19" Roullet & Decamp Mechanical Bebe ~ S&H 1039

Head: She has perfect bisque with no cracks, chips, or hairlines. Although this doll was produced in France, her bisque head was supplied by Simon & Halbig. It was very common for French makers to buy their heads from Germany during this period. Her head is marked 1039 / Germany / Simon & Halbig / S&H. She has stationary blue eyes and an open mouth with teeth. Her painting is neat and perfect, and she has the gorgeous long lush eyelashes often found on this doll. She retains her original long honey blond human hair wig. There is some stubborn glue residue around the rim. Signs of wear: a shallow wig pull at the front rim and some extremely minor rubbing. Factory imperfections: none noted.

Body: Her original French composition body has a wind-up walking mechanism. The original key is marked R.D., and is located at one hip. When wound, her legs make a realistic walking motion and her voice box occasionally gives a little cry. The leg opening is covered with cloth. This cloth is often recovered or replaced on these dolls, but she retains the original covering in very good condition. The composition portions have the original finish with no repairs or repainting, just the expected age related wear – very nice!

Clothes: She is fully dressed in antique clothing, hat, and shoes. Her dress and full-slip are a matched set – constructed in the same manner with the same pretty lace inserts and trim. They each button in back. She also has a cute one-piece combination undie with lace around the bodice. This pins shut in back. She wears a wonderful wide-brimmed wired bonnet. The crown was probably replaced at some point, (or there never was a crown and someone added one – silk and antique lace). Finally, she wears antique stockings and antique oilcloth shoes. Everything has discolorations, but is otherwise in very good aged condition.

Item ID: 606