An antique Kestner bisque porcelain "Alphabet" series doll, made in Germany, mid-late 19th Century
This is a 6" tall German Kestner doll. It is stamped "N" on the back of the head, and "602" on the inside of the legs. There is also a "O" on the inside leg. The N was part of the "Alphabet Series" of dolls produced between 1860 & 1892. I believe the 602 is the number for this doll. They eyes still move on the doll and everything is intact and nothing broken nor chipped.
6" tall
Inherited
Yes
Hi Jim,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
My friend concurred with your original assessment that this is a mid-late 19th Century Kestner Alphabet series doll. The markings on Kestner's earlier dolls are not as codified as they are on some of the later ones, and the sources I wasn't consulting were not as complete as I thought they were.
While this is a rare small and early doll by one of the finest German doll makers, these do not bring much when sold at auction - usually between $300-500 (to give you an idea of comparable prices, most German 19th Century dolls by Kestner or comparably desirable makers sell for less than $300).
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
An antique Kestner bisque porcelain "Alphabet" series doll
made in Germany, mid-late 19th Century
The bisque porcelain doll with long brown hair, painted face with sleeping eyes, bisque body, hinged arms and legs with blue socks and Mary Jane shoes, marked "N on the back of her head and "602" on the inside of one leg. Wearing a beige-colored linen dress with crocheted lace trim.
6 inches tall
CONDITION: This doll appears to be in very good original condition
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$300-500*
*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
Hi Jim,
The photos are helpful, thanks!
Do you mind if I show these images to a friend of mine who is a German doll expert? She'll probably be able to recognize the mark right away, and give me deeper insights into this market.
Thanks to confirm, at your convenience,
Delia
It is fine to show the doll pictures to your friend. Thanks.
Can you explain why asking price is $600 when auction value is $300-500?
Also, I have Artist dolls created about 22-25 years ago by a now deceased artist that are one of a kind and each hand made. She used to sell them at Doll shows for up to $1200 each. I probably have about 20 of them. They are all about 22" tall, face and hands and feet made of clay, all are either a Queen or a Peasant, all clothes and jewelry and hair is hand made. Is this something you can appraise for me?
If you're looking to auction this doll, a reasonable fair-market auction value would be $300-500 and in line with where these dolls usually sell (sometimes they sell for more, sometimes they sell for less.)
However, if you're looking to sell this privately - on eBay or other marketplace - we recommend a starting price that is higher than what you might end up with in case you don't get any offers and have to reduce your asking price (potential buyers will be unforgiving if you try to raise your price!)
I can and am happy to appraise any dolls you have as long as you can share the maker's name and approximate year of creation - just one per appraisal (not as a group unless you want a single value for the entire group rather than individually valued). I would advise, however, that given changes in the market, if she was asking $1,200 (retail) each at the time, the fair-market on each now is possibly $100-150, with some variances for size, style and complexity of the model.
I hope I've answered your questions; please let me know if you have additional ones!
Delia
Delia -
I would be interested in a single value for the entire group. The artist was my mother and she sold many at $1200, and if you see them, you will see they are very special and unique. Would need to find the right purchaser interested in medieval era Queens and Peasants.
I can do that - you'll need to submit a new appraisal and include a photograph of each doll. I won't price them individually (for that, you'd need to do a separate appraisal for each) but will give you a single value for the entire lot.
ALSO, I'll need one photo showing ALL dolls.
Thanks!
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Hi Delia -
I added some more photos for you to look at. Several years ago someone told us it was a Kestner model 602 doll. When i was researching recently i learned about the alphabet series and i thought i saw the exact same font for the N online that matched my doll, making me think it was Kestner alphabet series.
The hair is glued to the head but i was able to uncover a little more above the N but can't make out what is says. It could be 2 or 3 more letters. Maybe L J O ? very hard to decipher. All of the doll is made from some type of porcelain, including the main body. Anything else i can answer that might help? Thanks - Jim