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

French Dinky Toys

Monday, December 5, 2016
overcast with snow
-1 C  30 F

French Dinky Toys

Please click here to visit this fine British merchant

Dinky Toys appeared on the market in December 1933, but were called "Modelled Miniatures" until APril of 1934. THe production of Dinky Toys was begun at the same time in Liverpool, Britain, and in France at Bobigny. Both locations produced cars, trucks,buses,military vehicles, aircraft and ships. WHen WWII started, production stopped for the duration of the war, and reappeared in 1945,but there were no new models . New models started in 1946.*

Citation: www.dinkytoys.ch/history.htm

THe boxes are easily distinguished because the writing was in French.

French Dinky 24-Y Studebaker Commander

Circa: 1955-1957

Length 4 3/8"  110 mm

French Dinky 548 Fiat Familiale Estate Car

Circa: 1960-1963

Length:  4 3/4"120 mm

562 Citroen 2CV Van 'Wegenwacht'

Circa: 1965-1968

Length:  5 1/4"  130 mm

33-C Simca Glazier's Truck

Circa: 1955-1961

Length:  5 1/16" 128 mm

888 Richier Motor Grader

Circa: 1960-1965

Length: 7" 178 mm

Thanks for dropping by,

and as always,

Have a great time of the day or night,

Wherever you may be.

Stacey Bindman

toysearcher@gmail.com

A Rare French Hay Truck

Tuesday, August 26, 2014
               Sunny and very hot

A Rare French Hay Wagon

   I wasn't looking for the fine toy that I discovered for today's post. I was seating for stake trucks, and this French toy came up. I didn't want to present it by itself, so I searched for more "Toy Hay Trucks", but didn't find any on Liveauctioneers. So today, this fine French Hay truck gets exclusive billing (A movie term for showing or starring) on the post.

Please click here to visit this fine American Auctioneer

The  French word fourragère means to forage, as to search for food.

I'm sure  it also has a meaning related to gathering hay for feed.

It's interesting that I couldn't find any other hay trucks, because farm toys are one of the more popular collectibles on ebay and the Net. I'll have to venture over to ebay France  and see if I can find other hay trucks or toys.

It's a nice looking truck, and the driver's door opens. I like the headlights and the front grillwork.

I'm wondering how the hay was loaded onto and into the truck?
Did they have those wide-moving tracks that scooped up loose cut hay,
then moved it up unto the truck?


Thanks for dropping by,
and as always,
have a great part of the day or night,
wherever you may be
Stacey
toysearcher@gmail.com

Universal Hobbies -Great Scaled Models from France

Friday, March 22, 2013

Universal Hobbies

(Great Scaled Models from France)

   Yesterday was a great day, because I had received an answer from Universal Hobbies (France) with permission to write about them, and of course use their photographs. I had written the company a while back, and a nice woman by the name of Camille Boujon from their Marketing Department had written back to say that I had the OK.

   As you know, I had decided about 2 months ago to introduce modern-era toys and models to my blog. In searching, I had found Universal Hobbies from France. First and foremost, I liked their photography, then their well-desinged website. But I also liked the different models that they had.  They  are an official seller of  Komatsu models, as well as a line called PPP, and of course their fine line of models. For today, I'm presenting a diversity of their Universal Hobbies and 1 PPP model.

    I couldn't find a history page for them on their site, so I will have to write Camille Boujon back. I like their slogan or motto - "For those who prefer the finest", and when you see the photos below you'll know why their motto relates well to their products. I'm sure they also have a French motto similar to the English one.

    The scales of the models are 1:12. 1:18, 1:32. 1:43. and 1:50, and so although there is plenty of detail with all the scales, the larger scales really show well. Most of the models are die cast, and some are die cast with plastic parts.

Please click here to go to their excellent website

Excellent Detail!

What I like about older machines and models is their simpler construction. My friend purchased a 1963 Dodge Valiant a few years ago.When we opened up the hood (bonnet in Great Britain),  you could see right to the ground!. Nowadays, I have no idea what's under the hood in my 2008 Toyota Corolla.By the way, that 1963 Valiant was in excellent condition. I t had been driven by an older lady who I assume had had it for all those years!

As you know, I like detail in models and toys.  What I like from a model is when it's photographed well, and you can;t tell whether it's the real-life item or a model!

Here's a Citroen small truck. I've seen a few of the Citroen's smaller car here in Montreal with the canvas roll-down roof, but never this mini-truck or van.  THat colour theme is fantastic, especially with those red walled tires!

Europeans, and especially the French always like challenges and adventure. Jacques Cousteau invented the Scuba tank, French Mountaineers have always liked to climb mountains around the world, or sail around the world, or race cars all over, especially in formidable places like tat famous Sahara race. 

I like the detail in the Renault 5 Turbo.

Length:  15 1/4"    387mm

Diecast

And to close off this post, here's something I've never seen - a twin engine tractor.

I'm sure it worked well as the real tractor, but I kept wondering if the frame and design could support the front engine? Could the overhanging engine with all of its weight still kept firmly in place by the design?

That detail is fantastic!

Thanks for dropping by,

and have a great part of the day, wherever you may be.

Stacey