Author Archive: admin
La Nature (1894-1895)
Monsieur François Mesqui (France) shared with us this nice early drawings from “La Course de Taureau’ (1894) and ‘Ma Portìere’ (rubber band version, 1895). They were original depicted in the French magazine ‘La Nature’, a scientific magazine.
Look Alike of Martin Toy?
This picture was sent to us by a collector. He asked for more information. This toy will be in the book at page 229 in the chapter about ‘Imitators”. It is called “Le Livreur Rapide” and made by S.I.J.I.M (no. 36). For sure it is not a Martin-toy!! But this toy is very rare, only […]
The Martin Exhibit which took first price at The St. Louis World’s Fair 1904
The Fernand Martin booth included a centrepiece representing a fun fair on a square, with stages and performers and musicians. All the people at the fair are Fernand Martin toys. F. Martin was awarded First Prize for this entry! (see book on page 176)
Le Joyeux Contrabassiste (1904)
Unknown toy by F. Martin. Mechanism: clockwork H. 18 cm. E.T. Coll. The picture of the stage of the centrepiece representing a fun fair on a square, shows the bass player. And since we have never seen a second one, so far, we assume the bass player was especially made for the World Fair. If […]
184: La Petite Marchande (1901)
Mechanism: clockwork H. 18 cm, l. 20 cm. There are two different versions of Martin’s Orange Seller that we know of. One vendor with an empty cart and one with cart filled with the fruit. Both vendors wear a bustle under their skirts. This version is not part of our book but would fit wonderful […]