From 1906, made at the end of Caran D’aches (Emmanuel Poiré (1858-1909) long career as a French political cartoonist and satirist.

Weakened by health problems, Caran d'Ache ended his weekly contributions to Le Figaro and Le Journal in 1906. He then devoted himself to the manufacture of wooden toys. These wooden statuettes were presented to the public for the first time during the Salon des Humistes organized by the newspaper Le Rire from May 25 to June 30, 1907 at the Palais de Glace.

However, a few months before, Caran d'Ache and the Hachette company agreed for the designer to cede the "exclusive right to exploit the sale of a series of cut-out wooden toys (animal subjects)". Hachette is responsible for having reproductions made according to the types provided to them by the artist. Copyright is set at 10% of the price of toys sold commercially and an exclusivity clause binds both parties.

This is a rare piece and has been authenticated by French experts several times. It is signed and displayed on the catalogue, click on the image to find the bear. 2 paws missing and end of tail, I have been assured this is not a great problem because of the rarity of this item.