Posted 14 years ago
sunnyday
(1 item)
This doll was my great great grandmothers. I've tried to determine what type of doll it is and it's worth. On the head are the marking "DEP 154.16". The head is porcelin/bisque and lower part of the arms/hands. The remaining body parts are leather. She has a blue velvet bonet and peacoat dress.
Can anyone help me?
DEP stands for Deposee, which is French for registered, as in trademarked.
I found one auction listing with DEP.154.16 in it -- that read:
"***KESTNER BISQUE HEAD DOLL Having leather hinged body (missing arms), sticker on front of chest marked "JDK, Germany Half Cork Stuffed", open mouth with teeth and sleep eyes, marked on back "DEP.154.16", approximate height 30"."
So perhaps your doll is a Kestner??? -- here's the link:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Ki807b45-M4J:www.bunteauction.com/catprices/82403dollcat.html+%22DEP+154.16%22&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
I hope a doll expert will come along and tell us.
Mold number 156 is Kestner mold . They were a high quality doll maker in Germany . Beautiful doll . Ususally Kestner had a paper label on chest of their doll bodies . The number after 156 (16) refers to size of doll . Hope this helps you
Marty
Just correcting my error the Mold number 154 on your doll is the Kestner mold number and it is one of the most common Kestner's found . I stated 156 as a typo . The labeled body with a paper label is often found on chest of doll saying Kestner .
Your doll is nice and Kestner did high quality dolls vs some other German makers , she is a very common one but has a value based on that there are no chips , hairline cracks on head or shoulder plate . She should have her original plaster pate the piece that cover the hole on top of head so the doll makers could work in head to set eyes . With no damage and that doll prices have fallen with economy she still has a value of any where from $150 to $325 appx . Depends on if you get more than one bidder and a bidder sets price of any collectable . The clothes are important that they fit era of doll. If you want to sell direct you can do so in your local paper . If you sell to a dealer remember they do not pay retail as they have to make a profit so selling private you will get a better price . You can also list her on Ebay and make start price 125.00 to open if you make it to high bidders are less likely to bid or you can list as a Buy Now at say 325 or best offer . Hope this helps . I will say Ebay is funny 2 dolls the same can sell for a big difference in price even if exactly same doll and same condition. When I sell many times I sell direct to members of my doll club for less than retail but more than a dealer would pay . Just some idea's for you to ponder . Glad to help and you can also so a search on Ebay type in Kestner 154 Bisque doll and look at completed sales to see what comparable dolls sold for .
Love it X's 10!
Your Kestner 154 is a beautiful doll.. Yes, it is the most common of Kestner's dolls, but it sold so well because it was so pretty. Personally, I can't have too many of them, just in different sizes.. Enjoy your doll and now is a great time to buy more of them. Love the Kestner 154!