A near antique bisque and composition character doll, made in Germany, circa 1930s, 24 inches long
This Doll is a large 24". She has a very finely modeled face, with eyes that open when she is seated, and that close when she is layed down. Her mouth is slightly open and she has a little pink tongue which must be some kind of a soft rubber. She has two little baby teeth in front, and her wig is made with human hair. (The hair is not original.) On the neck of her head it is engraved with a stylistic G and it reads, "made in Germany" with the numbers "57". The body is a composite, also very finely modeled. It has two small areas where the finish is worn, one on the stomach, and the other at the right shoulder. I could not find any marks on her body which suggest who might have been the maker. My mother-in-law was the original owner of the doll as a child, and she was born in 1920, so I could only estimate the doll's origination as having been in the 1930's to 1940's ? I would say her condition is fine.
24 " long, with the body and limbs proportional.
Inherited
Yes
Hi Roberta,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
The model number "57" is interesting because that model number isn't listed in a comprehensive guide that is the go-to/bible for all doll appraisers (Dawn Herlocher's Doll Makers & Marks, A Guide to Identification [Antique Trader's Publications, 1999]). While I've found a related "Made in Germany" mark belonging to the Alt, Beck & Gottschalk company, which made dolls in Germany from 1854-1941, their mold numbers ranged from 639-1288. The company that made dolls with model numbers 19-73 was that of Theodor Recknage (Germany, 1886-1930) but it skips number 57. It's possible that the wig obscures the maker's name. Both companies made dolls of very high quality, such as your doll exhibits. Most German doll companies ceased or dramatically slowed production during WWII, so this probably dated to the 1930s rather than the 1940s.
Because the quality of this doll is so good, the maker's name is of slightly less importance than it might be for a doll of more mediocre quality. Comparably sized dolls of similar quality are currently selling for between $150-200 at auction. Note this fair market price may be different (lower) than retail websites which are asking a retail price.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A near antique bisque and composition character doll
made in Germany, circa 1930s
The painted bisque head with sleeping eyes, vulcanized rubber tongue and brown hair wig on a composite body dressed in a white linen dress with petit-point lace trim.
24 inches
CONDITION: This doll appears to be in very good original condition, though wig is possibly a later replacement.
PROVENANCE: Inherited from original owner.
$150-200*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
