KESTNER "DAISY" DOLL #171 18" 1911 RARE IN THIS CONDITION

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

KESTNER "DAISY" DOLL #171 18" 1911 RARE IN THIS CONDITION:
$480.00

MADE FOR THE LADIES HOME JOURNAL IN 1911 AS A PROMOTION TO BOOST SUBSCRIPTIONS, THIS DOLL, KNOWN AS THE "DAISY" DOLL, WAS LIMITED TO A PRODUCTION OF 5000.PLEASE REVIEW ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. A FEW BUYERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED THEIR EXPERTISE AND OPINIONS AND THOSE ARE INCLUDED BELOW.
DESCRIPTION: SHE IS 18" TALL. She has a composite body with ball joints and a bisque head with blue eyes, a blonde mohair wig, 4 upper teeth.The marking on the back of her head is: "C made in Germany 7" "171".
This doll has molded eyebrows that are painted, her bottom eyelashes are painted with straight downward strokes (as they should be for a Daisy), her upper lip turns up slightly and her four upper teeth lean slightly inward (also as they should be for a Daisy doll) and she has a dimple on her chin (again, as the Daisy should have). She has a red stamp on her lower back (see photo) that reads Germany 1 1/4. According to JanFoulke, this is accurate for theDaisy doll.
CLOTHING: I DON'T KNOW THAT THE CLOTHES ARE ORIGINAL BUT THEY APPEAR TO BE OF THE PERIOD. THE SLIP DOES NOT HAVE A PROPER CLOSURE, NOTE THE SAFETY PIN, AND THE COTTON MATERIAL APPEARS NEWER THAN THE ONESIE UNDERNEATH. THE DRESS FEELS DELICATE BUT IS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH NO TEARS OR RIPS - ALL SEAMS INTACT. THE SHOES MAY BE NEWER (THERE'S A #4 ON THE SOLES) AND SOCKS APPEAR ORIGINAL (MIGHT BE NEWER, I'M NOT AN EXPERT) AND ARE IN PERFECT CONDITION.
CONDITION: THIS DOLL HAS A NEARLY PERFECT COMPOSITE BODY AND PORCELAIN HEAD WITH SLEEPY EYES. THERE IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF CHIPPING AT THE LEFT ELBOW JOINT (SEE PHOTO), OTHERWISE THE BODY IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE HEAD DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ANY CRACKS OR CHIPS. THE EYES OPEN AND CLOSE SMOOTHLY. SHE HAS HER ORIGINAL PATE IN PLACE. THE MOHAIR WIG IS IN GOOD CONDITION FOR THE AGE.THIS DOLL DOESN'T LOOK AS THOUGH IT WAS PLAYED WITH; THE FACE IS CLEAN AND THE COMPOSITE BODY IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE HAT IS ALSO IN GOOD CONDITION WITH NO BROKEN PARTS ALTHOUGH THE RIBBON FLOWERS ARE DEFINITELY OLD.
AUTHENTICITY: I'm not an expert and any buyer should do their own research. I am going off of a book I have titled "Kestner King of Dollmakers" by Jan Foulke and some internet research. It is not my intention to misrepresent this doll in any way whatsoever but I'm doing my best and I'm open to being corrected. According to Jan Foulke, this mold 171 was made in other sizes but the 18" size was limited to 5000 for the Ladies Home Journal promotion.
One buyer has sent me a message suggesting the marking should include a "1/2" symbol, this was according to a magazine article celebrating the 100 anniversary of the Daisy doll in 2011. I have not been able to confirm that claim from any other resource.
According todoll reference.com: " Kestner doll mold 171, only the 18" tall size doll was used as the Daisy doll for a mail in premium magazine subscription, introduced in 1911 as Lettie Lane's actual doll, from the paper doll series Lettie Lane, that ran in the Ladies Home Journal magazine from 1908-1912."
RECENT SALES OF THE DAISY DOLL HAVE REACHED $1800.00.
SHE HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GLASS CABINET IN A SMOKE FREE HOME.
SHIPPING: USPS PRIORITY MAIL WITH TRACKING. PAYPAL IS PREFERRED.
ADDED NOTE: THE PLASTER ON THE TOP OF THE HEAD IS INCISED WITH THE NUMBER 189 (OR 681 DEPENDING WHICH WAY YOU LOOK AT IT). THIS APPEARS TO BE THE ORIGINAL KESTNER PATE AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE NEVER BEEN REMOVED. SOME ARE SUGGESTING THE PATE SHOULD BE REMOVED FOR SHIPMENT TO PROTECT THE MECHANISM INSIDE THE HEAD FOR THE SLEEPY EYES. THIS DOLL WAS SHIPPED TO ME WITH IT IN PLACE AND I WILL ONLY REMOVE IT IF THE BUYER INSISTS. MY POLICY IS NOT TO ACCEPT RETURNS, SO PLEASE REVIEW ALL THE ABOVE INFORMATION, THE PHOTOS AND DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.