Celebrity Favorites: Marlene's Mascots

Marlene Dietrich holding her Lenci dolls.

A  Lenci Doll Collector article--for Lenci doll collectors

June 2006 - updated July,

Dear Reader,

I had seen the early photo of Marlene Dietrich with the dolls, many times and never thought much about the photo or the context. I assumed it was a posed shot by the studios and that the dolls in the photo did not have any particular significance. I was wrong.

Since I have been learning about famous Lenci dolls made by Madame Elena Di Scavini of Torino, Italy, and their early history, I became more curious about the dolls in the photo with Marlene Dietrich. Following some deeper research, I discovered that they were indeed both Lenci dolls. I also learned of the deep significance these two dolls, her mascots, held for her. They represented much more to Marlene than mere good luck mascots.  They had been given to her by a man who changed her life forever, who made a star,  bringing her fame and fortune and making her highest paid female star of her era.

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