Hi Monica,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

The Kewpie doll helped shape modern toy design, pop character licensing, and early 20th-century popular culture. It’s much more than a cute collectible — it was one of the first worldwide character “brands.”

The Kewpie character was created in 1909 by American illustrator Rose O’Neill. It first appeared in Ladies’ Home Journal as a chubby, cherub-like cartoon baby with tiny wings and a topknot; the dolls began to be mass-produced in 1912, making your 1913 doll a fairly early model.

Other 9-inch 1913 Kewpies that have sold at auction have sold for fair market prices ranging from $40-100. Because yours has the original white ribbon, heart sticker on chest and patent sticker on bottom of foot, it would be worth $80-120, though the small flaw on its head brings its value down a bit: $75-100.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique bisque Kewpie doll
designed by Rose O'Neill, dated 1913
9 inches tall
CONDITION: With a small flaw to its topknot but otherwise in very good all original condition.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$75-100*
*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