Heinrich Handwerck Dolls... Some of the Most Beautiful Antique German Dolls
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Near the bottom of this page - there is a form you can fill out to share you doll interests with others, along with pictures.
A look at Antique German Dolls
Perhaps one of the most beautiful 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.
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.
eBay has a rather large set of listings of vintage Bisque dolls for sale, if you are interested in a purchase, or to find values, click here----(if looking for values, it is necessary to register with eBay) shown are German, French and a variety of others.
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.
eBay is a great wedsite for "value" information about dolls, or most anything else for that matter--however, in order to see what something has sold for, registration is required, so if you are looking for past sales of any particular doll, please register
Welcome to "Show and Tell" for early Heinrich Handwerck German Dolls!
We all love to share. If you have photos and information pertaining to these lovely very early German Dolls by Heinrich Handwerck, please fill in the form below to "Show and Tell" your favorite Vintage Heinrich Handwerck German Doll. We all have interest in how they were located, the use of materials in their clothing and anything else you would like to share with other avid collectors.
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Heinrich Handwerck Doll, ca. 1900 Bought this with the cedar hope chest she was stored in from an estate sale. The lady that passed had her since she was a little girl and kept her in the …
Simon Halbig Heinrich Handwerck # 550 This lovely doll was part of my mothers collection. She not only collected but repaired antique dolls for others. This one was my favorite. I named her …
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.
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.
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!
