Elastolin history

Stuttgart (Ludwigsburg), Germany, 1904 - 1983.

Otto and Max Hausser specialized in dolls, toys and military miniatures of composition sawdust and glue, made under the name 'Elastolin'. Also made still banks from 1929-1939.

Elastolin composition figures are made from sawdust, a glue such as casein, and clay (kaolin) molded on a wire armature and hand painted at the factory. Otto and Max developed this technique in 1912. Some collectors use the term Elastolin to refer to composite figures made by other companies, such as Lineol, as well as those made by Hausser, but this is akin to using the term 'Ford' as a generic term for motor vehicles made by companies other than Ford. Hausser figures almost always have an oval base, and the name 'Elastolin' is found on the underside of the base of almost all Elastolin figures (Note that the 'personality' figures of General Ludendorff and Adolf Hitler seen in the photo have rectangular bases and are Lineol brand figures).

The Elastolin composition figures that are best-known to contemporary collectors are probably the military figures and a similar line of figures representing the paramilitary organizations of the Nazi party. A series of 'personality figures' from the Third Reich era (1933-1945) are also popular with collectors. Many of the latter are also expensive.