Antique Dolls

Gesso

Antique Dolls Admin — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 14:53:47 +0000

Gesso is a white paint mixture used to coat rigid surfaces as a permanent absorbent primer substrate for painting. It consists of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum, pigment, or any combination of these. It was often used on wooden dolls. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of antique gesso dolls including a Japanese male doll and a Midwestern folk art doll.

JAPANESE IKI NINGYO (LIVING DOLL) OF A MAN WITH A BELL MEIJI PERIOD

carved wood painted with gesso and pigment, inset glass eyes, real hair, with a bell and beater in his hands

Sold for £240 at Lyon & Turnbull in 2022

19TH C. WOOD AND FABRIC DOLL.

Early doll with carved wooden head with gesso and painted features and wood feet and hands, with a stuffed fabric body. Includes pinstripe dress and undergarments. 12.5”H.

Sold for US$375 at William Smith Auctions in 2022

Wood Jointed early 19th c Doll

9th c doll, Composition molded jointed head on composition shoulders. Jointed wood body with painted gesso. Blue eyes, blonde hair. Original dress, bonnet, loses to face and body.

Sold for US$250 at Merrill’s Auctioneers and Appraisers in 2022

19th Century French fashion doll with closed mouth. Fixed glass eyes with pierced ears, jointed wood arms and legs with gesso hands. Composite torso. Curly blonde wig with bow. 19th Century wig and satin dress with leather shoes. Clothing toned with stains. No markings found on head. Approximate length 21 inches

Sold for US$1,100 at Tremont Auctions in 2022

MIDWESTERN FOLK ART CARVED AND PAINTED WOODEN JOINTED LADY DOLL, the blue-eyed figure with solid head featuring painted features over gesso, applied human hair wig, solid body and solid jointed legs which swivel at the hips, with applied stuffed cloth arms. Fitted in period attire, including undergarments and leather shoes (one lacking). Possibly Indiana. Circa 1860-1885. 23″ HOA.

Sold for US$750 at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in 2022

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Straw

Antique Dolls Admin — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 08:06:46 +0000

Straw. Before modern soft fillings, straw was used to fill soft bodies on dolls. It was also, and still is, used for bonnets and other accessories.

Below are some examples and price guides of dolls and accessories which have used straw in their making including a stuffed bodied Parian doll.

Original 1928 Regal Charles Lindburgh Pilot “Our Lindy” Doll. Composition head with straw stuffed body. Has original flight suit and boots. Goggles have been added. Nice original condition. 30″ Excellent

Sold for US$800 at Milestone Auctions in 2023

Late 1880’s Parian doll, 15″, molded elaborate braided upswept hair, painted eyes, pierced ears with earrings, painted bow around neck, leather straw stuffed body

Sold for US$210 at Stephenson’s Auction in 2023

American Sweet Sue doll, hard plastic socket head, vinyl arms, blue sleep eyes, closed mouth, green satin dress, green rhinestone ring on finger, straw hat, silk stockings, black high heeled shoes (elastic stretched out), unmarked, 20″ h

Sold for US$200 at William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals in 2023

DOLL BONNET. Fine straw bonnet with intricate woven detail, shaped tall crown and three-inch deep brim, adorned with ivory silk ribbon, pastel flowers, sized for about eight-inch head circumference.

Sold for US$200 at Frasher’s Doll Auction in 2023

22″ early 1900’s handmade doll stuffed with straw, with yarn hair, button eyes, stuffed nose and sewn mouth. She wears a green dress with black trim and lace, white/red crocheted scarf, white undergarments and leather shoes.

Sold for US$350 at Apple Tree Auction Center in 2023

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Vogue Doll Co

Antique Dolls Admin — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:45:57 +0000

The Vogue Doll Co was founded by Jennie H. Graves in 1922 and was in production until around 1975. The company started as a small concern but became one of the largest doll manufacturers in the world. The company is best known for their Ginny dolls. The value of Vogue dolls depends on rarity, age and condition.

Below are some examples and price guides of Vogue Doll Co dolls including a black Ginny doll and a Native American composition doll.

Vogue Doll Co Maker’s Mark. Dolls were usually marked on the back of the neck with just the name Doll Co although the full name of the company would be given on the box and / or on a label.

Vogue Black Ginny Straight Leg Walker 7 1/2″ doll with dark brown mohair wig, brown sleep eyes, on five-piece walker body marked “Ginny/Vogue Dolls/Inc./Pat.Pend./Made in U.S.A.” Ginny wears an untagged organdy over pink taffeta dress with matching underpants, pink socks and center snap shoes. Wig is slightly mussed, facial color is excellent.

Sold for US$650 at Apple Tree Auction Center in 2023

8 in Composition Vogue Doll circa 1940s.

All original Jack with pail doll in original condition with box. Missing a button on his shirt with some surface dirt and stressed box in upper left hand corner. Other than that very good condition.

Sold for US$100 at Dotta Auction Co., Inc in 2023

VOGUE COWBOY DOLL WITH ORIGINAL LABEL 6″ TALL

Sold for US$25 at

Ledbetter Folk Art Auction in 2023

VOGUE GINNY 1953 DEBUTANTE SERIES “PAMELA”. 8”. Hard plastic, straight legs, blue sleep eyes, painted lashes, brown wig, tagged dress with green velvet bodice and pink organdy skirt and panty, attached petticoat, straw hat with flowers, green leatherette shoes, green vinyl purse with flowers, wrist tag, pink Vogue Ginny box.

Sold for US$200 at Frasher’s Doll Auction in 2023

Vogue Doll Native American Composition Boy Doll in Original outfit

Sold for US$90 at Raia Auctioneers, Inc. in 2023

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Mattel Inc

Antique Dolls Admin — Thu, 18 May 2023 17:24:04 +0000

Mattel, Inc. is an American multinational toy manufacturing company founded in January 1945 and headquartered in El Segundo, California. Mattel is mostly renown for the Barbie doll which debuted on March 9, 1959, going on to become the company’s best-selling toy in history. In 1960, Mattel introduced Chatty Cathy, a talking doll that was voiced by June Foray and revolutionized the toy industry, leading to pull-string talking dolls and toys flooding the market throughout the 1960s and 1970s. In 1961, Mattel introduced the Ken doll. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of Mattel Inc dolls including some Liddle Kiddle dolls and a Barbie fashion doll.

Mattel Inc Maker’s Mark

MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS DOCTOR OCTOPUS AND HIS SECRET SHEILD, SEALED, MATTEL 1984

Sold for US$35 at Dennis Auction Service, Inc. in 2023

Mattel Barbie Doll, Pink Ice

Limited Edition. First in a series. #15141.
In original box, unopened. Dimensions of box:

Sold for US$20 at Lion and Unicorn in 2023

Mattel Liddle Kiddle Dolls Larky Locket & Jiddle

Vintage 1960s Liddle Kiddle Calamity Jiddle #3506 with rocking horse (hair bangs have been cut). Also includes #3539 Lucky Locket Kiddle Larky (no chain), and outfits.

Sold for US$50 at Bayside Auctions in 2023

BARBIE MATTEL 1960’s Bubble Cut #3 Doll w/Box

Barbie height: 11.3″ Box measurements: 12″ x 10.5″. Marked Japan. Shows green at pearl earrings.

Sold for US$90 at Ararity Auctions in 2023

1962 Mattel Barbie Teenage Fashion Doll

1962, with original box, stand included, 11 1/2 inch doll, box measures 12 1/4 X 3 X 1 3/4 inches

Sold for US$160 at Matthew Bullock Auctioneers in 2023

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Barbie Dolls

Antique Dolls Admin — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 13:30:39 +0000

Barbie dolls are fashion dolls manufactured by the American toy company Mattel, Inc. and launched on March 9, 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration. Reference: Wikipedia.

Barbies have always been popular with children and have recently seen an interest from adult collectors, especially unusual Barbies or those from the sixties.

Below are some examples and price guides of Barbie dolls including a Wonder Woman doll and a brunette doll with a ponytail.

1965 MATTEL BARBIE & FRANCIE DOLLS TRUNK

Sold for US$460 at Les Collectibles in 2023

Vintage 1960’s Barbie. Normal wear for age. Comes in Barbie Reproduction Box. Measures 11.5″

Sold for US$550 at Bodnar’s Auction Sales in 2023

Vintage Mattel Barbie Doll, Wonder Woman

Collector Edition. #24638. Certificate of authenticity included.
In original box. Dimensions of box: 9.25″L x 3″W x 13.5″H.

Sold for US$60 at Lion and Unicorn in 2023

Matell Barbie Puppe Doll, 60ies, Made in USA, 30 cm, very good condition, Barbie in blue evening dress with coat and handbag

Sold for €240 at Wormser Reklame-Auktion in 2023

BRUNETTE PONYTAIL BARBIE WITH BROWN EYESHADOW. 11″. Hard to find, #3 Barbie, with brunette ponytail, brown eyeshadow, ruby lips, jointed body, wearing black and white swim suit and black open-toe heels. Near mint with beautiful complexion and painting. Mattel, #3 model,1960.

Sold for US$750 at Frasher’s Doll Auction in 2023

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Disney Character Dolls

Antique Dolls Admin — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 09:42:31 +0000

Disney Character Dolls. Disney characters have been popular with doll makers for many years. The first doll created was by Charlotte Clarke who made a Mickey Mouse doll in the 1930’s after the animated short film “Steamboat Willie” was released. Other doll makers such as Chad Valley, Barbie and R John Wright have also made dolls based on characters by Disney. These dolls would have been licensed by Disney.

Below are some examples and price guides of Disney dolls including a modern Mary Poppins Barbie doll and a set of Chad Valley Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs dolls.

Group of 2 Mattel Barbie Pink Label Mary Poppins Fashion Figures. Disney. 2007. New in original packaging. 11 1/2 – 12 inches. Bert and Mary Poppins.

Sold for US$70 at Matthew Bullock Auctioneers in 2022

Composition Snow White doll, sleep eyes, open mouth with 4 teeth mohair wig, wearing original blue velveteen & yellow rayon dress with illustrations around skirt hem, matching cape and collar, original cotton muslin onesie, socks and oilcloth shoes (sole coming off one), all-original Snow White using the Shirley Temple mold, marked “Shirley Temple 22″ on back, c 1937, 21” h, broken finger on right hand, stringing a little loose

Sold for US$200 at William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals in 2022

R. John Wright Dolls, Walt Disney’s “Geppetto & Pinocchio” Series I – Marionette, #204/500, tag sewn on Geppettos pants, no tag on Pinocchio, with COA, stands and original box.

Sold for US$800 at Apple Tree Auction Center in 2022

CHAD VALLEY ENGLISH SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS DOLLS.

All in boxes. Dolls look original, boxes appear to be reproductions. There is Snow White with tag, marked “Made by the Chad Valley by Permission of Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse Ltd.”, and seven dwarfs. All dolls are pressed felt with painted facial features. Snow White has a black mohair wig. Some of the costumes on the dolls are cotton and felt. There is some partial soiling and wear. Condition: (Very Good – Excellent). Dimensions: Largest Box: 6 – 3/4″ x 4″ x 19 – 3/4″.

Sold for US$1,000 at Dan Morphy Auctions in 2022

DEAN’S RAG OPEN MOUTH MICKEY MOUSE DOLL

All original and in great condition. 11″ Excellent

Sold for US$875 at Milestone Auctions in 2022

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George II Dolls

Antique Dolls Admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:04:59 +0000

George II Dolls. Dolls made during the reign of George II were predominantly made of wood, often with gesso faces. Some were jointed and dressed elaborately.

Below are some examples and price guides of some George II dolls including an English doll with painted gesso face and a rare baby doll.

OUTSTANDING GEORGE II ENGLISH WOODEN DOLL IN EXQUISITE GOWN. 25″. One-piece carved wooden head and torso, oval-shaped rounded head with slender face and throat, dark enamel inset eyes, eyeliner with accented eyelash dots, tapered and arched brows, fine-shaped nose and defined chin, closed mouth, rose-blushed cheeks, original brown human hair wig, shaped front torso with defined bosom and narrow waist, wooden arms with tied-joints at shoulders and elbows, carved fingers and thumb, dowel-jointing at hips and knees, fitted blue silk court gown, thickly padded and quilted petticoat, matching blue silk slippers, lace cap. Commentary: English circa 1735, (per old handwritten note attached to her petticoat); exceedingly rare doll with original finish, beautifully costumed, well-preserved with regal presence.
Sold for US$22,000 at Frasher’s Doll Auction in 2020

A LARGE GEORGE II WOODEN DOLL, ENGLISH CIRCA 1735
The painted gesso face with finely carved features, defined cheeks, chin and nose, with inserted black enamel eyes, painted lashes, eyebrows and mouth, carved ears and long brown wig, her elongated neck and well formed torso tapering at the waist, with bosom, rounded hips and finely carved, shaped arms and legs, jointed at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, (some repair to face, lashes and brows, loss of gesso to nose, eye area, mouth and cheeks, wig not original, lacks six fingers and tip of left foot), 74cm (29in) tall.

Sold for £ 3,125 (US$ 3,615) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2014

A VERY RARE GEORGE II TURNED WOOD BABY DOLL
MID-18TH CENTURY
In original robes of the period, in inlaid wooden box with sliding lid and label on underside
5½ in. (14 cm.) high

Sold for GBP 5,250 at Christie’s in 2009

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English Wax Dolls

Antique Dolls Admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 16:36:08 +0000

English Wax dolls often made for children as toys and some excellent makers included Montanari and Pierotti. The eyes were often made of glass and inset into the face.

Below are some examples and price guides of antique English wax dolls including a poured wax lady doll and a wax soldier doll.

ALL-ORIGINAL EARLY ENGLISH POURED WAX LADY IN ORIGINAL BOX. 12 ½”. Poured wax shoulder head with rose tinted complexion, blue glass eyes, painted lashes, lightly-feathered brows, closed mouth, blonde inset hair pulled away from face into coiled and braided chignon, softly-stuffed cloth body, poured wax lower limbs, wears her original silk pink and ivory silk dress with pink velvet and fringe trim, layered underclothing, woven socks, black leather lace-up shoes with remains of circular paper label “…son Kings Row Nottingham”, dainty pearl necklace; in her original glass-top custom box which is labelled “Wilson & Son, Paris Arcade, Long Row, Market Place, Nottingham”. Commentary: English, circa 1880 in the Montanari manner, beautiful and wonderfully preserved early wax doll in her original luxury costume and box.
Sold for US$1,000 at Frasher’s Doll Auction in 2022

English wax shoulder headed doll, young soldier, fix inset blue glass eyes, closed mouth, modelled ears, inset real hair, 60 cm, original silk /felt uniform, smaller holes in the felt on the reverse, unusual. Probably Pirotti

Sold for €500 at Ladenburger Spielzeugauktion GmbH in 2022

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Swivel Head Dolls

Antique Dolls Admin — Wed, 22 May 2019 12:02:48 +0000

Swivel Head Dolls. A Swivel Head is a variation of the Shoulder Head. It has a head and shoulder plate but the neck area is divided. The neck of the head ends in a ball shape which fits into a cup cast into the neck area and plate. The two pieces are usually held together by a metal bar which runs from the head down into the body. The cup is usually lined with kid to prevent rubbing and scuff marks on the neck end of the head and to ensure a smooth movement. Reference: Understanding Dolls by Caroline G Goodfellow.

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Antique and Vintage Wooden Dolls Information

Antique Dolls Admin — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 12:16:04 +0000

Wooden dolls are probably some of the earliest examples of dolls. “Paddle Dolls” are some of the earliest, found in the tombs at Egypt. These “Paddle Dolls” were not likely to have been made for children but were more fertility items. Wooden dolls more likely to be collected by doll collectors are the wooden dolls often referred to as Dutch dolls.

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