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Charming late 1920s–early 1930s German miniature village set, beautifully preserved in its original box. Unlike later wooden versions, this early example features paperboard and cardboard buildings with vivid printed and hand-painted facades — a hallmark of pre-war German toy production during a period of material experimentation and export innovation.
The set includes a church, several half-timbered homes, trees, animals, and two small wooden villagers, all neatly displayed in their original fitted tray. The combination of delicate paper structures with wooden accessories captures the distinctive craftsmanship of early Erzgebirge and Nuremberg toy makers.
Details:
• Estimated date: circa 1928–1935, Germany (likely Erzgebirge or Nuremberg)
• Box size: approx. 11” × 8” × 2”
• Buildings: paperboard/cardboard construction, hand-painted and lithographed details
• Figures and animals: hand-carved and painted wood
• Set appears complete and original, with all buildings, figures, and accessories intact
• Box retains original textured paper liner and red edging
Condition:
Components are Excellent for age. Paper buildings show light wear but retain full color and shape; box has some corner splits and edge rubbing and paper loss typical of age. All components appear original to the set.
Why It’s Collectible:
Pre-war German paper village sets are among the most delicate and least-surviving forms of early 20th-century toy craftsmanship. They bridge the eras between printed cardboard model towns of the 1910s and the later wooden Erzgebirge villages of the 1950s. Very few survive intact in their original boxes, making this a special example for collectors of antique toys, folk art, or Christmas villages.
📸 Photos are part of the description. Ships carefully packed and insured.
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