AZO How has the doll been packaged in her lifetime, do you have dolls in their original packaging?

IAK Yes I do, Lilli came in a clear plastic cylinder. The cylinder itself is now has a high value in addition to the doll.

AZO What are some distinguishing features of the Lilli dolls that are distinct from those manufactured in Hong Kong?

IAK First of all the quality of the plastic and the painting of Lilli is much better. Lilli has no marks. Some Hongkong Lillis have marks. If she is dressed, her clothes have snaps with the marking PRYM. There are different face paints depending of the year and the woman who did the painting. They are very easily to identify from the Hongkong Lilli, because the plastic is much better quality and the large Lillis are spray-painted). The make-up of the eye painting is not so harsh as the Hongkong Lilli. Miss Seventeen (Marx) was directly modeled from Lilli because Marx bought the rights from Hausser in ‘61 to produce the Lilli doll under license for the American and Asian market. So she is the mother of modern fashion dolls.

AZO Which are your favorite Lilli dolls?

IAK My stewardess and the Lilli Marleen outfit are my favorite

AZO Is Mr Hausser still alive?

IAK Yes, he must be 95 now.

AZO When did production on Lilli dolls end?

IAK The production of the large Lilli stopped after having sold the patent in 61. The small one was still produced till 63-64.

AZO How do you display your dolls, do you live with them around you? or have you made a separate space for them?

IAK Yes, I live with them and display them in some vitrines (glass cabinets) on every floor in my house. A lot of small Lillis I display in a 1950’s bungalow in a Plexiglas case and in other settings, for example a flower shop, bar, fashion shop, grocery store, electric shop in their own room. I call this my “50’s museum”. The small Lillis are from their size very good to display in structures from the 50’s.

AZO Can you let the readers know of any exhibitions you have had your dolls exhibited in? In your opinion/knowledge, where is the best collection of Lillis to be seen....

IAK From 1999 to 2002 my Lillis were displayed in many locations in Germany, mostly museums, among them the reputed Nürnberg toy museum. This

Bild Lilli continued

traveling exhibition was called " 40 Jahre Barbieworld - vom deutschen Fräuleinwunder zum Kultobjekt in aller Welt" The German "Fräuleinwunder" means the doll Lilli, that symbolizes the new German female picture.

AZO Can you recommend publications for our readers to look further into this wonderful doll?

IAK Yes, the first book that dealt with Lilli was from Stefanie Deutsch. The book was published in German by Battenberg. Her Barbiebook in English appeared 5 years later in 1996 "Barbie the first 30 years " (Collector Book ISBN 0-89145 6651) and had 17 pages with Lillidolls and their outfits. What a pity, but the new edition doesn't refer anymore to Lilli. There is also a book entitled "40 Jahre Barbie World - Vom Deutschen Fräuleinwunder zum Kultobjekt in aller Welt"(ISBN 3-88190-229-9 5- Info Verlag).That book is the catalog about an exhibition that took place in many cities in Germany. One chapter focuses on Lilli and the Fifties and was written by me. The latest book about Lilli was issued a couple of months ago and is named "Deutsche Modepuppen der 50er + 60er Jahre" by Silke Knaak (in English and German). I contributed a lot of pictures from my collection as well as my knowledge about Lilli. Silke has two web sites: www.Barbies.de and www.Lillies.de.

Inge kindly gave us a sneak preview of dolls she has lent to the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, UK, for their up and coming exhibition “Guys & Dolls” April 23rd to June 12th 2005.