In the early 19th century Matthias Hess was a young Handwerker in Nürnberg, as medieval in outlook as the still medieval city in which he had been born. Yet, instead of the usual pots and pans and other commonplace wares expected of him, he began making “playthings” by hand using the very ordinary medium of his calling — tin-plated iron. A hundred years later “tin toys” would be Nürnberg’s most famous products throughout the world, employing thousands in its factories.
Contemporary archival materials, largely handwritten, are the principal sources of this look into the lives and world of the earliest Nürnberg tin toy-makers. A story of the beginnings of these unique articles of commerce for both the general reader and avid collector.

Second Edition Revised and Enlarged
unter Mitarbeit von Ernst Plattner