Composition

Unknown Maker - marked Japan

Composition toys soldier and other figures were produced from around the end of the 19^th Century until shortly after the Second World War when plastic production became viable more sought after and more cost-effective. Composition is usually used to describe a mixture of sawdust and glue which would usually be added to a metal frame to form a figure.

This type of method is associated mostly with German and European makers. The most well know of these makers are Lineoel and Elastolin. Interestingly Elastolin has become known as a general description of composition figures created in this way and a composition figure might be described as Elastolin even if by another maker to convey that it was a composition figure.

The German makers produced a huge range of composition figures in the 1930 including many which covered the rise of Nazi Germany and are very collectable.

German Composition Soldier - LEYLA

Figures are often available via eBay although they have restrictions on nazi memorabilia. Mercator trading is a UK-based company that specialises in Composition figures.

www.mercatortrading.co.uk