Original Listing Description

Vintage, Rare Bild Lilli Doll from mid 1950s GermanyHere's some background on the Lilli doll from Wikipedia:"The Bild Lilli doll was a West German line of fashion doll launched by Greiner & Hausser Gmbh on August 12, 1955, and produced until 1964. Its design was based on the comic-strip character Lilli, created by Reinhard Beuthien for the tabloid newspaper Bild. The doll was made of polystyrene, came in two sizes, and had an available wardrobe of 1950s fashion. The Lilli doll was copied, and altered to some degree, for Mattel upon the direction of that company's co-founder, Ruth Handler. Mattel acquired the rights to Bild Lilli in 1964, and production of the German doll ceased, in favor of Mattel's new vinyl doll, which they called Barbie My father was stationed in Nurnburg from 1955-57 and the whole family got to go along. I was in second grade when we got there and as soon as I saw the Lilli dolls hanging from the rear view mirrors of cars I started begging my mother for one. Eventually I wore her down and I and my three year old sister(!) both got Bild Lilli dolls for Christmas. My sister recently sold her Bild Lilli doll on eBay and has been encouraging me to list mine. I am the best at procrastination but I am finally taking the e-bay plunge from buyer to seller. By the way, I included the last picture because my mother gave me the doll with the tennis dress turned backwards so Lilli's cleavage would not show. I did not realize this fact until I started researching the doll for this listing. I think it is funny and just like something my mother would have done. Some Stats which I copied from my sister's listing:Made of plastic polystyreneMolded eyelashes, earrings and shoes (not removeable)Hand painted face, unsealedSide glancing eyes, high narrow arched eyebrowsRed full bow lips, red fingernail paint (like Barbie #1 and #2)Limbs attached by rubber bands Holes in each foot/molded shoe (stand, not included) None of the dolls were marked.Blonde mohair type hair, no forehead curl.* Condition:I was more of a tomboy than a doll connoisseur but, as you can probably tell, I did play with this doll. There is wear on the paint on her eyelashes, shoes, and fingernails. *Some of the later Lilli dolls did not have a front curl but I cut off my Lilli's front curl; if you look closely you can see where it used to be. I don't know for sure but I suspect I cut it because when Barbie came out she did not have one. I apparently was trying to make Lilli a follower instead of the attention seeking woman Beuthien had in mind. Lilli's hair was a ponytail but I had restyled it into a bun to fit the headpiece my mother made for a bridal gown. This evening, after about 50 years in storage, I combed it out and styled it into a braid. There are pictures of both styles. Someone who actually works with dolls could probably take a curling iron and restyle the ponytail. I also feel I must warn you that the doll squeaks when you move her limbs, especially her left arm, but she has been good about letting me dress her, both in the '50s and now in 2023. In separate listings I am offering an authentic German dirndl dress with apron for Lilli and some listings of assorted doll clothing which include many my mother made plus a few Bild Lilli outfits with the PRMY snaps. I also believe the sheer bed jacket in the Lot belonged to Lilli even though it lacks the snaps to prove it. I have assorted little purses and some other miscellany I found in my Barbie case which I am also hoping to sell. I hope you will look for my other listings which also include a 1961 Titian Bouffant Barbie, a mid '50s Madame Alexander Cissette doll, and, eventually, some collectible dolls my mother mistakenly thought might get the tomboy out of me.I will be requiring insurance for this listing. (Condition: Pre-Owned)

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Barbie collectors and appraisers.