Kellermann (CKO)
68 years in operation (1910–1978)
About Kellermann (CKO)
Kellermann (known by the brand CKO) produced delightful lithographed tin clockwork novelty toys including motorcycles, cars, and amusing mechanical figures. Their miniature tin toys were often packaged as prize or novelty items.
Founding
Georg Kellermann, whose Nuremberg firm traded under the CKO mark from 1910.
History of Kellermann (CKO)
Kellermann worked at the cheap end of Nuremberg tinplate and worked it brilliantly. Its speciality was the penny toy and the small clockwork novelty: tiny lithographed cars, motorcycles, figures and animals, made from minimal material with a simple spring or friction drive, sold for a few pennies from shop counters and market stalls.
The CKO motorcycles are the pieces collectors chase — small lithographed machines with riders, in a variety of liveries including police and racing versions, that pack an implausible amount of printed detail into a few square inches of tin. The lithography quality at this price point is the company's real achievement.
Kellermann continued through the postwar decades, adding larger tinplate vehicles and eventually plastic components, and closed in 1978. Because penny toys were disposable by design, surviving examples in bright condition are far scarcer than the enormous production figures imply.
Timeline
- 1910Georg Kellermann establishes the firm in Nuremberg, trading as CKO
- 1930Penny toys and small clockwork novelties are the company's core business
- 1955Lithographed motorcycles with riders become the best-known products
- 1965Plastic components increasingly supplement tinplate
- 1978The company closes
Notable & Best-Selling Toys
- CKO tin clockwork motorcycle
- CKO tin novelty figures
- CKO tin penny toys
- CKO lithographed tin cars
Identifying & Dating Kellermann (CKO) Toys
- Look for "CKO" lithographed on the base or body, usually with a number, and with "Germany" or "Made in Western Germany".
- The CKO mark is small and easily overlooked on penny toys; a magnifier is standard practice.
- Unmarked penny toys are attributed on lithographic style, and CKO printing is finer than most competitors at the same size.
Collector's Notes
- Motorcycles are the strongest sellers, and rider figures are frequently missing or replaced — check that the rider matches the machine's livery and printing period.
- These are small toys that were carried in pockets. Bright unrubbed lithography is the whole basis of value, and any bare tin at the edges is a significant deduction.
- Original carded or boxed penny toys are rare enough to be exceptional, and counter-display cards with a full complement of toys are prized.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Kellermann (CKO) founded?
Kellermann (CKO) was founded in 1910, based in Nuremberg, Germany.
Is Kellermann (CKO) still in business?
No. Kellermann (CKO) ceased operations in 1978, after 68 years in business.
What is Kellermann (CKO) best known for?
Kellermann (CKO) is best known for CKO tin clockwork motorcycle, CKO tin novelty figures, CKO tin penny toys, among other toys.
Where was Kellermann (CKO) located?
Kellermann (CKO) was based in Nuremberg, Germany.
What kinds of toys did Kellermann (CKO) make?
Kellermann (CKO) is categorized under tin toys, clockwork, novelty toys.
Who founded Kellermann (CKO)?
Georg Kellermann, whose Nuremberg firm traded under the CKO mark from 1910.
How can you identify genuine Kellermann (CKO) toys?
Look for "CKO" lithographed on the base or body, usually with a number, and with "Germany" or "Made in Western Germany". The CKO mark is small and easily overlooked on penny toys; a magnifier is standard practice. Unmarked penny toys are attributed on lithographic style, and CKO printing is finer than most competitors at the same size.
Are Kellermann (CKO) toys valuable?
Motorcycles are the strongest sellers, and rider figures are frequently missing or replaced — check that the rider matches the machine's livery and printing period. These are small toys that were carried in pockets. Bright unrubbed lithography is the whole basis of value, and any bare tin at the edges is a significant deduction. Original carded or boxed penny toys are rare enough to be exceptional, and counter-display cards with a full complement of toys are prized.