During the 1990s as an unfocused doll collector, baby dolls
and toddlers were included in my multitude of doll purchases. If their medium was vinyl, that was a plus; and
of course, if their complexions were deep and their aesthetics pleasing, they
interested me enough to purchase.
German-made Lissi Batz dolls usually fell into this
category. Several Lissi Batz dolls were
sold through the Home Shopping Network (HSN) during the 1990s with Tina Berry
most frequently hosting the shows. As an
avid HSN doll show viewer, Tina did not have to convince me to dial their 800
number to order Lissi dolls. All I
needed was the item number.
After discovering that none of my books or other published
works thoroughly document Lissi Batz dolls, I decided to create a two-part blog post
series about them. This post, the first
of the two, will focus on the Lissi Batz dolls that use molds made in West Germany and Germany (after West and East became one country in 1990).
About the Lissi Batz
dolls in my collection:
With the exception of the all-vinyl “unknown toddler,” all
West Germany and German-made dolls have vinyl heads, ¾ vinyl arms and legs;
brown cloth bodies that are signed “Lissi Batz” by Anneliese “Lissi”
Schirdewahn-Batz. Each doll has a hang
tag which bears its name and a group image of Lissi dolls. The West Germany and German-made dolls also
have a certificate of authenticity (COA), the back of which illustrates four
generations of doll makers from an 1851 fixed-limb doll through a 1958 plastic
doll. A full-length picture of each doll
is also included with the historical development of dolls on the back. On the nape of the neck of Lissi dolls are
her initials "LB" enclosed within a triangle.
 |
| The West Germany-made dolls’ Certificate of Authenticity
(front) and back of COA (click to enlarge any photo) |
 |
| Close-up of Unknown Toddler, described above. |
Unknown Toddler
Height: 26 inches
with bent baby legs
Hair: Short, black
rooted
Facial Characteristics:
Brown sleep eyes with closed, smiling mouth
Head and body: Head
and arms are soft vinyl, body and extremities are rigid plastic.
Clothing: Redressed
in infant’s size 3-6 months mint green and light blue check romper and
white high-top baby shoes
Other: This doll was
purchased from another collector during the mid-1990s and probably dates back
to the 1980s. She bears the LB initials
within a triangle on the nape of her neck below which are the numbers 70/20
~~~~~~~~~~
 |
| Scan from BD Book II |
Rhea (whose
location cannot be determined, which is the reason I used a scan from Black
Dolls an Identification and Value Guide, Book II by Myla Perkins):
Height: 19-3/4 inches
with straight legs
Hair: Black rooted
hair styled in two side ponytails with bangs; ribbons that match dress accent
hair.
Facial Characteristics:
Brown sleep eyes, closed mouth.
Clothing: Pink polka
dot dress with lavender polka dot overdress, white pantaloons, white socks,
black vinyl Mary-Jane style shoes.
Marked: Made in West Germany (prior to the reunification of Germany),
released in April 1992 sold through the HSN
 |
| Sheerah |
Sheerah
Height: 21 inches
with bent baby legs
Hair: Black rooted
hair styled in two side ponytails with bangs; has pink and lavender ponytail
holders
Facial Characteristics:
Brown sleep eyes; open mouth with two upper molded/painted teeth.
Clothing: Lavender
dress with blue floral-print mock overdress, white pantaloons, white socks,
black vinyl shoes
Extra: Has white
wooden doll
Sheerah came with a doll stand and was made in Germany in
the Lissi Doll Factory in April 1992.
Purchased through HSN’s outlet after having sold out through the HSN
shopping channel, I went through great lengths with multiple phone calls to
have the outlet locate and sell this doll to me.
~~~~~~~~~~
 |
| Lanie |
Lanie
Height: 21-1/2 inches
with straight legs
Hair: Light auburn
hair styled in one top ponytail with the rest hanging loose
Facial Characteristics:
brown sleep eyes, closed mouth
Clothing: Peach
floral-print dress trimmed in white ruffled fabric, white pantaloons, white
socks, black Mary Jane shoes
Extra: Has white
wooden doll and doll stand
Made in Germany in June 1992 in a limited edition of 1000
pieces; this is doll #48; sold through HSN.
~~~~~~~~~~
 |
| Aletha |
Aletha
Height: 22 inches
with bent baby legs
Hair: Black rooted
hair styled in two side ponytails and one top ponytail with bangs; white satin
ribbons accent ponytails.
Facial Characteristics:
Brown sleep eyes; pouty mouth
Clothing: White lace
dress, gold hoop earrings, white socks with ribbons tied at ankles (no shoes)
Extra: Came with a
blue ribbon that bears a headshot of Lissi Batz and a doll stand.
Made in November 1994 as a limited edition of 500 pieces in
Germany; sold through HSN, the last HSN Lissi doll made in Germany that I
purchased.
Part 2 will be published, Thursday, October 24, 2013.
dbg
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