Doll & Bear Sale - Monday 4 December 2023 | 10:00

Bild Lilli vintage doll, German, 1950s, black side-glancing eyes with prominent white iris / eye dots, moulded upper eye liner with lashes painted to side, smoky eye shadow, curved high brows, rosebud shaped mouth, cheek blush, blonde hair in pony tail with split curl to forehead, jointed body, arms designed to move forward and backward or up and down, painted black stiletto shoes, wearing white cotton knit top (sealed with poppers inscribed PRYM), black ski pants, red ski jacket with white plush collar and black braid detail, hair tied into position with black patent plastic, slight paint rubs to right upper eyelid edge, clothing has faded with some discolouration and wear (especially to plush collar), hair is discoloured and slightly dishevelled, Good to Excellent, 7.5"/19cm. NB This doll was produced by 3M Doll Company from 1952 to 1964. Originally sold to gentleman in tobacconist shops in Germany. The Bild-Lilli doll was taken from a cartoon character in the German newspaper Bild-Zeitung. Intended for gentleman as a party gift, the doll was produced in 7.5" to 8" and 11", and it was thought she was modelled upon the actress Marlene Dietrich. Bild-Lilli was the inspiration for the No.1 Mattel Barbie doll after Ruth Handler visited Hamburg in 1956. She purchased 3 dolls: giving one to her daughter Barbie and the other two were shown to designers at Mattel, who then produced the first Barbie doll in 1959. This doll is rare in any condition.