KLM, the history of its Dutch miniature houses: a collector's paradise
From the 1950s onward, KLM began offering its passengers items that quickly became real [...]
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From the 1950s onward KLM began offering its passengers items that have quickly become true collectors' treasures. These are the Delft Blue, or typical Dutch cottages, which have been contributing to the décor of many travelers' homes for decades.
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These miniature objects are offered to the passengers of the World Business Class but, over time, it has become quite easy to locate them online, for sale. The catalog is updated every October 7, on the company's birthday, and some pieces are unobtainable. In 2019, the miniature house number 100 was unveiled with a big event to celebrate the centenary of KLM. The building chosen is the Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch Of The Hague.
Over the past 20 years, the company has shown great concern for fans. This is evidenced by the fact that all rights holders can set foot in the Crown Lounge 52, where exchanges are made between duplicates in order to complete one's collection. Added to this is an app, KLM Houses, which allows you to keep track of missing miniatures and, at the same time, offer your own. A huge detailed catalog, full of photos and notes.
The story of the gift cottages
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The first gift miniature dates back to 1952, but until the 1994 production has not been smooth. In fact, KLM proposed new models year after year, only to put a hold on it for a long time, resuming later. In the 1990s there was a realization of the potential of this strategy, which had been taken far too much for granted.
Thus, on the occasion of the 75th birthday of the company, it was decided to reach a quota of 75 cottages. Since then, the number has been updated on a regular basis, hand in hand with the KLM birthday.
Initially, the small works contained a liqueur from the local Rynbende and Henkes distilleries, eventually making way for typical Dutch juniper in the 1980s. In several Middle Eastern countries, however, restrictions on alcohol forced a change in the company's strategy. Farewell to liquor, giving way to an exclusive collection of Dutch cottages structured to ashtray shape. Needless to say, these versions are among the most sought-after. A special feature of them is that once the cigarette is inserted in the back to throw the ashes out, the smoke enters the inside of the small structure, escaping from the tiny fireplace at the top.
The numbers of the KLM cottages
As much as the Delft Blue miniatures bear the name of the famous city, about 75% of the production takes place elsewhere. The name comes from technique, therefore, rather than geographical origin. The numbers of KLM's playhouses are truly incredible, with more than 800,000 made each year. Approximately 725 thousand miniature juniper and 79 thousand vacant ones are brought on board to be given to the World Business Class passengers.
As mentioned, from the 1990s onward, special attention was paid to numbering. There has been no shortage, however, of exceptional productions lacking in numbering as limited editions:
- The Royal Palace Amsterdam
- Goudse Waag in Gouda
- Paleis het Loo in Apeldoom
- Koninklijk Theater Carré in Amsterdam
- Hall of Knights in The Hague
Beyond the earliest versions, over time KLM's little houses have always depicted Dutch royal buildings. There is, however, even in this case, an exception. It is miniature number 85, depicting the Penha building, namely the most famous house in Curaçao, part of the dissolved Netherlands Antilles.
