Doll:Francisque Poulbot Street Child

Artist and illustrator Francisque Poulbot worked in Paris in the first half of the 20th century. He gained prominence during World War I for the patriotic posters and postcards he designed and for his drawings of the street children in the city's Montmartre section. In 1913 S.F.B.J. offered 14-inch dolls with bisque heads (marked 239) from molds sculpted by Poulbot. These dolls featured startlingly bright red mohair wigs and forlorn expressions resembling the children the artist found on the streets of Paris. The dolls wore simple clothing designed by Poulbot's wife. The dolls sold for a short period of time: they were found in Paris ads dated 1913 and 1914.