We are excited to present lot 92, a 20th century German tinplate pull toy, with an inner bell which creates a clear chime when pulled along or moved. Although missing the original pull string, the piece maintains its charm and is in good original used condition. But it is the story behind their production which makes this piece so compelling.

Lehmann toys was created in 1881 in Brandenburg by Ernst Paul Lehmann and used lithography to print colourful artworks onto the tinplate. But the toys we are looking at did not occur until the twentieth century. Specifically, the rare pull toys, called EPL 740, were a post-WW1 production. Lehmann found 1,000 artillery shell noses, dated to c.1914, at a neighbouring German arms factory. Lehmann combined the shell noses with wheels of their pre-existing Zig-Zag toy to create a new piece - the peace chime.

Therefore, the production of this toy took the violence and destruction of WW1 and transplanted it to create something joyful, with an eye on a brighter future.

Examples of both the Peace Chime and Zig-Zag toys are available for bidding in the Vintage & Collectible Toys live auction, taking place over the 12th and 13th March - check ut the full digital catalogue here.