The Magic of Madame Alexander Dolls
Out of a Harlem factory come exquisite collectibles that, after 74 years, still bring joy to many childrenand adults.
- By Jere Van Dyk
- Smithsonian magazine, March 2001, Subscribe
As a child Beatrice Alexander Behrman watched as brokenhearted girls brought their damaged dolls to her father's doll hospital for repair. She vowed then to one day make an unbreakable doll. In 1923, with $1,600 and a kitchen table shop, that childish promise spawned the business that would one day make Alexander famous and change the face of American doll making.
Today, despite the changing landscape of the doll industry and the workforce, the Alexander Doll Company remains the largest private, for-profit employer in Harlem. Now owned by a group of investors, the company struggles to blend modern production techniques with the skilled craftsmanship Madame Alexander dolls are known for.
From character-inspired dolls like the "Scarlett" (O'Hara) doll and the March sisters dolls (from Little Women), to original works like the high-heeled fashion doll, "Cissy," Madame Alexander dolls in their signature blue boxes continue to capture the imagination of young girls and adult collectors alike. One of four daughters of Russian Jewish immigrant parents, Alexander went on to become a 1960s icon, drawing crowds of people in department stores lined up with their dolls to be autographed. Early in her career Madame Alexander stated that she "wanted to create dolls with souls."
Subscribe now for more of Smithsonian's coverage on history, science and nature.
| Tweet | Digg |
Comments (7)
I was informed that the limited edition Madame Alexander " Splendid Starlight" was in the Smithsonian. How can i find out if this is true or not? Thanks for the information
Posted by SharonJohnson on April 22,2012 | 05:11 PM
You can use latex surgical tubing to restring your dolls. You cut it into thin bands. It comes in different sizes and can be obtained at surgical supply companies. Or I have bought it at Ace Hardware. This Old Doll also has an assortment of 4 different sizes (1 foot each) which is better for most collectors as often online sources require you to purchase large amounts. It's easy to do and I believe there are instructions at This Old Doll for restring Alexanders with and without walkers.
Posted by Peggy Toole on February 19,2012 | 11:08 PM
You can send any dolls that need new rubber band restringing to the doll hospital at the Alexander Doll factory in Harlem NY. There is a fee. There is more info on this on the Madame Alexander company web site. They may perk up the hair too!
Posted by Peg on January 2,2011 | 10:28 PM
It seems that no one wants to divulge the source of rubber bands or the correct stringing diagram for the various Madame Alexander dolls. Can anyone source these bands?
Posted by Chris on November 10,2010 | 12:57 PM
My madame alexander dolls have all come apart as the rubber bands have disintegrated. Can these be replaced? Where can I buy the bands? Or must this be done professionally?
Posted by bette on October 11,2009 | 02:28 PM
KEEP the box and clean it as best you can
Good luck!
Posted by Pauline Poncy on August 18,2009 | 02:40 AM
I've got a nine inch red-headed Madame Alexander doll from the 1950's. It's in good condition except missing the shoes and was in its original box. I made the mistake of storing it in the attic and the mice "soiled" the box now. Should I discard the damaged box or keep it "as is" cleaning it the best I can?
Thanks! Frances Schelver
Posted by Frances Schelver on June 18,2009 | 02:49 PM