Happy 500th Anniversary, Marty!
This year is the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s outdoor wallpapering activities. We now know he probably glued his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, which makes far more sense than nailing, as even heavy parchment would be likely ripped off by wind, but as every book-sticker designer knows, glue means it (or at least its sticky residue) is there forever.
So, to commemorate this huge change in Christian philosophy that would open minds and start wars, topple and make kings, Martin Luther was at a church near me to re-enact this momentous occasion.
He had started the day wanting to use the door of a Catholic church, but in Scotland, Catholicism is thin on the ground. He then wanted to use a local monastery with particularly grand doors, but as it was a sunny weekend and the entrance is in an area of high road traffic and visitors, the photographer (me) and the photographer’s teenage daughter found their courage deserted them when it came to setting up photo opportunities under the gaze of passers-by. So, here he is at a quieter (but with a decidedly less impressive door) church, at Cruden Bay.
He is a tad short, so he requested I took a close-up.
He drew the attention of the some children, the village pirate and Viking, and a good time was had by all, with only one pitchfork-related arrest.
I know exactly what you’re all thinking—that you’d like your own Martin Luther. I got mine for my birthday, and I understand he’s about a tenner.
He was very pleased when my Goethe arrived, what with them both being German and knowing Wittenberg. They’ve been quite friendly with the Viking and go on picnics (please note the apple juice belonging to Luther, the designated driver, on the dashboard.)
Since the advent of historic Playmobil I suddenly understand adults collecting (and let’s face it, playing with) toys. Although I’d like to point out I only own two characters, the rest of the gang and their car have been living in the loft for a few years, part of my daughter’s childhood collection.
And again, I know what you’re thinking, this is a book blog, and this woman is obviously having some kind of meltdown, and to the first point I say this book is a really good read regarding the reformation, and has everything you need to know –
And to the second point, well, yeah. Maybe. Still, it’s could be worse. I could be dressing up my cat like Aladdin’s girlfriend and rolling her about the kitchen on a flying rug.
Love it! I’m sure Luther would be chuffed to bits with this commemoration. Does the playmobil Dalmatian have a name? Or would that be too weird?
I’d have no limbs left if I tried to do that to my cats, I’m always stunned when I see a feline in fancy dress. That one might even be better than the classic Shark Cat on a Roomba.
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I once made a simple dress (yellow with white spots!) for my cat to stop her over-washing an injury on her belly, and I’m sure he only reason she kept it on was she understood the cone the vet had put on her head would come back if she didn’t accept the dress.
The Dalmatian doesn’t have a name, but I’m so glad someone spotted him as my daughter had about four dogs and I took a lot of care picking which one looked the most fun 😀
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You are too funny. And you don’t have to apologize for playing with toys as an adult. I just spent 2 1/2 days at Disneyland Paris and I was like a little kid all over again so you should feel completely justified. Also how many kids play with Martin Luther action figures?
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Sounds like you had a blast! My brother took his little ones there when they were small, and I think he appreciated it more than they did. Youth is wasted on the young! 😉
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Oh wow, Marty is too, too adorable! This is such fun. And I am very happy that you recommended MacCulloch’s book – I have been wanting to read more about the Reformation this year but was somewhat bewildered by the array of potential reads – now I know where to start! 🙂
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Aha! I’m glad that was of use to someone 😉 It’s a good, comprehensive read, and not quite readable at the same time. Like you I found there were a lot of books, but some focus on individuals, and it’s nice to have all the threads and timelines brought together. Playmobil Luther concurs with my recommendation 😉
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So funny 🙂 I know someone who takes teddy bear’s on holiday with them all over the world, and takes photos of them enjoying themselves – on the beach, having cocktails etc. I always thought it was a little weird, but now I’m beginning to see the appeal. Those playmobil characters are too adorable. I think we have a stars wars set somewhere with wookie and all 🙂
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When my daughter was at nursery they had a teddy you could take for the weekend/holidays and photograph his travels and write in his diary. It was wonderful, and I’m sure it made some of us do more interesting things that we might had knowing our weekend would be made public 😉 PS. Luther and Wookie! Hours of fun!
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I like the fact that the Viking muscles in on the intellectual outings. I wonder if he gets bored with the highbrow conversation? or maybe he has his own views on Odin and the meaning of self sacrifice?
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Also, I reckon Goethe is a lightweight. Just saying.
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I absolutely agree. I keep thinking about how emotional and philosophical he was, and I’m sure that’s not the right grounding one needs to be able to survive Viking-related benders. 😀 Plus, his long coat tails mean he can only stand or lay down, which is really not ideal on a night out, and especially causes him problems at the cinema.
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I feel Luther’s pain since I too am on on the short side (or what we are supposed to more tactfully call vertically challenged).
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I’d go so far as saying we’re vertically optimised – we need less food to sustain us, plus we fit in tight spots so predators can’t see us easily. We’re perfect for post-apocalyptic scenarios! (Sorry, been reading the news this morning and my view of what the future holds is on the bleak side…)
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Let’s call it vertically, er, economical, or concentrated. In this age of reducing and reusing, small people are naturally more environmentally friendly, less materials for clothes and clothes, and less space on the planet 😉
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Wonderful! Such a good idea to celebrate the anniversary and it looks like a good time was had by all the historical characters (and I had a laugh too, so wins all round!) 🙂
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Yay! They really are fun, and possibly going to my head. My daughter mentioned she wants us to visit the Netherlands, and the first thing that came to my mind was that Playmobil now make a version Rembrant’s ‘The Night Watch’. The possibilities!! 😉
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You crack me up 😀 Loving the tiny Martin Luther, but I have a confession: I’m on pain medication (sore back) so my very first reaction when I read the title of your post was, “Marty’s birthday? Oh, Back to The Future? Did he go back 500 years?!” Ah, brain.
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OMG!! Imagine if Playmobil made a Marty McFly and the Doc!! The fun I could have with them and the historical figures!! Hope your back gets better soon 🙂
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I seriously think it would be fun if you just made up stories with your mini-figures all day long!
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It totally would! I wish there was a way to earn a living doing that 🙂
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Brilliant! You do realise you’ve set a precedent now with your literary playmobil commemorations – they are too funny!
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I need to write to Playmobil and explain how important it is that they expand the range! I need Brecht and Hesse!
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Collecting just got real, this is the sort of stuff that should in every home I love it. Here’s us just having adult collecting exclusively with books but now the market is open to anything awesome. I hope they develop a book line, collecting the entire cast of War and Peace would be lucrative for the makers.
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Say goodbye to ‘sticky residue’!
There’s some stuff over here called ‘De-Solv it’ that has orange oil in it – you can spray it onto a porous sticker, leave it for a few minutes and then peel off the sticker. You may need to apply some more to get rid of the sticky stuff completely. Once it’s all evaporated there are no oily marks left behind. Eucalyptus oil can do it too but less efficiently and it’s more toxic – don’t get it in your eyes!
I have a pre-wash stain remover that includes orange oil too – I wonder if that would work. Maybe straight orange essential oil would work too but I’ve never tried it.
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Those are excellent suggestions! Thank you, I am having issues with a cute lunchbox with the most ridiculous stickers, that when I scrubbed the underside one off, it removed the colour coating as well! I shall remember orange oil for the sticker on the top of it, I had resigned myself to just living with it. 🙂
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☺
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