Vintage Wallace Berrie “I Like You / I Love You This Much” Figurine Pair (1973)

Curated Reductions — Viridian Eclection

The Piece

A charming pair of vintage sentimental figurines produced by Wallace Berrie & Co. in 1973. Designed as a playful expression of affection, the two figures form a complete message when displayed together: one shyly admitting “I Like You,” while the other enthusiastically responds “I Love You This Much.”

The figures capture the whimsical character design that defined 1970s giftware — oversized expressive eyes, exaggerated childlike proportions, and soft matte finishes meant to feel approachable and warm rather than formal. The boy figure stands bashfully with a hand to his mouth, while the companion figure opens her arms wide, emphasizing the playful exaggeration of the phrase on her base.

Sold originally through card shops and novelty gift retailers, pieces like these were commonly given as small tokens of affection, particularly around Valentine’s Day or anniversaries. Finding the pair together today preserves the intended narrative of the design — a small two-part story of affection rendered in sculptural form.

Historical Context

Wallace Berrie & Co., founded in Los Angeles in 1948, became one of the largest American producers of novelty giftware during the mid-20th century. The company specialized in sentimental figurines, collectible characters, and licensed merchandise, helping define the aesthetic of American gift shops throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Before later licensing iconic properties like Garfield and Ziggy, Wallace Berrie built its reputation on original figurines like these — playful, emotionally expressive pieces designed to function as small, meaningful keepsakes. Their designs often blended cartoon-like character styling with hand-finished decorative details such as painted expressions, molded clothing textures, and fabric embellishments.

Pieces from the early 1970s, such as this pair, reflect the transition from earlier chalkware figurines into more durable molded resin and composite materials, allowing for greater detail and mass production while maintaining the handcrafted aesthetic consumers expected.

Today, Wallace Berrie figurines serve as nostalgic reminders of an era when small sentimental gifts carried personal meaning and decorated countless bedroom shelves and dressers across America.

Product Details

Maker: Wallace Berrie & Co.
Year: 1973
Origin: United States
Material: Molded resin composite with matte finish
Design: Two-figure sentimental gift set
Markings:
• “Made in U.S.A.”
• “© Wallace Berrie & Co. 1973”
• Mold number 9087

Figures:
• “I Like You” boy figurine
• “I Love You This Much” companion figurine

Approximate Dimensions (each):
Height: ~4–5 inches
Base width: ~2–2.5 inches

Condition

Both figurines remain in good vintage condition with light surface wear consistent with age. Minor scuffs and small marks are present in areas of the matte finish, typical for molded resin pieces from this period.

The original fabric flower embellishment on the back of the “I Like You” figure remains intact. No structural damage or repairs are visible.

Overall, the pair displays well and retains the character and charm expected of mid-century sentimental giftware.

Why It Belongs In Your Home

There is something undeniably charming about objects that were designed simply to make someone smile. This pair captures the playful sincerity of 1970s gift culture — small, expressive objects meant to communicate affection in a lighthearted way.

Displayed together on a shelf, desk, or bedside table, the figurines function as both nostalgic décor and a quiet reminder of the era when a small keepsake could say everything that needed to be said.

For collectors of vintage giftware, retro Valentine décor, or mid-century novelty objects, the complete pair offers both historical context and a whimsical decorative presence.

From Viridian Eclection

At Viridian Eclection, we appreciate objects that carry traces of everyday history. Not every collectible was created for a gallery or museum — some were simply meant to sit quietly on a dresser and make someone feel loved.

Pieces like these remind us that the smallest objects often carry the most human stories.