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Some of the finest antique dolls were made by Heinrich and Minna Handwerck in Gotha, Germany in 1876. The most distinguishable feature of their models is that they have a pair of large almond shaped eyes. In 1902 the company was acquired by Kammer and Reinhardt after Heinrich’s death. The Kammer and Reinhardt company continued to produce the dolls until 1932, when most of the dolls carry the “oHG” brand.
Their “109” mold had a French-style appearance and was also made of bisque head and ball joint composition body. The doll heads were designed by Handwerck and manufactured by Simon and Halbig. The handmade dolls were of great quality and the company is best known for its dolls, baby dolls and bisque heads with Bebe doll faces. However, the company has also produced celluloid dolls over the years.
Some of the molds carry other numbers on the head indicating its design which may have been produced by other doll companies as well and these were molds W, 69, 79, 89, 99, 119, 139, 189. Some other molds bear names and letters symbols such as Bebe de Recalme, Baby Cut, Bebe Cosmopolite, Bebe Superior, H, HH, HcH H, HHW, HW, La Bonita, Lotti and HANDWERCK LaBelle.
The line may not have names to identify them just like other manufacturers’ series. However, these marks on the doll’s head and also on their bodies can determine the approximate year in which it was produced. However it should also be noted that even though the doll’s body may not have these markings or the same composition as the head, this does not necessarily mean the doll is fake. Remember that some doll makers commission certain parts of their dolls from other manufacturers. Therefore, the markings may be different or may not have any markings.
There was also a doll called Daisy which was produced for the Ladies Home Journal in 1911. A total of 26,000 daisy dolls were made and 5,000 of which were made by JD Kestner. However, Simon and Halbig also created some of the orders marked by Heinrich Handwerck Germany 1. This is just one example of how a doll model can be made by different doll manufacturers.
Today, a Heinrich Handwerck doll can go up to $ 1,000 just like one of their 31-inch dolls on auction on the internet. A doll in good condition can really fetch so much, as some may have been around for a hundred years. Anyone who might consider collecting Heinrich Handwerck dolls should be able to find one from auction sales or doll conventions.
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