ALL DINOS

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SCHLEICH Toy Company

Schleich Replica Saurus  1/40 scale 

The Replica Saurus series was created in close cooperation with the Natural History Museum of the Humboldt-University Berlin.  The Natural History Museum in Berlin has a long history with dinosaurs. The curator of the Museum Werner Janensch, (between 1907 and 1912), found a number of dinosaur remains (including Brachiosaurus, Kentrosaurus and Barosaurus) at Tendagaru in German East Africa.   When the original set is compared to the composition of sets American companies are producing there is a distinct European or German flavor to the choices for the series.  That is not saying North America is not well represented but you found figures like Saichania, Edmontosaurus and Albertosaurus that were not currently in other museum lines.  While the Schleich adherence to a strict 1/40 scale is often flexible, it adds to value of the figures for collectors.  Dinosaurs are thought to have continued to grow through out life as is the case with the relatives the crocodiles and alligators.  In a natural population a range of sizes would be expected. Originally Schleich looked like they would offer a full and expanding range figures like Safari Ltd. The new management seems to revising the series concept. It looks like the set is stabilizing at 12 figures. With 3 new figiures added each year with 3 retirements the line should turn over every 4 years. This would mitigate the issue of market saturation. The newer figures seem to be be much more in the popular standard, concentrating on animals familiar with the general public. They are also much more detailed and indications that new artists are being used. Perhaps reflecting the competition with Papo and Schleich's partnering with national chains like Target. The collector and museum market are not driving toy choices.