By Joan Stalker
Production of the well-known Madame Alexander dolls started in 1923. Beatrice Alexander, the founder, had a strong interest in dolls having grown up around her father’s doll shop and hospital. Originally produced specfically for children, they are now collected by people of all ages. The dolls are inspired by celebrities, fictional characters such as Little Women, Scarlett O’Hara and Alice in Wonderland, and various literary characters from Charles Dickens’ novels. These exquisite, top quality dolls are prized for their delicate features, large eyes, and intricate costumes. They are, without question, one of the finest dolls on the market.
For an excellent selection of Madame Alexander dolls, I recommend that you check out: Madame Alexander Baby Dolls.
The first dolls produced by Madame Alexander had cloth faces which were flat and hand painted. Although these dolls remained popular, production of composition dolls began in the 1930s. Beatrice Alexander is as famous for her stunningly detailed costumes as she is for her dolls. Both female and male dolls have the same face and body which is very unique. After the Second World War, Madame Alexander was one of the first to produce dolls made of plastic. The prestigious Fashion Academy Gold medal for excellence in costuming was awarded to Madame Alexander in the 1950s. Several of the Madame Alexander dolls continued to be produced for over 40 years with minimal changes.
Before you buy a Madame Alexander doll, you must consider the condition of the doll. A doll that is not attired in the original costume, shows significant wear or is stained would be less valuable. The value of the doll would also be affected by the popularity, rarity or age of the particular doll. Dolls in their original condition are preferred by collectors, so restoration can reduce the value of a doll.
A very popular line of baby dolls is also manufactured by Madame Alexander, the most well-known being the Huggums dolls. The same attention to detail has been given to these adorable baby dolls, right down to their lovely costumes.
Another interesting fact is that many of today’s Madame Alexander dolls are still created in the same New York City factory used by Beatrice Alexander. Unfortunately, Beatrice Alexander passed away in 1990, but her legendary dolls continue to be produced by the company she founded. Cherished by countless collectors and children, they represent the ultimate in collectible dolls. The Alexander Doll Company is the only remaining major manufacturer of hand-crafted dolls in North America.
For a wonderful selection of Madame Alexander collectible dolls, take a look at: Madam Alexander Dolls.
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