By the 1930s, Madame had both a doll factory and a storefront. Beatrice added composition dolls to the line and started creating doll characters from popular books and movies, like LITTLE WOMEN, SCARLETT O HARA, and ALICE IN WONDERLAND. In the 1940's she was a pioneer of a new material in the doll world, hard plastic, which is still the durable and beautiful finish that is used on todays dolls. It is here that she had achieved her dream of an unbreakable doll. With hard plastic dolls in the line , the 1950's was a highlight in the world of Madame Alexander. She became a fashion creator with the introduction of her full figured 10" CISSETTE and 21" CISSY. And Madame's most popular and treasured doll the 8" WENDY-KIN, which all still remain in the Alexander Doll Line today. Major department stores were selling Madame Alexander dolls. In 1951, 1952, 1953, and again in 1954 she won the Fashion Academy Gold Award for the best doll fashion designs.
By the 1960's her INTERNATIONAL COLLECTION, STORYBOOK DOLLS, and BABY DOLLS like HUGGUMS, PUSSYCAT, and VICTORIA all had become well known names in every household. Madame's mission was founded on the belief that dolls should engage the imagination and bestow a child's happiness and joy as they enhanced their understanding of the world. Works of literature, the arts and the different cultures of the world were inspirations for many of her creations. Under Madame Alexander's direction, The Alexander Doll Company introduced a series of "firsts" that have shaped the doll industry! Ultimately, her perfectly dressed dolls came to reflect the evolving lifestyles and dreams of the 20th century.
Madame Alexander has become World Renown for making the most beautiful Dolls in the World. In 1986, at the age of 91, Madame Alexander received Doll Reader Magazine's first Lifetime Achievement Award. F.A.O. Schwarz Toy Store honored Madame Alexander's 65 years as the First Lady of Dolls with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Madame Alexander's Name was entered into the Toy Industry's Hall Of Fame in 2000, and her dolls into the Smithsonian Institue and the Brooklyn Children's Museum. And displayed throughout the world by many private collectors, both adults and children that truely appreciate the quailty, detail, and unending new designs. Madame Alexander Dolls have become a doll collector's dream doll. Madame Alexander Dolls have become one of the most cherished and well-known play dolls. Madame Alexander Dolls have been passed down and enjoyed from generation to generation, and have stood the test of time and to become a favorite classic collectible and play toy.
Beatrice Alexander Behrman died October 3 1990 at the age of 95. In the summer of 1995 The Alexander Doll Company was acquired by the Kaizen Breathrough Partnership, a private capital fund managed by Gefinor Acquisition Partners and sponsored by Gefinor, an international merchant banking group. The have been successful in introducing many new collections to the Alexander Doll Line like WIZARD OF OZ DOLLS, DISNEY DOLLS, BIRTHDAY AND CHRISTMAS DOLLS, and many new play styles including a popular CLOTH DOLL LINE. Madame Alexander now produces the most loved and sought after characters dolls like FANCY NANCY, ELOISE, MADELINE, and RAGGEDY ANN. Today her love of dolls, fashion, and new horizons continues through the new company's dedication to what the name, "MADAME ALEXANDER" really stands for.
To maintain the best care for your Madame Alexander treasure, it is best to encase your doll upright on a stand whenever possible. Laying the doll for extended periods of time affects the blinking ability of the eyes. Also, do not store your doll in a damp area and avoid direct sunlight and severe heat.
A bit of ivory soap and a soft cloth rag can be used to wash/clean hard plastic and vinyl body parts. The same soap, but with a toothbrush, can be used to brush away the dirt gathered on a cloth body.
Clothing must be washed by hand in a basin of warm water, Woolite, and a bit of Era. Never scrub the clothes, rather squeeze or knead until the soil comes out. Rinse in warm water. After washing, do not wring, but squeeze excess water out. To dry, attach the outfit to a hanger with safety pins at the shoulder seams. Press with warm iron.
Keep clothes and hair dust free with a damp cloth.
Do not submerge dolls in water.
If the doll gets marked up, immediately after the action, use some ivory soap and a bit of Era or Woolite and wash the mark off right away.
For Doll Hospital contact dollhospital@alexdoll.com or 212 283-5900
