Not currently on display at the V&A

Baby Mae

Doll
1906-1908 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The doll belonged to Londoner Beatrice Isaac (b.1893) who attended school at North London Collegiate. When she was about 16 the pupils were asked to dress a doll during the holidays, with the aim of then donating them to charity. Beatrice liked her doll so much she decided to keep it, with the clothes that she had made. The doll was bought at Rackstraw on Upper Street and its shoes and socks, together with a hat that does not survive, were purchased in a shop off Chapel Market. All the other clothes were made by Beatrice herself. The name, Baby Mae, is reputed to have been on the doll's original box. Beatrice Isaac went on to become a teacher in London and ended her career as Deputy Head at Gifford Street School.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBaby Mae (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Moulded bisque and composition with sewn textiles
Brief description
Bisque headed doll, fully dressed, made in Germany by Simon & Halbig in about 1907
Physical description
A bisque socket headed doll with composition jointed body and limbs. It has blue glass sleeping eyes and a brown mohair wig. The clothes consist of a link knitted woollen vest, white cotton combinations, white flannel knickers, white cotton and lace petticoat washing silk blouse and pinafore with yellow trim, socks and brown shoes.
Dimensions
  • Height: 48.2cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
S&H Simon & Halbig 6½ (on back of head)
Credit line
Given by Miss Beatrice Isaac
Object history
The doll belonged to Londoner Beatrice Isaac (b.1893) who attended school at North London Collegiate. When she was about 16 the pupils were asked to dress a doll during the holidays, with the aim of then donating them to charity. Beatrice liked her doll so much she decided to keep it, with the clothes that she had made. The doll was bought at Rackstraw on Upper Street and its shoes and socks, together with a hat that does not survive, were purchased in a shop off Chapel Market. All the other clothes were made by Beatrice herself. The name, Baby Mae, is reputed to have been on the doll's original box. Beatrice Isaac went on to become a teacher in London and ended her career as Deputy Head at Gifford Street School.
Summary
The doll belonged to Londoner Beatrice Isaac (b.1893) who attended school at North London Collegiate. When she was about 16 the pupils were asked to dress a doll during the holidays, with the aim of then donating them to charity. Beatrice liked her doll so much she decided to keep it, with the clothes that she had made. The doll was bought at Rackstraw on Upper Street and its shoes and socks, together with a hat that does not survive, were purchased in a shop off Chapel Market. All the other clothes were made by Beatrice herself. The name, Baby Mae, is reputed to have been on the doll's original box. Beatrice Isaac went on to become a teacher in London and ended her career as Deputy Head at Gifford Street School.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.412-1985

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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