Bucherer SABA Mutt & Jeff “The Wonderful Contortionist Doll” Swiss Dolls *SOLD*

Bucherer SABA ca. 1925 Mutt & Jeff “The Wonderful Contortionist Doll” Swiss Dolls

This is a ca. 1925 set of Mutt & Jeff “The Wonderful Contortionist Doll” dolls that were manufactured by Amriswil and Cie Bucherer Doll Company/SABA of Amriswil, Switzerland

This is a set of 2 metal fully articulated figures with composition heads, hands, and molded feet. The felt of their costumes is in great condition, we suspect that the clothes may not be original but if they aren’t someone did a beautiful job recreating the clothing.

These pieces are in great to excellent all original condition with no breaks, restorations, repairs, or touch-ups. These pieces show the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that is to be expected from age and display. Mutt is approximately 8” H and Jeff is approximately 6 ½” H. We encourage you to examine the photographs to further determine condition and quality.

A brief history of A. Bucherer & Cie Doll Company/SABA of Amriswil, Switzerland:

1921-1935

Founder: August and Cie Bucherer

The Bucherer Doll Company of Amriswil, Switzerland made over 160 different character dolls that were articulated with their patented metal ball jointed body with composition heads from 1921 to 1935.  Their line of “The Wonderful Contortionist Doll” dolls would feature many pop culture character figures from the 1920s and 1930s such as the Katzenjammer Kids, Mutt and Jeff, Happy Hooligan, Jimmy Dugan, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Rabbit, Charlie Chaplin, Amelia Earhart, William Hart, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Santa Claus/Belsnickel, and clowns Koko and Saba. The company also carried basic animals and everyday people like a Black man, chauffeurs, Coldstream Guards, cowboys, farm ladies, pilots, policemen, sailors, firemen, and minstrels.

These dolls were marketed under the name “SABA” dolls. This is an acronym for Speilwarenfabrik August Bucherer Amriswil meaning August Bucherer’s Amriswil, Switzerland toy factory. Dolls are well marked on the torso of the body “Made in Switzerland”.