Maker record
Andreas Förtner (Anfoe)
Andreas Förtner (ANFOE) was a German toy maker based in Nuremberg, producing fine metal toys and other playthings from 1899. Its range included metal toys and dollhouse accessories, with ANFOE-marked miniature household goods such as vacuum cleaners and carpet sweepers supplied for the NUWAYS range. In 1923 the Förtner business joined Johann Haffner’s successor company to form Vereinigte Spielwarenfabriken in Nuremberg. The ANFOE name continued to appear on products and catalogues after the merger.
- Founded
- 1899
- Countries
- Germany
- Locations
- Nuremberg, Germany · 1899
- Founders
- Andreas Förtner
The story of Andreas Förtner (Anfoe)
Andreas Förtner established a factory for cutting tools and fine metal toys in Nuremberg in 1899. In 1920, the business became a partnership involving Förtner and brothers Max and David Erlanger. Förtner died in February 1922. In 1923 the Förtner and Johann Haffner’s successor businesses were combined as Vereinigte Spielwarenfabriken Andreas Förtner und J. Haffner’s Nachfolger, based in Nuremberg. The new company continued the Förtner name and ANFOE mark.
The firm made a broad range of toys. ANFOE products included metal toys, shop scales and miniature household goods for dollhouses. By 1930 it was supplying dollhouse accessories for the NUWAYS range sold by British firm Bassett-Lowke, including a miniature vacuum cleaner and carpet sweeper. The Förtner and Haffner businesses had distinct product traditions: the former specialized in metal toys, while Haffner was known for fine lead figures. Vereinigte Spielwarenfabriken brought those businesses together and continued to use the ANFOE identity on selected products.
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