Mr Bernard, Why do you collect toy ships?
I had built a house and there was an empty wall in front of which I placed a toy ship. And a man who does something like that crosses his arms and looks at it and says, oh, you did a good job! And because I had a bit more space in the stairwell, I put a second ship there. And if you're a collector, then a collection starts with the second part.
And why toy ships of all things?
Because I love the sea, I'm a sailor too, and I find the dreams that these children's ships harbour so fascinating.
How long has your toy ship museum been in existence?
For three years. With well over 2,000 wooden and plastic toy ships, my collection became too big for our home and the opportunity arose to move it into an old chantry.
What distinguishes the ships from model ships?
Models are unique and designed to be seen. Play ships are industrially manufactured, fully functional and made for the water so that a child can play with them without breaking them.
Are toy ships always sailing ships?
For the most part. There are also canoes, rowing boats and motorboats that run on clockwork, electric motors or steam boilers. But that's 20 per cent at most.
When were the first toy ships built?
The beginnings of this industry date back to the 19th century. However, the golden age was the 1920s. In Germany, it was initially box makers who built toy ships. Later, the hulls were carved from solid wood. Mostly by homeworkers. With our museum in Saxony, we are very close to the origins. The Greiner company started production in Steinach in Thuringia in 1855. And a few years later, in neighbouring Mengersgereuth-Hämmern, toy boats were being built in every second house.
In the deepest inland!
And from people who had no idea about ships, they were far too poor to have ever been to the sea. But they took pictures from newspapers or cigar boxes and started producing them.
Was Germany the first country to produce toy ships?
Yes, and what's more, three quarters of global production comes from Germany. There were companies that had up to 100 different models in their catalogue.
And yet there was no museum until now?
Not even collectors. There were only wooden toy collectors who also collected toy ships. There were pure toy ship collections in France, England and the USA, for example.
Then not only sailors will be pleased that you remember this story!
Yes, although it will be particularly interesting for sailors to see that a toy ship works like a large ship. You adjust the rudder and sails and only need water and wind.
