Curious Collector: Madame Alexander Bride Doll

Q: At a doll show I fell in love with this Madame Alexander bride doll that is super mint, complete with wrist tag. She is about 14 inches tall with sleep eyes, made of composition with a mohair wig. She has a very unusual face that I have not seen before. What can you tell me about her and a current value?

A: Your amazing doll is indeed an all-composition doll made by Madame Alexander circa 1939- 1941. The face is different; collectors refer to this as the Wendy face. The composition used for this issue of dolls rarely crazes or cracks, and of course, your stunning bride doll is all original. You mentioned the dress is tagged Madame Alexander, New York, USA. Sometimes these dolls are marked on the back and sometimes not.

I don’t blame you at all for not undressing her to see, because the tag says it all! The wrist tag is especially hard to find and adds greatly to the value as well as the aesthetics of the doll. One caution: age has made the delicate lacy veil very fragile; it cannot be washed (not that your doll needs it).

I would value your doll at $395 and up. This is the best example I have ever seen of a late 1930s Wendy-face bride. This face was also used on many Madame Alexander Scarlett dolls, some that predate the movie “Gone with the Wind.” Your doll is a real treasure. Keep her in a dome or behind glass, and she will be around for decades more. Thanks for sharing!