Anker Steinbaukästen 4A

Germany 1900, brand F. Ad. Richter & Cie, material quartz sand/lime/linseed oil paint, cm box 25x18x5

Step into the allure of early 20th-century engineering with Anker Steinbaukästen, the historic stone-and-cement construction sets that paved the way long before LEGO. Designed to educate and inspire, these sets transformed playtime into lessons in architecture, physics, and creativity.

Each elegant box contains meticulously crafted mineral blocks in shades of blue, sandstone, and gray. Complete with printed instructions and the original booklet, the sets let you follow guided models or unleash your imagination with limitless building possibilities.

The story began in 1876, when Friedrich Adolf Richter founded F. Ad. Richter & Cie. in Germany. Initially focused on chemical and pharmaceutical products, the company achieved remarkable success thanks to the revolutionary invention of the Otto and Gustav Lilienthal brothers. The Anker Steinbaukästen became the world’s first “system” construction toys—an icon of its time.

Crafted from a pressed blend of quartz sand, lime, and linseed oil paint, the blocks have a distinctive weight and solidity, delivering an authentic, surprisingly realistic building experience. By 1890, there were already 338 GK sets and 78 KK sets, and over the years, production exceeded 600 unique Anker sets—a testament to their enduring appeal.

Manufactured by: F. Ad. Richter & Cie. – Made in Germany
A vintage masterpiece that unites history, design, and engineering: not just a toy, but a piece of educational and cultural heritage.

Complete 4A set with list of parts and number of pieces.
The box is probably not the original one as it is slightly larger.

TO-10-0187 - available