final frontier. He also commands with a personal touch, making connections with his crewmembers during off-duty hours. He can be impatient and sometimes becomes frustrated with the Vulcans because they hesitated to allow humankind into space because they are ruled by emotion, not logic.
The 2003 Jonathan Archer Hallmark Ornament
This Hallmark ornament was released on October 3rd, 2003. It features Archer in his captain’s chair, leaning forward in curiosity and showing his eagerness for space exploration. The ornament measures 3.7 inches in height, 2.25 inches in width, and the chair gives it a slightly bulky 2.5-inch dimension. This is something to consider when placing the ornament on your tree. This ornament was designed by Anita Marra Rogers, who would craft the only other character ornament for the Enterprise series: Sub-Commander T’Pol.
Unlike past Hallmark Star Trek ornaments, such as the classic Galileo shuttlecraft released in 1995 (and one we’ll spotlight in the future here), the Archer ornament has no electronic features. It doesn’t speak or light up, but the pose is charming. It’s a pity Archer’s loyal beagle, Porthos, wasn’t included by his side!
Collectors who want to add Captain Archer to their tree this year will be happy to know the ornament is widely available online, and some are available for as little as $5. Did you find a good deal? Visit our Facebook page and show us!