WAGNER & APEL

The story of ‘The Pied Piper of Hameln’ goes back to the year 1284. It was said that there was a rat plague in Hameln and the people did not know what to do.

A stranger appeared on the scene, dressed in pied (multicoloured) clothing. He claimed to be a rat-catcher and that he could rid the town of all the rats and mice in exchange for a certain fee.

The mayor agreed to pay him the reward and the rat-catcher produced a small pipe which he played. Soon, all the rats and mice came crawling out from everywhere and gathered around the piper. When he was sure that none remained behind, he walked out of the town and to the River Weser. The whole pack followed after him and fell into the water and drowned.

When the mayor and the town’s people found that they had been delivered from the plague, they rejoiced but regretted their promise of a reward and they reneged on their payment to the piper. He was furious and left the town in anger, vowing to return to seek revenge.

On 26 June, the piper returned to Hameln, this time dressed as a hunter, with an odd red hat. While everyone had gathered in church on St. John and St. Paul’s Day, he once again let the sound of his pipe ring through the alleys. Soon, not rats and mice, but children – boys and girls aged four and older – came running out in great numbers. Playing all the while, the piper led them out the eastern gate and into a mountain where he vanished with them. In all, it is told that one hundred thirty boys and girls followed the piper out of the town.

Depending on the version of the tale, it is said that three children were left behind – one was deaf and didn’t hear the music, one was blind and couldn’t follow and the third was lame and could not keep up with the piper and the others.

As with all forkloric tales, there are many versions, conclusions and theories on the origin of the legend. But in spite of the darkness of the tale and regardless of the details, the Pied Piper of Hameln is considered the most famous of German legends in the world. It attracts millions of visitors to Hameln each year and in summer an average of 3,500 visitors each day watch actors in historic costumes perform the story of the procession of the Hameln children on the terrace of the Hochzeitshaus.
The secrets of the Pied Piper can also be learned at the Hameln Museum in Osterstrasse, Hameln.
When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, it not only liberated those Germans who had been dominated by Communist rule for 28 years, it also revealed artistic treasures that had long been hidden. One of those treasures is a small family business, porcelain manufacturer, “Wagner & Apel 1877″.

Located in Lippelsdorf, a tiny village in the Thuringian Forest, W&A has been run by the Wagner family since 1883. Their line of exquisite, fine porcelain figurines gained fame throughout Germany in the early part of the century. All the figures were designed exclusively for the company and hand-painted, as they still are.

After WWII, East Germany took over the plant as a state-run property. The original family owners and their descendants were allowed to work there, but only as employees! Consequently, they were able to maintain their skills as artisans and designers. When Germany was reunited in 1990, the owners were given back their firm.

Today, “Wagner & Apel 1877″ carries on its proud tradition with a staff of only 15 people. The small output and high quality of the product makes the line extremely collectible. Pieces are marked with the W&A blue bottom-stamp.