In 1875 the annual almanac of commerce for France announces Alexandre Rabery (A. Rabery) (Rabery-Delphieu) as the son-in-law and successor fro Delphieu, manufacturer of dolls (poupees) at an address of Vieille-du-Temple, 88. Alexandre Rabery had married Berthile Delphieu, daughter of Jean Delphieu who owned the doll manufacturing business located at Vieille-du-Temple, 88. Early in 1870 Alexandre Rabery became a commercial employee in official lists.
The Pocket dictionary of Parisian addresses lists their address in 1878 at Vielle-Temple, 88.
In 1881 the French Annual Almanac of Commerce lists Rabery-Dephieu. The listing says they manufactured wooden dolls, in white and pink skin tones, articulated and straight, unbreakable and wooden babies, dolls and dressed babies, outfits, layettes, marrottes. They listed an address at Vielle-du-Temple, 88.
Rabery-Delphieu Awards
In 1878 the Official Catalogue with the list of awards for the International Universal Exhibition of 1878, in Paris; (Ministry of Agriculture and Trade) mentions that Rabery-Delphieu won an honorable mention.
The French journal, The Hall of Fame: Illustrated Weekly Newspaper (Le Panthéon de l’industrie : journal hebdomadaire illustré) wrote about Rabery & Delphieu in September of 1883. An exhibition of manufacturers had recently occured in Amsterdam where R-D won a silver medal. The journal wrote that people returning from the Amsterdam exhibition spoke of the marvels of the collections of puppets, dolls, and baby dolls exhibited, especially those by the Parisian house, Rabery-Delphieu of 19, rue des Archives.) The article went on to say that a baby doll from the Rabery-Delphieu house had a trousseau that costs hundreds of francs, but they delivered their baby dolls at exceptionally moderate prices.
The writer continued to boast that Mr. Rabery-Delphieu had given more exquisite grace to the features of the dolls, improved their clothings, and even given greater truth to their movements and attitudes. One significant claim describes the hand movement of his dolls showing that the Rabery-Delphieu dolls had jointed moving wrists in 1883.
In 1888 the Figaro newspaper announces Rabery’s address as 19, rue de Archives. The listing describes the Rabery house as a superb showcase of articulated and talking baby dolls in front of which all the families stop and all the children smile.
Jumeau, Rabery, and Bru
In December of 1889 the Rabery bebe dolls receive equal attention to Jumeau and Bru dolls in an announcement of a grand bazaar at the Louvre in Paris. The large toy exhibition showcased the latest novelties including French made baby dolls – Jumeau, Rabery, and Bru (first prize at the exhibition). The add appeared in The Memorial of the Pyrenees (political, judicial, industrial and announcements). A similar illustrated ad appears in the December 24, 1889 issue of L ‘Indépendant des Basses-Pyrénées.
In 1889 Rabery-Delphie won a Diploma of Honnor at the Exposition of Mustapha-Algiers.
In 1892 R.D. advertises a trademark with Bebe de Paris arched over the R. D. initials. (Click here to see the trademark – zoom in to view it better.)
The Fire of the Bazar de la Charite of 1897
In 1897 tragedy occurred at the Charity Bazaar or “Bazar de la Charite” organized by the Catholic church. Many aristocracy attended. Many wooden structures went up for the construction of the bazaar’s exhibitions. A projected moving picture was part of the attractions that brought many people into a small space where a fire occured on May 4, 1897.
Louis Genty’s wife Bethe Josephine Rabery’s body was found at the site. She was listed among those who died in the fire. The French newspaper, Le Progress (10 May 1897) listed Mrs. Rabery of 63, rue des Archives, her mother, as missing. They had accompanied one another to the Bazaar. See the famous front cover image of the fire here as illustrated in Le Petit Journal. Rescuers found Mme Genty’s body on Thursday evening under the porch of a building. They recognized her by a bracelet she wore.
The Funeral
The funeral for Berthe Genty and her mother was held on May 9, 1897 at the Saint-Jean-Saint Francois Church. Supposedly during the service, Rabery and Genty felt so much affliction they fainted. Several hundred people attended the service. The Genty’s had a 15 month old son at the time.
One might assume the tragedy greatly impacted the family. In 1898 the Rabery property of 63 rue de Archives went up for auction. The advertisement of the auction lists Alexandre Rabery as owner, Emile-Louis Genty, and Rabery’s grandson Paul-Edmond Genty.
About 125 others died in this tragic event.
Theimer’s Encyclopedia of French Dolls
This newspaper article that claims her body was found among the dead at the fire contradicts the description of her death written in The Encyclopedia of French Dolls by Francois & Danielle Theimer who wrote that Berthe died at home which is not true. There are too many sources reporting this terrible tragedy and many newspapers telling of Berthe’s death and funeral for such a fact to be so misrepresented in a this modern encyclopedia. Unfortunately the Theimers do not mention their source.
The Ending of Rabery-Delphieu Doll Making Business
In 1899 Louis Genty succeeded Alexandre Rabery in ownership of the business. The annual almanac of commerce lists him as Genty, L, son-in-law and successor at an address of 63, rue de Archives, Paris.
In 1899 Emile-Louis Genty sold the Rabery-Delphieu doll business to the SOCIÉTÉ PRANÇAISE de FABRICATION de BEBES et JOUETS (SFBJ). The “Bulletin Municipal Officiel de la Ville de Paris” describes what M. Genty brought to the Societe. This included the business of baby dolls, toys and porcelain articles, which it operates in its factories and stores. The document mentions the store located in Paris at rue des Archives, n 63, and in Limeil. This included the clientele and goodwill attached thereto, the name of “Bebes de Paris” and all other names under which the house was known, all trademarks, manufactures, patents and model deposits. The agreenment also included such things as the Rabery equipment, machines, tools, fittings and movable objects used for the manufacture, operation and sale.
Learn More
- If you would like to see other French doll trademarks, click here.
- Learn about the lesser known but very valuable French Halopeau doll here.
- Click here to read about Etienne Denamur, a French doll manufacturer during the same era as Rabery-Delphieu.