Saturday, May 16, 2009

Collecting, Part 1

I guess I'm officially a collector of cloth dolls, though there's really no rhyme or reason to my collection. I just buy the dolls I like that don't cost an arm or leg (just a digit or two). Tonight I took some photos for an upcoming article in the ODACA newsletter, and thought I'd post them here. Most of these dolls I've purchased on eBay. Maybe one of you can tell me something about the mystery dolls in my collection...

This doll is one I know quite a bit about. He's an older Martha Chase doll, and the first vintage cloth doll I acquired. Chase dolls are connected to the history of the nursing profession - precursors of the Resusci-Annie training mannequins used today.Then there are the molded face dolls. The doll on the left is an Ella Smith Alabama Baby. The one on the right is a Philadelphia Baby. This one's obviously not in the best shape, but I love her anyway.Next are the felt dolls. The only one I know anything about is the Lenci doll in the middle. I love his pouty face. I hope to find a replacement leather shoe some day. I know nothing about the two dolls flanking him, but believe them to be from the same era.This one is a Bruckner Topsy Turvy doll. The teeth on the black doll are a little scary.And last is a group of little dolls. I think the one in the middle is a Lenci Mascotte doll. The seated girl in the green lounging jammies is an Italian doll, labelled Magis. The doll on the far right has a tag that says "Munecas MARY Madrid."
Let me know if you can identify some of these dolls. I still have a few dolls to photograph, and will get those added eventually.

3 comments:

Dixie Redmond said...

You have a very nice collection! Tempting me to fly from one corner of the country to the other and ask to seem them. You would say, "Who is that strange woman with the white streaks in her hair knocking on my door?" I would come bearing gifts of some kind, I promise. ;-)

Atticbabys said...

Wow Deanna what a wonderful collection you have!!! If I had to pick a fave , I'd choose the little pouty Lenci with one shoe... I'm in' love! Thanks for sharing them!
Nan

momstheword said...

I wish I could see the pictures but my computer is acting up or something. All I see is a white box with another little box in the middle! I bet they're adorable though!