Sleigh bells ringing and the thought of nutcrackers marching to the tune of the Little Drummer Boy is not what crosses the minds of most of us on a warm July day in Middleburg, unless you're a serious nutcracker collector.

On July 2nd Middleburg was the Mecca for nutcracker collectors when The Christmas Sleigh shop in Middleburg hosted a special collectors' signing of the world famous Steinbach Nutcracker Collection. This was a rare opportunity to meet Herr Christian Steinbach and have his personal signature on your nutcracker.

Herr Christian Steinbach is the President and award-winning nutcracker artist of the world-famous Steinbach factory. He came to Middleburg from Germany to meet his nutcracker collectors during a two-month tour of selected cities in the U.S. This was his first visit to The Christmas Sleigh shop, a real treat for Virginia collectors who would have had to travel to New York to meet him in the past.

For the last 172 years, people from all over the world have collected Steinbach nutcrackers and smoking figures. Each legend is recreated with exacting attention to detail. They are carved from the finest Northern European woods and all in limited and numbered editions. Each piece is handcrafted by skilled artisans who have trained for many years in the fine arts of woodcarving and painting.

Herr Steinbach represents the fifth generation of this great legacy that began in 1832. His daughter, Karla, now manages their two artisan factories in Germany and will carry on the tradition.

Collectors young and old had scheduled appointments with Herr Steinbach from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. All arrived with their treasures in hand to meet the delightful gentleman, and hear his funny anecdotes and stories.

He is a charming individual of 85 years who dresses in trademark lederhosen and bright red jacket and makes time for everyone.

Each collector has their picture taken with him and, when he returns to Germany, he writes to every person he met and encloses the photo that was taken of them together.

He happily signed either new or old pieces for collectors and he and his assistant performed any needed repairs on the spot.

Herr Steinbach also keeps up with the times. He knows all about the Internet, and answers all his own email. With a twinkle in his eye he said in his thick German accent, "I love this eBay, look at it often, my Steinbach collectors' are always buying and selling my collectibles on it, and the prices keep rising!" As we parted, Herr Christian Steinbach promised he would return to Middleburg next year.

writes to every person he met and encloses the photo that was taken of them together.

He happily signed either new or old pieces for collectors and he and his assistant performed any needed repairs on the spot.

Herr Steinbach also keeps up with the times. He knows all about the Internet, and answers all his own email. With a twinkle in his eye he said in his thick German accent, "I love this eBay, look at it often, my Steinbach collectors' are always buying and selling my collectibles on it, and the prices keep rising!" As we parted, Herr Christian Steinbach promised he would return to Middleburg next year.