NADDA San Francisco Special Exhibit - Carmel Doll Shop
NADDA San Francisco Special Exhibit - Carmel Doll Shop
NADDA San Francisco Special Exhibit - Carmel Doll Shop
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101 FRENCH BEBES<br />
<strong>NADDA</strong> <strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong> <strong>Special</strong> <strong>Exhibit</strong><br />
Part One<br />
Photographed by Michael Canadas<br />
Spectacular antique dolls of all types, knowledgeable<br />
dealers and intimate, yet comfortable atmosphere<br />
are fast becoming expected features of the doll<br />
shows that are hosted by the National Antique <strong>Doll</strong> Dealers<br />
Association. Another anticipated feature of these <strong>NADDA</strong><br />
shows must be the special exhibit staged during the run of<br />
the show. The most recent exhibit displayed at the <strong>San</strong><br />
<strong>Francisco</strong> <strong>NADDA</strong> Show, entitled “One Hundred and One<br />
French Bebes”, exceeded everyone’s expectations by far.<br />
Jim Fernando, veteran antique doll dealer and <strong>NADDA</strong>’s<br />
West Coast Education Chairman, assembled a collection of<br />
French bebes so varied and complete that it simply must be<br />
shared here with the antique doll collectors that were not<br />
fortunate enough to attend the show, held this past April.<br />
Due to the sheer volume of examples that were showcased,<br />
we have decided to share the dolls in several issues, so that<br />
you, the reader, may enjoy the same leisurely viewing pace<br />
that attendees experienced, while feasting your eyes upon<br />
luxurious bebes by makers such as Thuillier, Bru, Jumeau,<br />
Steiner and others.<br />
In this issue, we begin with the breathtaking bebes of<br />
the Bru firm in tribute to Jim Fernando himself, his efforts<br />
in creating a more than memorable special exhibit and his<br />
obvious, boundless love for and dedication to these lovely<br />
dolls. Mr. Fernando acknowledges that the success of the<br />
exhibit would not have been guaranteed without the<br />
generosity of those <strong>NADDA</strong> dealers that loaned their dolls<br />
to be displayed, along with several private collectors that<br />
participated as well.<br />
The Executive Board and the membership of <strong>NADDA</strong> extend<br />
heartfelt gratitude to you, the collector, for your loyal<br />
attendance and sincerely hope you enjoy “One Hundred<br />
and One French Bebes”.<br />
Bru Jne 2 from the<br />
Casimir Bru era<br />
features an original,<br />
commercially fitted<br />
costume in red silk and<br />
lace. Note her artfully<br />
sculpted bisque arms.<br />
Bru Jne 1 from the<br />
Casimir Bru era with an<br />
all leather body with<br />
lower bisque arms.<br />
Apart from her exquisite<br />
small size, her ice blue<br />
eyes are her most<br />
commanding feature.
Previous page:<br />
Top: Bru Jne 14 from the Henri<br />
Chevrot era that stands an<br />
impressive thirty-six inches tall …<br />
proof that beauty does appear in all sizes.<br />
Bottom left: Bru Jne 5 from the Henri Chevrot<br />
era shown nude to illustrate the Chevrot-patented<br />
body design and its artful construction. This<br />
desirable example retains a paper label.<br />
Bottom right:Bru Jne 3 from the Casimir Bru era<br />
illustrating the simple design of the earlier, all kid<br />
leather (with bisque arms) body style.<br />
This page from top left:<br />
Bru Jne 11 from the Henri Chevrot era. This especially<br />
lovely example retains her original wig along with all<br />
of her original beauty.<br />
Bru Jne 14 from the Henri Chevrot era. This is the<br />
classic Bru face with visible molded tongue that<br />
collectors have been known to clamor for.<br />
Note the exquisitely subtle brow, lash<br />
and lip painting.<br />
Bru Jne 10 on the earlier Casimir Bru<br />
era body style. Note her<br />
prominent tongue . . .<br />
no “hint” here.
From top left:<br />
Bru Jne 10 from the Henri<br />
Chevrot era. The composition of blue<br />
eyes, blue silk, blond hair and ecru silk<br />
creates a stunning presentation that<br />
must be deemed irresistible.<br />
Bru Jne 7 from the Henri Chevrot era whose body<br />
features articulation of the lower wooden legs and<br />
bisque forearms, while her torso is comprised of<br />
grass-stuffed, white kid leather. A truly remarkable<br />
example of beauty and originality, her charming and<br />
whimsical Commedia dell Arte costume is obviously<br />
commercially constructed and no detail has been<br />
overlooked, a claim proven by the silk mask she<br />
holds in her hand.<br />
Another Bru Jne 10 from the Henri Chevrot<br />
period proves you can’t have too much of a<br />
good thing. Her long blonde tresses<br />
complement her classical Bru face.
From top left:<br />
Bru Jne 8 from the Henri<br />
Chevrot era. This elegant child<br />
has graced more magazine covers<br />
than perhaps any other Bru in<br />
history and the reasons should be<br />
quite evident.<br />
A breathtaking example of a Bru<br />
Jne 8 from the Henri Chevrot era.<br />
Her exquisite loveliness is<br />
matched by her costume in a<br />
beautiful floral silk pattern.