You will usually find the most boxes entirely in the French-language version with an exception for the manual on the box.
On many of these boxes the manual is mentioned in 2 or 3 languages, in French, English and Spanish but there is one box with 4 languages and that is the box of the Les Valseurs from 1885, on the front there is the French text and arround the box there are tree more languages: Spanisch, Englisch and Russian.
HERE SOME MORE EXCEPTIONS:
I found a catalog label on which the name of the toy is stated in two languages, it is the box of the Le Petit Décrotteur — The Little Blackboot with number 167
There is at least 1 box on which the name of the toy is stated in three languages, it is the box of the laundress number 171
Furthermore, it is known from the Petit Colbuteur with number 213 that three different versions of the box have been issued, but two with a different label and only in French.
There is also a very different box, it is probably a box specially for the Russian market of the Le Traineau Russe from 1892
The text on the box is partly in Russian. Thanks to a Russian reader I get the translation from this Russian text and that is: “The Russian Sledges. New Mechanical Automatic Toy”
Martin has released at least one box in two different languages.
A French version and a English version and that is quite special.
It is the box of the Petit Livreur number 224
And then there is the addition of “BIS” on various boxes next to the number.
If you translate the word “bis”, this means “one more time” or “repetition”
These toys were produced again in a later period, due to the enormous sales success.
The question is now; this was only done by Martin or also by Martin’s successors.
It is also surprising that most labels with the “bis” addition are also a lot smaller and the boxes are made of a cheaper material.
Of course I don’t know “all” the boxes, so if there are fellow collectors who know other special or different boxes. let me know, preferably with a photo, so that I can research them and use them in a next blog.
And finally, there are other factors regarding the boxes.
The value of the box is determined by a number of factors such as:
Completeness, meaning no missing parts
Quality of the box, ranging from mint to very poor
Quality of the label, ranging from mint to very poor
Rarity; for pieces produced in very large quantities, it goes without saying that a great many boxes have survived.
The addition of “BIS” next to the number; these boxes may have been produced up to more than 10-15 years after the original first manufacture.
Furthermore, pay attention to water damage: is the box or label written on or even colored in? Is it an original label, a copy of a catalog page pasted on later, or copied from the internet? (the differences are sometimes hard to see)