Eisenmann Antique Bisque Dolls 1881-1940 England, German

Eisenmann was founded in 1881 in both Furth, Germany and London, England by Gabriel and Josef Eisenmann as an export business for fancy household wares, about 1895 they added dolls and toys.

Prior to 1905 records indicate Eisenmann made or sold a type of London Rag doll with a wax overlay and painted features.  Examples do not appear to have survived today or that can be attributed to Eisenmann.

Around 1911 Eisenmann began to produce and distribute bisque head dolls made for them by Gebrüder Heubach. Josef Eisenmann of the London branch was referred to as the “King of the Toy Trade”. 

Eisenmann registered the following doll trade marks in London; 1908 Little Pet,  Butterfly Series dolls or toys made partly of metal, 1911 Kiddieland,  1912 Beaky-Ba, Hugmee, Kwacky-Wack, Toddles.  In 1913 doll mold 126 a character doll, 1914 Bunny Hug,  Floatolly dolls. 

By the 1920’s Eisenmann’s London branch were the agents for Louis Amberg and Mittelland.  In 1925 Eisenmann advertised Lenci like cloth dolls, Mama dolls and baby dolls.

* Leon Rees London, England patent number 8995 on April 16, 1912 – The eyes of the doll, etc. are loosely mounted on vertical pivots fixed in the head.  Extending backwards from the eyes are rings, loops or hooks connected by a band from which a cranked operating rod extends at right angles.  A stem is manipulated by hand and, on account of the looseness of the fitting, the eyes can be turned from side to side, and remain in the placed position. Reference: Directory of British Dolls book by Luella Hart.

** Leon Rees a partner at Eisenmann and a London, England citizen, applied for a patent on August 3, 1912 with the United States patent office, which was granted for three and a half years on October 15, 1912 patent number 43,159 for an ornamental design of a doll head. It appears the Leon Rees patent was “used for the bisque heads made by Gebrüder Heubach.” Reference: The History & Art of Googlies book by Anita Ladensack.

Eisenmann Doll Marks Identified

Eisenmann Doll Mold Numbers Identified

126, 8723, 8764