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Posted 10 years ago
AzTom
(212 items)
This doll is 17 inches tall and is marked "Minerva" on the front and "Germany" under a "5" on the back. The head is heavy tin or pressed steel as car guys call it.
Manikin, After this one just two more to go,lol
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Need to clear up that acne problem first! Legs don't look like they hinge the right way either.
I knew she was a Minerva before I saw heading . They did metal (tin) head dolls and in fact I have one like her that has been restored . It came from my Grandma's sister in Conquest Sask. Canada Phil :-)
Metal Head Dolls If their paint had been as sturdy as their composition of metal these dolls would survive indefinitely. Heads molded from a sheet of tin (or metal), they are usually found on kid leather or all cloth bodies.
Tin heads were sold separate from bodies, advertised in many old catalogues, therefore an old cloth hand made body is appropriate.
The most familiar name relating to tin head dolls is Minerva. They were manufactured 1894 through 1925 and perhaps a little longer. Registered trademark in the U.S. by A. Vischer & Co. and in Germany by Buschow & Beck.
These were German made dolls usually on a kid leather and cloth body . Your body maybe a replacement since you could order just heads and sometimes Moms made bodies. Many companies including Borgfeldt and Louis Wolf & Co. distributed Minerva. Old Sears and Roebuck catalogues had many illustrations of these near indestructible dolls over a period of nearly 25 years.
Tin Or Metal Head Dolls were sold with painted hair, painted eyes, glass eyes and mohair wigs. There is also a sleep eye version. They were also more affordable than the bisque dolls.. They do not have a high value in today's market however they deserve their place in history . That is why mine was drove here 20 plus years by my parents from Conquest Canada to keep her in family .
I will post mine tomorrow so you can see one restored ok :-)
Blunder I believe she was put on a later body but that was way they were hinged the round part is bent a bit but the body is more from 1920-1940 . Head is older . Her arms are not original either ,they do not match body so a Mom made it up for her head from parts . Does not really decrease price . But then they do not sell for much today even in good shape .
@Phil my Family settled in Conquest and some in Ardath in early 1900 . My Grandmothers oldest sister moved there as a young girl and that family branch is still there what is left of them .
Thank You Mani. I figured you would know this one. The Body, Legs and arms are all made of the same material and have the same type stitching in the seams. I would say professional stitching for sure. The stitching holding the arms on is another story, using green thread and rather crude.
It does not sound like it would be worth restoring, even doing it myself. It can be a project for the next generation.
I agree the body is factory and arms replaced . However I believe the body to be newer than doll . But it is correct to be on her since you could just buy heads so many different bodies are found on her . It would not be cost effective to redtore her . Keep her as she is for future :-))))))
Now that I know I couldn't hurt the value I washed her up some. Looks a little better. New photo added.
Thanks Again
She looks better already ! Careful wiping paint on eyes of painted dolls and eybrows it can wash off . If your handy and can match paint you could touch her up :-) but I like the her fine just as she is . She was loved and played with and likely had many baths by the little girl who washed her face a lot :-) Priceless
She's staying as is. I'll get another one posted soon.
I added a new photo. I was going through some old toy catalogs that the dealers ordered from in 1919 and came across my doll. It shows several sizes, explaining the #5 on the back. That prices my doll at $3.00 per dozen,lol