Renowned German Toy Figure Manufacturer
When the subject of figures collecting arises the name of Britain’s inevitably is mentioned, however they were other producers of good quality hollow cast and solid figures, one in particular the German company of Heyde.
Launched decades before Britain’s, the Dresden based firm can trace its roots to the 1830’s. It expanded gradually until moving to a higher level under the leadership of Gustav Theodor during the 1850’s and 1860’s followed by Georg Heyde in the 1870’s. Expert guidance, advances in industrial systems and methods of production resulted in them being awarded medals of excellence at Toy Fairs and exhibitions in 1877, 1879 and 1881.
Heyde’s style was seen as different as and more ingenious than the previous flat figures; they were more 3 dimensional with separately cast weapons, flags and accessories giving the toys more movement and pose ability.
Vast ranges were released in various scales from 30mm – 110mm; this makes it almost impossible for collectors to obtain all the Heyde archives and results in many of them concentrating on one or two sizes. Alternatively they could work on a theme as Heyde covered many subject areas including –
- Greeks
- Trojans
- Hannibal’s March on Rome
- American War of Independence
- Franco Prussian War
- North American Indians & Wild West
- Boer War
- Fairy Tales
- Medieval World
- British in Africa & India
By 1890’s Heyde’s dominance in the cream of the world top stores such as Walther & Stephenson in Sydney, Gamages in London and FAO Schwarz in New York, was being challenged by the new kid on the block, Britain’s. In comparison the once innovative Heyde products now looked less accurate and tired, coupled with the width of ranges being difficult for the sellers to merchandise meant their premier position was threatened.
Innovations such as musical movements and the addition of cheaper hollow cast ranges failed to halt the decline of sales. Managing to survive through the economic problems Germany had in the early part of the 20th Century, Heyde could not pull back from total destruction of the factory, its archives and stocks in 1944 during an RAF bombing raid on Dresden.
In more recent times modern replicas have been produced plus replacement parts for Heyde figures have helped collectors who would like to own a piece from this wonderful German company.
Having not been around for over 60 years, finding good quality examples is difficult. Identification can also be a problem as Heyde did not mark their products, collectors rely on the styling looking for – over large bodies, short legs, overlong arms, plugged heads, belly to ground horses, weapons sloped on right shoulder and stepping off on right foot as indicators of the origins of a piece.
Vectis Direct are privileged to offer for sale a fine example of original Heyde figures and scenes. Taken from the Fairy Tales Collection comes Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. The set recounts the story of Princess Snow White sentenced to death by her wicked step mother, then released by a kindly huntsman. Snow White then finds the cottage of the seven dwarfs and settled into to domestic life. Upon hearing from her magic mirror that Snow White is still alive the evil Queen attempts three times to kill her, finally sending her into a trancelike state with the aid of a poison apple. The dwarfs are at a loss until a handsome (of course!) Prince rides in to save the day by dislodging the apple. Her promises to marry Snow White much to the chagrin of the wicked Queen who finally receives her comeuppance in the form of scorching shoes. There are nine settings in all, extremely well presented and a fantastic example of an original Heyde.
