A Continuation of Fernand Martin Toys

Tuesday,  March 20, 2018
Partly sunny with clouds,
-4 C   28.4 F

A Continuation of

Fernand Martin Toys

Please click here to visit this fabulous auction

I had written a recent post of January 31 2018. However, the Fernand Martin toys were so interesting, that I thought I'd revisit the auction again, and make another fine selection of these toys. Not only are these toys most interesting in terms of design, but they also move through a wind-up gear mechanism. Furthermore, these toys are very rare, and if you visit the specific auction from the "please click here" above, you will see the very high prices that these marvellous toys yielded.

As you look at these Fernand Martin toys, carefully notice the excellent condition that these

toys are in. Superb for toys over 117-109 years old! Bertoia Auctions photographed these fine toys in a bigger size, in order to appreciate the fine condition, as well as the details of the characters.

"Le Charcutier"

Dressed in cloth uniform  and apron donning a thick moustache.

 He stands at the table with knives that when activated, 

his arms move up and down, as if chopping meat.

Circa: 1901

Height:  7.5"    19.1 cm

"L'Artiste Capillaire"

Original patented design by Monsieur Noguier of Paris

which represents a barber and client in his chair.

Circa: 1904

Height:  7.5"  19.1 cm

Early Martin Leap Frog Toy

Attributed to Martin, depiction of two children playing

a fun game of leap frog around a tree stump.

Whimsy theme and design.

Height:  5.75"  14.6 cm

"Le Clown"

A fun example of one of the most inspired source of characters of this time.

When activated, the clown stands on his hands and moves his legs, as seen on  the box front, 

entertaining the crowd. He wears a cloth outfit and lace neck scarf. Missing hat.

Circa: 1902

Height:  8"  20.3 cm

"Martin Bear Climbing Pole"

When activated (wound up with a key), this bear climbs

up the rungs of the pole with the base. He wears a felt bearskin and red collar.

Circa: 1909

Height:  19.75"   50.3 mm

"La Sentinelle Anglaise"

(The English Guard)

One of the many nationalities of guards,

created by Martin. This English Guard wears a red felt jacket

and cloth pants, with a bobby-style helmet.

Circa: 1901

Height:  7.5"   19 cm

"L'Homme Sandwich"

This figure represents the profession known as a sandwich man,

in which a person walks the streets with a backpack style

billboard advertising, in this case, for games and toys.

Circa:  1901

Height:  10.5"  26.7 cm

Thanks for dropping by,

And have a great part 

of the day or evening.

Stacey Bindman

Toysearcher@gmail.com

Fernand (Ferdinand) Martin Toys

Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Sunny with Cloudy Periods
-12 C  10.4 F

Fernand (Ferdinand) Martin Toyd

please click here to visit this fine American toy Auctioneer

Fernand Martin was a French toy manufacturer who started up around the 1880's. His toys

were mechanical wind-ups, and were  mostly all about  people.  The body and frame were manufactured from tin and metal,while the exterior of the figure was usually made of material. 

When any of Fernand Martin's toys were wound up, they would go through different motions depending on what their profession was. A street-sweeper would sweep, an acrobat would articulate in an acrobatic movement, and a fisherman would raise his rod to bring the fish closer to him. The toys were small in size and ranged from 5"-7 1/2" ( 127 mm - 191 mm)

c. 1903, "Le Cake-Walk!!!!," depicts woman in dance competition with knee and hands up, 

the winners won a cake as a prize. Length 5.5"(141 mm)

c. 1905, "Le Gymnaste," rare Martin design, depiction of gymnast in a formal uniform at bars, leans back and forth when activated working his way down the bars. Hard to find. length: 14.5" 367 mm.

"Le Gentleman Khaki", one of two figures that 

represent men from the Boer War (South Africa),

dressed in cloth, holding gun, with helmet.

Circa: 1900

Length: 5.25"  13.5 cm

Fernand Martin, cloth dressed painted tin figure sits on tin rock - clockwork mechanism imparts action: he bends down and turns and pulls up fish. 7 1/2" ( 190 mm) high

c. 1891, "Les Boxeurs," Very early Martin, rubber band mechanism, only a few known to exist of this toy, arms and bodies jiggle as if in combat, there are reportedly no examples retaining original arms. Length: 5.25" (133 mm)

c. 1898, "Le Petit Decrotteur," this early Martin represents the early street vendor profession, 

when activated arms shift to motion shoe shining. Length: 5.5" (140 mm)

France, tin figure with key wind operation, billed as the Culbuteur, 

includes original box, actions feature rotations. Height (7 1/2" 191 mm)

Attributed to Martin, depiction of two children playing a fun game of leap frog around a tree stump. Whimsy theme and design. Height: 5.75" (146 mm)

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day or evening.

Stacey Bindman

Toysearcher@gmail.com