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Lady Acrobats
 
by Judith Lile and Jim Sneed

The Schoenhut Lady Acrobats

The Lady Acrobat was made with both a bisque head (same as the Lady Rider) and a one-part head. It seems plausible that a composition head Lady Acrobat was made using the heads of the early composition Lady Riders, but none have been seen.
 

 

 

 

 

(Need photo)

Composition head Lady Acrobat

This design may exist but we haven't seen one. Is there one in your collection?

Keller Style I - Unknown


Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Jim Sneed

Bisque - head Lady Acrobat

The Lady Acrobat is known in both the bisque and one-part head versions. Early ones were made with gold tone rickrack and gold paste decorations on the front of her suit. Sometimes the legs were painted red to simulate leggings.
Keller Style II - Very Scarce


Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee

Lady Acrobat, bisque - head, red leggings
 and sleeves

This very pretty bisque head lady acrobat features red-painted sleeves and leggings. 
Keller Style II - Rare


Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Andy Yaffee

 


Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Norman Cole

Lady Acrobat, bisque - head, red leggings

The braiding used on this example is black with orange highlights.
Keller Style II - Scarce


Photo by Andy Ourant, courtesy of Noel Barrett Auctions

Bisque - head Lady Acrobat in green


Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Susan Turner

Lady Acrobat, bisque head, yellow hair, purple suit


Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Susan Turner


Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Susan Turner

One-part head Lady Acrobat

The last Lady Acrobat was the one-part composition head. Due to hand painting, the face features can vary quite a bit from sample to sample.


Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Susan Turner


Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Vicki and Mike Smith

One-part head Lady Acrobat

Keller Style III - Scarce


Photo by Jim Sneed from the collection of Vicki and Mike Smith