Auguste Triboulet and the Vichy firm

Born in Paris on August 15, 1865, Auguste Triboulet was from family which knew toys. His father and his maternal grandfather had formed, in 1867, a company for the trade of "bimbeloterie".

The year following the death of Gustave Vichy in 1904, his widow yielded the factory to Auguste Triboulet.

Triboulet does not seem to have brought changing to the Vichy production. Comparing the catalogues before and after Triboulet's taking over of the company, one notices a continuity in the models. But, to answer requests, he started to produce more and more electrics parts. After his death on March 3, 1920, his widow continued to direct the business for a short time, then, in March 1923, she sold the french Toys and Automata factory (J.A.F.).

During one half-century, J.A.F., under the direction of Mr. Daniel Accursi, produced animated scenes for the windows of the department stores and other houses.

But the with the passing of the years, the popularity of automata faded and, when in 1976 the town of Paris expropriated the J.A.F buildings, its director made the decision to cease manufacture.

It is a former employee, Michel Bertrand, who has recovered stocks remaining of the time of Vichy and Triboulet.

Hired in J.A.F. as model maker on september,1955 and moved shortly after to head animation , Michel Bertrand worked there until 1967.

Thanks to his experience gained at J A. F and with his personal talent, he took up again the tradition of old automata production.

Drawing his inspiration from the old catalogues and existing parts he created various well appreciated automata such as the Peasant with the pig, the Poet, Pierrot writer, and many others.