Schuco miniatures are incredibly well-made

Her earplugs, I am afraid, are a statement on my musical ability. I have been learning for many years without commitment, or success.

The other, somewhat quieter, activity I have been pursuing is a reassessment of our Schuco miniatures, which we have been collecting for years.

Schuco is well known for its beautifully made and mechanically clever tinplate toys. It managed to succeed in making mass produced toys that retained their quality of finish.

It made cars, boats, animals, cowboys, clowns, Disney characters and a Charlie Chaplin.

A popular range with collectors is its miniatures. First produced in 1924, these were tiny figures measuring from two inches to 4.5in, with metal-frame bodies covered in mohair completed with a tinplate face mask.

Originally produced as a publicity item, they were soon made for many different uses. Some were made to contain lipsticks, manicure sets or perfume bottles, while others were marketed as mascots for bicycle bars, as lapel badges, or as novelties with acrobatic and tumbling bears particularly popular.

The most popular miniatures tend to be the bears and monkeys with the brightest colours being most desirable. Miniatures were commonly made in green, lavender, red, blue and pink, with rarer colours like purple and orange realising higher prices. Cartoon characters like Felix the Cat, were made as well as many animals from elephants to ladybirds and a particularly collectible ‘Noah’s Ark’.

Schuco remained true to form and its miniatures were incredibly well-made. Although not all are marked, they can be recognised by the production skill and tinplate face over a mohair-covered body.