Madame Alexander – The Queen of American Doll making

Few names in doll history carry the weight and prestige of Madame Alexander.

From royal coronations to fairy tales and fashion icons, her dolls have graced collections around the world for nearly a century—and we’re lucky to have many beautiful examples right here at My Doll Cottage.

With a history as rich as the dolls themselves, MadameAlexander isn’t just a brand—it’s a legacy.

Who Was Madame Alexander?

Beatrice Alexander Behrman, better known as Madame Alexander, founded the Alexander Doll Company in 1923 in New YorkCity. Born to Russian immigrant parents and raised above her father’s doll hospital, Beatrice developed a love for dolls early on and a vision for something more refined than what was available at the time.

She believed dolls could be more than just toys—they could inspire imagination, teach etiquette, reflect history, and even promote cultural understanding.

She was right.

A Legacy of Firsts

Madame Alexander was a true pioneer in the world of dollmaking:

• First to create a doll based on a real person, launching a series of     composition dolls of famous figures like Queen Elizabeth II, Scarlett O’Hara, and the Dionne Quintuplets.

• First to make fashion dolls that were high-quality, poseable, and beautifully dressed, laying the groundwork for brands like Barbie that came after.

• One     of the first companies to design multicultural dolls at a time when diversity was rarely represented.

Highlights of Our Collection

At My Doll Cottage, our Madame Alexander display includes a wide variety of her signature styles—from classic hard plastic dolls of the 1940s–50s to beautifully crafted modern editions.

Some favourites from our collection include:

• Cissette & Elise – Stylish 10"-15" fashion dolls with elegant gowns and rooted hair, perfect examples of 1950s glamour.
• Wendy & the 8” Series – The adorable little girl dolls that captured hearts with themes like nursery rhymes, international costumes, and holiday editions.
• Storybook Dolls – Including Little Women, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland, each dressed in meticulously detailed outfits.
• Historical Figures & Royalty – Queen Elizabeth II coronation dolls, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Civil War-era heroines.
• Vintage Hard Plastic Dolls – Highly collectable and known for their beautiful faces, sleep eyes, and classic mid-century styling.

Each doll tells a story—not just through its costume, but through the legacy of Madame Alexander herself.

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What Makes Her Dolls So Special?

Collectors and historians alike admire Madame Alexander dolls for their:

• Impeccable quality – Hand-finished details, fine fabrics, and expressive faces.
• Educational and cultural value – Many dolls were created to mark historic events or teach about world cultures.
• Emotional connection – For many, they represent treasured childhood memories or family heirlooms.

Madame Alexander dolls remain a favourite for collectors because they are not only beautiful, but also built to last—physically and emotionally.

Still Going Strong

Though Madame Alexander passed away in 1990, her company has continued, adapting to new generations while preserving the artistry and values she cherished. Modern Madame Alexander dolls now include baby dolls, play dolls, and collectible lines with a nod to the original vision.

Visit the Display

Whether you grew up with a Wendy doll or are just discovering this iconic brand, our Madame Alexander collection is a trip down memory lane. It’s one of our most nostalgic and beloved displays—and a testament to the impact of one woman’s imagination on generations of play.

Come explore the legacy of Madame Alexander, and fall in love all over again with dolls that never go out of style.

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With love
Shyloh

Tales from the youngest daughter of adoll collector — raised on Milo, Vegemite, and more antiques than a country opshop.

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