Strobel & Wilken Antique Dolls 1864-1930+ USA

The Strobel Company of Cincinnati, Ohio was founded in 1849 and first manufactured leather goods. In 1864 George Wilken joined the Strobel company business, which then became known as STROBEL & WILKEN, a short time after they began to distribute toys, dolls and other fancy goods. In an 1878 advertisement stated; “Strobel & Wilken, Importers and wholesale dealers in Fancy goods, Druggist, Sundries, Smokers articles & Toys”.

In 1886 a branch office was established in New York City, which soon became Strobel & Wilken’s main office. Strobel & Wilken advertised Kämmer & Reinhardt dolls, Alfred Heller Diana metal head dolls, Heindrich Handwerck dolls, Hertel, Schwab Jubilee googly dolls, Edmund Steiner dolls, Ideal dolls, Rollinson dolls, Zaiden dolls, composition Mama dolls marked STROBEL WILKEN Co and many others.

Strobel & Wilken is probably best known for their All bisque dolls marked with their initials SWC. It is unknown to us when Strobel & Wilken operations ceased sometime after 1930.

Strobel & Wilken SWC Antique Dolls Identified

Strobel & Wilken 123 SWC all bisque doll 5 1/2" — Strobel & Wilken 123 SWC all bisque doll 5 1/2″

Strobel & Wilken 237 SWC all bisque doll 5" — Strobel & Wilken 237 SWC all bisque doll 5″

Strobel & Wilken 251 SWC all bisque doll 4 1/2" — Strobel & Wilken 251 SWC all bisque doll 4 1/2″

Strobel & Wilken 257 SWC all bisque Peach doll 7" — Strobel & Wilken 257 SWC all bisque Peach doll 7″

Strobel & Wilken 405 SWC Googly eye doll 4 3/4" — Strobel & Wilken 405 SWC Googly eye doll 4 3/4″

Note: The doll mark SWC found on All Bisque dolls, we believe was used by the Strobel & Wilken Company, however, many reference books list the SWC mark as unidentified, so please use your own judgment. Not to be confused with the German company Walther & Sohn doll mark of intertwined initials W & S or S & W.

Strobel & Wilken Doll Marks Identified

Strobel & Wilken doll mark Peach label — Strobel & Wilken doll mark 257 SWC Peach doll label

Strobel & Wilken doll mark American Beauty red label

Strobel & Wilken Doll Mold Numbers Identified

123, (163, 165, 172, 173 googly eye dolls), 237, 241, 242, 247, 251, 257, 357, 400, 405 googly, 1500

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The History and Art of Googlies book in 2002 by Anita Ladensack, German Doll Encyclopedia 1800-1939 book in 1984 and German Doll Marks and Identification book in 2001 both by Jurgen and Marianne Cieslik’s, The Collectors Encyclopedia of Dolls books, vol. I (1800-1925) in 1968, vol. II (1800-1930) in 1986 by Dorothy S., Elizabeth A. and Evelyn J. Coleman and continued research across the Internet since 1999 which we share with you.