BOOK: Christian Hacker

   The recently published book, Christian Hacker, by Swantje Kohler has brought collectors an enormous source of information about the firm who made these outstanding dolls’ houses. For years, collectors have wondered and contemplated which dolls’ houses were actually constructed and made by this company. Through diligent research, Swantje Kohler has unlocked the mysteries of where and when Hacker houses, stables, kitchens etc. were made and how they managed to be the leading exporter of children’s toys in the world.

   How did the author accomplish this feat? Swantje was able to contact the toy museums in Sonneberg and Nuremburg, as well as, the library of the National Museum in Nuremburg. She was able to find two large sample books from the Christian Hacker firm in 1915. These had been given to the museum by the last owners of the company. Included with the sample books was a list of the prices for all the items produced by the company. It was also learned that the numbers on the bottom of the buildings were also used by other companies. The numbers only indicated the model and size. 

   By going to the Nuremburg town archives, papers were found on the place and date that Christian Hacker was born. He was born in 1802 in Yestenburg, a town not far from Nuremburg. The archives show what he paid in taxes and his assets were noted before he was granted citizenship. He married and had three children.

    Christian Hacker started his company in 1835 and in 1875 his trademark was registered. 

   This book has countless number of photographs of Hacker shops; including bakeries, general stores, butcher shops, pharmacies, milliner’s shops, kitchens-just to name a few! These incredible wooden toys were made not for pleasure, they were used to teach the children about the merchandise in the shops and the accessories in a kitchen and what they are used for in cooking.

   Hacker’s success was attributed to knowing how to adapt the construction of these toys to the country it was being sent to, which further enticed the foreign market. It was found to be more cost efficient to make the shops and houses in parts –like the chimneys, balconies, staircases, stove units instead of doing a whole toy each time it was ordered. 

   The dolls’ houses were built of high quality, were highly decorated and were painted meticulously to provide the ultimate detail!  The houses were built as a teaching tool on how to run a household. Some houses had elevators which were operated by a clockwork mechanism and there were electric doorbells! 

   Hacker sold to other companies and he also purchased small parts to fill a shop or kitchen from other companies. Sadly, the company closed its doors in 1927 when the U.S., France and England put a ban on German products during World War 1.

   The Christian Hacker book is full of information with the original catalogs reproduced and the numerous photos from collectors displaying their special houses, shops and kitchens from their collections. This book of more than 300 pages is a definite reference book for collectors. You can gather so many ideas of how to set up a shop or house by just studying the photos!

   If you would like to purchase a book, please contact Libby Goodman at her email address – Goodmanhouse@snip.net  or you may send a check to Libby Goodman, 730 Bedford Place, Merion, PA  19066. Her phone number is 610-668-8530. The cost of the book is $92 +  $8 for shipping.

Allentown, PA - Antique Toy Show 

Finding an Incredible Piece of Furniture

   About five years ago, an early dolls' house with furnishings dating around 1840-1850, appeared at an auction outside of Philadelphia. One of the pieces that caught my eye and which I had never seen before in a collection, museum or other auction, was this very special étagère (a French name for tiers of shelves, supported by columns). The English call it a Whatnot. It could be used for books, ornaments, or whatnot. Since there was no specific use for this particular piece of furniture, the name "Whatnot" was attached to this furniture.

   Whatnots were illustrated in furniture records as far back as 1790 and appeared in trade catalogs from 1830-40. It became most popular during the early Victorian period. Victorian whatnots were sometimes triangular in plan, so they could be placed in the corner of a room.

   This dolls' house piece stands about  10" tall x 6" wide. It is painted blue with elaborate gold transfer work throughout. The unusual painted piece has three scalloped shelves with transfer work on the top surface and transfer work underneath the shelves too!!!!! There is also transfer work on a back support piece of wood mounted in the back center. Turned posts with finials are found on each corner of each shelf.

   Since I have never seen a Boulle piece of miniature furniture painted blue with such incredible gold transfer work, I am wondering if any other collectors have seen such a piece! I have placed it in the Regency Dolls' House ( Circa 1820 ) which is in a room with original light blue wallpaper with darker blue and gold borders. Your comments are welcomed!