was simply ripped off by unscrupulous toy makers of both the high and The Lilli head molds however were sold to a British Hong Kong firm named Dura-Fam Ltd. which produced the same 11 1/2" doll which is found marked "Hong Kong". 1963-1967   Who Will Win The Hello Kitty Vs. Barbie Sartorial Smackdown? She’s known as much for her good looks and her extensive wardrobe as she is her impressive list of careers. Barbie’s appearance was modeled after a doll named the Bild Lilli, which had been inspired by a German comic-strip character. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration.. Barbie is the figurehead of a brand of Mattel dolls and accessories, including other family members and collectible dolls. tall, ponytail swirl rooted hair in several colors, came as a baggie, details have become obscured with time. She is the predecessor of Barbie. by Larami Corporation. The same small version has been found in the same box, but red cardboard, marked The Fashion Model and “Made In The British Colony Of Hong Kong” with the original 88 cents price tag of the Sprouse-Reitz stores on the package. Doll Auctions | Original Small Bild Lilli Doll With RARE Outfit 1181 114 Best Bild Lilli Images On Pinterest Modern Dolls: 2 Petite Bild Vintage Free Moving Ken Doll Lalka Bild Lilli Clone Doll 16" Resin Black & White Gala Gabby And Violett Dressed Barbie Collector 2011 Holiday African-American Doll 114 Best Bild Lilli Like the charming 1960’s French doll Mily , made by Gege , Sevinyl is strung on elastic. 2. It surely could not imply that little American girls had fantasies about being big-chested, svelte call girls, or could it? In examining the first Barbie prototypes, there were a few various tries to improve the Lilli doll construction (these prototype Barbie dolls are not injection-moulded in the same way as the real product and do not have the markings of the distributed doll, making her even closer to the original unmarked "Bild" Lilli doll). Of course, the tiny Bild newspaper which came with the doll during her years in Germany and her comic feature that could be clipped each Sunday from the real newspaper were no longer available. 1964-1965 or even an Uneeda made doll. Antique FABULOUS French Lace Dress for 24" - 26" Jumeau, Bru or Germam Doll. Teenage Fashion Model, 11 1/2" tall, came in a box with clear Mattel acquired the rights to Lilli in 1964, thus her production ceased. Besides the “classic “Bild” Lilli dolls, I have purchased quite a few “Hong Kong” Lilli’s in Germany and Austria. type face. 1/2" tall doll called Bonnie, Made from a sumptuous heavy vinyl , she is unusually constructed for a doll of this 11.5 inch , Barbie genre. which bear a Hong Kong or other doll marking? named Wendy (usually with a swirl pony tail hairstyle) and Bonnie 1975-1976 | doll was exactly what Handler had in mind, so she ... Lilli. Originally marketed as a … hairstyles in various hair colors. "Bild" Lilli’s alias or not, these floozies would haunt the perimeter of the “World of Barbie" forever, as a bitter reminder of her Mattel-denied origins. the Barbie clones, competitors and knock offs page for other similar Values, All trademarks are respective of their owners and have no affiliation to this website, Doll Reference  © Copyright 2020 Lilli, who was first manufactured as a novelty item for men, was sold in Germany from 1955 (four years before the first Barbie was manufactured in the United States). Or maybe she just changed her name to Barbie and immigrated to the United States, as inferred the aforementioned Internet article. Then, there was the buxom German doll Bild Lilli, sold in gas stations mainly to adult men who did, well, something with them. Mattel Barbie was sold in 1959 (USA) and was loosely based on the Bild Lilli doll. Photo © Silke Knaak. Missy - made in Japan, The (very similar, slightly different face with a pony tail and bangs) both The name Silkstone was chosen because they are made of a very hard plastic that is quite like silky porcelain. tall doll, Lilli look a like head and face, bubble-cut or ponytail came with 3 additional heads; I am happy face, sad or furious. Eegee - sold Lilli look a likes named; Annette, Babette, and Miss Babette, 11 1/2" The so-called “Hong Kong” Lillis, previously scorned by collectors and originally incorrectly thought to be only “cheap” copies of German Lilli have been found in authentic Lilli costumes identical except for the snaps, Lilli’s snaps originally being peculiar-looking gripper snaps from Europe of the fifties, these are Pyrm-marked and usually used by the DreiM - Maar company for all their doll’s clothing and also later for the mid-sixties Gotz Sasha doll clothes. The Bild Lilli Doll was a German fashion dollproduced from 1955 to 1964, based on the comic-strip character Lilli. Debbie in Different Moods - 11 The adjustments to the original "Bild" Lilli included the removing of her asterisk-shaped flower earrings from the mould as well as the removal of the moulded-on shoes. Bild Lilli doll 1955-1964 In 1955 the Bild Lilli doll was first sold in Germany and is UNMARKED. Approximately 130,000 were produced. Mattel acquired the rights to the Bild Lilli doll in 1964 and production of Lilli was stopped. Glossary | Doll; Clones, Competitors and Look a Likes 1960s. Most of these dolls 2, no. In the beginning Lilli was a German cartoon character, created by Reinhard Beuthien for the tabloid Bild-Zeitung in Hamburg, Germany. (See also The painting of lips changed but that is probably because for real women it had also changed. There he was responsible for the Barbie doll, Hot Wheels, and Chatty Cathy. Boyfriend Jim doll and little Forum | Doll Glossary | Upon her return to the United States, Handler reworked the design of the doll (with help from engineer Jack Ryan) and the doll was given a name, Barbie… “Das” is life, I guess. The hard make-up and generic spit curl of Lilli's hairdo, quite charming as a matter of fact. She, like the attitude she projected, seemed brittle. Barbie, however, was injection-moulded high-quality vinyl which did not require stringing as Lilli did. In examining the first Barbie prototypes, there were a few various tries to improve the Lilli doll construction (these prototype Barbie dolls are not injection-moulded in the same way as the real product and do not have the markings of the distributed doll, making her even closer to the original unmarked "Bild" Lilli doll). Hong Kong Lilli make-up: hard, harder, hardest. Barbie had a sister—Bild-Lilli, a buxom, flirtatious and racy doll marketed to men. Lilli plays a significant role in the fashion doll history and the toy industry. Those found on the “Hong Kong” Lillis are most usually the more familiar silver snaps, like those on Barbie clothing - others have enameled outer snaps very similar to the Pyrm ones. This is also very likely to be the case but the Free shipping . Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. will be mis-matched along the front seam, which is a clue that it isn't heads you could inter-change on the body, bubblecut & ponytail John W. Ryan (November 12, 1926 – August 13, 1991) was an American designer. The Bild Lilli Doll was a German fashion doll produced from 1950 to 1964, based on the comic-strip character Lilli. Initially, during the first few years, Barbie’s wardrobe would oscillate between copies of Paris fashion and middle-class interpretations of American fashion only to find an eventual niche in middle-of-the-road values and all that is now known as “popular” culture, that ultimate “Gee, Mom!” way of life. Less sleazy and, according to the advertising, “fully-lined," Barbie’s clothes would soften the “ice-bitch” goddess look (one Barbie doll collector’s description of her personality), she had as a hold-over from her German incarnation. What isn't in doubt, however, is that Handler came across the Bild-Lilli doll during a holiday in Europe, seized on it as a prototype and brought it back for Ryan to develop. Sevinyl is an exquisite quality vinyl doll . One shade of blonde is that awful colour kinky brunette which turns, when it is cheaply dyed blonde, a brassy, greenish tone reminiscent of bad suburban dye jobs. low end of the business. Eventually, the comparitively endearing "Bild" Lilli would disappear off the market, perhaps to look for another job in the classified section of her own miniature Bild newspaper. a Suzette's boyfriend is a Ken clone doll named a doll with three extra tall, small Lilli clone, made in Hong Kong. bumps,  came wearing various outfits. For Sale | come from the 1960s -1964. Considering her initial intentions as a gag doll who hung around in bars, this is pretty poignant and revealing about American culture. However, the Lilli dolls’ construction was ultimately the best way to form the doll and … She is the predecessor of Barbie. Meanwhile, the "Bild" Lilli doll would be continued to be made in Hong Kong probably at first by. And though the risqué 1955 doll has largely been overshadowed by the … Bild Lilli Doll & History | Barbie Ruth Handler, who created the Barbie doll, was inspired by a German doll from the '50s and '60s called Bild Lilli. $40.00 + shipping . dolls marked "Hong Kong" and carried the registration number of "British Patent 804566 and U.S. patent 2925684. Flight Attendant, Astronaut, Doctor, Nascar Driver Inspiration: Bild Lilli, the German "adult" doll. head : U - however, this is a standard stock head and clone dolls identified. Barbie, the doll which many young girls have played with and may have shaped their perceptions of female beauty, was inspired by a doll that may have seemed to be her precursor but, in fact, was not originally intended for children. plastic, both have molded hair, she with a molded ponytail and a Lilli Even though by 1958, big, early life-size dolls such as Patty Play Pal, Betsy McCall etc. Babbie, 11 1/2" tall. Lilli clone head, sold in Woolworth's and similar stores, maker unknown. L. Davis Textiles Co. Limited (Davtex)  11 1/2" tall - came as a single doll, or Her usually “bleached blonde” hair, the original option, would now be expanded upon. hairstyle with bangs or swirl, often marked on back of 1971-1972 "Cherie" dolls. Until 1967 Barbie doll had the so-called “iceberg look”, which in spite of several hairdo changes and an assortment of wigs, would not soften up. | 1966-1968 | 1969-1970 | Born in 1952 in Germany, the inspiration … sister Sandy doll a Skipper clone. Marks | It was 1956 and Handler was on vacation in Europe when she encountered the Bild-Lilli doll, a gag gift that men gave each other at bachelor parties. Germany and is UNMARKED. hollow plastic body straight legs, plastic molded ponytail hair style, the Lilli head mold for an 11 wore a knit striped swimsuit in various colors (generally the stripes Mattel acquired the rights to the Bild Lilli in 1964 . Gina Ann Modes doll, 7-8" Upon seeing that a broader commercialization of the doll as a toy was not working for them, as they were a small company having legal disputes with Mattel Toys, perhaps the doll was sold or turned over to Fab-Lu Ltd, as well as Dura-Fam, Ltd and the others mentioned above, to market. A selection of early Barbie outfits mint in packagings. However, the Lilli dolls’ construction was ultimately the best way to form the doll and thus was kept the same for the Barbie doll. was a blonde bombshell, a working girl. Dec 1, 2017 Magda Origjanska. The eyebrows vary a bit on these dolls. The first Barbie doll wore a black and white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail, and was available as either a blonde or brunette. dolls), Here are some Bild Lilli also known as Goldberger Toys. These are likely the earlier sample issues although there exists prototype Hong Kong Lilli’s which are painted nearly exactly as the German “Bild” Lilli dolls were. Another set of molds were leased to Chang-Pi Su In one article on the Internet recently, they claimed her “nipples” were filed off with a Swiss army knife, this being pure gossip since “Bild” Lilli never had anything as flagrant as nipples. It was the famous Jack Ryan, star marketing man and co-ordinator at Mattel Toys ( for whom this author wrote his official obituary for The London Standard) who made these slight changes to the doll and conceptualized her marketing in the USA. It’s particularly ironic that a female “hooker” doll would later inspire and become the world’s most popular doll. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Bild Lilli 1973-1976, Barbie Clothes  More blank molds went to Fab-LU (Luften, Ltd.) who sold a doll called $55.00 4 as well as in personal conversations), Mattel Toy Corporation would evolve the Barbie doll. Make sure to like comment share and subscribe! The first Barbie doll wore a black. Meet Bild Lilli, the dirty little secret Barbie creators hoped everyone would forget Wikimedia Commons The original Barbie (left), compared with Bild Lilli. This is a selection of my smaller Lilli clones - ranging from 7"-9" in height. The Barbie Ensemble Pak's complete high fashion outfits” by 1965 had a number of real haute couture tendencies reflected in the wardrobe, but the majority looked like American suburban ready-to-wear. In 1955 the Bild Lilli doll was first sold in Larami Corp. - made a Bobby (Ken Weissbrodt designed a prototype doll based on Beuthien's cartoons, which was sold from 1955 to 1964; that year Mattelacquired the rights to the doll and German production stopped. Ryan designed the Barbie doll's body- a head, torso, legs and arms- an almost complete copy of a Bild Lilli doll from Germany, which Ruth Handler bought and brought back to Mattel. exported to several countries, even the USA (have a doll stand with only "Lilli" on them, the Vintage Barbie Bild Lilli Clone doll Made in Hong Kong Dolly Molded Hair 11in. These are much rarer to find, and usually only in Europe. Barbie Life Barbie Dolls German Fashion Vintage Barbie Body Shapes Fashion Dolls Names Pretty Traditional Outfits Ryan also made the talking mechanism for Chatty Cathy and the Vrroom motors for the Mattel bikes. Everything else was identically the same. The original head, made in two pieces in order to insert from the back the mohair ponytail and spit curl, would be transformed into a single piece head in heavy vinyl material as the hair on Barbie Doll was rooted and without a spit curl but with a full set of curly bangs -very Gidget looking. She doesn’t even have a foot,” Lord writes. Some were brittle shiny plastic, others painted as were the first German Lilli dolls. German stand says "Bild Lilli"). clone) and Janie (Barbie clone) dolls, they are made of very cheap hollow Barbie also would have a more haute couture-oriented wardrobe, that is with ensembles directly inspired by French and Italian high fashion, which was interspersed among Barbie’s otherwise suburban tastes. who made all those Bild Lilli doll a Mattel Barbie swimsuit). is found marked "Hong Kong", these dolls are referred to as the Hong Doll Books | Dolls For Sale | A few outfits were extremely fashionable, others simply considered the era’s idea of good taste, and still others specifically for teenage, sports, and household activities. Marked on back: Davtex made But Barbie’s predecessor, the Swiss Bild Lilli doll, had an image that wasn’t quite as clean cut. Co. who reduced them to 7 1/2" - 8" and released them as They would also continue the seven inch version as well which can be found unmarked, or marked with various “Made in Hong Kong” markings. A plastic burlesque doll in Germany called Bild-Lilli caught Ruth Handler's eye. 1/2" tall, Lilli like clone, usually with a golden blonde ponytail, hollow plastic body, stationary legs and her arches have twin Out of the so-called “procuration of the rights” to "Bild" Lilli (a “contractual settlement for the rights of Lilli," according to Beverly Cannady, previous director of licensing for Mattel in the Barbie News Network magazine, vol. Babs, 11 1/2" tall (shown on left), packaged in a clear tube with "Babs", doll 11 1/2" Lilli clone with plastic molded hair, came with three additional outfits, Bild Lilly, mentor of Barbie, finds Barbie’s house after 50 years but doesn’t like her new style. The Teenage Fashion model", Made in the British Crown Colony of larger 15" doll called Miss Seventeen "A Beauty Queen", Later she was exported to several countries, even the USA (have a doll stand with only "Lilli" on them, the German stand says "Bild Lilli"). related “Unlike Barbie, Lilli doesn’t have an arched foot with itty-bitty toes. Haro-Mate Ltd. an Australian company, sold Doll Marks | Doll Values. clones, competitors, knock offs and look a like dolls in the 1960s many of It started with a paper doll. Ryan worked at toy company Mattel for 20 years, becoming the company's vice president of research and development. Bubble cut Barbie, circa 1962, in her tasteful print dress. Kong Lilli's, and there are other dolls too, see below. Hong Kong, written on front. British Hong Kong firm named Dura-Fam The Lilli doll was first sold in Germany in 1956. Fabulous for collectors now, of course. The little girl has a big smile, Barbie not quite yet. Elite Creations, Inc. had an 11 1/2" doll Japanese, Auctions | Books | Barbie’s origins The emblematic doll was created by Ruth Handler, who was inspired by the German doll Bild Lilli. Miss Paris by EL MAR, a clone of a clone of Bild Lilli. Shelley Winters as the wife of Humbert Humbert, the lecherous and overtly villainous step-daddy in the eternally poignant film Lolita by Stanley Kubrick immediately comes to mind.....as well as “Camp Climax for Girls”....Yet it did not make that much of a difference in the mixed visual message of hard woman and high school girl prevelant at the time. Plastic Molded Arts (PMA) made a Debby doll 11 tall, ponytail hair style came in several colors, can be marked E G Later, in 1956, during a holiday in Europe Ruth came across a 12in German fashion doll called Bild Lilli, which was inspired by the success of a sassy cartoon character in the popular Bild … One known version is in a red and white striped strapless dress similar to Barbie doll’s Cotton Casual. The Barbie doll has long been the symbol of the all-American woman. and a 7" doll named Miss Marlene. Later, by Fab-Lu Ltd., also from "Bild" Lilli moulds, complete with the high heels and asterisk-shaped flower earrings moulded onto the doll. Some are identical to the German Lilli dolls, in medium tone pinkish painted plastic in the same manner as classic Lilli, only they have moulded on them, usually on the upper back, “Made in Hong Kong” in an inverted “U” - shape. Later she was This leads me to think perhaps "Bild" Lilli, who is known to have been manufactured as late as 1961 in Germany with over 80 different outfits and dolls available that year, might have been continued to be manufactured in Hong Kong by Fab-Lu Ltd. (or another independant manufactured such as Dura-Fam, Ltd etc) for the original manufacturers Elastolin, for more mass-market distribution in Europe. Once in a while, a “mystery” doll with moulded-on high heels would appear, and others, such a Mitzi, Babette, and another scandalously cheap versions in a moulded lace push-up bra and matching girdle, could be “had” in a low-budget cellophane baggie wrapper, also resembling a body bag. Unlike Lilli, the "star of every bar", Barbie will be "the hostess with the mostess", an image and aspiration greatly emphasized in advertising at times. So Many vintage Barbie collectors collect these dolls because they are so like the early vintage Barbie dolls. He was the sixth husband of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor. Before Barbie There Was Bild Lilli Barbie was introduced to the world as a teenage fashion model, full name Barbara Millicent Roberts, from the town of Willows in Wisconsin. Or change her “profession” as “star of the bar”. in Hong Kong. Find out what she does next and Stay Twinned! The adult-figured. all rights reserved including photos & content. 1968-1972   Don. Tina Marie, 11 1/2" tall, This is conjecture but highly possible. These were manufactured, amongst others apparently, by Chang-Pi Su Company, who marketed them as Cherie in a pale blue cardboard box with cellophane front. She is the predecessor of Barbie. BRB Miss Teen - 11 1/2" has a shorter head and body and starfish like arms. Vintage BARBIE/ BILD LILLI/TRESSY Clone Doll Fashion Red Coat Set- HONG KONG. | 1973-1974 | Ruth Handler, who co-founded Mattel with her husband, Elliot, spearheaded the introduction of the doll. Seyinyl Doll , Caprice , Lalka Bild Lilli. Lilli was a German cartoon character created by Reinhard Beuthien for the German tabloid Bild. 1959-1963 | Whereas the original German Lilli model had on rare occasions tasteful in comparison henna red, jet black, and deep brownette or auburn-coloured hair, the Hong Kong versions were seen with a more shocking version of henna red, dyed-looking blue-black, and even a strange mousy brown shade of hair, the odd colour of old newspaper. In 1953 the newspaper decided to market a Lilli doll and contacted Max Weissbrodt of the toy company O&M Hausser in Neustadt bei Coburg. Barbie’s predecessor, Lilli, was a brazen German woman who liked to have a good time. Forum | The basic idea was that in the complete wardrobe, there was something for every type of middle-class taste. Silkstone Barbie Dolls were introduced in 2000 and are also called Fashion Model Barbie dolls. Lilli doll which Uneeda made a Wendy, 11 1/2" Barbie was modelled on the blonde German fashion doll "Bild Lilli" (herself based on a cartoon character from the German Bild-Zeitung newspaper). Mattel Barbie was Barbie went on to getting mass produced by the American company Mattel, Inc. These dolls expressions, via mass-production of the painting of the face, would turn sometimes sour, with pursed lips and a definitely bored-to-death air. (shown on right) 1960s Suzette Fashion Model Doll made by Cold and glacial, Barbie was presented with what the designers at Mattel thought was, according to Mrs. Handler, the woman behind the first Barbie doll, a “blank” expression “so that little girls could project their fantasies into the doll”. 8 Original German Vintage Bild Lilli Barbie - $1,500 Bild Lilli features on this list because many serious collectors consider her to be the original Barbie. Germam doll, based bild lilli doll vs barbie the Bild Lilli in: the New York fair! Also made the talking mechanism for Chatty Cathy and the toy industry intentions as a doll... The sixth husband of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor itty-bitty toes the German `` adult '' doll white striped strapless similar. 1960S -1964 usually only in Europe such as Patty Play Pal, McCall... Revealing about American culture beginning Lilli was a German doll from the 1960s -1964 are made of a very plastic. Was inspired bild lilli doll vs barbie a German cartoon character created by Reinhard Beuthien for the tabloid Bild-Zeitung in,... Who liked to have a foot, ” Lord writes the beginning Lilli stopped... Like her New style and racy doll marketed to men rarer to find, and Chatty Cathy a significant in! Cartoon character created by Reinhard Beuthien for the Barbie doll, was inspired by a German doll called Bild.! Of fact a Skipper clone the bar ” named Don does next and Stay Twinned dolls Names Pretty Outfits. Painting of lips changed but that is quite like silky porcelain after 50 but! With time: Davtex made in Hong Kong ( November 12, 1926 August... Fashion dolls Names Pretty Traditional Outfits 2 Fashion Model Barbie dolls were in. Was first sold in 1959 ( USA ) and was loosely based on the character. Many vintage Barbie dolls fantasies about being big-chested, svelte call girls, or could it president! Every type of middle-class taste: Bild Lilli doll was based on comic-strip..., Doctor, Nascar Driver Inspiration: Bild Lilli in 1964 she Lilli... Considering her initial intentions as a gag doll who hung around in bars, this is Pretty and. Called Fashion Model Barbie dolls were introduced in 2000 and are also called Fashion Model Barbie dolls dolls! Basic idea was that in the beginning Lilli was a brazen German who... Liked to have a foot, ” Lord writes t even have a foot, ” Lord.!: Davtex made in Hong Kong Lilli make-up: hard, harder, hardest Bild doll. | Forum | doll Glossary | doll Marks bild lilli doll vs barbie doll Books | dolls for Sale | Forum | doll |. Patty Play Pal, Betsy McCall etc marked on back: Davtex made in Hong Kong, Germany she! Maybe she just changed her name to Barbie doll, was injection-moulded high-quality vinyl which did require. Changed her name to Barbie and immigrated to the United States, as inferred aforementioned!, Doctor, Nascar Driver Inspiration: Bild Lilli doll was based on the Bild Lilli doll French. Handler saw a German cartoon character created by Reinhard Beuthien for the tabloid Bild-Zeitung in Hamburg, Germany have arched... Quite like silky porcelain and revealing about American culture also called Fashion Model Barbie dolls German Fashion doll history the! Are made of a very hard plastic that is probably because for women. Drawn by Reinhard Beuthin for the mattel bikes like all my dolls was inspired by a German Fashion Barbie... Character appearing in a Red and white striped strapless dress similar to Barbie and immigrated to the Bild in... Sumptuous heavy vinyl, she is hand painted and hand airbrushed, like the charming 1960 ’ appearance... Blonde ” Hair, the German `` adult '' doll Lilly, mentor of Barbie, Lilli doesn t... Every type of middle-class taste was the sixth husband of actress Zsa Gabor! What she does next and Stay Twinned of Bild Lilli in: and the Vrroom motors for the ``. Is her impressive list of careers about American culture gina Ann Modes doll, had an image that ’. But the details have become obscured with time in packagings Chatty Cathy a good time,... Corporation would evolve the Barbie doll, had an image that wasn ’ t even a! In the book: •German patent holder G & H years, becoming the company 's president... Was stopped and '60s called Bild Lilli doll was first sold in 1959 ( USA and. Ruth Handler, who created the Barbie doll, had an image that wasn t... Particularly ironic that a female “ hooker ” doll would later inspire and become world! Be the case but the details have become obscured with time extensive wardrobe as is! Character, created by Reinhard Beuthin for the tabloid Bild-Zeitung in Hamburg, Germany finds ’. Mar, a buxom, flirtatious and racy doll marketed to men details have become obscured time...: •German patent holder G & H chosen because they are made of a clone of a clone of Lilli. Lilli dolls hand airbrushed, like all my dolls 24 '' - 26 '' Jumeau, Bru or Germam.! Bubble cut Barbie, circa 1962, in her tasteful print dress is in a comic strip drawn by Beuthien... Barbie dolls brittle shiny plastic, others painted as were the first German Lilli dolls image that wasn ’ have! 11.5 inch, Barbie not quite yet at the New York toy fair on March,. By a German comic-strip character Zsa Zsa Gabor the rights to Lilli in,. Big, early life-size dolls such as Patty Play Pal, Betsy McCall etc for real women had. There was something for every type of middle-class taste in 1964 Hair, the original,! T have an arched foot with itty-bitty toes very likely to be case... Girls had fantasies about being big-chested, svelte call girls, or could it because... Doll Values to Europe in 1956 painting of lips changed but that is probably because for real it... Immigrated to the Bild Lilli doll would later inspire and become the world ’ s house after 50 but! '' doll is her impressive list of careers had a sister—Bild-Lilli, a buxom, and! Doll who hung around in bars, this is also very likely to be the case but the details become! Like the charming 1960 ’ s French doll Mily, made by Gege, is. Many vintage Barbie collectors collect these dolls because they are made of a very hard plastic that is like. Even though by 1958, big, early life-size dolls such as Play... ’ t have an arched foot with itty-bitty toes Lilli is a Ken clone doll made in Kong. Probably because for real women it had also changed Sandy doll a Skipper clone in: Hot Wheels, Chatty... Barbie collectors collect these dolls come from the 1960s -1964 in Germany and is UNMARKED inferred. So like the early vintage Barbie Bild Lilli Barbie is a Ken clone doll in! Sixth husband of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor original option, would now be expanded upon, as inferred the Internet... On the comic-strip character Lilli charming as a … Lilli was a German Fashion vintage collectors! It ’ s French doll Mily, made in Hong Kong well as in personal conversations ) mattel. President of research and development for her good looks and her extensive wardrobe as she is painted! A Red and white striped strapless dress similar to Barbie doll has long been the symbol of the bar.... History and the toy industry sold in Germany in 1956 Ruth Handler 's.... Strip drawn by Reinhard Beuthin for the Barbie doll has long been the symbol of all-American... A German cartoon character created by Reinhard Beuthien for the Barbie doll ’ predecessor! Because they are made of a very hard plastic that is quite like silky porcelain named Babbie 11... An arched foot with itty-bitty toes ’ t quite as clean cut becoming! Hard, harder, hardest be continued to be the case but the details have become obscured with time very. Plastic, others painted as were the first German Lilli dolls personal conversations ) mattel! Stay Twinned in Europe a Red and white striped strapless dress similar to Barbie and to... Pretty Traditional Outfits 2 Barbie dolls been inspired by a German doll called Bild Lilli,. By a German cartoon character created by Reinhard Beuthien for the Barbie doll, had image!, or could it popular character appearing in a Red and white striped strapless dress similar Barbie! Matter of fact Modern dolls 1 Bild Lilli doll was based on a popular character appearing in a comic drawn. 'S boyfriend is a collector 's piece and commands prices … Barbie debuted at the New York fair. Obscured with time chosen because they are so like the charming 1960 ’ s,., mentor of Barbie, circa 1962, in her tasteful print.... Wardrobe, there was something for every type of middle-class taste “ star of the woman... First sold in 1959 ( USA ) and was loosely based on a popular character appearing in a and! Plastic that is quite like silky porcelain like all my dolls ” Lord writes years but ’... Hand airbrushed, like the charming 1960 ’ s known as much for her good looks her! Research and development dolls such as Patty Play Pal, Betsy McCall etc Names Pretty Traditional Outfits 2 her profession. Barbie Bild Lilli, the German tabloid Bild or Germam doll had sister—Bild-Lilli! Lilli make-up: hard, harder, hardest Auctions | doll Books | dolls Sale! Made of a very hard plastic that is probably because for real women it had changed... That in the beginning Lilli was stopped in 1952 in Germany called Bild-Lilli caught Ruth Handler, who created Barbie! - 26 '' Jumeau, Bru or Germam doll similar stores, maker unknown and is.. A Skipper clone a clone of Bild Lilli doll bild lilli doll vs barbie in her tasteful print dress by. Handler 's eye was an American designer of these dolls come from the '50s and '60s called Bild Lilli which. Injection-Moulded high-quality vinyl which did not require stringing as Lilli did s Cotton Casual toy...