Posted 13 years ago
angeld3718
(2 items)
I was given this doll when I was a baby by my Aunt Buenie. That was 39 years ago. The doll was an antique by the time she gave it to me. I want to learn more about this doll, but not sure where to go. I found this website and thought I would start here. It is a female doll. Everything about it is original. Even the box it came in. I looked on the back of her head for a date or company, but the only thing I found is as follow..... "390, Made in Germany, an "A" symbol but without the line in the center, 9/0 , and an "M" symbol". I tried to get pictures of that too, but my camera couldn't get a clear shot. She is 10 inches tall, feels like she is made of porcelain, but not sure. Original clothes and shoes and straw hat. Great condition considering her age. The only thing written on the box is Germany. I am not looking to sell her. I would just like to find out how old she is and her appraisal. If there is anyone out there that can help me, please do so. I would appreciate any information you all may have. Thanks.
Your doll was made by Armand Marsille. It is one of the most common found mold numbers 390 and 370 as well as a few others . She is a Bisque doll and in amazing condition as she is all original and appears to have her original box . These 2 things bring her value up . If she did not have them it would be far less . Not sure how tall she is you don't mention that . Size matters sometimes in dolls not always . The 9 refers to head size , 390 is her mold number and AM stands for Armand Marsille . She dates from about 1910-1920 by her clothes . As they were in business a long time some dolls as late as the 30's
beautiful treasure !
Some history on Armand
Armand Marseille was one of the most prolific German bisque doll manufacturers. He founded his doll company in 1885 in Thuringia in southern Germany, a state that became well known for its ceramic and doll factories. From 1900 to 1930, Marseille’s factory was the largest supplier of dolls’ heads to other manufacturers, producing up to 1,000 per day. Like most German dolls, Armand Marseille’s dolls were often not as elegant as their French equivalents, but, as they were more affordable and still relatively well made, they were extremely popular with little girls of the time.
The most common type of Armand Marseille doll is the 390 series, which can often be found for £150 ($300) or less. These dolls were made from c1915 in large numbers and, consequently, dating is difficult and quality can vary greatly. Look out for well-painted, lively and characterful features, and clean bisque. Any damage to the head, such as cracks and chips, will reduce value so look out for this. Shining a strong light inside the head will cause cracks to show gray. Remember to always ask before carefully removing the wig to do this. Most Armand Marseille dolls are marked with the Mold number in between an A and an M, i.e. A390M, and this should be visible under the wig at the back of the head.
Please note on my first line I missed a letter in his name it is Marseille :-)
She is solved . If you search Ebay for that name and mold 390 completes listings you might get an idea about her value .
Thank you so very much. I added her length in the title instead of the description. She is 10 inches tall. She doesnt seem to be wearing a wig though. It is glued. But thanks so much for your information!!
Yes, she is all original. Including the box
She is what we call a cabinet size doll and they are also very collectible as they can be easily displayed . To have one all original in box is rare to find . She in herself is not rare but the condition and box make her very special . The wig they may have just glued some hair on her as a way to lessen cost and time spent on the doll. The later dolls is not uncommon to find a bunch of hair just glued on :-) She is perfect !
Is she considered a "baby" doll, a "lady" doll? The value seems to depend on this as well.
These kinds of dolls are called Dolly Face Bisque doll . She is not a lady nor a baby .AM and other companies made what are called Character dolls they have very expressive faces. The Character dolls are always worth more, there are a few German lady dolls The Gibson doll one called "Little lady" But The Lady dolls seem more often to have come from France and are called French fashion dolls . They were dressed lavishly in gowns of the period from early 1800's on . France was known for some very high quality dolls by Co Bru , Jumeau , ect . Those dolls are very expensive today as were they more costly back then . Germany produced many many dolls from several companies and value on them depends on so many things . Rarity , closed mouth lips are closed no teeth., mold number ect . Kestner , Simon Halbig are a few of the well known German companies along with Armand .
This info refers to Bisque dolls it does not include China and other materials used for making dolls from 1840-1920 appx time span .