Two American Cloth Dolls,

Live Auction

15"(38 cm.) Each has pressed felt mask face with painted facial features,(one brown-eyed,one blue-eyed),painted lashes and brows,closed mouth,rosy cheeks,blonde bobbed wig,cloth stitch-jointed body,and each is wearing its original flannel jacket and trousers with white cotton shirt,Oliver with a blue street cap,and David with a fancy top hat and silk bow tie. Condition: very good,some typical costume fading,David's complexion and hair especially nice. Marks: "Oliver Twist"(or "David Copperfield") Madame Alexander New York. Comments: the Irish-born child actor,Freddy Bartholomew (1924-1992) was cast by Selznick as the lead in the 1935 film "David Copperfield",establishing him as a major child actor of that era. The Alexander doll was inspired by that film,and she began a series of Dickens' character dolls,also including Oliver Twist. Value Points: rare dolls with original tagged costumes.