Children and French Bisque Dolls

Mary Louise McLean with her French bisque fashion doll, known as a poupée, in 1872. Taken in Cincinnati, Ohio by Vincent. Mary Louise was the daughter of General Nathaniel Collins McLean, a Union Civil War General, and his second wife, Mary Louise Thompson. This French bisque doll would have been an expensive toy - most dolls seen in late-19th century photos were German-made and much more affordably priced. These photos were both purchased on eBay, but from different sellers and several years apart. In one of the photos she is smiling, which is a rare sight in photos from this era.