The different regions of France have historically The different regions of France have historically Tprovided the doll world with some of the most varied and delightfully costumed dolls. Specifi cally,

the traditional costume from the Alsace region is one of the most recognizable French outfi ts. Often a favorite among doll collectors, the Alsatian costume from the 19th

and early 20th centuries is stunningly bold and vibrant. For example, this circa 1882 5” bisque swivel neck French mignonette proudly wears the traditional costume of her native Alsace, complete with her traditional large black hair bow (photo 1). But in order to fully appreciate the dolls dressed in the folklore costume of Alsace, one must fi rst understand their cultural and historical poignancy. The costume of Alsace represents something much more profound than simply a regional costume. It represents the sense of national pride, sentimentality, and patriotism that beat in the heart of every French Alsatian during a very tumultuous time in the region’s history, namely from 1871 to the end of World War I.

Alsace is a region in eastern France near the German border and plentiful in desirable resources. After the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, Germany occupied Alsace, which was not returned to France until the end of World War I. This Great War was a diffi cult time for much of Alsace. The occupation of this region forced Alsatians to give up their native French language, customs, and laws in favor of those of Germany. This led some Alsatians to fl ee to Paris and even to other countries. However, other citizens of Alsace sympathetic to France remained in their beloved homeland and continued to hold their heads high with an immense sense of strength and unity. The plight of the Alsatians and their struggle to maintain hope was frequently a subject for political illustrators, artists, and Alsatian sympathizers. For example, this postcard of a 1914 sketch called, “En Alsace!” by Georges Bertin Scott (photo 2) depicts a French soldier tenderly consoling an Alsatian woman. Scott was a successful Parisian artist, military illustrator and reporter for the magazine,

ALSACE, FRANCE:History, Dolls, and Beloved Uncle Hansi

By Elizabeth K. Schmahl

1. Circa 1882 5” bisque swivel neck French mignonette. Courtesy Theriault’s 2. “En Alsace!” by Georges Bertin Scott

ANTIQUE DOLL COLLECTOR JULY 2013 33

L’Illustration. In the foreground of the sketch, Scott captures the anguish of the ”Alsacienne” (ie, Alsatian woman) while behind her, French soldiers instill hope as they continue to fi ght for the region’s freedom. This same melange of sadness and hopefulness can almost be felt in this circa 1910s doll example from the Parisian fi rm S.F.B.J. (photo 3) She measures 8.5” tall and has a bisque head marked, “60” made from Jumeau molds. She has a composition body and human hair wig. She is all original and wears her typical folklore costume. Underneath all the fl air and elaborateness of her costume, her closed mouth and dark eyes almost reveal a secret sadness and pain. And yet, she holds her head up high and wears her costume boldly and proudly, hoping for a better tomorrow!

During these tumultuous war-torn years, perhaps no artist embodied the virtues of unwavering Alsatian patriotism and hope more than the Alsace-born writer, illustrator, dollmaker, and French hero Jean Jacques Waltz, lovingly known as “Oncle Hansi” (Uncle Hansi) (photo 4). Born in 1873 in the Alsatian town of Colmar, the artist Hansi was a true French patriot who wanted Alsace to remain French. In the years that surrounded World War I, he served in the French army and was regarded as an Alsatian hero. But he became best known for his political satires and caricatures. Hansi’s illustrations centered upon the theme of Alsatian strength, pride, and patriotism in spite of German oppression. His illustrations were published by the Parisian company P.J. Gallais & Cie and his postcards and books were sold through department stores such as Le Printemps. These postcards illustrated Hansi’s genuine heartfelt love for Alsace and concern for the plight of its people. For example, in this 1915 postcard, (photo 5) two Alsatian children are saluting a French soldier as a biplane and bombs fi ll the sky. Hansi’s beloved town of Colmar is visible in the background. A close-up postcard of Colmar (photo 6) shows the buildings are full of bomb holes and yet the French fl ags still fl y proudly! In another postcard, (photo 7) an Alsatian woman gives a gift of a doll to a baby. The caption reads, “Son Premier Jouet” (His First Toy) and the doll is dressed as a French soldier. Hansi is perhaps best known for the illustrations of his beloved Alsatian characters, Gretel and Yerri. (photos 8,9) These fi ctional characters captured the unrelenting will, spirit, hopefulness, and devotion to France that embodied the Alsatian youth of this era. Finally, in 1917, that hopefulness became a reality when France recaptured Alsace. To commemorate this landmark event, Hansi’s

3. Above: Circa 1910s doll from the Parisian fi rm S.F.B.J.

4. Left, Alsace-born writer, illustrator, dollmaker, and French hero Jean Jacques Waltz, lovingly known as “Oncle Hansi”

5. Below, 1915 postcard

34 ANTIQUE DOLL COLLECTOR JULY 2013

6. Postcard of Colmar shows the buildings are full of bomb holes and yet the French fl ags still fl y proudly.

7. An Alsatian woman gives a gift of a doll to a baby.

8-9. Hansi is perhaps best known for the illustrations of his beloved Alsatian characters, Gretel (above) and Yerri (left).

ANTIQUE DOLL COLLECTOR JULY 2013 35

publishing company, P.J. Gallais & Cie, produced and marketed the Gretel and Yerri characters as dolls (photo 10). The dolls are 7.5 inches tall and are made of a terra-cotta-like substance called “Prialytine.” The dolls are considered Googlie-eyed dolls with their side-glancing, hand painted eyes. They have yarn hair and silk and wool clothing. Their original boxes say, “First Prize Contest of French and Ally dolls in Paris 1917” (photo 11). They each hold a fl ag that reads, “Vive la France!” Their boxes bear the same Hansi illustrations on the front as the 1916 postcards. The Gretel and Yerri dolls were now a symbol of immense pride in their Alsace victory! Hansi continued illustrating through World War II when Germany yet again briefl y occupied Alsace. He died in 1951, his artwork and his legend remaining a strong part of Alsace history.

Regaining control of Alsace during the early part of the 20th century was an important commitment to all of France. The region was the birthplace of the French national anthem centuries earlier and a symbol of national pride. As such, many French doll companies outside of Alsace sold dolls dressed in the region’s costume. For example, this 8” bisque head Alsacienne made by S.F.B.J. is simply marked “12/0” (photo 12). She wears her original paper tag marked, “Fabrication Français Eden Bébé.” She wears a blue cotton shawl, felt lace-up bodice, black bow, white cotton apron and red skirt. She has a straw-like wig, most likely made for cost reasons, due to limited availability of materials during this period of time.

The costume of Alsatian women consisted of a large bow in their hair called a “nœud.” This tiny little French Lilliputien all-bisque doll made in 1912 by S.F.B.J. proudly shows off her large black bow atop her tiny swivel-neck head (photo 13). The Alsace bow, a tradition that began in the 1800s, grew larger and larger over the years. The growth in size of the Alsace bow is said to have symbolized the growing sense of Alsatian nationalism. In this antique photo of an Alsacienne circa 1870s, the lady’s bow is relatively small in proportion to her head (photo 14). This later postcard, circa 1910s, shows an Alsacienne with a huge bow, nearly triple in size from the previous generations! (photo 15) Some Alsatian bows were said to have grown to nearly 3 feet wide in size!

The large “nœud” also defi ned the Alsatian woman. For many women of Alsace, the bow represented their individual religion and even their marriage status. Black bows were frequently worn by Protestant women and unmarried Catholic girls. Pictured is a lovely 8” tall celluloid doll, circa 1950s made by the French company Petitcolin, who proudly wears her large red bow as a symbol of her Catholic faith (photo 16). Her outfi t, most likely dressed by the La Minor company, is heavily sequined and embroidered. It is also interesting to

10-11. Hansi’s publishing company, P.J. Gallais & Cie, produced and marketed these 7.5” Gretel and Yerri character dolls. They are made of a terra-cotta-like substance called, “Prialytine.” Their original boxes say, “First Prize Contest of French and Ally dolls in Paris 1917”. They each hold a fl ag that reads, “Vive la France!”

36 ANTIQUE DOLL COLLECTOR JULY 2013

12. This 8” bisque head Alsacienne made by S.F.B.J. is simply marked “12/0”.She wears her original paper tag marked, “Fabrication Français Eden Bébé.”

13. This French Lilliputien all-bisque with swivel-neck made in 1912 by S.F.B.J. proudly shows off her large black bow.

14. In this antique photo of an Alsacienne circa 1870s, the lady’s bow is relatively small in proportion to her head.

15. Postcard, circa 1910s, shows an Alsacienne with a huge bow, nearly triple in size from the previous generations!

16. A lovely 8” tall celluloid doll, circa 1950s, made by the French company Petitcolin, who proudly wears her large red bow as a symbol of her Catholic faith. Courtesy plastickingdom/etsy

ANTIQUE DOLL COLLECTOR JULY 2013 37

note the embroidered stork on the front of her skirt. The stork has traditionally been a symbol of Alsace. Over the centuries, storks were visible on the rooftops in Alsace. Today, however, the storks are a protected species in Alsace as their populations are dwindling. It is believed that the origins of a stork bringing a “bundle of joy” may have originated with early Alsace folklore. In these legends, a family would place a treat on the window sill in hopes the stork would bring a new arrival to the family in exchange for the treat!

After the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, when Alsace fell to become part of the German Empire, a small tricolor rosette or “coquarde” began to appear on the Alsace bow. The red, white, and blue color of the French fl ag stood out upon the black background of the nœud, almost in defi ance, as if to say, “this land will forever belong to France!” This example of an original child’s bow prominently displays this round multicolored symbol of French patriotism (photo 17). This 9” bisque head Unis France 301 doll with a Bleuette face wears her Alsace costume, including her large bow adorned with the tricolor coquarde (photo 18).

Smaller versions of dolls dressed in Alsace costumes were also manufactured. This 4” all-bisque doll simply marked, “0 ½” is a tiny example of a girl from Alsace (photo 19). Less expensive to produce, her costume is simpler, although she still proudly dons the Alsace bow with rosette. Being that Alsace is rich in agriculture, this little dolly tends to her German Putz sheep on her farm.

This 18” character face beauty is referred to as Lanternier “La Favorite” by the company Limoges (photo 20). Limoges was a company in the Limousin region in the mid-western part of France. She has a bisque head with pierced ears and a smiling disposition and has a composition body. Her clothing is made of silk and cotton. Her Alsace bow is quite large and pronounced.

Another distinctive feature of the typical Alsace lady’s attire was the lace-up “corselet”. The Alsatian woman’s corselet typically laced in front with hooks and was often heavily embroidered and decorated with sequins. The Alsace outfi t also included an empire-waist skirt found in red, blue, and green as well as an apron in a variety of colors, most commonly, white and black. They wore shawls with fringe and embroidery. While the shawl was at fi rst functional for the sake of keeping warm, in later years, the shawl became a decorative addition to the costume.

The years immediately after World War I were very joyous for the Alsace people. In this postcard, (photo 21) a little girl pretends to greet a French soldier and says, “Be welcome in our home, little soldier of France. Thanks to you, our Alsace sings liberation!” This precious 8” doll by CIJ (La Companie Industrielle du Jouet), circa 1920s, (photo 22) looks so happy now that her cherished land has been returned to France! She has a composition-like head marked, “FRANCE” and a cheerful demeanor with her darling rosy cheeks! Her black apron is imprinted with fl owers.

17. This example of an original child’s bow prominently displays this round multicolored symbol of French patriotism.

18. This 9” bisque head Unis France 301 doll with a Bleuette face wears her Alsace costume, including her large bow adorned with the tricolor coquarde.

38 ANTIQUE DOLL COLLECTOR JULY 2013

19. 4” all-bisque doll simply marked, “0 ½” 20. 18” character face beauty is referred to as Lanternier “La Favorite” by the company Limoges.

21. In this postcard, (left) a little girl pretends to greet a French soldier and says, “Be welcome in our home, little soldier of France. Thanks to you, our Alsace sings liberation!”

22. Right, 8” doll by CIJ (La Companie Industrielle du Jouet), circa 1920s

ANTIQUE DOLL COLLECTOR JULY 2013 39

A 17” cloth example of a happy Alsatian girl was made by Poupées Raynal circa 1928 (photo 23). She also wears a decorated fl oral apron and her large Alsace black coiffe with rosette. She wears blonde mohair braids and has celluloid hands.

Dolls in Alsatian dress were immensely popular both in France as well as to foreign tourists. They came in all different forms – paper, cloth, celluloid, bisque, etc. Interestingly, during WWI and WWII, the dolls dressed in Alsace costumes were also used for charitable purposes, as they were sold to raise money to help the young little orphans of France, many of whom lost their families during the wars. Even S.F.B.J.’s Bleuette had a pattern for an Alsace dress! This SFBJ 60 Paris 8/0 Bleuette is wearing an Alsatian outfi t made from the 1915 La Semaine de Suzettepattern (photo 24) . It consists of a fi ve-piece outfi t with blouse, shirt, apron, corselet, and bow. The Alsatian theme was also found on food packaging like the toy-sized little box of Alsatian cookies that Bleuette is holding!

Alsatian-dressed dolls were also popular in other countries. During the fi rst half of the 1900s, many Alsatians immigrated to other countries such as the United States to begin life anew. As such, the Alsatian costume became very recognizable as a costume specifi c to

France. Beginning in 1938, for example, the American “Molly’es International Doll Company” created a series of “International Costumed Dolls”. This example of a 15” Mollye’s doll was marketed as “France” and proudly represents her region of Alsace (photo 25).

This sweet little vintage 1940s doll was made in Argentina but wears a variation of the French Alsace costume (photo 26). Her costume was likely infl uenced by the fact that there was a large infl ux of Alsatian immigrants into Argentina during

the tumultuous years between the Franco-Prussian War and both World Wars. The people who left France for

Argentina were referred to as “French Argentine.” The doll measures 7” tall. The doll’s tag reads, “65% Cotton 35% Virgin Wool Imported By Schmidt Bros,

Inc Boston, Mass Industria Argentina.” The Alsace costume embodied the

culture of the region. It lifted the spirits and refl ected a confi dence that times

would again one day be better. The costume symbolized the immense courage and patriotism

of the Alsace people during decades of unrest and hard-fought struggles. As we collect and appreciate dolls in Alsatian costumes, we realize that their clothing is not merely simply beautiful to admire… we realize that the costumes symbolize those who stood proudly in honor and respect not only for the battle weary Alsace, but for the heart and soul of war-torn France.

23. 17” cloth doll by Poupées Raynal.Courtesy Theriault’s

24. S.F.B.J. 60 Paris 8/0 Bleuette with outfi t from 1915 La Semaine de Suzette pattern.

25. 15” Mollye’s doll.

26. 1940s doll made in Argentina.40 ANTIQUE DOLL COLLECTOR JULY 2013