French doll markings may or may not appear on antique french dolls. Doll marks generally began appearing in the late 1800s when competition with other manufacturers brought more legal disputes.
Earlier antique French doll heads did not have letters or initials. Then it moves through a phase from a simple number indicating a size, then initials, full names and even stamps appear on heads and bodies of the dolls. Some will have labels sewn onto the leather of the body or sewn onto ribbons of their factory made dresses. Such dress labels in these modern days can only authenticate the dress.
Index of Initials in French Doll Markings
Below we have created an index of some known marks that might be found on the dolls, their dresses or shoes, boxes or labels. Each table has the name of the manufacturer on the left, a mark, and hopefully an authentic source that published the mark to help indicate when it was first registered or a time period it could be found on the market. Some have been listed twice under different letters to help find them more easily.
This is not an exhaustive list of French doll markings and is a current work in progress that will be updated over time. An effort is being made to link to antique published sources that are now in online archived digital databases so that you may see the source of the mark and judge for yourself the accuracy of the information.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
Sources for viewing French Doll Trademarks
Among the sources to see the French doll trademarks that Antique Doll Journey enjoys using are:
- the Annuaire-Almanach du Commerce
- the French INPI.fr site’s archives under the category MARKS and then “toys” by click J for “Jouets.”
French Doll Markings – A
Name | Mark | Year of Mark | Source |
Henri Alexandre | 1886 | INPI.fr – in archives image #212 in set for “jouets” Annuaire-almanach du commerce | |
Henri Alexandre (see “Lafosse”) | Bébé Phenix | 1888 | Annuaire-Almanach du Commerce. |
Adolphe | Bébé Nouveau Articulé | 1887 | INPI.fr – in archives image #198 in set for “jouets” |
Adolphe | Bébé Mignon Articulé | 1888 | INPI.fr – in archives image #200 in set for “jouets” consult Annuaire-Almanach du Commerce 1888 |
French Doll Markings – B
Name | Mark | Year of Mark | Source |
Ernest Ballu | Bebe Olga | 1896 | archives.INPI.fr – in “jouets” set of images from 1857-1900 image #422 |
H. Barre | HB | 1892 | Annuaire-Almanach du Commerce |
P. Batthias | PB | 1892 | Annuaire-Almanach du Commerce |
Bernheim et Kahn (interesting article here) | Etoile Bebe | 1904 | archives.INPI.fr – in “jouets” set of images from 1900-1910 image #112 |
Bernheim et Kahn | Bebe Mondain | 1906 | archives.INPI.fr – in “jouets” set of images from 1900-1910 image #220 |
Jacques Berner | Bebe Moujik Marque deposee J. B. | 1888 | INPI.FR – in archives image 130 of set under “jouets” |
Charles Bertrand | 1878 | archives.INPI.FR image #130 of set under “jouets” | |
Charles Bertrand | Ondine | 1878 | archives.INPI.Fr image 125 of set under “jouets” |
Bortoli Freres (Brothers) | IDEAL BEBE | 1895 | archives.INPI.fr – in “jouets” set of images from 1857-1900 image #390 |
la Societe Fleischmann et Bloedel | Eden Bebe | 1890 | archives.INPI.fr – in “jouets” set of images from 1857-1900 image #280 |
Jules Bonieux | JB | 1879 | INPI.fr – in archives image 137 of set under “jouets” |
Claude Valery Bonnal | Bebe L’Unique | 1904 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1900-1910 for toys (jouets) image #123 |
Claude Valery Bonnal | Bebe Le Radieux | 1904 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1900-1910 for toys (jouets) image #124 |
Claude Valery Bonnal | Bebe Le Glorieux | 1904 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1900-1910 for toys (jouets) image #125 |
Claude Valery Bonnal | Bebe Le Petit Francaise | 1904 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1900-1910 for toys (jouets) image #126 |
Claude Valery Bonnal | Bebe Le Special | 1904 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1900-1910 for toys (jouets) image #127 |
Adolphe Bouchard | AB | 1890s | |
Leon Casimir Bru | A | ||
Leon Casimir Bru | 1869 | trademark #23330 at INPI.FR | |
Bru Jeune et Cie | |||
Bru Jeune et Cie | BRU JNE BEBE BRU | 1892 1889 | Annuaire-almanach du commerce |
Bru Jeune et Cie | 1883 | archives.INPI.fr in set of for “jouets” dating 1857-1900. image 181 | |
Henri Chevrot | Bebe-Bru | 1886 | advertisement in the Catalogue Illustre du Salon (inside front paper cover for December) |
see “Paul Girard” | Bebe Bru | 1891 |
French Doll Markings -C
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Cosman Freres (Brothers) | Bebe Favori Bebe le Favori | 1891 | archives.INPI.fr in set of for “jouets” dating 1857-1900. See image #313 and 314 |
Cosman Freres (Brothers) | Splendide Bebe | 1893 | archives.INPI.fr in set of for “jouets” dating 1857-1900. See image #352 |
Monsieur Catusse (Clement Edmond Catusse) | Bebe Favori | 1893 | archives.INPI.fr in set of for “jouets” dating 1857-1900. See image #354 |
French Doll Markings – D
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Danel et Cie | Paris Bebe Paris Depose | 1889 | archives.INPI.fr in set of for “jouets” dating 1857-1900. See image #269 |
Danel et Cie | Paris Bébé Brevete | 1889 | archives.INPI.fr in set of for “jouets” dating 1857-1900. See image #270 |
Danel et Cie | Paris-Bebe | 1891 | Annuaire-Almanach du Commerce |
Danel et Cie | Paris Bébé | 1889 | archives.INPI.fr in set for “jouets” dating 1857-1900. See image #271 |
Danel et Cie | Bébé Française | 1891 | archives.INPI.fr in set for “jouets” dating 1857-1900. See image #309 |
SFBJ – See below under “S” | DEP | ||
Alexandre Dehors | A. D. | ||
Alexandrine Deropkine | A. d’E | 1886 | |
Etienne Denamur | ED | ||
Etienne Denamur | Le Bambin | 1891 1893 | Annuaire-almanach du commerce |
Delcroix | 1887 | INPI.fr – in archives image #231 of the set for “jouets” | |
Delcroix | PAN | 1887 | INPI.fr – in archives image #232 of the set for “jouets” |
Delcroix | PARIS G. D. | 1887 | INPI.fr – in archives image #233 of the set for “jouets” |
Delcroix | H. D. PARIS | 1887 | INPI.fr – in archives image #234 of the set for “jouets” |
Derroland | D | 1890 | Derolland Toy House 1890 catalog and here |
French Doll Markings – E
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE 1889 | 1888 | INPI.FR – in archive image #243 of set for “jouets” |
French Doll Marks – F
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Adolf Fleischmann | A. F. | ||
la Societe Fleischmann et Bloedel | Eden Bébé | 1890 | archives.INPI.fr – in “jouets” set of images from 1857-1900 image #280 |
la Societe Fleischmann et Bloedel | Bébé Triomphe | 1898 | archives.INPI.fr – in “jouets” set of images from 1857-1900 image #456 |
Blance Fouillot | L’Ideal | 1906 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #213 |
French Doll Marks – G
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Francois Gaultier | FG | ||
Pierre Bois Gill’O | LA POUPEE QUI DESSINE INVENTION DU BERGER NAVARRAIS | 1898 | archives.INPI.fr for set of marks from 1857-1900 see image #463 |
Paul Girard | Bébé Bru | 1891 | archives.INPI.fr for set of marks from 1857-1900 see image #303 |
Paul Girard | Bébé Bru | 1891 | archives.INPI.fr for set of marks from 1857-1900 see image #304 |
Jean-Marie Guepratte | Bébé Soleil | 1891 | archives.INPI.fr for set of marks from 1857-1900 see image #308 |
Louis Guillet | Amour Bébé | 1896 | archives.INPI.fr for set of marks from 1857-1900 see image #427 |
la Société Gutmann & Schiffnie (of Nuremberg) | Bébé Avenir | 1907 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1900-1910 for toys (jouets) image #352 |
French Doll Marks – H
French Doll Marks – I
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
French Doll Marks – J
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Joseph Joanny | J. J. | 1907 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1900-1910 for toys (jouets) image #327 |
Emile Jumeau | Paris Depose | 1891 | archives.INPI.FR – in set of marks for “jouets” from 1857-1900. see image #307 |
Emile Jumeau Factory | BÉBÉ JUMEAU | 1886 | archives.INPI.FR – in set of marks for “jouets” from 1857-1900. see image #213 |
La Societe E. Jumeau et Cie | BÉBÉ PRODIGE | 1896 | archives.INPI.FR – in set of marks for “jouets” from 1857-1900. see image #417 |
La Societe E. Jumeau et Cie | BEBE JUMEAU | 1896 | archives.INPI.FR – in set of marks for “jouets” from 1857-1900. see image #418 |
La Societe E. Jumeau et Cie | BEBE JUMEAU | 1896 | archives.INPI.FR – in set of marks for “jouets” from 1857-1900. see image #419 |
La Societe E. Jumeau et Cie | Fabrication JUMEAU France | 1896 | archives.INPI.FR – in set of marks for “jouets” from 1857-1900. see image #420 |
La Societe E. Jumeau et Cie | Jumeau box design with label at top | 1896 | archives.INPI.FR – in set of marks for “jouets” from 1857-1900. see image #421 |
French Doll Marks – K
Name | Initials in Marks | Words & Mold # Marks | Year | Source |
French Doll Marks – L
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Amédée Onésime Lafosse (STEINER) | LA PARISIEN | 1892 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1857-1900 for toys (jouets) image #331 |
Marie Lafosse (STEINER) | Bebe Phenix | 1895 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1857-1900 for toys (jouets) – see image #384 |
French Doll Marks – M
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
La chambre syndicale des Fabricants de Jouets français (Alexis Chauvin) the Trade Union Chamber of French Toy Manufacturers | MARQUE DÉPOSÉE ARTICLE FRANÇAIS | 1888 | Le Jouet français |
May Brothers (Freres) | BEBE MASCOTTE | 1890 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1857-1900 for toys (jouets) image #281 |
Jules Mettais (STEINER) | BABY | 1899 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1857-1900 for toys (jouets) image #502 |
Jules Mettais (STEINER) | PHENIX BABY | 1899 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1857-1900 for toys (jouets) image #503 |
Jules Mettais (STEINER) | BEBE LIEGE | 1899 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1857-1900 for toys (jouets) image #504 |
Jules Mettais (STEINER) | POUPEE MERVEILLEUSE | 1899 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1857-1900 for toys (jouets) image #509 |
Jules Mettais (STEINER) | BEBE MODELE | 1901 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1900-1910 for toys (jouets) image #19 |
French Doll Markings – N
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Hippolyte Naneau | Centil Bebe | 1905 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #164 |
French Doll Marks – O
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
French Doll Marks – P
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Pelletier | France | 1892 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1857-1900 for toys (jouets) image #332 |
D. Pierrat | D. P. depose | 1886 | Annuaire-Almanach du Commerce |
French Doll Marks – Q
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
French Doll Marks – R
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Wannez & Rayer | BEBE LOULOU | 1891 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1857-1900 for toys (jouets) image #311 See Le Radical, December 14, 1891 page 4 ads |
Caroline Rivaillon | Bebe Model | 1900 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1857-1900 – image #515 |
Roullet & Decamps or la Societe Roullet et E. Decamps | L’Intrepide Bebe | 1893 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1857-1900 – image #341 |
Roullet & Decamps | RD | 1908 | Annuaire-almanach du commerce |
French Doll Marks – S
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Schmitt et Fils – M. Schmitt & C. Schmitt (Henri Maurice Schmitt and son Charles Schmitt) | 1877 | File 28278 in INPI.FR Image 93 also see Annuaire-almanach du Commerce | |
P. H. Schmitz | BEBE MODERNE | 1893 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1857-1900 – image #351 |
Société Française de Fabrication de Bébés et Jouets | UNIS FRANCE | ||
la Societe Francaise de Fabrication de Bebes-Jouets | BÉBÉ PARISIANA | 1902 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #36 |
la Societe Francaise de Fabrication de Bebes-Jouets | BÉBÉ MODERNE | 1903 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #61 |
la Societe Francaise de Fabrication de Bebes-Jouets | BÉBÉ PARFAIT | 1904 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #121 |
la Societe Francaise de Fabrication de Bebes-Jouets | Eden Bebe | 1905 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #148 |
la Societe Francaise de Fabrication de Bebes-Jouets | SFBJ | 1905 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #177 |
la Societe Francaise de Fabrication de Bebes-Jouets | Paris Depose | 1906 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #225 |
la Société anonyme du Comptoir General de la Bimbeloterie (the Public Limited Company of the Trading Post of Fancy Goods) | Poupon Parisiana | 1905 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #157 |
la Société anonyme du Comptoir General de la Bimbeloterie | Bebe Parisiana | 1905 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #158 |
la Société anonyme du Comptoir General de la Bimbeloterie | Poupee Parisiana | 1905 | archives.INPI.FR in set of images for Jouets from 1900-1910 – image #159 |
Jacques Adolphe Sommer | 1886 | INPI.fr – in archives in archives in set for “jouets” for those ranging from 1857-1900 image #203 | |
Jules Nicolas Steiner (also see Lafosse or Mettais) | 1869 | INPI.FR – in archives in set for “jouets” for those ranging from 1857-1900 image #21 | |
Maison J. Steiner (also see Lafosse or Mettais) | click on the year ☞ | 1887 | Annuaire-Almanach du Commerce |
Jules Nicolas Steiner (also see Lafosse or Mettais) | Le Petit Parisien Bebe J. Steiner | 1889 | INPI.FR – in archives in set for “jouets” for those ranging from 1857-1900 image #273 1897 Annuaire Officiel des Jouets |
French Doll Marks – T
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Sylvain Thalheimer et Cie | BEBE TENTATION | 1900 | INPI.FR in archives for Jouets from 1900-1910 image #1 of the set |
French Doll Marks – U
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
French Doll Marks – V
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
M.M.P. Vercasson et Cie | POUPEE SANVER’S | 1903 | archives.INPI.FR – in archives for jouets set of images from 1900-1910 image #74 |
Vervier et Cie | Bébé Le Select | 1899 | archives.INPI.fr – in set for “jouets” for those ranging from 1857-1900 image #496 |
Vervier et Cie | Bébé Metroopole | 1899 | archives.INPI.fr – in set for “jouets” for those ranging from 1857-1900 image #497 |
Vervier et Cie | Bébé Monopole | 1899 | archives.INPI.fr – in set for “jouets” for those ranging from 1857-1900 image #498 |
Vervier et Cie | Bébé Excelsior | 1899 | archives.INPI.fr – in set for “jouets” for those ranging from 1857-1900 image #499 |
French Doll Marks – W
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
Wannez & Rayer | BEBE LOULOU | 1891 | archives.inpi.fr in image set from 1857-1900 for toys (jouets) image #311 See Le Radical, December 14, 1891 page 4 ads |
French Doll Marks – X
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
French Doll Marks – Y
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
French Doll Marks – Z
Name | Mark | Year | Source |
If you believe any mark in these tables is labeled incorrectly, feel free to contact “Antique Doll Journey” and let us know. If you know of a brand and an antique source that shows it published that is not yet in our charts, please feel free to let us know.