Germany / Thuringia / Lippelsdorf:

[1] : Porzellanmanufaktur Kuch & Co. (1877 until 1883)

During 1875, the industrial Kuch came to the Gräfenthal area. Impressed by the expanding porcelain industry in and around Gräfenthal, he established his own facility in the nearby town of Lippelsdorf and started to produce figures and decorational items. Among one of his first employees was the young Bernhard Wagner, who after a few years made his own plans of opening an own facility to produce high quality animal figures. Wagner knew the wealthy brothers Anton and Bernhard Apel who liked his ideas and introduced him to Hermann Leube who owned the Porzellanfabrik Leube & Co. in Reichmannsdorf. Interestingly enough, there are no marks known to have been used by 'Kuch & Co.'

[2] : Porzellanmanufaktur Wagner, Apel & Leube (1883 until 1901)

It was only a short time later that Wagner learned that Kuch actually wanted to retire and so Wagner together with the Apel brothers and Hermann Leube took over the business. The new owners started to change the product range and the facility slowly grew as business increased. Even more effort was made after it became known that the town of Lippelsdorf was supposed to connected to the railway network. Like with 'Kuch & Co.' there are no marks known that could be proven to belong to 'Wagner, Apel & Leube' and so the first marks shown here belong to the company of 'Wagner & Apel'.

[3] : Porzellanmanufaktur Wagner & Apel (1901 until 1948)

After Lippelsdorf received its own railway station, business in the area literally exploded and Leube left the company as his own business required his full attention. The renamed company of 'Wagner & Apel' started to sell their products across Germany and Switzerland as well as England, France, and even Scandinavia. Alas, the growing success was not coming from the animal figurines so loved by Wagner but rather from figurines based on drawings of the two popular children's book illustrators Hilla Peyk and Bertram which were sculpted by the renowned German sculptor Eugen Dotterweich. The company even marked the figurines based on Bertram drawings differently as to show the origin of design and by 1913, the company employed a workforce of 150 people which was consistent until 1937.

[4] : V.E.B. Porzellanfiguren Lippelsdorf (1949 until 1990)

After the founding of the German Democratic Republic in 1949, the facility was instantly nationalized as 'V.E.B. Porzellanfiguren Lippelsdorf' and belonged to the 'V.E.B. Vereinigte Zierporzellanwerke Lichte' combinate. The original owners as well as their children were allowed to continue working there, but only as employees. Production changed a little to more mass produced wares, but figures were still produced in large numbers.

[5] : Porzellanmanufaktur Wagner & Apel G.m.b.H. (1990 until today)

Following German reunification, the facility was reprivatized and Wagner family members were reinstalled as owners. The facility needed major refitting and renovation, and a museum was opened on the premises, its main exhibit being an original steam engine from 1937. At first, the focus was put on decorational porcelain like Christmas decorations and gift items. But based on old molds, the company started to bring back the wonderful figures that were used to be made at 'Wagner & Apel' so long ago. The company was even venturing as far as visiting trade fairs in Japan and Dubai ...

Germany / Thuringia / Lippelsdorf:

Marks

[3] : Used around 1901, probably the first mark used by the 'Wagner & Apel' company.

[3] : Used between 1935 and 1949, first mark showng the well-known 'W&A' initials.

[3] : Used between 1935 and 1949, 'W&A' mark used on items based on Bertram designs.

[3] : Used between 1935 and 1949, example of the 'W&A Bertram' mark.

[3] : Used between 1946 and 1949, black/gold 'MADE IN GERMANY' and 'USSR OCCUPIED ZONE' sticker.

[3] : Used between November 1949 and 1951, the old company mark with 'GDR' addition.
(Picture by Cathy Wyrick)

[4] : Used between 1951 and 1990, here the simple version without additions.

[4] : Used between 1951 and 1990, here with the 'GDR' country or origin addition.

[4] : Used between 1951 and 1990, here with '1877' over 'LIPPELSDORF' - but without country of origin.

Germany / Thuringia / Lippelsdorf:

Marks

[4] : Used between 1951 and 1990, here with '1877' over 'LIPPELSDORF' over 'GDR'.
(Picture: Fred van der Gragt)

[5] : Mark and company logo used from 1990 onwards.