Posted 12 years ago
di10119
(1 item)
This doll was given to my mother who then gave it to me. It belonged to my Great Aunt Jane - probably from the late 1930s.
I have no idea what her name is, but she says "The Mary Hoyer Doll" on her back. I think she has her original dress, petticoat, silk pantaloons, lace hat, little socks and shoes. Her eyes open and close and they are a beautiful brown.
If you know anything about her - share with me. I'd love to find out more so I can tell my niece when I pass this beautiful doll along to her.
Beautiful composition Mary Hoyer doll from 1940's. She has desirable what we call root beer eyes(amber) vs bluegreen color, she has a mohair wig . Her dress does not look like a Mary hoyer pattern dress but well homemade dress . Her factory clothes had a Mary Hoyer tag in seam inside , These dolls you could buy clothes for direct from Mary Hoyer Store In Reading PA or she made many patterns to knit for them and also cloth clothes that came in kit to sew them dress's , many accessories were sold by her store . I love Mary Hoyer dolls and you will see one of mine if you look under my posts . The Composition dolls gave way to her making them out of Hard Plastic and they are marked a bit different saying Original Mary Hoyer Doll . They are very collectible and are sought after although the prices on them came down in past year . beautiful doll ! Thanks for sharing her . I have 6 of them :-) not counting several I have sold .
Here is link to mine I have posted
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/47866-mary-hoyer-doll-composition-1940s?in=user
I also have the first one she sold posted with painted eyes they were unmarked .
Mary Hoyer doll info link
http://dollreference.com/mary_hoyer_dolls.html
I should add her dolls were also sold with just under garments and schools .churches ect professionally dressed them sometimes . Often dressed as Nuns and ethnic clothes so yours could have been dressed professionally so you could say her clothes are original to her although not a Mary Hoyer pattern or factory dress . Be careful storing composition , they can crack or get lines in them , they don't like moisture or extreme hot and cold changes . I keep mine in a climate controlled room not in an attic or basement .
Thank you for this info, how interesting! And I love your pictures too! I am not sure how to store her, I have her wrapped loosely and then placed in a trunk in my living room, laying down. Someone told me she should be sitting up, but I don't want her to get dusty sitting out on a shelf. She is really perfectly beautiful, no cracks or lines or anything - and I want to keep her like that! Any suggestions for storing properly?
Store her laying face down . These prevents her eyes from falling back and loosen . She has been stored very well so whatever your doing keep doing :-) Sounds like a good place for her in the trunk . She is just stunning ! There is so much to Hoyer story but I would have to fill 3 pages to tell it all. You have a very prized doll !