The Nikolaidis cottage industry manufactured toys made of tin from the start of the 50’s until the mid 60’s. They were mostly big in size and entirely of tin except for the wheels which were usually plastic. Many of these toys had a military theme. For their time they were cheap and dispensable toys, turning up in fêtes and bazaars of that period. This is how they became to be characterized as ‘fête pieces’ and are today considered to be  collectors items fetching very high prices. They are regarded as true works of art and the elite of Greek toys among collectors.