Heyde Civilian Figures : Knick-knacks, Nodders, and Novelties

By John Hartmann and Christian Keller

Available on May 28, 2026

The most complete collection of civilian toy figures by Heyde & Co. of Dresden, Germany

In stunning color photos and easy-to-read captions, this book portrays the variety, whimsy, and scope of toy lead civilian figures made by the prolific German manufacturer Georg Heyde & Co. of Dresden (1872–1945).

From domestic animals to nodding knickknacks, from cast-metal banks to breathtaking polar playsets, this is the first publication to focus solely on these beautifully crafted figures that once graced the shelves of five-and-dimes, souvenir shops, and great department stores worldwide.

Now quite rare and highly sought after, Heyde civilians still delight young and old and seasoned and new collectors alike, because each one is a uniquely created treasure that evokes feelings of yesteryear and the wonder of childhood.

Welcome to the toys that your grandparents played with.

Size: 11.75in x 9.0in | Pages: 416 | 625 color illustrations

Binding: Hardback

ISBN: 9780764371233

PRICE: $75.00

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John Hartmann is a professional paintings conservator with an MA in art conservation. He was chief of conservation for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for 20 years and now manages a large conservation business nationwide. He has been collecting English, French, and German civilian lead figures for over 45 years. He lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Christian B. Keller is professor of history at the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and an internationally known scholar of the American Civil War. For over 40 years he has avidly bought and sold antique toy figures, with a recent specialty in Heyde knickknacks and civilians.

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