Produced from 1896
Product number 154
Hand lacquered / lithographed
Mechanism: Rubber band
Height approx. 16,5 cm / 6,5 inches
Length approx: 18 cm / 7 Inches
There are two different versions that also both have a different product number.
I have no pictures of the version with number 154 but in the book “FERNAND MARTIN TOYMAKER IN PARIS” , by Lourens Bas and Arthur Verdoorn, there is a picture on page 93 on the top right, this toy is in the Musée des arts et métiers in Paris.
On the bottom left is the toy with number 155 ( La Petite Forge) and you can see that the differences are very small, especially the clothing of the figures differs and the background of the wall behind the anvil.
In a French newspaper “La Presse” from December 19, 1896 there was an article with the following (freely translated text):
Among the toys that will be displayed in the end-of-year stalls on the main boulevards, let us mention a novelty full of originality, due to the invention of Mr. Fernand Martin.
This toy will be called the Forge and will represent, in front of a fireplace, two blacksmiths striking in turn on an anvil.
The two blacksmiths, once wound up, strike for a good minute without needing to resort to any string.