German. Four stack: 1919-1933. Three stack: 1920s-1940s. Tinplate. There were a number of German toy companies that produced similar ocean liners. German toy companies were primarily founded in Nuremberg, Germany, a city world-famous as a major global toy manufacturing center. The four-stack, unmarked liner was likely produced by one of the German toymakers. The three-stack liner is made by Bing Werke, a prominent German manufacturer based in Nuremberg that, at its peak, was the largest toy company in the world. Founded in 1863 by the Bing brothers, the company, originally known as "Gebruder Bing", initially produced metal kitchen utensils and pewter tableware. They began making toys in the 1880s and by 1905 had the world's largest toy factory. Following the death of one of the brothers in 1918, the company was renamed Bing Werke in 1919. They ceased toy production in 1933. Three-stack ship marked, "BW Germany", on stern. Four-stack ship is unmarked. From the Yvan Lalonde Collection.

Size
6" x 2" x 12".

Condition
Both are in very good condition. Three-stack ship has replacement flagpoles and key. Four-stack ship has a replacement rear flag and repainted windup crank. The hull also appears to be repainted. Both have stable paint flakes and oxidation. Both wind up mechanisms have been tested and are working.

Medium
Tinplate.

Signature
Three-stack ship marked, "BW Germany", on stern. Four-stack ship is unmarked.

Provenance
From the Yvan Lalonde Collection.