Posted 9 years ago
Leahmezulis
(1 item)
My grandparents purchased about 50 Madame Alexander dolls in the 50's, 60's and 70's. All different sizes, bent and straight knees. As I pulled them out of storage, I noticed that some of the dolls have "issues". I'd love advice!
My daughter doesn't like them, (into American Girl) so I was just trying to find the best way to store them for next generation. Unfortunately, they sat on my childhood shelves collecting dust for 10 years. Then they were stored for 25 years in heavy duty dress boxes, wrapped in white tissue paper, only one layer deep, in the attic in Georgia. Now they are in the top of closet here in Florida, since I didn't want the humidity to effect them. Here are my questions...
1. Am I storing them properly.(box and tissue) If not, what is an inexpensive way to prep them for storage.
2. One of the dress colors have "run" into the apron part of the dress. The first pic, doll on the right. It's a mauve/red dress, I don't think the dolls have ever been wet, so it might have been the heat. Should I clean it? Send it to someone? What would I clean it with?
3. I also noticed that some of the older ones have lost their head/legs. I think the bands that held them together split. Should I just store them or invest in getting them fixed before I store them?
4. The Tulle on some of the wedding dress as well as the blue "puff" on the doll in the last pic is FILTHY. Should I clean it? it's just dust. How? The dolls themselves were never/rarely played with so they are clean. It's just the dresses and accessories.
5. I have one "collectors" book, by Patricia Smith in 1997, but for curiosity sake, I'd like to identify all that I have. Could you recommend a book/site that has pictures as well as recent values, in the event that my daughter decides to eventually sell them.
If you need additional info, my email is leahmezulis@hotmail.com
Thank you so much for your expertise!
2nd doll I can not see face but dressed like Marme fron "Little woman" all the small dolls are bent knee wendy kins . Condition is everything in dolls in today's market , The prices in your book are out dated and likely show prices higher than they sell for today . The internet dropped doll prices drastically .
I have to see others upright to see faces better .
Cleaning tulle is risky it generally will fall apart if aged . I would test the end of ribbon and see if it will stay together . When you wash it it looses it sizing and becomes soft generally . The string of dolls to store is not needed and bent knee dolls are tricky to string . The dirt on clothes may cause them to deteriorate so I do see a few wendy kins that could have their dress's gently cleaned . Store in a place that is not high humidity and I use acid free paper wrap and leave in open box not a air tight tub. You might take them outside and maybe a breeze will blow dust off them. Values are varied on your dolls and because they are in fair condition . Wendy kins with bent knee's are preferred over straight leg ones
Bent knee's can be a walker head turn when legs are moved or just a bent leg The date from 1956-72 . The earliest are the walkers .
I meant straight leg is most sought after it was 1st one produced
Thank you for your insight, Manikin. I didn't think about the sizing, good point. The ones that I dare to clean, what should I use? water only? Woolite?
I plan on photographing all of them to attach to the outside of the storage box. Is there a site to visit to identify them? I think I have the Sound of Music Set as well, but the book I have didn't include pics of the set. Where would I find identifying numbers or lettering?
Can I get the acid free paper at Michaels? or would Wal-mart have it?
I don't think any of them are walkers.
Do you think I could use a hair dryer- no heat-to dust them off?