17" (43 cm.) Porcelain shoulder head with rounded childlike shape, pale complexion with delicate shading of cheeks and chin, modeled eyelids above painted blue eyes with shaded detail, thick black upper eyeliner, painted short lashes, lightly feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with accented lips, original blonde astrakhan wig, gutta percha body with dowel and pin-jointed articulations, sculpted bisque hands. Condition: generally excellent, the head, wig, kid collarette and bisque hands are perfect, the body has some typical restoration. Marks: Huret Boul. Haussman Paris (stamp on kid collarette). Comments: Adelaide Huret, circa 1863. The doll, named Blondinette Davranches by her young owner, Pauline, lived at the wealthy Davranches family estate on 14 rue d'Ecuisse in Rouen, France and the Chateau de Bois l'Evique for 130 years. In 1863 Pauline wrote two letters to Blondinette on the doll's miniature stationery that bore the monogram "B". Remarkably the tiny envelopes were postmarked Paris and actually posed to the family homes where, presumably, Blondinette waited for her young mistress to return. Those letters, along with postmarked envelopes, an original photograph of Blondinette posed with her furniture (see lots 18 & 19) and a publicity brochure "La Ronde des Toileries" from the boutique of Mlle Bereaux are included with the doll. In 1994, the Chateau de Bois was closed, its contents dispersed, and discovered in a corner of the attic was a storage chest containing Blondinette and her perfectly preserved trousseau. The doll and her trousseau were presented by Theriault's in 1994 in a landmark auction "The Trousseau of Blondinette Davranche". It is that doll and many of her costumes, accessories and furniture that are offered in lot 17 and subsequent lots. Value Points: Historically important, Blondinette Davranche bears documented provenance, enhancing the classic beauty of the signature French poupee; her bisque hands are rare features, and the the doll wears a superb brown silk velveteen ensemble decorated with silk ribbons and gold beads, undergarments, leather slippers, and a fine bonnet, all elements of her original trousseau, and carries a brown silk/wool cape with soutache embroidery and black silk lace trim.