Very Rare German Bisque Characters "Max" and "Moritz" by Kammer and Reinhardt

Live Auction

15" (38 cm.) Each has bisque socket head with uniquely sculpted face depicting a mischievous lad, small brown glass flirty eyes, very thick brown or black "comma" shaped brows with sculpting detail, laughter crinkles around the eyes, upturned rounded nose with accented nostrils, beaming smile on closed mouth, accented lips, impressed dimples, mohair wigs in classic red or black colors, uniquely sculpted body with jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, pointing fingers, sculpted stockings and shoes with upturned toes. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: K*R Simon & Halbig 123 (or 124). Comments: Kammer and Reinhardt, circa 1913, the uniquely modeled urchins were sculpted for the doll firm to represent the popular storybook characters Max and Moritz, originally created by the German author Wilhelm Busch in the mid-1800s, and later immortalized for the American market in the comic strip "The Katzenjammer Kids". The comic strip was created in 1897 by German immigrant Rudolph Dirks for the Hearst newspaper syndicate. In 1912 Dirks and Hearst became involved in a legal wrangle, resulting in Dirks leaving Hearst and creating a rival comic strip "Hans und Fritz" (basically the same characters), while Hearst continued "The Katzenjammer Kids" although drawn by another artist. The actual doll models were registered by Kammer and Reinhardt in the German courts in 1913, and it seems logical that their production may have been inspired by this legal battle, as a means of Hearst continuing to promote the Max and Moritz names, although this fact is not currently documented. Value Points: among the rarest of the German character series, the pair have distinctive sculpting, superb bisque, original distinctive bodies, wonderful costumes and collection of antique toys and childhood accessories.