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Nelling, Inc.

F r e n c h   D o l l s

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Early Schmitt Bebe 17 1/2"

Ready for Summer Travels ON LAYAWAY

Ready for departure is this angel of a girl, an early Schmitt et Fils bebe with round face, eggshell white bisque, piercing light blue paperweight eyes, the softest of painted features and shading, pierced ears an unusual French plaster pate and a long, antique blond mohair wig.

Her Summer holiday through southern France will call for some light and airy changes of antique clothing that she models here.  A favorite is her royal blue, maritime silk frock with side buttons and narrow silk sash with hook closure  With it she wears an antique open work straw hat with an embroidered straw flower motif.  But she can decide between that and her pink cotton pinafore with wide bodice suspenders that are part of the full skirted dress, and beneath that is yet another white cotton dress with tucking that can be worn alone for another look.  Her antique straw hat has a glazed surface and is adorned with pink fabric roses.

For a casual garden party is a full, ecru cotton number with a small blue floral print that has light gray blue velvet trim at the collar and sleeves.  The antique straw hat she has chosen has pale pink flowers atop a wide, teal silk ribbon around the crown.  And a dressy affair calls for either of her frilly lace couturier dresses, one with peach silk ribbon linear accents and the other with layers of flowing French lace on the bodice, shoulders, sleeves and skirt.  Another antique straw hat with lily of the valley flowers can be worn with them both.

Bedtime is covered as well, with a simple, white gauze chemise and knit bonnet with lilac ribbon ties.  Her ivory leather French shoes are antique as are her cream crocheted stockings.  A one piece cotton camisole and pantaloon onesy and two white cotton slips make for a nice full skirt effect.  She has some belongings to bring along like an antique lamb toy, an all bisque doll with molded bonnet, some spring fabric lowers, two extra pairs of glass earrings and a contemporary silk French flag.  She and her wardrobe fit in her fine French trunk with a with a slatted tray and several divided compartments below...even a hat hook!

Her marked Schmitt body has the black shield stamp on the flat underside of the derriere, that are both specific features of the Schmitt body design.  The flat derriere underside was intended to facilitate a secure seated position.    The eight ball composition body with straight wrists has uniquely factory designed curves on the upper and lower limbs as well and the natural pink patina with original varnish is so appealing.

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Jumeau Paris Bebe $5,950.

Having almost a character expression is the Paris Bebe that came from the Jumeau firm after winning an infringement lawsuit against Danel & Cie.  That ruling allowed Emile Jumeau to use the name Paris Bebe on his version of the doll which stands out noticeably from the Tete-copied Danel product.

This, the Jumeau model, has a face full of expression, starting with her captivating, blue paperweight eyes in a slightly pensive position, plus her elongated nose and very full cheeks and slightly smiling closed mouth.  She has a fully jointed composition body that bears the identifying Paris Bebe mark with the Eiffel Tower on her back.  Being a size 5 bebe, she is fortunate enough to have her original size 5 Jumeau mohair wig and her size 5 Jumeau leather shoes.  Under her derriere is some cracking to the paint surface.

The excellence continues with what seems to be her original four-piece costume, a burgundy wool ensemble including a long jacket over gathered skirt, a matching long cape with silk ties, and a lace chapeau with burgundy silk and velvet trim.  Her size 5 Jumeau shoes are fragile on the upper portion however the soles are very strong.  She has that original feel that is so special.  She is 15" tall.

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Jumeau Premier Portrait Bebe 11 1/2"

Size 2 $7,950.

Soulful, dark brown enamel eyes play beautifully against the iridescent, pale bisque of this size 2 Jumeau Premier portrait bebe.  Her delicate decoration of features and softly blushed cheeks mark her early look and her platinum, sheepskin wig is so endearing and appropriate.  She has a closed mouth, pierced ears (left earring hole repaired), and is incised "2" at the lower back of her head.

Her excellent, Jumeau "Medaille de Or" stamped body is eight-ball jointed and has its original finish.  Her simple presentation gives her an original look with her factory French chemise with pale blue silk trim that is continued on to her matching bonnet.  She has dainty, antique cotton undergarments and so important are her marked antique Jumeau leather shoes!  (Other tiny portrait Jumeau in one of the photos is currently on Layaway.)

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Circle Dot Bru $13,950.

An early bebe (16") from the second generation of Bru, marked on the back of the head with an incised circle around a dot.  She has quite a stunning face, with huge, blue spiral eyes, closed mouth with space in-between her lips, super pale bisque and gentle decoration, pierced ears and an abundant, antique blond mohair wig.  Her head swivels on her bisque shoulder plate that matches her perfect, early bisque hands with curved and detail fingers.

Her head swivels on her bisque shoulder plate that matches her pale, early bisque hands with curved shaded and  detailed fingers. Her upper arms and body are of leather with gusseted joints, having some soil on the leather surface from handling.  It is overall in very good, sturdy condition.

She wears an outfit that suits her earliness so well; an antique white pique dress and long jacket with extended collar and eyelet detail that give her a crisp, clean presence.  Pink is introduced with the wide silk ribbon of her antique lace bonnet and hosiery, she has all antique undergarments and important, Bru-like black leather shoes with oblong silver buckles attached.

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Special Jumeau Triste 28"

Featured in Published Book and Calendar  ON LAYAWAY

Here is a chance to be the owner of a Jumeau Triste that is featured in two publications with photographs by Tom Kelley called DOLLS.  One is a coffee table book with excellent photographs of many exquisite dolls and the text is by Pamela Sherer.  The same collection of photographs makes up a calendar with one inspiring doll photo featured per month.  Both of these items are included with the doll!

This Long Face Jumeau is an especially beautiful one, a size 13 with marked Jumeau shoes (one repaired), having huge blue paperweight eyes, an antique French human hair wig, a closed mouth, pierced, applied ears, impeccable facial decoration, pale bisque and lightly blushed cheeks.  Her marked Jumeau body in is very good shape with some surface scratches on the torso from past doll stand abrasions. She comes wearing the costume in which she was photographed in long ago including the antique wool coat and bonnet that have some holes.  The pink satin dress with lace overlay also goes well with a complimentary antique bonnet that has been added for fun!

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F.G Block Letter Bebe Opportunity $2450.

Due to a component mismatch, here is a great opportunity to own a 10 1/2" F.G Block Letter bebe for a fraction of the price.  She displays as the diminutive bebe she is, but as shown in the photo, bottom right, you can see that her head is constructed to be attached to an automaton.  The head is now mounted on a fully jointed, French composition body with jointed wrists.  The ring finger on her right hand is missing.

She has brown paperweight eyes, a closed mouth, blond human hair wig and pierced ears.  Her head swivels just like that of a normal bebe and it can be positioned so the gap seen in the photo does not show.  She wears a soft, peach silk dress of antique fabric and trim, plus matching chapeau.  She wears antique undergarments and vintage shoes and stockings.

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Schmitt et Fils Bebe $10,500.

The Schmitt bebe line had several faces, this one (15 1/2") being the rounder look.  With the usual, ultra pale bisque of this early era, her smaller, pensive eyes and closed mouth give her a more analytical expression.  A hint of shading and decoration of features balances well with her antique, lambskin wig that passes her pierced ears and touches her shoulders.

Her wood and composition body is marked with the Schmitt shield symbol stamped on her flat cut derriere that allows for a very stable seated position.   This mark is also on the back of her head incised, where there is a factory flaw or baking line that comes down from the crown rim.  It is not a damage or repair, just an inherent result from the bisque separation in the firing process.  Her antique cotton and lace frock with coordinating chapeau are both decorated with sky-blue ribbon trim.  Undergarments, shoes and socks are antique.

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Earliest Bru Teteur Brevete $8750.  (Faint Hairline)

In the fascinating chronology of Bru bebes, the Bru Teteur, or "Nursing Bru", has a chapter all its own due to the several stages of production on this innovative doll.  Shown here (13 3/4") is the earliest in the line of these dolls that replicated the act of nursing, which was made possible by inserting in the open mouth glass bottle with rubber tip that was also offered for sale.  In the bisque head was a heavy rubber balloon that could ingest water through the mouth with suction caused by turning a knob outside the back of the head.  The earliest dolls had the ivory knob like this one, which was later replaced with metal.  None of these work anymore due to the drying of the rubber.

This early head is known as the Brevete and it portrays a very young child or even infant.  At the bottom of this listing I have provided a photo of the same doll in a Christening gown taken when I had her in my collection of early infants.  During a couple of years of production, the nursing Bru's were made using Circle Dot and also Bru Jne. heads which are more readily found.

The dramatic coloring on this child is due to the rich brown paperweight eyes against the eggshell white bisque, brought to life with gentle rose-tinted cheeks and lips.  Part of her original skin wig remains as shown in the body shots, however she also sports a replacement skin wig elsewhere, which fits on top.  She has a swivel neck on bisque shoulder plate and bisque forearms.  At the middle left side of her forehead is a faint hairline that she has had all the years in my possession (Photos available).  Her leather body is sturdy and clean with some typical bending.

Most enjoyable was finding this antique, white knit bebe ensemble that she models, using several combinations of pieces in each photo.  There is a darling one-piece camisole and pantaloon garment, a half skirt, a full dress or shift, a sweater and a matching bonnet, all with the same design.  Crocheted socks and linen shoes are also antique.  A super special doll with an endearing presentation.

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Jumeau Size 1 Premier Portrait Bebe ON LAYAWAY

At only 10 1/4", we have a huge presence from this size 1 Jumeau portrait who is tiny but mighty, with her vibrant blue spiral eyes, closed mouth,  super soft decoration of her brows, lashes, cheeks and lips, pierced ears and antique blond mohair wig cascading onto her shoulders.  Her Jumeau, eight-ball jointed body is stamped "Medaille de Ore" on the lower back and is in fine original condition, the varnish on both hands has darkened or has been reapplied.  At the bottom back of her head is an incised "1".

Her precious costume consists of a frothy, antique, lace trimmed organdy jacket over a very similar, almost matching delicate dress, she has a creamy wool slip along with all her antique cotton undergarments, socks, leather shoes and a straw hat with its own fabric flower garden surrounding the face.  Shown in the photo at the right is another small Jumeau portrait, listed separately.

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S.F.B.J. Character "Toto" ON LAYAWAY

Lacking nothing in the character department, the SFBJ "Toto" (14") is so unique, she almost looks like a prototype for a special project. She has blue glass sleep eyes that dazzle, an open mouth with two rows of show-off teeth, and puffed cheeks molded into a comical pose.  Her cheeks are plenty rosy and she has a replaced, strawberry blond mohair wig that is a bit wild and crazy.

Her French composition body is fully jointed at the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and knees for any pose she decides on.  Her antique silk frock, although melting in several places, is a lively but soft red floral print on gold and cream background, having plenty of lace and ruffles to keep her amused!

More French Dolls go to page 2

nellingdolls@gmail.com

[ home ] [ about us ] [ accessories ] [ all bisques ]  [ early ] [ fashion dolls ] [ french dolls ] [ furniture ] [ german dolls ] [ misc. dolls ] [ policies ]