| Ceci n'est pas une BARBIE. Bild Lilli was originally a cartoon character created by Reinhard Beuthien for the newspaper Bild-Zeitung in Hamburg, Germany and she debuted as a cartoon in June 24, 1952. After a while, Reinhard decided to produce a doll of his character and Max Weissbrodt from the famous Hausser/Elastolin company in Germany created and produced her. On August 12 1955, Bild Lilli was first sold in Germany, usually found in smoke shops and a few toy stores. Later they were exported to several countries, even the USA. Lilli's original stand is round and the doll's foot has holes that fit on to a prong of metal. She was accompanied by a miniature copy of the Hamburg newspaper Bild-Zeitung and the cartoon continued to run in the real journal every Sunday. The doll is not marked. She was produced in 7 1/2" and 11 1/2" her shoes and earrings are molded on, she has a painted face with side glancing eyes with white irises, blue eyeshadow, high eyebrows, red lips and fingernails. She is all plastic with limbs attached inside by coated rubber bands. Her hair -really fine mohair that was not meant to be played with- is in split curl bangs and a ponytail usually found in blonde. Fashions were available separately. This is the doll Ruth Handler, Mattel owner, found while she was shopping in Europe in 1956. Her doll Barbie, debuted at the New York toy fair on March 9, 1959. A little before this time Mattel acquired the rights to Lilli. The designer of Bild Lilli Max Weissbrodt claims he was ripped off by them. I believe him. These days, an original Lilli can cost a lot more than a No.1 Barbie. |
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