Butler Brothers, New York, NY USA - Dolls 1910-1935

Butler Bros. of New York, Chicago, and other cities, was originally a mail order, importer and jobber, created  by three brothers.  There are some websites that give a more complete history, so we'll concentrate on the dolls they sold.  Butler Bros. did not manufacturer dolls, instead, like Sears, Ward or J.C. Penney, they purchased from doll manufacturers to sell and distribute in their many stores.

This 1911 Baby Bumps by Horsman, shown at left, stands 25" tall, has a composition head, which is a copy of Kammer & Reinhardt's baby doll mold # 100, painted facial features, blue stationary painted eyes, open mouth, lightly molded painted blond hair, stuffed jointed plush body and limbs, felt mitten like hands (earliest of the Horsman Baby Bumps dolls had paw like hands). 

A doll found identified in a book photo, also shows him wearing a lamb skin hat, collar and a plush wrap skirt with a leather belt.

Butler Bros. also carried dolls made by Louis Amberg, Averill (Grumpy, Sunny Girl and Sunny Boy), Effanbee (Mama dolls, Bubbles & Patsy),  Gem Toy Co., (Mama dolls), Ideal (Flossie Flirt) and they were at sometime, the exclusive agent for Jessie McCutcheon Raleigh dolls and Regal Dolls (Kiddie Pal).  Also, a Tootse doll (Patsy look a like, but haven't found who the doll maker was), boudoir dolls, and many other composition dolls. By 1935 Butler Brothers ceased to offer dolls in their stores.

Butler Brothers, New York, NY USA - Dolls 1910-1935

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