Petite Premier Jumeau Bebe 12 Inch French Doll So Cute.

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The earliest Bebe or child doll made by Emile Louis Jumeau circa 1877. She is such a cute petite 12" mademoiselle with perfect bisque! Just right for your doll cabinet

The Jumeau firm marketed their early versions as “Bebe Incassable” or “unbreakable”, referring to the body being of wood or a combination of wood and composition. At the beginning they were produced without artist or company name markings but had size numbers. Our example has an incised #4 on the back of her neck and no Jumeau stamp on the body indicating it was the earliest produced. It has been found that the size numbers were inconsistent during this period so comparing her to others with even smaller size numbers may be slightly confusing because they may actually be larger or a different model with a different face type. Standing just 12 inches tall, that would compare to a size 2 Bru Jne doll on a Chevrot body. She is a rare jewel that will certainly illustrate “the beginnings of the Jumeau "Bebe” in any collection wanting to document the evolution of dolls for the Jumeau establishment. They were slammed with orders and were sending bebes out the door as fast as they could! Some may consider the earliest bebes, to be created by artisans in training, but this cherub feels pretty good about how she turned out!

It is my desire to make doll collecting a joy filled experience from the moment you step through our door, so Welcome! I know that a patient collector has been searching for just the right Premier Bebe and will finally be able to sigh, “Ah ha! I finally found the rare doll I was looking for and she’s display ready!” These tend to find a home quickly, so take a moment to enjoy the photos and description and be the first one to reach out and pick her up!

HEAD:

This early Jumeau’s pressed bisque head remains without damage, repair or hairline. There are no apparent “in-the-making” flaws but there has been a professional touch up to a little love rub on the end of her nose and a tiny spot on her left cheek done with matching translucent china paint and sealed, making them virtually invisible. There are some light surface scratches on her lovely blue paperweight eyes, noticeable at specific angles but not interfering with the appreciation of the doll. Her cheeks appear smoothly powdered with pompadour and her little pert mouth is on the verge of a smile with light accent lines at her lip tips. I see a little glint in her eye and that slight little nod in greeting. Perhaps she is a little shy at first but the next time you turn around she will be twirling around to show you her bustle. She retains her original coil head connector, cork pate and dark-blond antique mohair curls which are hand wefted and hand stitched onto a fabric wig cap as shown in the photo. It is not known for sure, but it could be original as I was informed of that when she came from Switzerland.

If you love costuming, what fun you will have with a doll this size! She would love a Summer style! There are so many accessories to be found that will be in proportion to her to make displaying her a delight! She could also play the part of a “tween-age” child alongside a lady fashion of appropriate size!

BODY:

The exceptional 8 ball jointed wood and composition body is accurately found without a Jumeau stamp mark for the earliest bebes. It is in amazing condition for its age and with a few small dark scuff areas of wear from age and use. Her right lower arm seams to have a different rougher finish than all the other parts, so may have been repaired or repainted at some time in the past. Please see photos. Her stringing is firm, and she holds a pose well.

LIKELY ORIGINAL COSTUME:

Unique costumes are refreshing in any collection! This little bebe’s antique coat dress contrasts royal blue silk faille sleeves and collar to a dramatic stripe. Subtle details such as miniscule pleats tucked beneath a bias sleeve band opposite a frill of pleated lace surprised me. The blue velvet and woven botanical brocade stripes compliment her spiral threaded blue enamel eyes as does her two-tone blue and tan straw chapeau with blue velvet ribbon and buckle trim.

The perfect fit and couture construction methods lead me to believe that her coat dress with double box pleat bustle may really be original. It appears the inner dust ruffle is antique but more recently added. Six delightful brass buttons accent her frock with 2 on each sleeve band and 2 at the pinnacle of her bustle. Her cute draw-string pantaloons, chemise, and woven Jumeau socks with fragile antique leather shoes also appear to be original. The cream color leather shoes have an unusual maker’s stamp on the intact soles: “Simonet” along with a plethora of French words. Great effort has been made to preserve them.

All items used as props for photography are not included in this sale. Please feel free to email any questions.

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