Nelling, Inc.

German Dolls 1

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Kestner 243

12 ½"

Asian Character 

$2,450.

Whenever one of these Asian character babies by Kestner show up, one thing is for sure…It will look different from the last that you saw! With constant variations on the elaborately embroidered, trimmed and colorful silk costumes in which they were originally dress, you can find so many genuine versions like this one is.

With dark brown glass sleep eyes, an open mouth with two high upper teeth and ethnic features molded into the light olive color bisque, this adorable infant adds another international aspect to your collection. The nicely detailed, five-piece Kestner composition body is also painted in an Asian-toned complexion and it is even marked “Made in Germany” in red ink across the back neckline. The original, short black human hair wig sits atop the head and into the back of the colorful cap that matches the outfit is attached a long, black human hair braid, sometimes called a cue.  The two-piece original silk costume does have some weak spots but is mostly intact.

C.O.D. 1469 Flapper in Box with Changes of Costume

SOLD

After the First World War, the positive changes in music and fashion were evident. Linear, more comfortable clothing and an upbeat sound became popular. Perhaps that is why we are always so delighted to find another flapper doll. This 14 ½” version is by Cuno and Otto Dressel (C.O.D.) and is almost a perfect twin to the Simon Halbig 1468 version, but this girl is incised with the COD 1469 mark.

Amazingly, she still has her original cream leather heeled pumps, sheer stockings, and a long pearl beaded necklace. Her undergarments include a one-piece cotton teddy and a matching cotton half-slip. She is displayed on a 1900s-era rattan sofa, available separately, and her furry canine companions can also be purchased separately upon request.

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Fashionable Blond Parian Girl

15 1/2"

Elaborate Hairdo

$950.

For those looking for an unusual hairstyle, this blond parian shoulder head lady offers a multi-faceted example. She sports a rear chignon that folds upward to a braided bun on top.  From there falls a full cascade of curly bangs that continue down on each side of her temples.  Her ears are pierced, she has blue painted eyes and light blushing to her cheeks.

Her body is antique, of old cloth and the lower arms and legs of parian bisque with the feet being molded black boots.  A vey well presented doll she is, as her aqua, light wool, one piece dress has appealing trim of darker velvet on her collar and cuffs. The colore detail is continued with two rows of blue fabric covered buttons down the entire front.  Undergarments are all antique and this girl has that all original feel!

 

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"Globe Baby"

11"

Karl Hartman

$495.

Grodnertal Girl

10 1/2" — Tuck Comb

Price: $1,650 (ON LAYAWAY)

Called the “Globe Baby” by the Karl Hartman doll company, this small package lacks no importance, as she is totally complete and original from head to toe.  She has a bisque head with blue sleep eyes, an open mouth with teeth, original, curly blond mohair wig, and a five-piece, slim composition child body.  Her cheerful, original outfit is a tailored, linen like cotton shirt-dress with red button and bow accents, topped off by her matching felt top hat.  Her tiny original shoes are a cream leatherette.

In humble, original condition and attire, we have an early wooden doll from Grodnertal that is part of the regional history of Germany, Austria, and Northern Italy, circa 1820. She has the early egg-shaped carved head and a yellow painted carved hair ornament, or tuck comb, with her whole body being of carved wood and jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Her black hair has swirling brushstrokes that mimic curls at her forehead, and her carved feet have painted cadmium red shoes. The multilayers of dark and light fine cottons and undergarments that make up her original costume are in very good condition—even her little humble fabric purse!

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Topsy Turvy Doll

11"

White Bisque/ Black China

$775.

Grodnertal Girl

10 1/2" — Tuck Comb

Price: $1,650 (ON LAYAWAY)

“Two dolls in one” is the main feature of this unusual Topsy Turvy doll from Germany, circa 1875.  Mounted at opposite ends of a cloth body, one head is a molded blond hair caucasian girl with painted blue eyes and a closed mouth, while the other head is a rare black child doll with molded black hair, painted eyes and a closed mouth as well.  

Possible maker could be Kling. Both dolls have arms, one with bisque hands and the other with china and the doll that happens to be displaying  has her very own attractive, long “dress” that hangs beyond the head below, each doll having a varying fabric.  These dolls are usually found in cloth or compo variations, and it is nice to find one of this bisque and china combination.

In humble, original condition and attire, we have an early wooden doll from Grodnertal that is part of the regional history of Germany, Austria, and Northern Italy, circa 1820. She has the early egg-shaped carved head and a yellow painted carved hair ornament, or tuck comb, with her whole body being of carved wood and jointed at the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Her black hair has swirling brushstrokes that mimic curls at her forehead, and her carved feet have painted cadmium red shoes. The multilayers of dark and light fine cottons and undergarments that make up her original costume are in very good condition—even her little humble fabric purse!

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Kammer and Reinhardt 101

20"

"Marie"

$2,650.

Kammer and Reinhardt 101 “Marie” with a lovely presence in her painted brown eyes, character molding, beautifully formed closed mouth, smoothest bisque and meticulous decoration of features.  She wears her original, blond mohair wig with braided side buns, and she has a quality, K*R fully jointed body with original finish with an appealing, slightly pink, K*R paint tone.  She wears an old vintage, red print dress, under a white, ruffled  pinafore, and has multi-layer, cotton undergarments, plus red vintage shoes and woven socks.  

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Kammer and Reinhardt Mein Liebling with Glass Eyes (20")

$2,950

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Kammer and Reinhardt Mein Liebling with Glass Eyes (20")

Price: $2,950

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The K*R 117/A “Mein Liebling” remains a favorite among collectors for its sweet character and refined features. While other versions exist—painted eyes or the 117/N with flirty eyes and an open mouth—this example features brown glass sleep eyes and a closed mouth, paired with pale, smooth bisque and her antique blond mohair wig (minor wig pulls on top left side at the rim).

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She wears an antique navy silk mariner’s costume with matching cap, cotton undergarments, and cream leather shoes. Her fully jointed German composition body with jointed wrists is in beautiful original condition. The Heinrich Handwerck red mark is visible on her upper right back hip. Her statuesque size and costume give her a majestic presence.

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She wears an antique navy silk mariner’s costume with matching cap, cotton undergarments, and cream leather shoes. Her fully jointed German composition body with jointed wrists is in beautiful original condition. The Heinrich Handwerck red mark is visible on her upper right back hip. Her statuesque size and costume give her a majestic presence. 

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Simon Halbig Closed Mouth 949 (15")

$1,475

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Simon Halbig Closed Mouth 949 (15")

Price: $1,475

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The strong molding of this Simon Halbig 949 earlier mold is complemented by its smooth, pale bisque and even color decoration. She has brown glass-set eyes, a closed mouth, chubby cheeks, pierced ears, and a vintage, French honey-brown human hair wig. Her high-quality, early German composition body is chunky, in the French manner, and has straight wrists.

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The strong molding of this Simon Halbig 949 earlier mold is complemented by its smooth, pale bisque and even color decoration. She has brown glass-set eyes, a closed mouth, chubby cheeks, pierced ears, and a vintage, French honey-brown human hair wig. Her high-quality, early German composition body is chunky, in the French manner, and has straight wrists.

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On the upper right arm, there is a minor split and some paint loss on the wood. Dressed in an expertly made, vintage material dress with a matching, fancy bonnet, she has vintage undergarments, socks, and antique leather shoes. Fine, French market doll in a darling size!

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On the upper right arm, there is a minor split and some paint loss on the wood. Dressed in an expertly made, vintage material dress with a matching, fancy bonnet, she has vintage undergarments, socks, and antique leather shoes. Fine, French market doll in a darling size!

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Bru-like, Alt Beck and Gottschalk 972 N4

Price: $895 (ON LAYAWAY)

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When German doll companies flirted with the French doll market, beautiful things happened, such as this glorious 13″ Alt Beck and Gottschalk child with huge, almond-shaped, brown paperweight eyes, open-closed full lips, egg-white pale bisque, a full, enfantine face shape and body silhouette, pale decoration of features, and pierced ears. Her blond mohair wig is a replacement. Her bisque head and shoulder plate are one piece, and her high-quality leather body, having the initials “a s” on the chest, is firm and full as if she were meant to be a young debutant or fashion child. Very Bru-like with the low, curved seam on the lower body and pronounced gusseting of the hips! Her lower arms and hands are delicately posed in bisque, and her gusseted jointing throughout reminds us also of a child’s fashion from French manufacturers.

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The genuine fit and proportion of her cotton dress with lace panels, in addition to her well-made and fitted, matching-trimmed undergarments, strongly suggest that this outfit is indeed original. Even her camel-colored leather shoes with double straps are nearly as pristine as the day they were made, with her matching socks still stitched to her legs. The lime green silk bonnet was added, but everything else, including the antique socks and shoes, was hers when she came to us from an old collection. She stands apart from the crowd, inspiring study and appreciation.

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Rare Two Face "Elite" Googly

12" — Original Reversible Jacket

SOLD

Made by Max Handwerck, the “Elite” marked, two-faced, bisque head googly is said to have been designed by William Goebel, circa 1915. That classic, precocious googly face has side-glancing, rounded blue glass eyes, a watermelon mouth, a round face, and healthy shading…on both faces! What differentiates them is the molded hat and hair featured on the two sides.

One face features a red molded bisque hat with the Turkish insignia decoration on the front, and molded, short black hair peaking out from the sides. The reverse face features a gray molded bisque cap that represents Austria, along with short, molded blond hair on the sides. From both sides, you can see the molded and shaded ears shared by the two faces. The body is a fully jointed, German composition body that is stamped with the red ink, Holzmasse mark, on the upper right rear shoulder.

Quite clever is the original. A reversible, wool flannel jacket that can be utilized to match either hat, just by removing, turning it inside out, and replacing it. There are gold-toned buttons that are cleverly inserted to accommodate both sides. Either jacket side is completed by the snug black linen trousers. Black shoes and socks are vintage.

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Gebruder Heubach "Coquette" (12" Tall)

$695

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Gebruder Heubach "Coquette" (12" Tall)

Price: $695

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Being one of the most beloved Heubach characters, the Coquette mold 7850 can cheer up any collection with her side-glancing, cheerful face and smile. Her head is made of molded bisque and features either a pink or blue ribbon painted around the head, then finished on the side with a large, molded bow. This girl has the blue bow that adorns her blond, molded curls, and she has a wide smile with molded teeth peeking out from between her lips. Her body is made of fully jointed wood and composition, with straight wrists. She wears an antique, white eyelet dress with a turquoise ribbon sash, matching her hair bow. The color is continued with her vintage, leatherette turquoise shoes.

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Being one of the most beloved Heubach characters, the Coquette mold 7850 can cheer up any collection with her side-glancing, cheerful face and smile. Her head is made of molded bisque and features either a pink or blue ribbon painted around the head, then finished on the side with a large, molded bow. This girl has the blue bow that adorns her blond, molded curls, and she has a wide smile with molded teeth peeking out from between her lips. Her body is made of fully jointed wood and composition, with straight wrists. She wears an antique, white eyelet dress with a turquoise ribbon sash, matching her hair bow. The color is continued with her vintage, leatherette turquoise shoes.

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Kestner Mold 172

19"

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Gibson Girl

$1,475.

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Kestner Gibson Girl

19" — Mold 172

Price: $1,475

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The Kestner Gibson Girl represented a shift in women’s roles in society, which can be easily seen by her upturned, confident look and stance. It was the early 1900s, and in addition to the importance of being able to vote in elections, a woman could 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 glass sleep eyes, original blond mohair Gibson styled wig, pensive brows, elongated, slim nose, pursed lips, and raised chin on a finely molded shoulder plate.

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The Kestner Gibson Girl represented a shift in women’s roles in society, which can be easily seen by her upturned, confident look and stance. It was the early 1900s, and in addition to the importance of being able to vote in elections, a woman could 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 glass sleep eyes, original blond mohair Gibson styled wig, pensive brows, elongated, slim nose, pursed lips, and raised chin on a finely molded shoulder plate.

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Additionally, her lower arms are bisque and femininely posed, with one hand featuring 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, consisting of capri-type pants and a front-button jacket top with short sleeves, accompanied by 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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Additionally, her lower arms are bisque and femininely posed, with one hand featuring 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, consisting of capri-type pants and a front-button jacket top with short sleeves, accompanied by 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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More German Dolls go to page 2

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