Hans Beck, 1929-2009
I was very sad to hear that Hans Beck, founder of Playmobil has died, aged 79 (via things). I love Playmobil. It might be sacrilege to say this, but I think it's better than Lego. The little characters are so delightful and even though they are made of lots of little parts that wedge themselves between the floorboards I treasure every last plastic cuff.
Pictured above is a piece I thought I might have dreamt - a Playmobil jakey. I saw this somewhere (John Lewis probably, they always have the best selection) and didn't buy it (gah!) but Collectobil, the Playmobil collectors' site confirms it. A trawl through their back catalogue is a delight - check out the Antarctic set, Playmospace range and even a Playmobil Sherlock Holmes and Karate Kid. Respect due. RIP Hans.
Comments
oh, that is sad. I have a Playmobil Satan ("Halloween Costume") which I love.
Posted by: marceline | February 5, 2009 11:09 PM
Very sad. While I can't agree with "better than Lego" (although my wife might) Playmobil is superb. Brilliantly odd available characters. We, of course, interchange accessories: deepsea diver's dagger into spivvy, flat-capped gardener's hand = sixties-style serial killer.
Posted by: Richard | February 5, 2009 11:45 PM
Oh yes, that's part of the pleasure I think. Our house is full of strange hybrid pirate figures.
Is there a male/female divide for Lego v Playmobil? I admire Lego but when it comes down to it, I'm not really sure what to do with it except build a wall.
Posted by: Anne | February 6, 2009 12:08 AM
It's clear they have a lot of fun in Playmobil's R&D dept. Remember their short-lived rivals 'Busybodies'?
My brother and me always used to build super-mega-massive rockets from Lego. I once had a Lego Technic motorbike and sidecar that was ace, with an engine full of moving parts.
Posted by: Gareth | February 6, 2009 03:14 PM
This is what sits along side my computer at work :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15134271@N03/3258978616/
As for the Playmobil vs Lego discussion, I think there's only one way to find out . . .
DW x
Posted by: Daniel Weir | February 6, 2009 10:25 PM
I like the Sherlock best although/because the streamlining of his Playmobil silhouette has introduced a kind of Teddy Boy styling...
I remember you posting a nice Playmobil wheelchair user and carer combo: I was convinced that it had been modelled on Robert Wyatt and Alfreda Benge circa 1974.
Playmobil vs Lego: have your boys expressed a preference?
Posted by: spud | February 9, 2009 01:21 PM
Male/Female divide? Don't like to generalise but I think there is. Karen struggles with Lego too while there's nothing I like more than impressing the kids with Lego-genuity. Karen would rather play with the Woodcutter's House Seth got for Xmas. And not because of his telescopic, snipper-style rifle...ptchow!
Posted by: Richard | February 9, 2009 01:50 PM
An army of lego spaceships would beat an army of playmobil Jakies hands down.
Posted by: James | February 9, 2009 09:33 PM