Pictorial history of famous French doll (with 60 photos) plus 32 pages in full color of 19th-century dolls in original fashions.

"Feminists have argued that the Barbie doll perpetuates unrealistic standards of feminine beauty and undermines the credibility of women. Yet, for every mother who disapproves of Barbie, there is a young daughter who adores her. Barbie has enjoyed a prosperous and important history in Western culture, but she is simply the most high-profile of a series of iconic dolls produced in the past 150 years. For the first time, this history is explored to reveal how intimately connected dolls have been to fashion and culture, from their early history right up to the present day. The prominence of haute couture in popular culture suggests that the link between fashion marketing and dolls should be an obvious one. Yet to date this connection has not been adequately interrogated. Peers' original and shrewd analysis fills a major gap in cultural studies by examining the doll's associations with concepts of femininity and fashionability."--Publisher.

Traces the chronology of Jumeau production from the 1840s through the late 19th century. Color pictures show the beauty and different moods of the faces, are accompanied by text that provides collectors with important and interesting information. Price guide, Jumeau marks, and historical list of international prices and sizes included.

Examines a variety of dolls throughout the world, discussing how they have been used at different times and how they reflect the cultures that created them.

This outstanding reference book features tantalizing color photos and descriptions of over 350 dolls produced in German porcelain factories from 1836 to the present. Take a pictorial tour of a 100-year-old porcelain factory to learn how antique porcelain dolls were made. Original sample books, old doll molds and porcelain shards identify the makers of many previously unknown china, parian-type, and bisque dolls. From the Kestner dolls to the artist dolls of today, this book provides an in depth look at sought-after German porcelain dolls. The colorful Hertwig bonnet head dolls, the expressive Gebruder Heubach character dolls, the top-of-the-line Kestner dolls, the captivating Simon & Halbig dolls as well as the detailed Carl Schneider half dolls are showcased in this book. Dozens of early, unmarked chinas made by the A.W. Fr. Kister porcelain factory in Scheibe-Alsbach are pictured in detail. Dolls from the following porcelain factories are also included in this book: Alt, Beck & Gottschalck; Baehr & Proeschild; Wm. And F.W. Goebel; Ernst Heubach; C.F. Kling & Co.; Gebruder Knoch; Gebruder Kuhnlenz; Limbach; Armand Marseille; Theodor Recknagel; Carl Scheidig; Schoenau-Hoffmeister; Swaine & Co.; Hermann Voigt; and Weiss, Kuhnert and Co. This is a must-have book for the doll lover.