In principle there are four different Martin bears, three are produced under the same number 193 in a period of more than 25 years.
They are very similar in appearance, there are two colors, white and brown.
The fourth is a completely different bear with number 216
Three bears, who carry the same number:
What do you need to know if you have one or want to purchase one or even find one.
What should you pay attention to!
The first one is the brown bear with a “hairy” head, so it looks like a head with fur.
This was given number 193 and was made by Fernand Martin in the second Martin period in 1904.
Marked under one leg with “FM” and under the other leg with the famous “triangle” and equipped with a “Martin” key
The second one is the same bear but in a white version, the head is now painted white.
He received the same production number and was made by Fernand Martin in the second period from 1909
But also produced by Victor Bonnet in the fourth period with the same number
If it is produced by Fernand Martin then one leg is marked with FM and under the other leg with the famous triangle.
If it was produced by Victor Bonnet from 1921 until the 30s, it is marked under one leg with “VB & Cie Paris” and under the other leg with “Made in France” and equipped with a “Victor Bonnet” key
The third version is a brown bear but now with a dark brown painted head, this bear was produced by George Flersheim in the third period from 1912, this bear also received production number 193.
Marked under one leg with “FM” and under the other leg with the famous “triangle” and equipped with a “Flersheim” key
And then there is a fourth bear
It is the climbing bear and was produced by Fernand Marin in 1909
The production number is 216
This is a very special bear that, after winding, climbs independently into a pole.
All toys shown in the photos are or were from my own collection