Heinrich Handwerck Dolls...
Some of the Most Beautiful Antique German Dolls

HEINRICH HANDWERCK BISQUE

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A look at Antique German Dolls

Perhaps one of the most beautiful Antique German Dolls bisque molds is the Handwerck 109. The large almond shape eyes are one of the finer features and become even more prominent in the smaller 18" version. Although a Antique German doll, the 109 has a definite"French" appearance. An excellent quality bisque, Handwerck dolls were manufactured circa 1876 through the early 1900's. The Handwerck factory was acquired by Kammer & Reinhardt after the death of Heinrich Handwerck in 1902.

(Reference: Coleman's Collector's Encyclopedia of Dolls.)

The Handwerck 109 is frequently found on a ball jointed composition body marked Handwerck also. If you have read at length the information accumulated in the above referenced book , you have become aware that doll companies often purchased parts and bodies from other manufacturers, so it is not unusual to find an original antique German doll with an unmarked body.

The Encyclopedia also refers to the use of the #9 in mold numbers by Simon & Halbig, who may have also made the Handwerck 109 heads.

Also keep in mind that there were many "doll hospitals" during this period,even the renowned Gesland, so a paper sticker on a doll body may have been acquired during a hospital repair visit. This does not, IN MY OWN OPINION ONLY, make the doll less desirable. These were businessmen, selling dolls for profit, repairing for profit, and if all parts are same age and appropriate...in this case I am referring to "attic find" Antique German dolls which have not made visits to modern doll restoration facilities...then the doll is probably as it was 100 years ago.

During the early years of my own collecting, I watched other collectors amputate and remove what I am sure were Antique German Doll original bodies just because they were not marked the same as the bisque heads. These instances were that of dolls in "as foundcondition...straight from an attic or cellar where they had been for endless years. The stringing cord was black with dust and soot, stretched beyond use, but still firmly attached to the body with firm hooks and clamps. But, if the markings were not the same as referenced in a book, or proclaimed by the "experts", collectors separated the parts and replaced with what they believed was correct.

I can just see a few of you sitting out there shaking your heads! But, I am one very happy doll collector because I do not take what I read or hear as the ultimate authority. Common sense and an appreciation for all those who research and publish books as a GUIDELINE has helped me acquire a flexible outlook in the acquisition of dolls.

Do you have a collection of antique German dolls, or maybe only one?

We would love to hear your opinions, share your knowledge and just know your interests!

This very large 28" girl is a Handwerck 119. There is that #9 again! What do you think????? Simon and Halbig made the head?? Or perhaps just a coincidence that the #9 was used in a mold number. What a beautiful face!

Probably the best online area to search for more information about Antique German Dolls is eBay, there are books, dolls, even houses at times.

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