ATH#230355

Steinbach

GRAF ZEPPELIN NUTCRACKER

15” Tall

This model is retired

Limited Edition #S666 

EXCELLENT CONDITION

Non-smoking home and very well cared for

Note that the propeller under his left hand is missing one of the 3 blades - a piece of raw-wood about 3/4" long - I think a rounded toothpick cut to size with the tip sanded would be perfect. My toothpicks are the flat ones - if I run across a round one soon I will fabricate a replacement blade for you.

Comes to you in the original box (it will be the inner carton, packed into a strong outer carton for shipping. and I have replaced the tissue packing paper with bubble wrap and foam sheeting to better protect this for shipping.)

COPIED FROM THE INTERNET:

A nutcracker is a device used to break open the shells of hard, dry fruits, known commonly as nuts, produced by certain species of trees. The edible material within the shell is known as the kernel.

But this is not really the type of nutcracker that the Steinbach company produces.

The decorative nutcrackers were first developed around 1870 by Wilhelm Friedrich Fuechtner. Some of the nutcrackers from that time can still be seen in museums in the Ergebirge and already look quite similar to the modern nutcrackers. Often nutcrackers are the image of authorities from the past. Especially kings, soldiers and gendarmes are used as a model. In former times the population was dependent on the benevolence of the authorities and tried to express some protest by giving the Nutcrackers a grim look. His energetic face makes him look very powerful and helps you crack the toughest nuts in life.

The Nutcracker is usually standing on a base and sometimes is manufactured in over one hundred single work steps, generally out of fir wood. The chosen wood has to dry for several years before it is cut into the sizes needed for the production process or the part of the body it is used for. After the pieces are trimmed the automatic lathe shapes the different parts of the body. The next steps are painting the different body parts and then assembling them to a nutcracker.

You might ask yourself why Steinbach Nutcrackers are the most popular ones among collectors. Especially if one looks at a worldwide perspective this is an interesting fact.

As we have mentioned above the Erzgebirge Nutcrackers in general have images of authorities like military, kings and police men. Mister Steinbach expanded his range of subjects and started to create nutcrackers with images of legends and German folklore and later introduced many new models with characters from around the globe. Steinbach Nutcrackers with Civil War Generals, American Presidents and characters from novels and motions pictures became so popular that the Steinbach Company had trouble meeting the demands. With his vast choice of subjects, superb quality and exceptional craftsmanship Mister Steinbach raised the Steinbach nutcrackers to a different level. Enthusiast started to collect the Steinbach Nutcrackers and the new models where eagerly waited for each year. Then Herr Steinbach had another great idea. He thought about the needs and wishes of collectors and decided that some of the Steinbach nutcrackers should be limited editions.

That made the Steinbach nutcrackers unique and increased the collectability and later on greatly increased the value of many items. By this enthusiasts of Steinbach nutcrackers had one more reason to collect his products. The first limited edition Steinbach nutcracker was King Ludwig II with 3000 pieces. It was a great success and the Steinbach nutcrackers fan club increased tremendously.

International Buyers – Please Note:
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.

ARIZONA TREASURE HUNTERS. L.L.C. 

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