Jumeau Fashion Doll with Clothes, ca. 1870
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GUEST:
This is a doll that was given to my great-grandmother by her grandmother in, we believe, probably 1877. My great-grandmother would have been eight years old about that time. And it was a Christmas present. I played with the doll and now she's mine.
APPRAISER:
Well, your doll is definitely European. It was made in France. It was made by the company Jumeau. It was made in the 1870s, you are correct on that. These were made for kids to play with. She has the classic Jumeau face. She's called a portrait Jumeau. She has the early, separately applied ears and the typical paperweight eyes. What's wonderful about this doll is she's got some extra clothing, and that is what the collectors really love. This one is probably the most special out of the three extra pieces of clothing you have here, being silk, and there's wonderful workmanship in this piece as these two are not quite as elaborate as this piece. And of course, the hats are beautiful, they're beautifully made, and all original to the period of the doll. She has a vintage little pocketbook here which is quite wonderful, with a nice little impressed design on it, along with original, little embroidered handkerchiefs of the period. So, all these little things give it a better value. You have any idea of the value of it?
GUEST:
I had an informal appraisal once. They said as is, something like $3,500.
APPRAISER:
Mm. On today's market, a retail value, because of her extra clothes and the quality of her, it would be between $7,000 and $8,000.
GUEST:
Wonderful.
Appraisal Details
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