Kewpie is a brand of dolls and figurines that were initially conceived as comic strip characters by artist and writer Rose O'Neill. The illustrated cartoons, appearing as baby cupid characters, began to gain popularity after the publication of O'Neill's comic strips in 1909, and O'Neill began to illustrate and sell paper doll versions of the Kewpies. The characters were first produced as bisque dolls in Waltershausen, Germany beginning in 1912, and became extremely popular in the early twentieth century.[1]
The Kewpie dolls were initially made out of bisque exclusively, but composition versions were introduced in the 1920s and celluloid versions were manufactured in the following decades. In 1949, Effanbee created the first hard plasticversions of the dolls, and soft rubber and vinyl versions were produced by Cameo Co. and Jesco between the 1960s and 1990s.
The earlier bisque and composition versions of Kewpie dolls are widely sought-after by antique and doll collectors, specifically those which were hand-signed by O'Neill herself. Kewpies should not be confused with the baby-like Billikenfigures that debuted in 1908.
The blue wings were Rosie's additional trademark. This couple is very unique and will bring approximately $100.00 easily. Thanks for the history Phoenixguy.
Re: Antique Kewpie Dolls
I know nothing about them at this time exept they have been in our family for at least 60 years quite possibly longer.
Re: Antique Kewpie Dolls
Kewpie is a brand of dolls and figurines that were initially conceived as comic strip characters by artist and writer Rose O'Neill. The illustrated cartoons, appearing as baby cupid characters, began to gain popularity after the publication of O'Neill's comic strips in 1909, and O'Neill began to illustrate and sell paper doll versions of the Kewpies. The characters were first produced as bisque dolls in Waltershausen, Germany beginning in 1912, and became extremely popular in the early twentieth century.[1]
The Kewpie dolls were initially made out of bisque exclusively, but composition versions were introduced in the 1920s and celluloid versions were manufactured in the following decades. In 1949, Effanbee created the first hard plasticversions of the dolls, and soft rubber and vinyl versions were produced by Cameo Co. and Jesco between the 1960s and 1990s.
The earlier bisque and composition versions of Kewpie dolls are widely sought-after by antique and doll collectors, specifically those which were hand-signed by O'Neill herself. Kewpies should not be confused with the baby-like Billikenfigures that debuted in 1908.
http://new.inventions.org/resources/female/oneill.html
I don't see a ton of worth here, $25.00 more if it was singned by Rose
Re: Antique Kewpie Dolls
The blue wings were Rosie's additional trademark. This couple is very unique and will bring approximately $100.00 easily. Thanks for the history Phoenixguy.