C. M. Bergmann founded his doll manufacturing business in 1888 in Thuringia, Germany. The C stands for Charles according to Coleman’s “Collector’s Encyclopedia of Dolls.” Coleman makes no mention as to source.
C. M. Bergmann Doll Marks
Dolls from the C. M. Bergmann factory will have different marks. Some of the incised marks will include Bergmann’s name or initials such as “CMB” or “C.M. Bergmann.”
Bergmann used doll heads made by other manufacturers such as Simon & Halbig (S&H), Armand Marseille (A.M.), and Kammer & Reinhardt (K&R). Therefore the Bergmann mark on the doll would also include under or above it the doll head’s manufacturer.
Some dolls may have an eight pointed star label.
Jointed Doll Trademark
Bergmann applied for a trademark in 1908 of a blimp with two flags and the words “Jointed Doll” on the hanging basket.
Photo credit: Warenzeichenblatt. Research Room of the DPMA -Germany
Louis Wolf & Co.
Cinderella-Baby
Both Cieslik’s and Coleman’s Doll Encyclopedias mentions a “Cinderella-Baby” trademark the claim belongs to Bergmann. Cieslik shares a visual logo for the word mark claiming it was from 1897 while Coleman claimed it was registered in 1892. Both describe how Louis Wolf & Co. registered the mark in the United States. Antique Doll Journey contacted the DPMA of Germany regarding this trademark to learn more. The DPMA kindly checked for us and replied by private email with images and information that the Cinderella Baby trademark #22907 was applied for but rejected. Upon inspection of the image, one sees characters that resemble Snow White and the Seven dwarves rather than a “Cinderella” which is probably why it was rejected.
Cinderella-
The Official gazette of the United States Patent Office (v.79 1897:Apr.-May) shows the wordmark 29,931 as “CINDERELLA-” without the word “baby” filed March 31, 1897 by Louis Wolf & Co. of Boston, Massachusetts and New York, NY as a trademark for dolls and dolls’ costumes. The registration claims the word was used since December, 15, 1892. The trademark registration announcement does not mention C. M. Bergmann.
1893-1896 Leuchs
Leuchs Addressbook for All Countries (1893-1896) gives the listing for Bergmann as, “Doll Factory.: *Bergmann C. M., wholesale, export. Spec.: ff. Ball joint dolls.”
1897 Kelly’s Directory
Kelly’s Directory of Merchants, Manufacturers, and Shippers in 1897 listed C. M. Bergmann alongside Eisenstadt & Co., Kestner jun., Heinrich Handwerck, Kammer & Reinhardt, and others.
1897 – 1900 Leipzig Trade Fair Address
The Offizielles Leipziger Mess-Adressbuch (Official Leipzig Trade Fair Address Book) in 1897 and 1900 gave this listing, “Bergmann, C. M., Waltershausen (Thuringia), Fine ball-jointed dolls. O.-V. Department store, Gewandgässchen, Gew. 18.). (Today the Gewandhaus is a concert hall.)
Another listing in the 1900 addressbook simply reads, “Bergmann, C. M., – Waltershausen. – Kaufhaus. Gewölbe 18.”
C. M. Bergmann Patent of 1900
Patentblatt announced patent in the 37th issue on September 12, 1900, “139671 Ball-jointed doll with ball pins attached directly to the body frame and lateral incisions in the same that are not visible from the front. C. M. Bergmann, Waltershausen., 11/8 1900. — B. 15339.” (page 950)
C.M. Bergmann Patent of 1901
Patentblatt published (translated) the announcement #166061 Ball joint for dolls with slots for the cross pins for the rubber cord in the balls that are movably mounted in the pelvis and knee. C. M. Bergmann, Waltershausen. (Kugelgelenk für Puppen mit den Quer- stift für die Gummischnur aufnehmenden Schlitzen in den beweglich im Becken und Knie gelagerten; Kugeln. C. M. Bergmann, Waltershausen. 7/12 01. B. 18243)
1927 Playthings Magazine
C. M. Bergmann provided a full page ad in the 1927 Playthings magazine. The ad featured a typical illustrated German factory at the top and a large photo of 12 numbered dolls. They announced a doll factory in Thuringia, Germany established 1888 telling readers to send for samples and price list. Three of the dolls have Bergmann’s eight pointed star trademark on their dresses.