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Monday, January 10, 2011

ARMAND MARSEILLE DOLLS - Oct. 2010 Program

Here are Jill's notes from her informative A.M. program.  Her photos of A.M. dolls are posted above.


Armand Marseille dolls


doll club program Oct. 3, 2010



I have always found Armand Marseille dolls pretty, and they are practical in terms of availability and cost!

The period of the late 19th century through the early 20th century is often called the GOLDEN AGE of dolls. For a span of approximately 30 years, Germany was the doll making capital. Up until World War I, Thuringia, Koppelsdorf (an area in East Germany) supplied nearly 80% of the world production of dolls. Another factor contributing to the growth of doll making in Germany was that it was subsidized by the government. Also, the industry grew out of a work at home base so that anyone could get involved. Armand Marseille of Koppelsdorf at one time had the largest output of dolls of any company.

Located in Koppelsdorf, in the Thuringia region of Germany, the Armand Marseille doll company was at the heart of the German doll making revolution in the 1890’s manufacturing 1000 bisque doll heads a day from 1900-1930.



– Armand Marseille was born in St. Petersburg, Russian in 1856 – he was a butcher before being a successful doll maker. He was of Huguenot descent – hence, the French sound last name.



Marseille and his family moved to Germany in the 1860s – it was in 1885 that he bought the Koppelsdorf factory – and he changed his first name to Herman, from Armand. He also married Solveigh Heubach, sisiter of Ernest Heubach in 1891 – the Heubach connection would tend to explain why some fine AM dolls have a horseshoe mark on them - a mark which had historically been more commonly associated with the older Heubach firm.



By 1910 – 800 workers were in the factory and in home trade

Almost all of Armand Marseille’s doll heads were made of bisque – many other doll companies purchased AM doll heads. Doll bodies were generally made of composition or stuffed kid with bisque arms – interestingly, Armand Marseille did not make his own bodies.



American importers often called on AM-

4 of the largest NY importers sold AM dolls- Louis Wolf, Butler Brothers, Louis Amberg, and George Borgfeldt.

AM dolls were sold as promotional dolls –

Dollar doll – upper thighs lengthened /ruffles on dresses



The AM factory made dolls in all price ranges – and made the doll heads according to the BUYER’s price range.

Montgomery Ward – ordered cheaper doll – quality cut accordingly.

vs.

Louis Wolf- “first quality” doll – face painting, clothing, etc... were better.



In 1915, Armand Marseille Jr.‘s daughter Beatrice married the son of Ernst Heubach, again linking the two doll producing families -



1919 – AM porcelain factory and Ernst Heubach porcelain factory became United Koppelsdorf Porcelain Factory. Still made separate heads even though they joined forces.



The AM factory was torn down in 1994.

500,600,700 – series – very nice quality dolls

370/390 – read p. 6 P. Smith book.

1892, 1894, 1895, 1897, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902 – AM mark

above with Horse shoe – E. Heubach

many heads are D.E.P. (registered) or DRGM – incorporated German Co.



Patricia Smith in her book mentions that she has never seen an AM doll with pierced ears!



Perhaps the most famous work by AM was My Dream Baby (marked 341) of the 1920’s – which rivaled the famous Grace Storey Putnam’s Bye-lo Baby.



Marseille made the famous Queen Louise doll which was registered in the US in 1910 by Louis Wolfe and Co. – The bisque of the Queen Louise is extremely fine with pale coloring and sleep brown eyes. Various versions had either painted or mohair lashes while some eyebrows were glossy.





Finally, despite the wide availability and sometimes inferior quality of the Armand Marseille dolls, they have made doll collecting possible for people with limited budgets and created some exquisite, lovely dolls!

8 comments:

  1. Very interesting and informative program, Jill. I had no idea how many dolls A.M. made, and you're right; they made it possible for many litle girls to have a doll who otherwise couldn't afford it, including my mother, born in 1900, having owned one bisque head doll, an A.M. Mabel. She had one other, a rag doll made by her grandmother.

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  2. The Mabel doll is so sweet - I also have been looking at the Betty doll - those dolls have a cute smile.
    I still sometimes catch myself saying, "Oh, it's just an AM," but then I stop - those dolls are valuable in their own way!

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  3. I inherited my mothers doll which was passed down I believe 3 generations. I have some stories of her from my great grandmother but unfortunately all three generation of women are deceased. I am trying to find out the actual value of the doll. The markings on the back of her porcelain head are 390M A 10 M. Original hair and ribbon bows. Sleep eyes, I believe everything on her head is original. 12 years ago I took her to a doll hospital to be rejointed and limbs fixed. When I got her she was in a bag in pieces and limbs were so crumbly. Can you help me?

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  4. Personally I perfer the Armand Marseille dolls with their high cheek bones and even the ones who has one eye socket larger than the other..There is something very sweet about their smile and sometimes forlorn look in the eyes..I especially love the Queen Louise doll with her fair complexion and those big eyes that look as if any moment she will break out in tears..whats not to love about these little ones made by Armand Marseille!! I think that anyone that makes the statement "oh it's just an AM doll", hasn't really looked at the doll through an artist eye..If you look closely you'll see what I have seen from my very first AM doll.. Value never enters my thoughts when it comes to my dolls and as long as they say Armand Marseille I'll treasure them...

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    1. I agree. I love my little Mabel; I bought her because my mother, who was born in 1900, told me her only bisque doll was a Mabel.

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  5. Very interesting Ladies. I have a 19 inch Armand Marseille Bride Doll in her original clothes. Kid body, beautiful face, marked AM95 4DEP on her neck I have no idea of her value but the former owner paid $225 25 years ago. I am looking for information on selling her if you have any ideas for that. Thanks! Suzanne SEOot@aol.com

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  6. Thank you for this great information. The more I know about my dolls, the more I enjoy them. It is nice to know there are others out there who appreciate these little porcelain treasures as much as I do. Thanks Again, Mary

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  7. Suzanne, just check on ebay to see how much to ask. I buy and sell dolls on ebay. Pack carefully; stuff the head to prevent moving eyes from falling out.

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