This article was published in the August 2026 issue of the monthly magazine Antoque Toy World
In principle there are four different Martin bears, three are produced under the same number 193 in a period of more than 25 years, the production of each of the different versions started in the periods 1903, 1909, 1912, and 1921.
They are very similar in appearance, there are two colorswhite and brown.
The fourth is a completely different bear with number 216
Height approx. 20 cm / 8 inches
Three bears, all bearing the same number 193, one has a hairy head, one white bear with a white-lacquered head, and one with a brown-lacquered head.
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 version 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 1903.
Marked under one leg with “FM” and under the other leg with the famous “triangle” and equipped with a “Martin” key
original box label
The second version 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 1909
But was 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.
This other second version of a white bear is the same as the other white bear but 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, so this bear is identical to the other white bear produced by Martin, but marked differently under the feet.
The third version is a brown bear but now with a dark brown painted head, this bear was produced by George Flersheim in 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