I need information on who, when, and when this old doll was made ... or, if nothing else, a general idea to get me started. I've looked at many sites and have not found anything simular thus far. A value on her would also be nice.
The doll is a closed mouth bisque with a complete and bald head. She has jointed arms. One is slightly bent and the other is bent at the elbow enough she could place it on her hip. She is painted in flesh colors other than her face details and legs.
The legs are painted in white socks that stop just below her knee and are trimmed in blue. She has black Mary Jane style heeled boots.
The only markings I can find are a simple indentation at the base of her neck in the shape of a retangle and what looks like the number '37' with lines above and below the number in a very faint blue possibly matching the color of her sock trim.
She is in the original hand crocheted outfit she was in when my great-grandmother gave it to my mother. And, she placed 3rd in an old doll show in 1953. I have the handmade awards and newspaper clipping for the event.
Re: Old Doll - Who, Where and When???
Theodore Recknagel manufactured dolls circa 1893-1930. Mold 37 is one that they used. Although this little one looks very french to me and to have little to no marking is typical of the French dolls. Recknagel may have produced the head for a french firm. I would search ebay for French mignonette dolls to see if you can find a comparison. Also Belton type dolls as yours has a solid dome. My best questimate of her value would be in the range of $500.00. A rare little beauty indeed.