Madame Beatrice Alexander Behrman (1895-1990), more commonly known by the name Madame Alexander, is a true American original.
Not only is she accredited as the founder of Madame Alexander Doll Company, but also as the First Lady of dollmaking of the twentieth century.
Having grown up in her stepfather’s doll hospital on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Alexander believed dolls should be played with and loved—without breaking like the porcelain dolls of her time, and without sacrificing details or quality.
In 1923, with a $1,600 loan, she established the Alexander Doll Company in a one-room studio, employing her sisters and neighbors, a total of 16 people.
With the advent of plastic after World War II, Alexander made dolls with vinyl heads and elaborate hair that could be styled. She introduced “eyes with lashes that closed and fingers with knuckles” and rooted hair that could be styled.
Alexander also created designer clothing for the dolls which received international attention.
In 1936, Fortune magazine listed the Alexander Doll Company as one of the top three doll manufacturers in the United States; the company would go on to become the largest dollmaker in the country, operating out of several factories and employing 1,500 at its peak.
In 1947 the artist began producing dolls from hard plastic, and in the 1960s turned to vinyl plastic, which rendered a more lifelike appearance.
As a pioneering businesswoman and exquisite doll designer, Madame Alexander shaped the doll industry with her revolutionary innovations and vibrant vision.
She viewed dolls as valuable learning tools that could teach children empathy, compassion and responsibility.
This passion to make high-quality dolls that could be played with and loved led Madame Beatrice Alexander Behrman to create the premier American doll brand we still know and love today.
More of Madame Alexander’s beautiful doll creations can be found at https://madamealexander.com/ and https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/alexander-beatrice.
Humoring the Goddess 
From my heart. 💗 It seems like it would be easy, putting self first, but when you’ve gone a lifetime of not doing that, it takes focus and intention, and strength. I am glad to be by your side.
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Your words are perfect. Really. We wait too long to do creative things for ourselves. To do ANYTHING for ourselves. I’m right by your side!
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You deserve it! You offer such beautiful artistic gifts and inspiration in this space. Enthusiasm, yes! I understand, I spent many years teaching and encouraging others with their writing, enthusiastically. A few years ago, I decided it was time for me! It’s ok, all those experiences contributed to who we are and make our creativity that much sweeter and wiser. ✨
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Ha! You make me feel wonderful! I think the only qualification one needs to be an amazing anything is enthusiasm! My only problem is that I probably started being enthusiastic 60 years too late!
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Right you are. She sounds like an amazing businesswoman, which is even more impressive given her times. I have some old family dolls-cherished items. You are an amazing art curator. Thank you!
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And with creepy doll movies and Halloween decorations it’s hard to show them in a positive light. I just thought she filled a very unique niche.
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I love this story. Thank you so much for sharing!
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I’m not a doll collector but I never knew she was one of the top creators!
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Interesting story! Bravo her! Vintage dolls can be creepy. There is a restaurant in Phoenix that used to be an old store – the basement has an area packed with old dolls. 😱 Creepy and cool!
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When I was 9 my mother gave me a Madame Alexander baby doll named Kathy. I still have her 61 years later. Although the elastic has long since stretched out of her little pantaloons, I still remember finding her with my other birthday presents. I still treasure this lovely doll, and she is perched on my dresser, and I look on her with fondness and good memories.
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Love the dolls!
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Awww…. thank you GrannyMoon!!
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💗
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Reblogged this on GrannyMoon's Morning Feast.
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