Latest in Toy Market Analysis

Charming Tinplate Wonderlands by Photo Holzapfel

A “secret society” exists in Germany for the enjoyment of tinplate toys.  For over 20 years, a group of onlookers, collectors, builders, and “players” has joined forces to construct a complete city out of tinplate, usually filling an entire hall.  The group doesn’t go by a particular name but is simply a collection of friends with similar interests.  The city

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From Germany with Love, Train Sets Shipped Home during WWII

As discussed in previous articles, the Marklin factory continued production during WWII. American soldiers operating in the area are said to have visited the factory specifically.  Not only were they there to collect intelligence, but also indulge in some toy shopping for those back home.  The Marklin factory had an in-house showroom with all the latest models running and many

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220 Volts to the Present: From life threatening danger to safety

  During the late 19th century and into the early 20th century, Märklin toy trains used one of three power sources – clockwork motors, live steam and electricity. In time, the first two methods with their inherent limitations were displaced, but not entirely replaced, by electric motors. So it was that in 1895 Märklin offered its first electric motor driven

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