A very special and quite rare toy among the Bonshommes. It was produced in 1908 and has been given the Martin production number 214. The dimensions are high 24cm long 22cm / high 9.45 inch long 8.66 inch.
A very special and quite rare toy among the Bonshommes.
Produced in 1908
Martin production number 214.
Dimensions are high 24cm long 22cm / high 9.45 inch long 8.66 inch.
Mechanism: by pulling a string stretching a spring is wound up, the same as with the La Boule Mystérieuse from 1906
The explanation on the box label has the instructions for use in two languages, French and English
The Englisch text on the box label:
Put the toy on a level surface then holding the stand firmly with the left hand, pull the string gently with the right one until a resistance is observed.
Then place the monkey on the bar and the toy will work.
In the januari 1909 issue of the French magazine La Nature, there is an French article about this toy.
It is about the “September 1908 Concours Lépine” in Paris where the inventor mr. Fernand Jeannet managed to win a gold medal with this toy. Fernand Martin bought the design from mr. Fernand Jeannet, changes it and produced and sold it themselves.
The trained monkeys. (Text translated from La Nature 1909)
One of the attractions of the last 1908 Lépine toy competition.
On a horizontal axis, which is raised on two pylons that support the axis, are perched monkeys.
This shaft B receives a rapid rotational movement by means of an angular friction C mounted on a flywheel operated by a gear provided with a crank E.
Each monkey has a place F side by side, through a curved shaft G that gives a back and forth motion to a small rod that supports the subject’s head and is held by the support H.
A light fabric dress attached to the monkey covers the mechanism.
The arms are attached to the base of the monkey’s neck and tail, made of lead, attached to the frame, they form a counterweight and allow the monkey to balance independently on the horizontal axis.
This shaft, by turning, drives the two discs of each mechanism and through the crankshaft and the vertical rod the monkeys communicate their grotesque movements.
The monkeys are interchangeable at will; they can be placed and moved immediately on the horizontal axis.
This is a very ingenious idea that won a gold medal by mr. Jeannet, the inventor, and is sure to please young children, they have always loved the monkeys’ grimaces.
Text and drawing’s from the magazine “La Nature 1909” Source: (Cnum – Digital Conservatory of Arts and Crafts – http://cnum.cnam.fr)
