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Nelling, Inc.

G e r m a n   D o l l s

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Kestner Gibson Girl

19"
Mold 172

$1,775.

The Kestner Gibson Girl represented a shift for women's role in society, which can be easitly seen by her upturned, confident look and stance. It was the early 1900's and in addition to the importance of being able to vote in elections, so could a woman wear fashion that didn't painfully cinch in the waist or crowd the elevator with a cumbersome bustle. The celebration of this new attitude was captured by the Kestner firm by this bisque mold, the 172, with her brown blass sleep eyes, original blond mohair Gibson styled wig, pensive brows, elongated, slim nose, pursed lips and raised chin on a finely molded shoulder plate.

 Also bisque and femininely posed are her lower arms, with one hand having a restoration to the index finger, and the other hand having a repaired thumb. The high quality, stuffed leather body has the fine, Kestner engineering with riveted joints and ease of articulation. She wears a seaside costume made of vintage fabrics made up of capri type pants and a front button jacket top with short sleeves and a sash around the waist. In addition, she has a white cotton swimming cap to keep her hair dry in the morning surf and a hooded beach cape to wear after swimming. So darling are her Summertime espadrilles to wear on the sand and onto the boardwalk and a basket of real seashells to show off to her lunchtime friends.

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Rare Kestner Character 182

14"
In Assortment Box with Three Extra Heads

$6,800.
This must have been a fascinating item to acquire in the day, as it was not only a wonderful character doll, a creative toy, an impressive gift item but it was, and remains to be, an awesome exhibition piece from the Kestner factory. It came in a few sizes, this one being in the smaller, 14" size doll.  The full doll is a Kestner character 182 with painted eyes, with two of the extra heads being painted eye 179 and 183 molds, and the glass sleep eye head being a 171.

The 182 is on a fully jointed Kestner composition body and it wears it's original factory chemise, and all of the heads have their original mohair wigs and are contained in their separate compartments of the original display box.  The outside of the box is covered with textured  red paper and has the Kestner factory label on one end.  The box was wear and part of the lid is missing on one side.                                     From the Sherryl Shirran Collection.

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Delightful German Wind-up Mechanical

14" L, by 12 1/2" T, by 6" W
Simon Halbig Bisque Heads

SOLD

These two Simon Halbig/ Handwerck bisque head dolls are on the move with the boy pulling the girl in a wooden cart with bench and metal spoke wheels.  Both dolls have bisque lower arms, composition bodies, glass eyes and open mouths, with mohair wigs (the one on the girl looks replaced).  When you wind the key on the left side of the boy, his legs begin to trot quickly, pulling the cart behind him.  Unfortunately, the axle is a bit bent, causing the wheels to rub against the cart, hampering the boy's efforts. 

As the boy tries to make the cart move forward, it activates an up and down movement of the girl's baton and whip in her right hand. The boy's silk outfit looks antique and original, having some melting, especially on the sleeves.  The girl's dress and bonnet are a replacements, made with old fabrics and trims.  The leather shoes and woven socks on each doll are antique and original, and to wind it comes an antique key that is not original.

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Simon Halbig 949 with Closed Mouth

$1,200. 

The molding on early Simon Halbig dolls never disappoints, such as with this tall (26") 949 boy with brilliant blue glass eyes, peachy bisque and a closed mouth. The extra molding of features makes one want to keep staring in order to appreciate the depth of the expression. His features are decorated with disciplined skill and with his short blond mohair wig, he is truly a beautiful and handsome fellow.

His fully jointed composition body has the mark of the Simon Halbig/ Heinrick Handwerck collaboration in red ink. The costume he wears is an antique suit of navy velvet with a wooly, plaid vest underneath. His socks are antique, he wears white leather, button up boots, and on his head a antique straw hat with a ribbon around the crown. So well dressed and looking smart!

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Kestner 1070 Hilda Baby

 ONLAYAWAY

Although the “Hilda” mold is not especially rare, it never fails to cause deep appreciation for the incredible and heartwarming molding of this popular character baby. There were two wigged versions and this one, (14") mold number 1070, is the closed dome, molded hair version, that can also accommodate a wig if desired. The outlined, sleep eyes are brown glass with fine, fine painted lashes and multi-stroke brows. The bisque is pale and flawless, with just a line of baked in paint at the mold line of the head. This is something that happens in manufacture and is not a flaw. The mouth is in an open smile of anticipation with two molded teeth behind the top lip.

The molded hair is a gently stroked, light brown paint. In very nice condition is the five-piece Kestner composition body with the signature “left hand out, right hand in” pose for Kestner babies. Dressed in an antique, white cotton baby gown and antique bonnet with lace trim and powder blue silk ties, the baby has a wool slip and diaper underneath plus some knitted yellow booties.

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Kammer and Reinhardt 115A

15"
Adorable Size and Presentation

$2,250.

Adorable dressed as a girl too, the Kammer and Reinhardt 115A is one of the most popular character molds that the company offered, this one having brown glass sleep eyes, light, peachy bisque, an antique, medium brown mohair wig, closed mouth with molded space in between lips, and having a fully jointed K*R composition and wood, slant hip  toddler body with slant hips.

The body finish is even, original and in ultra clean condition. She is at play in her antique, bouncy, blue on white striped cotton dress, with pinafore type bodice, and she has antique undergarments, shoes and socks that have a hint of a blue border. Shall we call her Phillippa instead of Phillip?
                                                                                                                                                                LW

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Simon Halbig 1358

16"
Ethnic Character

$5,500.

The brown bisque of this lovely Simon Halbig 1358 character girl is a warm, calming mocha.  In addition, she has rich, brown glass sleep eyes, and open mouth with exotic, full molded lips and four upper teeth. This wonderful character was made in a varying darker skin tones, each one giving this beloved child a different presence.  Her wispy wig is black, curly mohair and is original.

 The fully jointed composition body is nicely matched to the bisque color, in a warm medium brown. The mariner-inspired frock is of a navy/royal linen with a polished finish that has a pleated skirt, lace trim and a multi-colored insert of ruched fabric on the front bodice. Under the skirt is a sewn in, starched organdy pleated slip with lace trim. The dress is in excellent condition and when looking at the workmanship and quality on the inside, it confirms that this dress is from her period of manufacture.

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Simon Halbig Person of the Cloth

14 1/2"
Early Period

SOLD

In its original holy robes of many layers is this painted eye, Simon Halbig bisque shoulderhead doll with short molded blond hair, painted eyes, cloth body, bisque lower arms and legs. The cloth portion of the right upper arm has had an applied mend to the cloth to avoid loss of sawdust filling.

The robe, tunic and cape of the ensemble is of crème wool, with the cape having an applied crucifix on the back, while the undergarments are of white cotton. From research on white ecclesiastical robes, it can be determined that this may be a habit or robes from the Dominican order. There is one original stocking/slipper remaining, that has been attached to the skirt with a pin.
                                                                                                                                                                                                       LW

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more German Dolls go to page 2

nellingdolls@gmail.com

Post Office Box 4327  n   Burbank, CA 91503

    Cell (818) 738-4591   n Home Phone (818) 562-7839 

Don't forget to look at the Miscellaneous page!

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