posted on August 1, 2008 11:12:40 AM new
The late grandmother of a friend of mine was a doll collector most of her long life. These two dolls are from her collection. Can you help identify them? The first is a VERY large doll...26 inches long. The only mark I could find was what looked like an "M 3" on the back of her neck. The second looks REALLY old...I think she may be German. She has a mark on her neck but it's hard to read...can you identify it? This one is quite unusual in that, in addition to "sleepy eyes", her eyes move from side to side. I've never seen this function before! Thanks for any help. I'm including photos of the dolls and the marks.
[ edited by blueyes29 on Aug 1, 2008 11:15 AM ]
[ edited by blueyes29 on Aug 1, 2008 11:17 AM ]
[ edited by blueyes29 on Aug 1, 2008 11:19 AM ]
posted on August 1, 2008 01:56:10 PM new
Thanks, Max...I think you're right and that gives me a good place to start for further research...appreciate it!
posted on August 2, 2008 10:25:27 AM new
My husband came up with a particularly bright idea not long ago.
He got out his camcorder and had his 82 year old mother go through her huge cat figurine collection one by one.
Maybe you could pass that idea along to your friends who might be expecting you to eBay their estate stuff someday. After all, everything sells better with a story attached.
fLufF
--
It looked like she had that dreaded neurological disorder that lets you browse and bid on eBay all day long but won't let you push the "Pay" button.
posted on August 2, 2008 11:06:26 AM new
Terrific idea, Fluff...and I've been telling that to all potential consignees now for several years! My own grandma wrote little notes and put them in her own treasures (vases, cups, etc.) and we've really appreciated it. Unfortunately, I think most folks don't like to contemplate their own passing and put off that kind of record-keeping until it's too late. It DOES surprise me, though because the mothers of two of my friends collected extensively and I would have thought that, in the course of normal conversation, provenance of items would have come up. Might have, actually...but kids don't listen ("It's just their mother's stuff". Notes, photos, etc. are invaluable aids for sellers! One more thought on the subject...The time to annnotate provenance is WHEN THE ITEM IS ACQUIRED. Unfortunately, my friend's mother had Alzheimers and, in the last years of her life, didn't even know who she was much less what she had and where it came from. In fact, after thinking about this...I'm going to follow my own advice! I've traveled all over the world and collected lots of neat things...and no one but me knows where they came from or when I got them. I'm going to stick little notes on each item so whoever comes after me will know.
[ edited by blueyes29 on Aug 2, 2008 11:07 AM ]
[ edited by blueyes29 on Aug 2, 2008 01:11 PM ]
posted on August 2, 2008 12:19:33 PM new
What material is the first doll made of??
Eyes that go back and forth are called "googly eyes." The outfit for the second doll looks new, not original. From the crackles, I am going to assume it is composition.
Undress the dolls and look for marks on their back, on the soles of their feet, on their clothes and on their butts. Pull up their hair, also to see if any marks are hidden.
[ edited by merrie on Aug 2, 2008 12:20 PM ]
posted on August 2, 2008 01:05:47 PM new
Thanks, merrie. The first doll is made of a hard plastic. I undressed her (and the first doll) but could find no other marks other than the ones mentioned. I did just make a "library run" and THINK I may have identified the older one. She fits the description of an Ideal "Baby "Hush-a-baby" (circa 1925). When she's tipped over, she cries. I've also read that her eyes may be called "glancing eyes"...is that correct? Her head is composition, her body is stuffed cloth and her legs and arms are (I think), "magic skin". It has a rubbery texture/feel. I offer this info that I got from a book as "info only"...other people (like yourself) are always SO helpful, so I like to reciprocate with information when I can. Thanks...And you're right...both of the outfits are new and not original to the dolls.
posted on August 2, 2008 02:51:32 PM new
blueyes: I am not an expert, but my mother collected dolls and toys and I liquidated her collection for my dad and learned a lot. Bought several books and got familiar with markings and types of materials. I looked up a few things in my books, but could not find anyone with "M 3"She looks very much like a Madame Alexander Pussy Cat, but they are all marked in various ways.
Many hard plastic dolls are unmarked. They were produced in the late 40s through the 50s.
I would list the first doll with the info you have. Many doll collectors on Ebay will volunteer info if they have some. When I was selling dolls, several years ago, many hard plastic unmarked dolls sold well.
Info I found on second doll is: Ideal Composition Baby Doll 1913+ Ideal marking in diamond. Value varies from $20-100 depending on condition,original clothing, perhaps box.
posted on August 2, 2008 04:41:44 PM new
Thanks so much, merrie, for the info. I'll go ahead and list with what I know and see what happens...appreciate the help!
. Notes, photos, etc. are invaluable aids for sellers! One more thought on the subject...The time to annnotate provenance is WHEN THE ITEM IS ACQUIRED. Unfortunately, my friend's mother had Alzheimers and, in the last years of her life, didn't even know who she was much less what she had and where it came from. In fact, after thinking about this...I'm going to follow my own advice! I've traveled all over the world and collected lots of neat things...and no one but me knows where they came from or when I got them. I'm going to stick little notes on each item so whoever comes after me will know.