Ana's Dolls Designs

Beautiful Cissy's

2009-12-08T06:47:00.001-08:00

A Collection of Beautiful Dolls have being listed in my Ebay Store, Stop by and enjoy, Thank you...

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New Dolls listed in my Ebay Store

2009-11-15T09:19:00.000-08:00

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Lee Middleton Dolls

2009-11-13T14:50:00.000-08:00

Following the trend of most major doll companies to have a mid-year release line, on July 9, Lee Middleton Original Dolls unveiled 17 new Artist Studio(tm) collection baby dolls. "I just have a feeling that there will be something that I just can't resist," remarked one avid collector on the Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc. Collector's Club discussion forum.

Lee Middleton Collector's Club members (and retailers) were allowed to , view the new additions online one day early, on July 8. Due to lower edition sizes, ranging from 500 to 1, 000 dolls per style (as opposed to edition sizes that in the past have usually been about 2,000 dolls), the company expected the new releases to sell out quickly. Collectors we warned to place their pre-orders early with retailers so they are not disappointed.

"We are always looking for ways to create excitement in the industry and among our collectors who seek out the more exclusive dolls with lower editions," said Mark Putinski, Lee Middleton Original Dolls, Inc. Vice President. "Lower edition sizes on these new releases will mean quicker sell outs, and it will bring back the 'thrill of the hunt' in collecting." In addition, while maintaining the same quality in the dolls that collectors have enjoyed for many years, Lee Middleton Original Dolls continues to maintain the reduction in pricing for Artist Studio(tm) collection dolls that was recently announced. The suggested retail prices, which were $188 to $208, are now $125 to $139.

President Tim Voss said the price reduction is permanent. The Classic Miniatures (little, darling 8-9" dolls which are smaller versions of popular, larger Lee Middleton dolls) are also now sold at a reduced suggested retail price of $49. "These steps were taken in recognition of today's economy and collectors inability to complete all of their desired additions to their collections," says Voss.

The 17 new Artist Studio(tm) collection dolls aren't the only new releases back then in July mid-year releases. Lee Middleton Original Dolls has also expanded its line of doll accessories. For years, many collectors have requested shoes for their baby dolls. Now, Lee Middelton Dolls is providing 9 new shoe styles to choose from, with different looks and colors to match outfits.

Other new accessories include the new baby stroller, car seat, infant seat, wooden cradle, and carriage. All of the new pieces match with pastel Gingham fabrics and white wood. There is even an accessory for Lee Middleton Original Dolls "mommies." The "25 Years of Love" Anniversary Throw is a 68-inch by 50-inch cotton blanket that features a portrait of the Lee Middleton 25th Anniversary baby and 25 roses.

Beautiful Dolls, I hope you enjoy this week selection, Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog, Enjoy.

Lot's of New Dolls Listed

2009-10-31T06:00:00.001-07:00

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Beautiful Dolls Posted on my Ebay.

2009-10-27T11:40:00.000-07:00

Posted on my Ebay a great selection of gorgeous Dolls, Thank you for your time.

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Chatty Cathy Dolls (one of my many favorites)

2009-10-22T04:27:00.001-07:00

Mattel was well-known for their talking toys and doll in the 1960s, and Chatty Cathy was the doll that started it all for them. Although there had been attempts at "talking" dolls for 60 years (since the time of Jumeau's Bebe Phongraphe) Chatty Cathy was the first sure-fired talking doll hit. With her pull string talking mechanism and phrases such as "Please brush my hair," she captured the hearts of an entire generation of little girls.

Mattel also re-issued Chatty Cathy dolls twice, in 1969 (with the voice of Maureen McCormick from the Brady Bunch) and again in 1998 and 1999 for collectors.

Mattel, best known for the Barbie doll, produced Chatty Cathy Dolls. All Chatty Cathy dolls are made of vinyl. The dolls have a soft vinyl face, except for the later dolls made in 1964 which have a hard plastic face. Collectors generally prefer the soft vinyl face. All Chatty Cathy dolls are 20 inches tall.

You can find lovely Chatty Cathy dolls in excellent condition (but generally mute) for $300 to $400. Dolls with flaws sell for much less. Rarer Chatty Cathys, including truly mint dolls, black dolls, Canadian dolls and #1 Chattys (which have no marks) can sell for considerably more, with mint Black Chatty Cathys often selling for over $1,000 and mint in box Chatty Cathys often selling between $600 and $900. Pigtail hairstyles are also desirable.

Mattel based all of their talking dolls in the 1960s on a pull-string mechanism. Chatty Cathy's mechanism was truly innovative--it allowed the doll to say a phrase completely at random when the string was pulled. The internal system consisted of a needle, small turntable, and record. Over time, the governor belt (a glorified rubber band) in most of these dolls has snapped, rendering the phonograph system inoperable and the doll mute.

If one talking doll is a hit, then a family of talking dolls is better! Or, so Mattel thought. After hitting a home-run with Chatty Cathy, Singin' Chatty, Charmin' Chatty, Tiny Chatty Baby, and Tiny Chatty Brother were also produced. None were as popular with children in the 1960s or with collectors today as the original Chatty Cathy.

All Chatty Cathy dolls are marked on their backs. Marks include the copyright date and generally the doll's name (Chatty Cathy, Chatty Baby, Tiny Chatty Brother, etc.) Only the #1 Chatty Cathy has no body marks.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my Blog, I hope everyone enjoys this week selection, Please check my Blog often I post a diferent doll on a weekly basis, Thank you again for being part of my Blog & My Life.

Listed on My Ebay

2009-10-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Gown Complete

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The Beautiful Wood Dolls

2009-10-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

Wood is one of the earliest known materials used to make dolls. However, very few dolls are made of wood today--wood is not a preferred material for children's dolls (and wasn't in the 20th century) because wood is hard and unyielding. Also, most wood dolls must be hand carved since wood does not lend itself to easily molding as does vinyl, bisque materials.

Wood was one of the earliest materials that dollmakers looked to, since wood was easily carved to resemble human form, and it was sturdy and unbreakable. However, most wood dollmaking was done by artists or by cottage industries. Today, most wood dolls are made by doll artists (such as Jean Lotz and her Hitty dolls) or in special limited editions for collectors (Madame Alexander). Wendy Lawton makes highly poseable wood bodies for her porcelain-head dolls.
What Types Of Dolls Have Been Made Out Of Wood?: The earliest dolls made out of wood were not playthings--they were symbolic and ceremonial figures, often of a religious nature. Italian creche figures made for hundreds of years are an example of this. Some of the earliest known examples of wood dolls made for play are from England, and later Germany as well. Today, most wood dolls made are created for collectors. They have a particularly folk-art feel to them, and are prized because they are handcrafted.

As mentioned, wood dolls are known from ancient times. Italian creche figure examples are known as early as the 1500s (very rare) and English wood dolls from the late 1600s and early 1700s are quite rare. English wood dolls are more plentiful from the late 1700s and early 1800s, and German Grodner Tal and Peg Wood dolls are from the 1800s. A cottage industry created peg woodens well into the 20th century, and there are artists today still making wood dolls.
Sizes and Characteristics of Wood Dolls: i have a Grodner Tal peg wooden from the mid-1800s in my collection that is 2" tall. Grodner Tal and Tuck Comb dolls in the 3" to 5" range are often found. Most wood dolls tend to be in the 10" to 18" range with a few larger--much larger than 24" and anything made of solid wood is quite heavy and unwieldy.

The names of most early companies that produced wood dolls in Europe have been lost to time. Most wood dolls have been hand-carved by artists or artisans, or are from small cottage industries. In the United States, companies (artists) that produced wood dolls in the late 1800s include Joel Ellis and Mason, Taylor. Today, as mentioned, several artists make Hitty (a popular storybook character) including Jean Lotz. Madame Alexander makes Wendy Woodkin wood dolls hand-carved in China today.

The very earliest wood dolls, when found in excellent or better condition, generally sell for many thousands of dollars at auction. French Court dolls and very early English dolls from the late 1600s and early 1700s are dolls that are in this category and which can sell from $5,000 to $50,000 or more. An early Italian creche figure sold at auction at Theriault's last year for $21,000.

Later Queen Anne dolls (which are not actually from the Queen Anne period) from the late 1700s to early 1800s can be found for much lower prices, especially when worn.
American wood dolls such as Joel Ellis and Mason, Taylor dolls are generally found quite worn today, with prices from $500 to $1,000. German Grodner Tal and Tuck Comb dolls vary, from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand for very early or large examples, and those with unusual hairstyles and other features.

Modern wood dolls, such as the Wendy Woodkin series from Madame Alexander, generally sell between $150 to $300. Hitty doll reproductions vary widely in prices.

Hope you enjoy this weeks history of the Wood Doll, Thank you for being part of my Blog.

Beautiful Dolls listed on my Ebay, Enjoy!!!

2009-10-07T06:37:00.001-07:00

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Googly's Doll History

2009-10-05T16:43:00.000-07:00

Googly dolls are dolls with large, oversized, side-glancing eyes. Googly dolls also often have a small watermelon-shaped smile. The dolls have an impish look and appeal. The very first Googly dolls (also referred to as Googlies) were produced from about 1912 onward, and were mostly made by German doll companies.

Most bisque antique Googly dolls were made from 1915 through 1925. However, even today, dolls with oversized, side-glancing eyes can be referred to as Googlies.
Sizes of Googly Dolls: The vast majority of bisque antique Googly dolls are small--under 12 inches tall. There are some larger, rare antique googlies. Later Googly-type dolls, such as composition Campbell Kids, can be larger. Googlies tend to be painfully cute, and their small stature is part of the cute persona.

The first antique Googly dolls were mostly made of bisque. Later, Googly dolls have been made in nearly all common dollmaking materials, including composition and vinyl (Campbell Kids), and celluloid.

The classic German antique Googly dolls were produced by companies including Armand Marseille, Kammer and Reinhardt, Heubach, Kestner and others. American Character, Horsman and others have produced the Campbell Kids.
Some Famous Googly Dolls: Some famous dolls are also Googly dolls. Kewpies, which may have overall inspired Googly dolls, are also a type of Googly doll. The Campbell Kids are a great example of a later Googly doll. Today, even some anime-inspired dolls, with their big heads and oversized-eyes can even be classified as Googlies.

For the past few years, the prices of choice antique Googly dolls have stabilized after skyrocketing in the late 1990s and early 2000s. More common antique Googly dolls, like the Armand Marseille 823, can be purchased for hundreds of dollars, while some of the very rare Hertel & Schwab and Kammer & Rhinehart Googlies can cost many thousands of dollars. Later Googlies, such as the vinyl Campbell Kids, can easily be found in mint condition for well under $100.

Hope everyone enjoy's this week History of the beloved Googly Doll, Thank you for being part of my Blog, enjoy your evening.

Ana

Just listed 3 beautiful dolls on my Ebay

2009-10-05T15:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends, just wanted to give everyone thumbs up on 3 gorgeous dolls 2 Bleuettes and 1 Rosette, stop by and enjoy them.

These Beauty's are listed on My Ebay

2009-09-30T08:38:00.001-07:00

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Bleuette's Dolls listed on my Ebay

2009-09-30T05:49:00.001-07:00

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Shirley Temple's Doll History

2009-09-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

Shirley Temple Dolls

A doll that has made it so far into our popular culture that even people who could not identify any other vintage mid-20th century doll can easily identify a Shirley Temple doll--and, also tell you that it can be worth lots of money.

Shirley Temple dolls have been made in many variations, but the most popular and lasting version has been as a composition doll, first made when Shirley Temple was a star.

The first Shirley Temple dolls were made in Composition by Ideal Toy Corporation starting in the mid 1930s through the 1940s. The doll has also been made in vinyl versions by Ideal and then in several porcelain collectible versions in the 1990s. Shirley Temple has also been a paper doll many, many times.

The dolls have been produced from the 1930s through today, with several gaps in production in the 1960s and 1970s.

You can find Shirley dolls as small as 11 inches in composition and 12 inches in vinyl, and as large as 27 inches in composition and 36 inches in vinyl. Many sizes in between have also been made.

The best known company that has produced Shirley Temple dolls has been the Ideal Toy Corporation. Ideal produced the dolls from the 1930s until the company went out of business in the early 1970s. Danbury Mint has created most of the collectible porcelain versions of the doll.

The twentieth century and its multimedia created the current culture and cult of celebrity, in which we still live today. Shirley Temple is an early example of this cult--made world famous by her movies, she was a merchandising dream. Considering that TV wasn't available to promote mass market dolls when the doll was released, it was phenomenal how many of these dolls were sold.

Although Shirley Temple dolls are widely available and were mass produced, the doll is very popular with collectors and therefore mint and complete 1930s composition Shirley Temple dolls, as well as dolls in rarer outfits can sell for many hundreds of dollars. Very, very mint dolls in their original boxes can easily top $1,000, as can rarer varieties like the Baby Shirley dolls. The 1957 vinyl Shirley Temple dolls sell for much more than the later early 1970s Shirley dolls. The 1982 re-release Shirley Temple vinyl dolls generally sell for less than $50, even mint in box.

One of my favorite Dolls, I hope everyone enjoys this weeks History of the Beautiful and never forgotten Shirley Temple, Thank you for reading my Blog.

Big Selection of Dolls Listed on my Ebay

2009-09-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone, just dropping a little note to let everyone know that I have listed a beautiful selection of 8" & 12" Kewpies from Effanbee and a couple of reproduction ginny's on my Ebay, stop by and check them out, Thank you & God Bless.

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Ginny's History

2009-09-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

Ginny Dolls
Hard-plastic, vintage Ginny dolls from the late 1940s through the 1950s were favorite dolls of little girls, and today they are a hot, sought-after collectible. Although the doll lost her way in the late 1960s through the 1980s (much like Barbie!) today the dolls are again favored by little girls as well as collectors.

Ginny was created by the founder of the Vogue Doll Company, Jennie H. Graves, from Sommerville, MA. The business was originally a "cottage industry" business run out of Mrs. Graves house. She sold a variety of bisque, composition and hard plastic dolls through the 1930s and 1940s, for which Ms. Graves designed most of the clothing, In 1948, she decided to create an 8" plastic play doll, and Ginny was born!

One of the novel things about the new Ginny doll was that the clothing was available separately from the doll. The original Vogue dolls retailed for only $1.98, ready to dress in underwear and shoes, and outfits retailed from $1.00 to $2.98. Mrs. Graves designed most of the clothing, and the wonderful detailed outfits--including hats, purses, and snap-shoes--added immeasurably to the doll's popularity.

The doll remained hugely popular throughout the 1950s, and was carried by major department stores such as Gimbels. A succession of models were produced--first, a painted eye doll. Then, a strung sleep-eye doll. A straight leg walker followed, followed by a straight leg walker with molded (not painted) lashes, The final design of the doll before the head became vinyl was a Bent Knee Walker.

In 1960, Ginny was produced with a vinyl (not hard plastic) head, and many believe that to be the "beginning of the end" for Ginny.

Mrs. Graves daughter, Virginia Graves Carlson, took over the company until 1966. Besides the change to a vinyl head, The Vogue Doll Company also came up against two large problems in the 1960s. First, the philosophy of the company was to NOT advertise on TV. Second, there was Barbie, who was capturing the hearts and play time of little girls everywhere. So, Ginny's profile with little girls became smaller, and it became harder to compete with dolls such as Barbie who were all over the children's television airwaves. An interesting fact is that in 1958-1958, Ruth Handler of Mattel had negotiated with Mrs. Graves to buy Vogue! Negotiations were unsuccessful, but had they been successful, doll history might have changed and Barbie might never have even existed!

Control of the company went to Mrs. Carlson's brother-in-law, where it stayed until 1972, at which time the company was sold to Tonka Company which then produced the doll in Hong Kong (the fist time the doll wasn't produced in the USA). Several more management changes ensued, including a sale to Dakin n 1986. The quality of the doll design and costuming suffered during this period.

Finally, in 1995, well-known doll maker Wendy Lawton and several associates bought the rights to Ginny and the Vogue Dolls name, and Ginny as a quality doll was back! Wendy has been Ginny's design director ever since. The dolls became all hard-plastic again, and the costuming inspired by the original Graves designs of the 50s. The painting was revamped to look more like the original doll, as was the wigging. Many feel that the new company has recaptured the spirit and look of the original Ginny! Collections of the new Ginny have included a Century collection with dolls dressed to represent each century, as well as a School Days collection. Separate outfits are available, and these dolls have become very popular and admired once again--Ginny has come full circle!

Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog and for being part of my Life, God Bless You All.

Featuring this week Betsy McCall

2009-09-14T10:50:00.001-07:00

Betsy McCall dolls have been made in many sizes, Here is some history on this Beauty.

The first Betsy McCall, made by Ideal starting in 1952, was 14" The popular vintage American Character dolls made starting in 1957 were 8" but sizes of Betsy McCall have been made as large as 36" and also in 20" and other sizes. The modern Betsy McCall dolls made by the Robert Tonner Company are made in 8", 14" and 29" inches tall.

Betsy McCall actually started out as a paper doll in the ladies magazine, McCall’s, in 1951. She was an immediate hit, and soon after in 1952 Ideal acquired the rights to make a 14” inch tall Betsy McCall doll. Then American Character followed with their 8" doll in 1957. Both Ideal and American Character produced Play-Pal size Betsy McCalls. Other companies that produced vintage versions of Betsy McCall include Horsman and Uneeda. Tonner Dolls, Inc. have been making Betsy McCall dolls since the 1990s.

Vintage Betsy McCall Dolls were produced from 1951 through 1963, and the modern Betsy McCall dolls have been produced since the late 1990s.

The classic 8" 1950s Betsy McCall dolls were made of hard vinyl, a few of the larger Betsy McCall dolls were made of a softer vinyl. The modern Tonner Betsy McCall dolls are also made of a hard vinyl.

The most popular vintage Betsy McCall Dolls are the 8" American Character dolls, Those dolls in played with condition can easily be found for $150 to $200 on the Internet. Mint 8" 1950s Betsy McCall dolls in desirable outfits can easily bring $300 to $500 in Internet auctions. The 14" Betsy McCall dolls by Ideal are not as popular and can generally be found for under $200. Other American Character Betsy dolls are also desirable. The secondary market for Tonner Betsy McCall dolls is still young.

Betsy McCall is a quintessential American doll. She is a favorite with baby boomer collectors who remember her fondly from the 1950s, both as a paper doll and as a play doll, and she is also now finding a new following of both old and young fans through her production by the Tonner Doll Company.

Betsy McCall is a doll known for having a wonderful wardrobe, and especially the 8" vintage and modern dolls have many outfits available.

Hope everyone enjoys this weeks issue, Thank you again for reading my Blog and being part of my Fan group,

Blessings.

Ana

This week Kewpies

2009-09-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

The Birth of Kewpies

In 1909, Illustrator and artist Rose O’Neill had a dream about plump little creatures she called Kewpies, short for Cupid. “Cupid gets you into trouble and the Kewpies get you out, explained O’Neill. The purpose of these creatures is to perform good deeds in a funny way. They were often seen battling injustice or promoting women's suffrage, and they always made the reader laugh.

Kewpie first appeared as illustrations in the December issue of Woman’s Home Companion, and was an immediate success. “Kewpie Pages,” which consisted of entire pages of the drawings accompanied by a short story or prose, became regular features in popular women’s magazines. These cheerful cherubs were soon easily recognized and well loved by many Americans, and their antics and adventures brought smiles to the faces of many.

As the drawings became more familiar, O'Neill created Kewpie Kutouts. These paper dolls had both a front and a back side, and were accompanied by short stories. O’Neill next created comic pages, which were printed in several newspapers. She also wrote books which included segments from former Kewpie pages, along with new materials.

Shortly thereafter, Rose began receiving letters from children asking for a Kewpie they could hold. After numerous prototypes, the Kewpie doll was born in 1913. These first dolls had straight posture with their arms at their sides. They were made from bisque or china and celluloid. As the Kewpies grew in popularity, so did the different kinds, sizes and materials of the dolls. Kewpie dolls were made in different positions, and came with a variety of outfits and accessories.

Today, Kewpies continue to capture the hearts of both young and young at heart collectors.

Thank you very much for following & reading my Blog, hope everyone enjoys this weeks History of the Beautiful Kewpie Doll, Blessings to all.

This week's Blog dedicated to the Jumeau Doll

2009-08-31T02:04:00.000-07:00

Jumeau antique dolls are coveted the world over. Jumeau Bebe's (child dolls) are known for their expressive eyes and beautiful bisque, and Jumeau French Fashion dolls are the perfect expression of their time and place. Jumeau dolls can sell for many thousands of dollars today, and demand for the dolls is quite high. The dolls were made in the second half of the 19Th century during the heyday of French doll making by two generations of the Jumeau family.

Pierre Francoise Jumeau began the Jumeau firm in the 1840s. At that time, they made papier mache dolls. By the end of the 1850s, they made porcelain (glazed) dolls, and for the rest of the firms production thereafter, they specialized in dolls with bisque heads--first, poupees (fashion ladies) and then Bebe's (child dolls). Emile Louis Jumeau took over the firm in 1874, and the company remained in family hands until it was subsumed into S.F.B.J. (see below) in 1899.

As mentioned, in the early years Jumeau dolls were made of papier mache and then porcelain (commonly called china). These dolls are nearly impossible to identify as being from the Jumeau firm today, since they are almost all unmarked. Starting in the 1860s, production moved to bisque doll heads (unglazed bisque) and most known Jumeau dolls were made of this. French fashion dolls tend to have kid bodies, although some have wood or cloth, and bisque dolls generally have composition bodies.

The dolls that put French doll making on the map were the French Fashion dolls, which were the most popular type of doll manufactured from the late 1850s through the 1870s. These dolls, also known as poupees, were lady dolls with womanly bodies and realistic clothing, shoes, hats and accessories that reflected the fashion of their time. Jumeau was one of the best-known makers of these dolls, which were usurped in the late 1879s by the Bebe (child) dolls.

Although the French Fashion dolls made by Jumeau are beautiful, it is the Bebe's by this firm that are more widely known. Made from the late 1870s when Bebe's dolls became the preferred doll of children everywhere, the dolls were made by Jumeau until they became part of SFBJ.

The Bebe's dolls have bisque heads, paperweight glass eyes, exaggerated eyebrows and beautiful bisque. Most had closed mouths until the 1890s. The French Bebe's, and Jumeau, met their demise due to cheaper German production.

The French doll makers, including Jumeau, were threatened by cheaper German production of bisque-head child dolls in the 1890s (think Chinese production vs US production today). Eventually, the French firms could no longer compete, and in a last ditch effort to survive, they combined forces as the Société Française de Fabrication de Bébés et Jouets.

Most Jumeau fashion dolls are only marked with a number, although sometimes the body is stamped. Many of the Jumeau bebes take their colloquial names from their marks--the E.J. Jumeau is marked E. (size number)J on the back of the head; the Tete Jumeau is marked Depose Tete Jumeau... on the back of the head. Often, you will see artist check marks as well, and a stamped composition body marked "Jumeau Medaille d'Or Paris or something similar.

The rarest Jumeau french fashion dolls and Bebe's and those that have their original costumes and mint bodies continue to climb in price. More common dolls, including later open-mouth Bebe's and later french fashion dolls with cloth or simple kid bodies and common faces have had their prices stabilized in the last few years. However, expect to pay several thousand dollars for nearly any close-mouth Bebe's in excellent condition (collectors seem to prefer close-mouth antique bisque dolls to open-mouth ones). Jumeaus produced at the beginning of SFBJ production including those marked 1907 can be found for under $2,000. Some of the priciest Jumeau dolls include the early Portrait bisque Bebe's dolls which can easily be worth $20,000 to $30,000, and portrait-faced Jumeau poupees on wood bodies, which can be worth $10,000 to $20,000.

Hope everyone enjoys this week dedication to the Precious Jumeau Doll, enjoy your week and thank you for reading and following my Blog.

Ana

This week in Honor of China Dolls

2009-08-24T07:48:00.000-07:00

China dolls are dolls made of glazed bisque which gives them a shiny appearance (unglazed bisque is what antique child dolls with glass eyes and wigs are mostly made of, such as well known child dolls by Armand Marseille, Kestner, Jumeau, and others. China dolls generally have molded hair and painted eyes (although not always).

China dolls were produced from approximately the late 1830s through the early 1900s (until about 1930) with the greatest number produced from the 1850s through the 1890s. Many millions of china dolls were produced, mostly in Germany, during this period.

China dolls were produced by many countries, but by far the majority were produced in Germany by nearly all major doll companies of the 19Th century, including Kestner, Alt, Beck and Gotschalck, Hertwig and many others. Some early china dolls were made in France (very rare) and some china dolls were made in the 20Th century by American doll maker Emma Clear.

As mentioned, china dolls are made of glazed bisque (porcelain) which is generally left white (not tinted). China dolls are made in nearly every size from under 2 inches for tiny china Frozen Charlottes up to over 30 inches.

China dolls generally only have heads made of glazed bisque--the bodies are usually cloth or leather, sometimes with glazed or unglazed lower arms and legs. Frozen Charlottes or Frozen Charlies are totally made of unglazed bisque, usually in 1 piece without jointing.

The most common china dolls are Low Brow china dolls, made in the millions in the 1890s (so called because their hairdo has bangs and lays low on their forehead, giving them a "low brow"). Most low brow china dolls can be purchased for between $100 and $300 depending on the size. On the other end of the spectrum, there are the earliest 1840s very rare china dolls and elaborate, hard to find hairstyle china dolls which can be worth several thousand dollars.

Most china dolls are unfortunately unmarked, which makes it very hard to tell which company made which doll. Occasionally, a doll is marked on the inside of the shoulder plate; some Alt, Beck and Gottschalk china dolls are marked with a number on the back of the shoulder plate. Emma Clear dolls are often marked Clear / 39 [or other 2 digit number, inside of the C in Clear).

Thank you for reading my Blog, I hope you find this information helpful. I will feature a different Vintage Doll every week, Enjoy & Have Fun.

Some History on the Bleuette Doll

2009-08-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I have received several e-mails asking me information on the Bleuetttes Dolls so I've decided to post the history of the Doll, I will try to do a diferent Doll every week, so here it is for week one, (Bleuette's Dolls).

Bleuette commenced production in 1905 and was produced continuously until 1960. Because Bleuette dolls were created to be sewn for by French girls, the size of Bleuette dolls is standardized. From 1905 to 1933, Bleuette dolls were 10 5/8" tall. After 1933, the dolls were 11 3/8" tall. Early Bleuette dolls always have bisque heads, with dolls made later having composition heads. All Bleuettes have fully-jointed composition bodies.

Bleuette was born specifically to be a premium for little girls who bought a subscription to “La Semaine de Suzette,” a popular magazine for French girls. The magazine offered Bleuette to all subscribers, and promised patterns for her in each issue. Over the years, many hundreds of patterns were created for Bleuette.

Bleuette has become immensely popular with antique and vintage doll collectors who love to sew. The incredible variety of patterns produced for the doll through "La Semaine de Suzette" has certainly fueled Bleuette's popularity, but her perfect size for costuming has also contributed. Prices for Bleuettes have skyrocketed in recent years, with many early dolls bringing several thousand dollars at auctions and on eBay, and original Gautier-Languereau outfits bringing several hundred.

Bleuette is certainly one of the "it" dolls of the early 21st century! Although she is a particularly French creation of the 20th century, she has found legions of modern fans in the United States. Since many antique and vintage doll collectors cannot afford the original Bleuettes, many talented dollmakers have created detailed reproductions of the dolls which can themselves sell for several hundred dollars each.

At doll conventions, separate Bleuette get-togethers and events are frequently held, and a magazine about Bleuette, "Bleuette's World" is published bi-monthly in the United States.
Identifying Bleuette is done mostly through the size of the doll as well as the markings of the doll, which include the SFBJ 301, SFBJ 60, UNIS France 301, and UNIS France 60 marks; bodies are generally marked with 2 on the torso of the doll and 1 on the sole of the feet. Collectors often forget that all dolls of Bleuette's size produced by S.F.B.J and UNIS France are not Bleuettes.

Hope everyone enjoy having some information and history on the precious Bleuette's Dolls.

Thank you for reading my Blog and have a wonderful day.

Rosette's Beautiful New Hat

2009-08-12T03:44:00.000-07:00

Beautiful new hat now listed on Ebay for Rosette Doll Bleuette's Sister http://tinyurl.com/ln9ww8 Please let me know how she looks...

Thank you all for your well wishes

2009-08-12T03:26:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone and happy Wednesday to all, what a great pleasure it is to be back in my own surroundings, as many of you know I've being in the hospital it's being a very tough week, and still will have to undergo more testing to make the final diagnoses, but I'm staying strong and my faith grows more each day, I wan to take this opportunity to thank all my friends for all the nice notes and well wishes, they really mean a lot to me, Thank you.

I also want to than all my followers from my fan page http://tinyurl.com/ol4chf on my return I was very happy to see that I've reached over 100 fans, Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

As I'm looking out my office window and I see the sun starting to pick thru the clouds what a beautiful sight, what a Blessing to be able to enjoy this beautiful sight, take care everyone and stay in touch.

God Bless,
Ana

Crazy wednesday

2009-08-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone, happy Thursday to all, missed you all yesterday, spent the day at Baptist Hospital, Happy to be back home, crazy day at that hospital I have never seeing a hospital so full in my life, but a friend just reminded me that we had a full moon and a eclipse all in the same day, LOL

Today I will be posting some new beautiful Hats that were finished on Tuesday night, but I was gone all day yesterday so I will post them today.

I was also informed today that Etsy is making some very positive changes within the next few day's, looking forward to them, I really enjoy all the wonderful crafter's on Etsy, I really enjoy the site.

Thank you for reading my Blog have a wonderful day.

Updated Picture

2009-08-04T05:56:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone, wanted to share this updated picture of Mia, can't wait to get her home, the breeder tells me she dint want to stay still for this picture, all she wanted to do was play LOL, her ears are finely up, we are all so excited, let's see how excited her two little sisters will get when she comes home, LOL, Good Day everyone, and thank you for reading my Blog.

Well is Sunday

2009-08-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, wishing everyone a terrific Sunday, beautiful sunshiny weather here in South Florida, wonderful beach weather, me being the beach bunny that I am would love to build a little tiny home by the water and I would live happily ever after with my fury friends and my dolls, LOL.

I'm headed to the Keys today to my favorite Key Isla Morada, the water is so warm that you get the feeling that your in a sauna but I Love it it helps me with my pain.

I Just joined a group on FB this morning that lead and help writers find the accurate information as to where and when after finishing your first book, I'm looking forward to that, I'm almost done with my first book, and I know is going to help a lot of mother's in detecting the signs when children are enduring pain and rape from family members and close friends (I wish my mom would have read a book like this one when I was going up, in any case I'm looking forward to receiving information on maybe one day publishing my book.

Well have a wonderful day everyone, don't forget to smile it helps the heart heal.

Ana

New Styles Listed

2009-07-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone hope your day is going well, I listed a few new styles and colors yesterday on my Ebay Store I will also list them on Etsy today, I hope everyone enjoys them and Please leave feedback, I love to hear from friends and customers, Thank you and have a HAPPY Day.

2009-07-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone, hope all is well, raining and thoundering here in South Florida, well is better than a hurricane so we can't complaint.

This week I introduced a new Doll Hat for Bleuette's friend Momo which is an Asian Doll so far I sold 3 of them so I was very happy with the warm welcome to my new addition, Thank you all.

Right now I'm working on a new promotion that I'm planning on introducing shortly where each customer will have the opportunity of winning a Reproduction Bleuette Doll sta tunned for details.

Enjoy your day everyone, and don't forget to smile.

Update of Mia Picture

2009-07-28T06:18:00.000-07:00

Good Morning friends, hope your day is going well, I have a new updated picture of Mia that I wanted to share with all my friends :.)

Wonderful Gift

2009-07-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone, Happy Sunday to all, yesterday I received a wonderful gift my friend surprised me with a Bleuette Doll which she know's are my passion, the mailman rang the door bell and there was a Priority Mail Box, and there she was, she has my eye color, Thank you very much Love you.

Well everyone have a wonderful day, enjoy your Sunday :.)

TGIF

2009-07-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends, TGIF hope everyone has wonderful plans for the weekend, hopefully the weather will cooperate here in the Sunshine State and we can spend a nice day at the Beach.

Well sold two of my Ginny Hats today on Ebay it was a very nice morning, Two repeat customers, Very Thankful, I will be listing new styles tonight just finish decorating 10 hats for a variety of Dolls, check my shops often, now back to working on the Holiday Hats.

Thank you all for following and reading my Blog, Have a wonderful Day & weekend.
http://twitter.com/AnasDollsDesign
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7163399
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/AnasDollsDesigns

Great Summer Sale

2009-07-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, having a great Summer Special in my Etsy Shop, FREE US SHIPPING for the month of July & August, Please join me in Celebreating the Grand Re-Opening of my Etsy Shop, with a large selection of Handmade Dolls Hats for all your favorite Dolls.

Special Orders are welcome at no additional charge, Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog.

Have a wonderful afternoon everyone.

Update on My Friends New Venture

2009-07-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone, Happy Wednesday to all, exciting day today, working on some new venues, new designs, more Dolls added to my list, I'm also in the process of finishing the Holiday line, of course all these beauties have to stay with the time so I decided to launch a Holiday line of Dolls Hats & Bonnets, stay tuned for the updates check my shop often 50sdollsdesigns

A friend opened a new Etsy Store this week called DylanBlue, Please check them out at DylanBlue.etsy.com, the artist name is John he's wonderful and is co hosted by Meredith from craftyGAgal, stop by their store and looked at the beautiful pieces being hosted...

OK guys have a wonderful day and thank you for taking the time to read my Blog :.)

New Dolls Added like Bambino

2009-07-21T05:45:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone, Happy Tuesday to all, back to designing new hats today, I'm expecting my order from Switzerland any day now for the Vintage Straw in Fall Colors, also I'm adding Bonnets for Bambino Dolls, I will add pictures to my Blog shortly with the new colors and new designs, check my Etsy shop for current updates.

Thank you very much for reading & following my Blog, Have a Blessed Day.

New Hats for American Girl Doll

2009-07-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

Beautiful American Doll Hat in Pastel Colors.

Updated Pictures of Mia

2009-07-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon everyone, hope the start of your new week is going well, I will be listing new hats this evening, Please check my Etsy Shop for beautiful New Colors and Designs. :')

2009-07-18T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys, started hand painting some hats and antiquing some of my precious Dolls Hats, Enjoy your day everyone.

Designing & Making Dolls Hats

2009-07-17T15:44:00.000-07:00

Someone wrote to me and ask me how I got started with the Dolls Hats, and here is the answer, I've always had a passion for Dolls, I've being a collector for many years, about Ten years ago I started making small hats for favors and shortly after realized that they fitted my Dolls, so I started creating beautiful hats all handmade for my Doll Collection and for friends Dolls, and a friend said you should bring this passion for Doll Crafting into the world by making your hats available to all the Doll Collectors out there, and here I am, first I started selling my hats on 50sdollsdesigns, recently I opened my little Shop on my Etsy shop 50sdollsdesigns, which I learned by taking the Rock Star Classes from Jannelle Elms, and most recently Bonanzle which I learned from Donna at YoYo Cottage, I have had lots of help from friends along the way, Thank God for Good Friends & Customers.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog.

Thank you All

2009-07-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for visint my Blog, Please check my new hats that I just listed on my Etsy shop 50sdollsdesigns, Custom orders are welcome at no additional charge, enjoy your evening...

Thank you to all my Friends & Followers

2009-07-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, Happy Thursday, I wanted to dedicate this Blog to all my friends that helped me get to this point in my life, thank you for all your help and support, This Blog would have never existed if it wasn't for Meredith craftyGAgirl and Donna from yoyocottage, Thank you both for all your help and good advice and leadership, May God Bless you both, and all my followers.

Ana

New Items Listed

2009-07-15T06:01:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone, posted 7 new beautiful hats on my Etsy Shop last night, stop by my shop at 50sdollsdesigns, Just recently added American Girl to my crafts list stop by and check it out, Have a Happy Day.

New Creations

2009-07-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

I will be listing 7 new Hats tonight that I finished creating last night, I'm also adding Bambino Doll to the list of Dolls that I currently create hats for, visit my shops for a large variety of handmade creations, Have a wonderful day everyone and thank you for stopping by.

Anas Dolls Designs has a Blog

2009-07-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hi, just wanted to let everyone know that I have a new Blog to help keep all my friends and customers updated with all my new Creations, Please visit my stores at, Etsy, you could also visit my Ebay Store, or Bonanzle, Thank you