Industry Toys and dolls | ||
Founder Beatrice Alexander aka Bertha Alexander Headquarters New York, New York, U.S. Key people Gale Jarvis (president 2013) Owner Madame Alexander Doll Company, LLC | ||
Madame Alexander is a brand of American collectible dolls introduced in 1923.
Madame Alexander was also the business name of Beatrice Alexander (1895-1990), who was born Bertha Alexander, later changed her name to Beatrice, married Philip Behrman and then started her doll business. She was an American entrepreneur who created the first "collectible" dolls based on a licensed character – Scarlett O'Hara from the book and movie Gone with the Wind. She was also one of the early creators of mass-produced dolls in honor of living people, with dolls of the famous Dionne quintuplets in 1936 and a set of 36 Queen Elizabeth II dolls to commemorate the 1953 coronation celebrations in Britain.
Other popular dolls have been 'Pussycat'—a large baby doll dressed in fine coat and dress, a Mary, Queen of Scots Portrait Doll, Heidi, the characters from Little Women, and a series of international dolls in native costumes. She has created many topical doll series, such as "The First Ladies of the United States," depicting each in her inaugural gown, as well as "The Opera Series", a "Fairy Tale Series", and many more.
Her 8" Wendy doll, introduced in 1953, is still being made today and is considered to be a valuable collectible.
A December 2005 article in Forbes magazine analyzed the most popular American toys by decade, with help from the Toy Industry Association. The Madame Alexander collectible dolls led the list for the 1920–1929 decade, beating out even the yo-yo.
Alexandra Fairchild Ford is a line of 16" collectible fashion dolls for adult collectors.
As of 2009, Madame Alexander has begun creating dolls for Dollie & Me, which specializes in matching clothing for girls and dolls. In June 2012, the Madame Alexander Doll Company was sold to Kahn Lucas, owners of Dollie & Me.
The Madame Alexander Doll Club is separate from The Alexander Doll Company, but the company supports club efforts by creating new limited edition dolls for club events. The club holds events and conventions all over the US. The club also publishes a quarterly magazine for members called The Review.
As of 2013, Gale Jarvis, president of Madame Alexander Doll, announced that Isaac Mizrahi of Xcel Brands will "create a selection of Madame Alexander dolls, doll apparel and doll accessories under the Isaac Mizrahi New York label." The "doll collection will launch at the American International Toy Fair in New York in February" 2014.