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This early, collaborative piece showcases Kathe Kruse’s creation of a cloth doll based on the Kammer and Reinhardt 101 bisque character “Peter.” Produced around 1910, it represents a rare and seldom-seen example. The doll’s facial expression captures the essence of Peter, yet retains the distinct texture and earthy charm typical of Kathe Kruse’s work. The facial features are hand-painted, and there is some wear visible on the surface of the hair and face.

The stuffed cloth body is constructed in the classic Kathe Kruse style, with this particular model featuring the rare “frog hands” (one thumb is missing). The knee joints are especially noteworthy, as the upper and lower legs are connected with cloth ball joints. There has been some restitching around the left ankle joint.

The doll is dressed in a charming three-piece white cotton outfit, which includes creatively constructed underpants beneath a multi-button shirt and shorts. The sturdy, lace-up leather shoes are distinctive in their design and stitching, while the vintage cotton cap, added later, completes the ensemble.

What a healthy looking and happy girl this 18″ cloth Alabama Baby is! She just exudes positivity with her wide open, brown painted eyes, molded features, painted brunette hair, and very well preserved painted face with just a scuff over the tip of the nose. Invented by Ella Guantt Smith of Roanoke, Alabama in 1897, the dolls were known for their “indestructability”, thanks to a plaster-coated cloth head with durable oil-painted features and a flexible, jointed cloth body that can sit or be stood up.

And her clothing, consisting of a boldly striped, red and white gathered dress, frothy, ecru cotton bonnet and antique, lace trimmed undergarments are all antique. What a perfect outfit to complement her molded, painted bootines of vibrant red!

An elusive French leather baby from the early 1920s sits in a German Marklin carriage with the original, but very worn, hood. The original cream-painted metal surface of this sturdy, high-quality carriage shows some wear, which is expected. The baby is jointed at the shoulders and hips of her smooth, flesh-tinted, all-leather body, and her pressed leather face has suffered puckering on the head over the years. The painting is intact, as are the textured accents on her molded blonde short hair.

She wears an antique baby gown and crocheted bonnet. Little is known about these extremely rare leather babies, and of the few examples to be found, it appears that fewer than a handful of artists were producing them, judging by the few recognizable face styles.

Dressed in her original bold red outfit with peachy contrasting borders and red felt shoes, this black felt doll bears great similarities to a Lenci Mascotte, with painted, surprised features and curly, short black mohair locks. She belonged to an avid Lenci collector, many of whose prized Lencis are for sale on the Miscellaneous page.

Dating from the early 1900s, this charming black cloth doll wears a colorful outfit. Her face features are created by strategic stitching that forms a protruding nose, while her eyes, brows, and mouth are embroidered. A small touch of white stitching adds light to each eye, and her red lips are beautifully defined.

Her hair is tightly crimped black yarn, covered with a red and white polka-dot bandana that complements the vibrant colors of her multi-colored cotton dress. Over this, she wears a heavy white cotton apron, with a swatch of dress fabric neatly tucked into the left-side pocket. Her body is made of black cotton cloth, and for added details, she has a jade green cotton underslip, worn black leatherette slippers, and beaded glass pierced earrings.

Resting in her original, labeled factory box is this spunky Lenci Mascotte girl (9″), dressed in her original “sweeper” outfit and holding her straw broom with a wooden handle. She has light blue, side-glancing painted eyes, long blond hair with a top bun, and a slightly olive complexion.

Her costume consists of an orange-red and crème checkered felt dress with a crème fabric apron, crème socks, and orange-red felt shoes. While the red color has faded somewhat, there are no visible moth holes. The box is in good condition, with some wear at the corners of the lid. Cara Bambina!