BENJAMIN RABIER - THE DOG Painted wooden articulated toy. "Pierre Lafitte, Paris 1908. Good condition, good colours, some minor alterations, signed "Benjamin RABIER" on both sides (the ears are articulated). Approximately 17.5 x 12 cm wingspan) Benjamin Rabier, animal illustrator, was born on 30 December 1864 in La Roche-sur-Yon and published his first drawings in La Chronique amusante and Le Gil Blas illustré in 1892. He was also a great inspiration to his fellow artists. Hergé, for example, discovered him through his illustrations of La Fontaine's Fables and later borrowed the character of Tintin from him.1895 saw the publication of his first children's album, Mauvais garnement (tintin-lutin). In 1902, Benjamin Rabier was entrusted with an edition of L'Assiette au beurre. For around fifteen years, he worked for Banania chocolate powder, Delbeck champagne, Le Chat soap, La Baleine salt and Dubonnet spirits, among others. He died in October 1939, and his creations, from Tintin to La Vache qui rit (The Laughing Cow), are more alive than ever, perpetuating his memory. He is considered one of Europe's greatest animal cartoonists (source: herodote.net)