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Tucher + Walther was established in 1977 by Elisabeth Walther and Bernhard Tucher in Nurnberg, Germany, the traditional toy center of the world. Since Nurnberg had a long tradition of manufacturing tin toys, many from old factories that were no longer in production, Tucher + Walther were able to get their hands on a continuous supply of world famous traditional tin toys that could be sold to collectors.  As many of the toys needed repair before their re-sale, they ultimately decided to open a small repair shop. Their business took off and the antique toys proved to be best sellers.  

In 1979, with hopes of expanding their business, Tucher + Walther decided they would sell not only antique tin toys, but new ones as well.  As part of their expansion plans, they decided to exhibit their merchandise at the world famous Nurnberg Toy Fair. Since there were so many exhibitors, many of which were competitors also selling tin toys, they needed to differentiate themselves.  In the hopes of drawing attention to their booth, they decided to hand make and display a large tin Zeppelin and tin Ferris Wheel for decoration.  These “decorations” proved to be more popular than the items they were actually selling.  Shortly thereafter Tucher + Walther produced their first two original tin toys, with additional designs added each year. Their first original steam-driven items, first introduced in 1982, were a train and boat called the “Elisabeth Joanna” (named after Mr. Tucher’s daughter), similar to their “Victoria Luise”, which is still in production today.

Each of Tucher + Walther’s tin toys are handmade in limited editions (between 50-1,000 pieces each, depending on the toy design).   They start each and every toy they make with a tin plate.  This tin is then cut, punched, stamped, curved and embossed.  Each individual part of the tin toy body is then soldered together by hand.  Once this is completed, the toys are fit together, sprayed with color and finally, hand-painted.  

Tucher + Walther’s success forced them to expand their business yet again.  In 1991, they moved their business about 20 miles from Nurnberg to the Franconian countryside to build a modern toy factory where production capacity and expert knowledge could satisfy the worldwide demand of their remarkably unique tin toys.

Mr. Tucher designs each toy himself.  While he studied Economics in school, he has always loved to tinker with toys.  Each year, ten (10) new toys are introduced to the world.  Tucher + Walter pride themselves on their traditional tin toy making method, which is no different than when they were made at the peak of their production in Nuremburg from 1880 to 1920.