In another listing in this site (JGES), we describe the post WWII JGES Split Window Beetles.
JGES most probably had (a part of?) the production of the toys done by VEB Presswerk Ottendorf-Okrilla (PWO), located near Dresden, Germany This company started as a company for the production of brake lips (pads) in the 1930's, was dismantled by the Soviet troops in 1945 and restarted in 1949. As from 1949 they were able to make forms in Duroplast (also known as Phenoplast). This meant that they could produce the JGES toys on behalf of JGES.
It is not known whether VEB Presswerk Ottendorf-Okrilla produced the Split Window Beetle as well as the other 6 car-makes. It is very well possible that they also made the other makes, but because the cars are identical to the ones produced by JGES, it is -without box- not possible to prove that VEB Presswerk Ottendorf-Okrilla made them. We only are aware of boxes with 6 different JGES Beetles, with the number 907, but produced by VEB Presswerk Ottendorf-Okrilla.
It is also possible that JGES did NOT produce the toys themselves at all, but had them produced solely by VEB Presswerk Ottendorf-Okrilla from 1949 on.
In 2020 several boxes with Split Window VW Beetles were found. Each box contained 6 different colors as well as information about the producer (PWO). Enclosed are several boxes, each labelled for their customers, like the toyshop Ma-Ko Spielwaren. But they also produced for other shops, such as Hermann Hundhammer, a shop selling mixed goods like paper, pens, etc.
The JGES Split Window VW models were made from Duroplast (Bakelite), a material that was not injected in the mold but was formed under pressure which resulted in a thicker, hollow one-piece model. Good details for the front and rear hoods, with 13 engine lids, windows and door seams. The Duroplast wheels usually were a different color than the body. One of the few VWs produced in the former East Germany with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 12 engraved inside the body (as seen so far) and the model number 907. There is no chassis. Company owner was J.G. Escher hence the Company name JGES.
