Billie Figurine (Stand Up)
M2005.007.024
c. 1973-1980
Figurine of Billie the Brownie. Standing upright. Body made of plaster or other type of casting material. Face and hair hand painted. Wears an olive colored vest with a light green turtle neck underneath accompanied with red sleeves. Has a cloth cap that comes loose from the head and is red and green. Has black gloves, but the figure’s hand is mishaped. Thumb is included, but the rest of the hand is oval formed. Appearance is similar to how a hand would look if wearing mittens. Boots are flesh colored and pointed up at the tips, similar to elven boots.
After aquiring the rights to Billie the Brownie in 1962, Gimbels Midwest revived the popular holiday icon in 1973 with a marketing campaign that included the creation of 80 Billie figurines, which gave the holiday elf a new look. The figurines were used as advertising props in Gimbels storefront windows and displays. Five figurines were donated as part of the Gimbels archives to the Historical Society in 1984.
Thank you to Arthur Bischoff for adopting this artifact! This support enhances our Collections Department’s artifact preservation program. Learn more about our Adopt An Artifact program.
