Doll

Prior to 1889, Anatole Danel and Jean-Maire Guepratte worked for the Jumean doll-manufacturing company: Danel served as the director of sales; Guepratte headed the production of glass eyes for the dolls and doll shoes. In 1889 the two resigned from their positions and, with other businessmen, started a doll-manufacturing company of their own called Danel et Cie. The new firm began business producing a bisque-head doll it named and trademarked as Paris Bebe. Within a year, the Jumeau firm filed a suit against its former employees, claiming that the Paris Bebe copied its own Bebe Jumeau. At first, the French court dismissed Jumeau's suit, but the firm appealed. In late 1891, the French court ruled that Danel et Cie engaged in unfair competition against Jumeau and ordered the destructions of all molds, machinery, and tools used in the production of the Paris Bebe. Danel et Cie filed papers in spring 1892 to dissolve its business. Doll collectors prize the Paris Bebe doll for its rarity and quality.