Decidedly Dolly

DECIDEDLY DOLLY 9

noreply@blogger.com (Decidedly Dolly) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Hello Everyone,

As the doll fair season gets underway, I made my first fair visit of the year to one held at the National Motor Cycle Museum in Birmingham. This is a perfect venue for a fair, as not only is there free parking in a large car park, menfolk enjoy this fair too! They can mooch around the wonderful collection of vintage motorbikes, while their partners can browse the dolls in peace, knowing that they won’t feel guilty at having a bored male in tow.

There were over ninety stalls at the fair, covering all types of dolls, from plastic, paper, wood and cloth through to wax, composition and bisque, including some extremely rare kinds. The event was very well attended, sometimes there was quite a crush, but this lent to the atmosphere. There is nothing worse than wandering around a fair when hardly any visitors are there. I was particularly impressed by a collection of wooden dolls, handmade and painted by a talented a lady. Some of them resembled Russian toys in the way they had been created, with a small lever at the back causing a doll to rock a baby. It was lovely to see these original, beautifully crafted dolls and others obviously thought so too, because they were selling quickly. I treated myself to a couple of dolls from her stand. My other buy was from a stand selling large designer baby dolls (not reborns) – I was really pleased to find some Zapf babies there. The Zapf designer doll line was discontinued a few years ago, but they had always been amongst my favourites. So Siggi and Amy came home with me.

There were plenty of dolls’ accessories at the fair too; clothing, prams, cots and small items. Some of the clothing was exquisite, including charming bonnets made from old lace or crocheted with fine cotton. As the fair was billed as a ‘doll and teddy fair’, there were many bears around as well, and one stall featured a pile of brightly coloured teddy jumpers at just £1.50 each – excellent value for chilly teds. I stocked up for my ‘hug’. The fair at the Motor Cycle Museum is held three times a year, and the next one will be on Sunday 27th September 2009. It’s certainly worth a visit.

My new book, ‘British Dolls of the 1950s’, by Susan Brewer, published by Pen & Sword, is due out this month. It’s a doll collecting book which also looks at the events of the fifties, such as the coronation, and the dolls associated with them. I also explore the way we played with our dolls and took them around with us, how we used to knit and sew for them and the prams and cots we tucked them up in. The fifties were very doll-orientated, and girls played with them for much longer than they do nowadays. The teen doll scene wasn’t really around then; the majority of dolls made in Britain were baby or child, and many classics appeared. At the end of this year, the follow up, ‘British Dolls of the 1960s’, will be published, continuing the story of dolls, this time set against the background of the Swingin’ Sixties!

The big story this year, is of course, Barbie’s 50th birthday; how wonderful to reach such an age and still look as youthful – in fact, more so – than she did in the fifties. Plenty of Barbie tie-ins are planned – Hamleys had a special Barbie event recently – as well as commemorative Barbie issues. Mattel have already produced the Glamour Girl Barbie in her long shimmery gold gown, and soon will be issuing a Barbie wearing a dress printed with Barbie pictures. They are also releasing repros of classic Barbies throughout the decades, including the black & white swimsuit version, and the 1986 ‘Barbie and the Rockers’.

Interestingly, the word from various dealers, in both antique and modern dolls, is that the British doll scene seems to be perking up even though there is a recession. Maybe we are deciding that we have to keep happy somehow, and as there seems little point in saving at present, collectors are deciding to invest in a nice doll instead.

SueX

DECIDEDLY DOLLY 8

noreply@blogger.com (Decidedly Dolly) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:55:00 +0000

Hello Everyone

Recently, I published a booklet on the history of the Hornby Flower Fairy dolls (available through booksellers) which contains illustrations of nearly all the known dolls in the series. Hornby Flower Fairies are enormously popular at the moment, with some of the rarer dolls selling for £400 plus. The dolls were based on the fairy characters drawn by Cicely Mary Barker in a series of books published in the 1920s, and, at just 6.5 inches high, were dainty and delicate. Their clothes were based on various flowers and included Rose, Poppy, Bindweed, Blackthorne, Red Clover, Narcissus, Lavender, Daisy, Marigold, Fumitory, Pink and Freesia. There were many more. Each fairy had a pair of pretty wings, in varying shapes and colours, which fixed to her back with a plastic peg. Additionally, there were several cute pixies, an inch smaller than the fairies, with jaunty hats and attractive costumes, amongst them Pine, Privet, Thistle, Holly, Strawberry and Plantain. The Pixies had wings as well.

Plenty of accessories were available, such as a Fairyland Home, Petal Pool, Secret Garden, Snail Cart, Fairyland Coach and Winged Horse, and collectors seek these as well. Many of the later fairies, pixies and accessories were only sold for a very short time, and are now almost impossible to find, which is why some sell for such vast sums. Occasionally, sellers place on ebay what they consider to be a standard ‘job lot’ of fairies – only to find the prices rockets to a hundred pounds or more, because a rare fairy, such as Mayflower or Orchid, is amongst the group. Those lucky sellers must be bemused by their good fortune; unfortunately, for most of us, the fairies we find at boot sales and in charity shops are the common kinds, which sell for much less. Still, we can dream!

Did you know that in 1917, a real fairy story evolved which was to hold thousands of people enthralled for decades? Two young girls, Frances Griffiths and Elsie White, who lived in Cottingley, Yorkshire, used to play at Cottingley Beck, claiming they were playing with the fairies. One day Elsie borrowed her father’s camera, saying she would prove their claim, and when the plates were developed they revealed photos of the girls and fairies!

Elsie’s father suspected a trick, and banned the girls from using the camera, but several years later, the photos were examined by experts and technicians at the Kodak factory, most of whom proclaimed them as genuine. Though questioned over and over again, Elsie and Frances stood their ground, adamant that fairies inhabited the beck, and that they hadn’t faked the photos. People pointed out that even when the photos were enlarged, there were no signs of paper creases, scissor cuts or pins on the fairies, and so they couldn’t have been drawn by the girls. It wasn’t until 1983 that Elsie wrote a confession. She claimed that she and Frances had drawn the fairies, fastening them in place with hatpins, before taking the photos. And so, that should have ended the mystery – but even now, some authorities are still convinced that there is more to the photos than meets the eye. Today, the photos, and the original camera which they used, can be seen in the National Media Museum at Bradford.

In my last blog I mentioned my book, Classic Playground Games, and I have had great fun lately, discussing the games and rhymes on various radio stations. At the beginning of October, I gave a talk at ‘literacy and numeracy’ conference. I was rather worried at having to speak to those important people; head-teachers, representatives of various authorities etc – but I soon had them all playing ‘Simon Says’! I have two doll books being published next year – Dolls of the 1950s, and Dolls of the 1960s, both by Pen and Sword – and I’m really looking forward to seeing them in print.

The 1950s and 1960s were classic decades for British dolls; collectors refer to them as the Golden Years. The market was buoyant, and the advent of the new wonder material – plastic – meant that beautiful, durable dolls could be produced more cheaply than ever before. Once vinyl was introduced in the late 1950s, doll manufacturers were ecstatic – now they could make dolls with rooted ‘hair’ which could be shampooed and combed without the risk of it all falling out. Also, because the dolls were now unbreakable, they could be fitted with mechanisms to make them run, dance and skate – it didn’t matter if the dolls took a tumble, because they wouldn’t crack. So innovation and one-upmanship was the name of the game, as manufacturers vied with each other as to who could produce the cleverest doll. Sadly, just a few years later, due to various factors, Britain had lost nearly all of its doll factories, and ever since, our dolls have been imported from abroad.

SueX

DECIDEDLY DOLLY 7

noreply@blogger.com (Decidedly Dolly) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:48:00 +0000

Hello Everyone,

I bought a doll’s house recently. I didn’t mean to do this, because I have enough trouble finding room for dolls, but I had been thinking about the doll’s house I used to have as a child, and decided I would like to ‘get it back’ as it were. I knew that the house I originally had was a Tri-ang, because I recalled the triangular logo on the back, and after a bit of research discovered that it was called a ‘Tri-ang 50’. My childhood doll’s house had roses around the door, and I discovered that this would have been a very early model, with hand-painted flowers. It was probably made in the 1940s.

I spent ages watching ebay, but ‘my’ house never showed up, it must be quite rare now. Then I saw a similar model, except that this one had a completely plain front. As the seller didn’t live too far away it meant I could collect it and save on postage. The house is just as I remember – tin fronted with two bay windows, two little trees in pots by the red metal front door, and a hinged front which swings open to reveal four rooms. It has a sloping card roof and a tiny hook to secure the front of the house when it is shut.

They say that you shouldn’t alter old toys without a valid reason; well, I’ve thought long and hard about this, and consulted several doll’s house experts. The general consensus was – go for it! I was told to paint roses on the front, just as I remember it. Make it my own. Recreate it as my own doll’s house was all those years ago. As the experts pointed out, it is isn’t as if this plain house is a rare model, it’s like a blank canvas, waiting to be decorated. And so that is what I will do. I’ll paint roses round the door and fill the house with plastic Kleeware furniture, so typical of the time. The occupants will be those funny little 1950’s rubbery dolls with outstretched arms and bent knees.

The trouble is, I am so pleased with my dolls house, I have now bought two more! One is a modern one which I found at a collectables centre for £15, the other is a 1950’s GeeBee model, which I bought at a doll’s fair for the same price. This is definitely one hobby which I won’t pursue, much as I would love to, as I can’t afford the space. It might be fun, though, to collect dolls house furniture and tiny dolls house dolls, not only to go into the houses but also to display in a bookcase. They would take up very little room, and could be arranged in room settings, using backgrounds made from small-print wallpaper mounted onto card. Or, by using pictures cut from a scenic calendar, garden settings or even picnic or seaside arrangements could be made, using small dolls and appropriately-sized props. It might be fun to make a schoolroom, or a nursery or a Christmas scene or a shop – the possibilities are endless.

Changing the subject, I am pleased to say that my book, Classic Playground Games, has now been published by Remember When, an imprint of Pen and Sword. It’s nostalgia based, containing all those old skipping rhymes, dipping rhymes and chants we learnt at school, as well as the games such as ‘What’s the Time Mr Wolf’, ‘Queenie, Queenie’, ‘Hopscotch’, ‘Simon Says’, ‘Dusty Bluebells’ and ‘Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush’. There are details of the toys, too – marbles, jacks, five stones, yo-yos, skipping ropes, hula hoops and Rubik’s cube – and of the board games, puzzles and games with pen and paper which amused us during rainy playtimes.

I’m now working on a book about Girl’s Toys, for publication in 2010, while next year my two books on 1950’s Dolls and 1960’s Dolls will be published, both by Remember When (Pen and Sword). So I get plenty of opportunity to play and to relive my childhood, all in the name of ‘work’! Great fun!

Sue X

DECIDEDLY DOLLY 6

noreply@blogger.com (Decidedly Dolly) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:19:00 +0000

Hello Everyone
Doll fairs are becoming something of rarity; a few years ago, doll collectors could be reasonably sure of finding a fair reasonably near to them, often quite small but with a good variety of dolls. Additionally, larger fairs, such as one held twice a year in Birmingham, attracted major international doll makers, so it was a chance for doll lovers to see all that was new in the doll world.

Suddenly, everything has changed. If you want to see new lines by major doll artists, you now need to travel to the continent, or, better still, visit one of the huge fairs regularly held in the United States. Even if you just want to browse around a few stalls of old hard plastic and vinyl dolls, you will probably find that you face a long journey. Organisers tell me that people regularly travel a hundred miles or so to visit their shows. It is noticeable, too, that some doll fairs are becoming mixed up with doll’s house events; often the doll’s house and miniatures take up most of the hall, while the stalls selling bigger dolls’ are bunched in a corner.

Recently I made a long journey – over 200 miles – to visit Roberta’s doll fair. It was held in Barton, Lancashire. Roberta holds these fairs four times a year, and I had heard glowing reports from many people, so was determined to see if it was as good as they said. It was better! This was just how a doll fair should be – hundreds of dolls of all types and sizes, friendly sellers, a light, airy hall, good refreshments and even a huge car park. I certainly intend to go back, even if it does entail an overnight stop – a good doll fair is worth its weight in, well, dolls.

Fairs I regularly visit are Goldilocks, held at Chelmsford, Essex, twice a year, and the Cottenham doll fair, Cambridge, held in September. Both these, though small, are friendly with a varied selection of dolls and accessories. But why have so many fairs disappeared? Well, internet auctions must be partly to blame, though nothing beats examining dolls before you buy. From the seller’s point of view, auctions may be easy, but you have the hassle of ensuring that the payment has cleared, then wrapping the doll up and taking it to the post office. As many dolls are fragile, this can be quite a worrying task. In contrast, by selling through a doll fair, not only – with a bit of luck – will you end up with a pocketful of cash, you’ll enjoy the rapport gained through talking to your customers and other sellers and you won’t have to post anything.

Another factor is the lack of doll clubs, which have been closing down at an amazing rate over the last few years. Unfortunately, at present, the majority of doll collectors tend to be middle aged or pensioners – new young blood is needed. Admittedly, it is coming – the craze for BJDs (Ball Jointed Dolls) is escalating, especially amongst younger people who have plenty of money to spare, although these dolls are difficult to buy in the UK at present. There is also an interest in many of the modern fashion dolls such as those by Tonner, while reborn (‘fake babies’) are popular with younger women, too. Sadly, though, the majority of the young collectors don’t go to traditional clubs, preferring to join internet discussion groups instead. Perhaps worst of all is the dearth of doll shops. Where, nowadays, can you buy a collectable doll? Toyshops are full of Bratz and Baby Born. There are very few permanent doll outlets in Britain, unlike America which has a healthy crop of doll stores. Dolls by many of the major companies, including Robert Tonner or Madame Alexander, just can’t be found in the UK.

So, what’s the answer? Doll collecting needs to be made fashionable again; if some of our major celebs ‘came out’ and confessed they were avid Barbie collectors, adored antique bisque or couldn’t get enough Pedigree plastic dolls to feed their addiction, then doll fairs, doll shops, doll exhibitions – and doll magazines – would all be booming again. But I wish they would hurry up!

DECIDEDLY DOLLY 5

noreply@blogger.com (Decidedly Dolly) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:28:00 +0000

Hello Everyone

This run-up to Christmas is, I always think, a strange time of year. Routine is disrupted as we dash to the shops at every given opportunity for yet another last-minute gift, spend our days writing cards, wrapping presents, baking cakes and mince pies, and stockpiling with enough food to feed an army, should one happen to be passing on Christmas day. Usual chores and work are put on hold, until things return to normal in the new year.

From the collectables point of view, Christmas can be an exciting time, with many unusual or special festive items on sale. For the doll enthusiast, provided you think a little ‘out of the box’, you can find many interesting pieces to add to your collection. I have discovered that garden centres can be a great source of quirky type dolls, from angels to santas, and from carol singers to skaters. Though some might be a bit ‘tacky’, many are attractive and well made, especially those created by local crafts people. I also keep a look out for ‘props’ – small items which will look good when displayed with a doll. This year, I have discovered a doll-sized brightly decorated tin sleigh, which will make an ideal centre piece when filled with fairy dolls, miniature Christmas trees, a button-jointed plush reindeer very reminiscent of the style of toy made in the 1920s/30s era, and a Santa doll wearing white, rather that the more traditional scarlet – which means he won’t out-dazzle any doll standing next to him!

Christmas dolls are available in many toyshops, though, as usual, the best of the bunch tend to be available in America rather than in the United Kingdom; major manufacturers such as Madame Alexander, Tonner and Adora all produce Christmas specials, but most of them aren’t stocked by our stores. Christmas dolls for British collectors tend to be found in toyshops and gift shops, and very often are of the Barbie/Bratz type of doll. This year’s festive Bratz dolls wear santa-inspired red outfits trimmed with white fur, which they have teamed with red high heeled boots and, for some rather strange reason, sparkly tiaras.

A few of the more exclusive Christmas shops are stocking the Byers Choice range of Christmas Carollers, which are collectable doll figurines in a variety of themes, such as 18th Century London traders, Victorian, Georgian and, my favourite, Salvation Army, all with open mouths, singing lustily. These delightful dolls are handmade in the USA by a family concern who now export some of their creations to Britain.

One of the nicest Christmas dolls available in Britain is the sleeping baby Jesus sold by Ashton-Drake Galleries. This delightful baby, ‘Away in a Manger’, was sculpted by Waltraud Hanl, and is 21" long. He comes complete with a straw-filled wooden manger, so you need quite a bit of space to display him – but what a wonderful centrepiece he would make, as well as a very special heirloom.

Speaking of heirlooms, many families save their Christmas decorations from one year to the next, and often, amongst them is a fairy doll. Sadly, the Christmas fairy seems to have gone out of fashion – in fact, this year Woolworths have decided not to stock any at all. Years ago, it was a Christmas highlight to visit a shop to choose the fairy, and the counters used to be full of them, all arrayed in crisp net gowns, carrying their sparkly wands. Some of these fairies are handed down over the years, and I have several which have been lovingly wrapped away in tissue, maybe fifty years or so ago, to be brought out each year to crown the festivities. No doubt, in a few year’s time, the idea of the fairy doll will be rediscovered and will be the must-have designer feature on top of every Christmas tree once more.

Meanwhile, I will be very unfashionable, because to me, a tree without a fairy, is like Santa without his whiskers – not properly dressed!

Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Healthy New Year,

Sue X

DECIDELY DOLLY 4

noreply@blogger.com (Decidedly Dolly) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:54:00 +0000

Hello Everyone,

In my last Blog I mentioned the soaring prices of certain dolls, such as Teeny Weeny Tiny Tears, and so this time I thought I’d talk about the Blythe phenomenon.

As many of you will know, Blythe was a small, 12", teen doll with an enormous head, issued in 1972. Way in advance of her time, her scary, big-eyed looks terrified children and had no appeal for adults, so she was soon discontinued by Kenner. In fact, she was only made for one year which explains why she is so difficult to find today. The most scary thing about Blythe’s eyes was the way that they could change colour – from blue to amber to green and to a very hung-over pink! At the time, people were still quite conventional and liked their dolls to look like little girls, not monsters; unlike today when anything goes, and the more outlandish the doll, the quicker it sells. Blythe could be bought in a choice of four hair colours – blonde, brunette, redhead and dark brown – while twelve outfits were available. It was also possible to buy crazy afro-type wigs in pink, blue, lemon or lime to alter her appearance.

Blythe was doomed to rest in peace, to be remembered fondly only by a few die-hard fans – but then something happened. An Italian lady called Gina Garan used Blythe dolls as models in a fashion book, ‘This Is Blythe’ – and suddenly Blythe was hot. Japan especially went crazy for her, and before long were making their own versions of big-headed large eyed dolls, such as the Pullip series and the Takara Blythe dolls.

Of course, prices for original Blythe dolls soared, in some cases reaching four-figure sums on the internet, and collectors in the UK scrabbled for the few Takara and Pullip dolls which reached our shores. Pullip dolls are slightly different to the Blythe dolls, with more delicate faces, and the eyes don’t change colour, but the design concept is similar. Things are settling down a bit now, though original Blythes in good condition are still selling for around £800, while the sky’s the limit for a mint in box doll. So, when you are ambling around a boot fair or flea market, keep a look out – there just could be an original Blythe lurking around. You never know!

Not so long ago, Ashton-Drake produced a series of Blythe dolls, completely faithful to the originals, even down to the costumes, and they are excellent. These dolls are very much for the collector’s market, and are expensive, and quite hard to obtain in the UK. All the Blythe look-alikes seem difficult to buy here; you need to order from the internet or bid on internet auctions. However, there are some enchanting dolls around, though whether they will ever be as sought after as the originals is anybody’s guess.

Takara also make a range of mini Blythes, which are much cheaper than the larger dolls but which make a cute collectable. These ‘Petite Blythes’ stand 4" tall and are dressed in the same hot, often quirky, fashions of the larger dolls. Pullip too has a mini, 4.5" range of dolls. These smaller versions of Blythe are well-worth considering if the look appeals but the cost doesn’t!
Personally, I am very fond of Blythe; her quirky hippy-style looks appeal, and I find it fascinating to root out the different types, from the 1972 original, through Takara, Pullip, Ashton-Drake and to the range of cheap Blythe look-a-likes produced a few years ago by Designer Girl which featured a push button, rather than a ring pull, mechanism.

SueX

DECIDEDLY DOLLY 3

noreply@blogger.com (Decidedly Dolly) — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 21:38:00 +0000

Hello Everyone

I’ve been checking out doll prices recently - have you noticed the extraordinary rises in vinyl dolls of the 60s, 70s & early 80s? It’s only certain dolls, though, while other so-called ‘classics’ are still reasonably priced. Dare I hope that the doll market is finally becoming buoyant again?

There has been an amazing price increase in some of the range of older Tiny Tears dolls over the last six months or so, with good examples passing the £100 mark. The smallest in the series - Palitoy Teeny Weeny Tears, a 9” baby dating from the early 1980s - has soared dramatically. An example in original clothing, complete with bottle and dummy sold for £120 on Ebay; a tremendous profit for anyone who has owned the doll from new, or even from someone who bought one four or five years ago when they could still be picked up for a few pounds. The prices of bigger dolls in the series are rising too, with a boxed 1960s Palitoy Tiny Tears selling for almost £135, and some unboxed dolls reaching the £50 mark.

Even Tonka’s Katie, the big sister of Tiny Tears, is becoming sought after with prices reaching £15 plus, and with a nice example selling last week for £41. A few months ago, Katie dolls changed hands for under £10. This obviously doesn’t mean that any old vinyl doll you happen to pick up at a boot fair will make your fortune, but it is worth keeping an eye out for clean, all-original examples of classic dolls, especially if they have their boxes or accessories.

Sasha dolls are highly collectable, but look out too for My Child fabric dolls - a beautiful redhead example sold for over £350 recently, while a strawberry blonde wasn’t far behind. The big-eyed Blythe dolls from 1972 are another to watch for; regularly selling for £500 plus, they demonstrate just how strange the market is. When they were introduced, they were thought of as ‘scary’ and didn’t sell in vast numbers. A few years ago they became cult figures, especially in Japan, where they now make repro versions. 1950s hard plastic dolls are another to watch, though prices for those seem to be levelling out of late.

Though I would never recommend dolls as an investment - I believe you should buy what you love, as the market is so fickle - I think that for those of us who are attracted to the bisque dolls from the early twentieth century, now is the time to buy. Prices have dropped dramatically, and at present dolls by Armand Marseille, Heubach and the like can be bought, well, not cheaply, but, considering their history, age and beauty, still reasonably - sometimes for not much more than a top quality plastic doll. The advantage of bisque is that it will last. Plastic can deteriorate, and we have no way of knowing whether a vinyl Tiny Tears doll will still be presentable in another fifty years time. Already there have been some issues with the breakdown of plastics in hard plastic dolls.

Whatever kind of dolls you collect, inspect them regularly, move them about, keep them out of direct sun. Check before you buy, or make sure you buy from a reputable dealer.

Enjoy your collection,
SueX

DECIDEDLY DOLLY 2

noreply@blogger.com (Decidedly Dolly) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:05:00 +0000

Hello Everyone

Earlier this month (June) I went to the Discover Dolls Fair in Peterborough. This was a new event, set in a Holiday Inn, which proved an excellent and spacious venue with plenty of car parking. Often, doll fairs are set in small halls with limited parking space, but as all keen collectors know, it's essential to park nearby as dolls are large and bulky. If you're anything like me, you soon get laden with carrier bags and can end up staggering under the weight if you can't easily get to the car.

Anyway, when we arrived - my daughter was my chauffeur for the day! - we were amazed at the queue waiting to get into the fair, as normally doll fairs don’t attract large crowds. In fact, the organiser later told me that before the fair opened, the queue had stretched right along the corridor, through the lobby and out into the car park. I’m hoping this is a good sign - for too long dolls seem to have been the poor relations in the collectables world. This particular fair centred on reborns and newborns - artists’ dolls which resemble new babies, often uncannily so. Many of the dolls are works of art, with hair individually rooted using a fine needle, and ‘skin’ coloured with realistic baby blotches and marks.

Some collectors are unsure of the difference between reborns and newborns - basically, a reborn is a baby doll made from a kit or from a doll which has been taken to bits and reassembled after repainting. The ‘reborner’ paints the pieces of the doll with a purple or blue paint on the inside of the limbs, and this colours the vinyl to give a newborn baby flesh tinge. They also open the nostrils, repaint the lips, replace the eyes with realistic eyes, reroot the hair, treat the nails so they are shiny and white tipped, and often use a special glaze to create a teary look around the eyes. They might add delicate thread veins, birthmarks and, usually, make a soft poseable body for the doll, weighting it to feel like a real baby. There is a lot of work involved, and many reborners are skilled at the technique.

A newborn is the term used for a realistic baby doll which the artist has modelled from scratch, using various substances, but usually a polymer clay or Cernit. These newborns can, like reborns, be startlingly realistic - often they cause people to take a second look to see if they are actual babies. The artists who make these dolls sometimes sell them as one offs, or limited editions, and sometimes their designs are chosen by major manufacturers who issue them in larger quantities.

Large companies who market newborns, include Ashton Drake, whose ‘Truly Real’ range of silicone babies are proving exceedingly popular, and offer a chance for those of us who can’t afford to invest in a artist original the chance to own a realistic baby doll of our own. Though mass produced, many of these dolls are delightful, and though might not perhaps be finished to the same exacting standards as the original artist doll, they are still lovely to collect. The photo at the top of this page is 'A Kiss For Jennifer' from Ashton Drake.

Happy dolling

SueX

DECIDEDLY DOLLY 1

noreply@blogger.com (Decidedly Dolly) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:31:00 +0000

Hello Everyone

My name is Susan Brewer, though most people call me Sue, and I've collected things ever since I was little, when I stuck savings stamps into an album. The stamps bore pictures of Prince Charles and Princess Anne as toddlers, which gives you a clue to my age. I'm a lot younger inside, though, kept that way by my two 'children' in their twenties, plus all the gossip I glean from my colleague and friend Tracy Martin, whose Blog you will no doubt have already read.

Dolls are my main speciality, I don't know why, they just are. I've always loved them, right from childhood and am lucky enough to still have a few of my early dolls (the ones I managed to hide when Mum told me I was too old for dolls and they had to be binned!). However, over the years I've also collected - and gained knowledge of - many different kinds of collectables including ceramics, nursery collectables and babywear, children's toys, modern teddy bears, postcards, children's books and fun collectables. I am a great fan of themed collections, I love the way a doll, bear, book, ornament, cup and postcard can all come together to create a display.

I began my writing career in earnest in the 1970s; since then I have written for many magazines, including Collect It!, Doll Magazine, Collectables, Antiques and Collectables, What's It Worth?, Doll Showcase, Teddy Bear Scene, Collector's Gazette, Teddy Bear Times, The Sun, My Weekly, Woman's Realm and Best. At the moment I am Editor of Doll Magazine and also of Doll Showcase, and a regular contributor to Collect It! and Teddy Bear Scene. I've given talks on various aspects of doll collecting, and have appeared on television in shows such as Car Booty, I Love the 70s, I love the 80s and as guest presenter on QVC. I've been writing for the World Collector's Net for several years, and think it's a brilliant site - I admire the way it brings together collectors with many different interests, and is always up to the minute.

I've also written a book featuring the collectable dolls Tiny Tears and First Love, several booklets on various aspects of doll collecting, as well a child's first reader, Mike's Bike. I'm presently working on two books on doll collecting with a nostalgia theme plus a book on the history of playground games and toys. It's fun remembering all those skipping rhymes and chants, and has brought back many memories.

My Blog will tell you about the dolls I discover on my travels, and the people and collectors I meet. I'll also keep you updated on other areas of collectables which particularly appeal to me. Hopefully, I'll point would-be doll collectors in the right direction, and help established collectors by suggesting new ideas and trends. I'll let you know about special finds and pass on any doll-related gossip too - and as things tend to happen to me, I'm sure I'll have plenty of funny anecdotes to share, so please look in from time to time!

Sue X