Founded in 1945 by Wilhelm Merten in the city of Berlin, Germany, Merten earned a reputation in the world of miniatures that was nothing short of legendary. Wilhelm's love for detail was deeply ingrained in the company's ethos, hence from the onset, Merten ensured their figures were an accurate miniature representation of life in all its diverse forms. Despite facing significant damage during the Second World War, the company thrived, symbolizing the resilient spirit of post-war Germany. The unique selling point of Merten, interestingly, was their unflinching commitment to quality that led them to be the first to manufacture unpainted figures in the unorthodox, yet surprisingly practical, 1:87 (HO) scale.