A plastic figurine of Martin Luther has sold tens of thousands of copies within days of being put on the market.
Playmobil’s Luther toy sold out, with 34,000 copies being snapped up in 72 hours.
Most were sold in Germany, and 5 per cent went to international buyers.
The German toymaker released the “little Luther” to mark the 500th anniversary of the publication of Protestant reformer’s 95 theses in 1617.
A spokesperson for the company called the runaway success of the toy “a big mystery [and] a huge surprise”.
The figurine comes dressed in 16th century academic robes, with cap, scroll and quill.
An urgent order has been placed with Palymobil’s Maltese factory which makes the toy, but another batch is not expected to be available until April.