EXECUTIVE MUSEUM-QUALITY INVESTMENT PIECE

Original 1929 "Gladdie" American Art Character Doll

Designed by Sculptor Helen Webster Jensen — Produced in Germany for George Borgfeldt

HISTORICAL PROVENANCE & SIGNIFICANCE

Presenting an exceptional, highly coveted artifact from the Golden Age of character doll design: the authentic 1929 "Gladdie" doll. Sculpted by the celebrated American portraitist Helen Webster Jensen (a standout alumna of the Art Institute of Chicago), Gladdie represents a monumental departure from traditional antique doll making. Rather than standard stoic or passive expressions, Jensen poured her mastery of human anatomy and portraiture into this model, capturing a radiantly joyous, laughing child—complete with expressive laughter lines, deep cheek dimples, and an open smile showcasing delicately modeled upper teeth and tongue.

Commissioned by the prominent George Borgfeldt firm of New York in 1929, the production of these complex earthenware heads was outsourced directly to Master German artisans, making this a true cross-continental work of art. As Helen Webster Jensen specialized strictly in monument and portrait bust sculptures, Gladdie stands historically as the ONLY doll model she ever produced in her lifetime, patterned lovingly after the visage of her own daughter. Examples of this doll reside in the permanent collections of the world's finest institution archives, including the prestigious Strong National Museum of Play.

EXPERT VISUAL & ARCHIVAL CONDITION REPORT

•Head Assembly: The molded earthenware portrait head is in magnificent condition, retaining a beautifully preserved, matte, lifelike complexion with vibrant, original blushed cheeks and delicately painted short brows. The inset blue glass sleep-eyes remain bright, clear, and perfectly seated.

•Sculptor Inscription: The reverse neck flange features an exceptionally deep, crisp, and fully legible stamped hallmark signature reading: "Gladdie / Copyright By / Helen W. Jensen / Germany".

•Torso & Garment: Features the original, firmly stuffed cloth torso with a visible, clean central machine seam in structurally excellent condition. The doll comes dressed in its period-authentic, cream-and-yellow polka dot drop-waist sun dress, complete with original heavy-gauge metal-snap fasteners along the upper back closure.

•Limbs & Patina: The disc-jointed composition arms and legs are completely original, showcasing an honest, unmanipulated antique patina. The bottom of the foot features the crisp, factory-incised mold number "34". In line with the material properties of 100-year-old composition, there is visible superficial crazing, paint lifting, and surface flaking primarily across the forearms and lower legs. A notable historic split is present down the side of the left forearm, and minor age-related composition chipping is visible around the shoulder joints. No modern repairs, touch-ups, or modifications have been performed.

COMPREHENSIVE DIMENSIONS

Total Height: Approximately 17 to 19 Inches

Form: Soft-body torso with fully articulated jointed composition limbs.

SHIPPING & ARCHIVAL PACKAGING

This investment-grade piece will be packed with elite museum standards, utilizing acid-free archival tissue wrapping, heavy-duty cushioning, and double-boxing to fully safeguard the earthenware head and delicate composition limbs during transit. Full carrier insurance and signature tracking are included.