On this, the last full day of Hanukkah, and a day of record snow, I would like to blog a little about dolls. Madame Alexander dolls, to be exact.
Madame Alexander (or to be exact, Madame Bertha (later changed to Beatrice) Alexander Behrman) was the daughter of Russian Jewish
immigrants and was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Her father ran the
first doll hospital in this country. She founded her doll company in
1923.
Madame lived to the age of 95 - and had a
hand in the business she founded until she was 93 years old.
The company is still located in the United States - its home is in New York City but the dolls are made overseas.
At one time Madame Alexander employed some 650 people to make her dolls, here in the U.S.A. Apparently, this is no longer the case.
So, what is the connection with Hanukkah?
In Binghamton, New York, there is a Hanukkah museum called Hanukkah House, located in a former mansion. Every year (except, apparently this year, because I haven't been able to find out if they are open) they feature various exhibits of Jewish life and culture. One of the exhibitors is the family of the late Roberta King, who was murdered, along with 12 other innocents, in a mass shooting in Binghamton on April 3, 2009.
I apologize for the reflections in some of these pictures.
Mrs. King was a collector of dolls, and I'd like to show you some of them (photos taken in past years, mainly 2016). I am not sure if all of these are Madame Alexander dolls but I know some of them are. Many reflect the immigrant experience of the early 20th century.
These are so beautiful.
One more. This cabinet is part of the mansion that Hanukkah House resides in. I'm not sure I've ever done a post devoted to the Kilmer Mansion - I should.
I hope you've enjoyed today's posts. If you enjoy dollhouses, you may enjoy this post, too.
A happy holiday season to all.
??? Tonight starts the last full day of Chanuka. Right now, it's just the 7th day. Oh- and it's your birthday. Happy birthday, Alana!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Roy!
DeleteDolls are beautiful, but as a child I was a tomboy, so never really played with dolls. I recently gave my granddaughter my 'Ginger' doll, still in the box with a $1.99 price tag, lol. I do have a Toni doll and a Revlon doll in a box, but they need repairing. Someday.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any of my childhood dolls, not that I had that many.
DeleteThose dolls are so beautiful
ReplyDeleteThey are.
Delete...Madame Alexander, a name that I remember.
ReplyDeleteI had first heard of them many years ago. One of my former work managers had collected them. I was to her house once and...wow.
DeleteI have never been one for dolls, even as a little girl, but know Madame Alexander from working in the late 70s and early 80s in a department store. There was no toy department, but Madame Alexander dolls were sold in the children's clothing area. Not that they were sold for children. We had one woman we would call when we got in a shipment, and she'd rush down. That really seems unfair to everyone else, but sales were sales! I never saw the attraction. I do love miniature doll houses though!
ReplyDeleteI've brought a couple of Christian co-workers who loved dolls/dollhouses to Hanukkah House over the years and they all loved the dollhouses and dolls. Happy you enjoyed the dollhouse post.
DeleteWait! It's your birthday! Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa!
DeleteCan you have a happy birthday with 40 inches of snow? Is that news report correct?
ReplyDeleteYes, it was correct. Some pictures tomorrow.
DeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI was intermittently a 'doll' person. I am sadly guilty of stealing, on several occasions, my sister's walking doll. And I did love my barbies.
My Aunt Mary had a wonderful doll collection! I wasn't allowed to open the cabinet doors, but I spent hours just looking at all the treasures therein. This post reminded me of those bygone days!
I wasn't much of a doll person as a child but I sure do love looking at them as an adult. I need to learn more about them, though. I know so little!
DeleteIt's your birthday?! Happy birthday.
ReplyDeleteAmazing dolls. Too bad the company no longer makes them here.
It is too bad. Their headquarters was once up in Harlem.
DeleteAnd a huge Happy Birthday, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane!
DeleteMy mom was born in 1923. Doll and there house can be quite expensive hobby. I once did make porcelain doll. I like to learn about the history of cloth dolls.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe.
So very cool. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDelete