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Posted 8 years ago
Jellybean48
(13 items)
Does anybody ne know what kind of doll this is?
She has an all leather body with narrow waist and large derrière.
Wooden arms, bisque head and neckplate. Cork pate and marking of (I)
On back of head. Fixed paperweight eyes.
Thanks
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OH WOW !!!!!!!!!!! Yes I do know and she is a very desired and very very expensive doll . I would never forget that face
She is a Smiling Bru doll made in France Fashion doll . Circa 1870's about
Bru is regarded as the Best Doll maker at the time . Oh so much to say about her . I hope she has no cracks or chips in head . Very pricey . How tall is she ? You will be shocked to see her value !
https://www.rubylane.com/item/588596-H-001303/17-5-Smiling-Bru-French-Fashion
http://dollreference.com/bru_jne_cie_dolls.html
She is also known as Princess Eugenie.she was made in 1873 appx by Leon Casimir Bru and sometimes called "Mona Lisa" but Smiling Bru is what she is commonly referred to as . Rare doll .
Can I ask where you got her ? Please don't tell me at a Estate sale . I am hoping she was passed down in your family .
I got her at an auction, no doll collectors In My home growing up.
She is 21" tall and has all original clothing undergarments and hair. They need a lot of work.
She has a missing left hand and forearm. Where can I find a replacement?
How much is she reasonably worth?
Thanks, for being so helpful
H
Her head not having any cracks ,chips ect is very important , they do sell parts on ebay but if your going to sell her I would let new owner replace . Many doll collectors actually have spare bodies and the clientele for her would access to arms . I can't see what her arm is made like as they have different variations on her body , can you show me arm ? I can't tell you what to sell her for since we can't do appraisals but if you search ebay and the web you should get a good idea . She is larger than one I showed you on link which is good too . You can email me at Manikin1234@hotmail.com with more photo's too .
Mystery solved :-) and one of the finest dolls to come through CW !
Great Solve, MANIKIN !!!!!
Thanks very much for the help!
Jellybean, without knowing where you live, a doll hospital might be able to help you replace the arm. I think Manikin would agree that a complete doll would sell at a higher value than a doll with a missing arm. She's a real beauty, regardless! :)
Actually the arm will not really affect price on this doll since it is the head and shoulder plate that carry the real value . The arms are easily replaced :-)
I just received photo's of arm and she has the rare wood arm ! A bit harder to find but not impossible so because it is harder to find I will say it will slightly affect price
https://www.rubylane.com/item/437669-RLI-2415/Museum-Ready-17-5x22-Smiling-Bru?search=1
https://www.rubylane.com/item/827133-C-815-78/Bru-French-doll-x22Jx22-22-Inch
see what I mean about price differences that I wrote you about
Nice! Great job Mani!
Great Info and Details there Mani!! You the Doll-lady, Big time !!!
~ and Congrats JellyBean with your find !
Look at this one she has leather arms which are easier to find but what I want you to look at is she has 2 hairline cracks on head . Check your doll very close . Usually we shine a flashlight into head .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/26-Grand-Size-K-Antique-Bru-Smiling-Empress-Eugenie-French-Fashion-Doll-c1873/322293960405?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3D1b448cd7a1d6476f835eb54840e67b08%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D232213221897
Hi - yes a very rare doll.The wooden arms make her more valuable than an all leather body version - so it is important to keep the arms and not replace them with leather. You may find a wood carver who may be able to copy the arm for you. Otherwise these days you could 3d scan the existing arm/hand and CNC machine them - but that would need someone fairly specialized. Also it is important to keep the clothes as they also add value to the doll. Even if you think they are not in good condition keep them. These dolls were often dressed in the latest french fashions and the quality of the clothing is often exceptional. Best to keep her as is. Do not give her to any small children - I know of one that was destroyed in this way. Put her away somewhere safe and away from cloth eating insects. Otherwise consider selling her.
That is what I told her in a email :-)