Posted 15 years ago
mjvess
(1 item)
My Mom passed away last year at the age of 91. These cuties were in one of her dresser drawers. The boy is a bit taller than the girl and they all seem to have the same wardrobe except one boy who is missing his felt hat and their ties are different. The clothes look hand sewn to me, there is some metal (maybe pewter?) peeking out from under the red paint on the shoes, and I think the hands are metal too. Their faces are painted and have very fine cracks. The back of their heads don't have paint and seem to be like a clay. Their heads and legs and arms move maybe on wire. The bodies are wrapped in like an ace bandage type of fabric. The clothes are a felt and cotton mix with accents of embroidery yarn. I was going to give them to my granddaughter to play with...and then thought better. I can't seem to find anything about their history on the Web or how much they might be worth even though I think I've looked at over 1,000 pictures of vintage dolls! There are no markings so I am curious if these were handmade for just one little girl or if they were mass produced for tourists. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks so much!
German doll house dolls but actually tourist dolls or novelty dolls. They are appear to be Celluloid faces and have floss hair . They would date about 1900-1930 . They are Manufactured and wearing factory original clothes . There is most likely a number or symbol on back of their necks or middle of their backs to exactly who made them . But it would be a German manufacturer. Value would be about 20 -30 per doll but they are not highly collectible as ethnic dressed dolls .
Very cute and I would not let them be toys better off on a shelf -) here is a similar one not exact same but you can base your dolls on her .Oh the leg wrapping would be part of costume of dolls .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-GERMAN-Celluloid-Costume-Doll-w-Pillbox-Hat-Blonde-Hair-Lace-Clothing-/320812848497?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab1ef9571#ht_500wt_1014
Thank you so much! Yes, better behind glass for sure :) I appreciate you taking the time to educate me. I wish now I knew where my Mom got them from. Take care and have a blessed new year!
Your welcome :-) lots of these dolls were sent here by service men to their families and or a family member or friend brought them with them from a trip . Then there were also companies in US that sold these so it was one of the above .
Lovely little treasures to keep and pass along in family
Bless you and a happy new year to you !