Joyce, Another Doll by Helen Pringle

Joyce is 21 inches tall, one of a group made by Helen for a festival in Salem in 1990. Her heart shaped hang tag says Salem Sisters, 1990. Joyce, as she was called by Helen, is a precious doll, expertly made and having great character.   She has two bonnets, a sun bonnet of cheddar colored calico and a white indoor cap.  I have renamed the doll Phoebe.

A related group was called Maids and Lads of Salem. See Dixie's Post on the Pringle dolls below. 

 I would love to hear from people who have any of the dolls from these two groups sold in MA, and to buy one if it is available for adoption.  Phoebe was recently sold through Withington's auction in October of 2014, to a dealer from whom I was able to purchase the doll.   Edyth O'Neill

Doll Shops United: A Selling Site

Doll Shops United, a site dedicated to selling dolls and doll related items, will be having their Grand Opening on November 15th. Doll collectors, dealers and doll artists will have a new opportunity for buying and selling dolls. You can check out their preview site here:  Doll Shops United Preview Site.   

You can rent a shop for a whole month at a flat fee which allows you to showcase multiple items instead of paying Ebay commissions per item.  I sold an antique doll on Ebay last year and the commission for that ONE doll was would have paid for a shop for a month at Doll Shops United. Doll Shops United has two tiers for membership - a standard shop and a featured shop.  You can read more at the Sellers FAQ page. 

The Doll Shops United Newsletter will share updates as the date of the Grand Opening nears. The Doll Shops United Facebook page has daily information about the site and images of beautiful antique and contemporary dolls. 

Disclaimer by Dixie:  I am not connected with Doll Shops United, and have not received any compensation for sharing about this site.  A few of the people involved in its creation are people I admire, that's all!  I do not yet have a shop on the site but AM considering it.  :-)

A Motschmann Variation

This nice early German glass eyed Papier Mache’ head with a snood hairdo once had a Motschmann type body.  Pictured also is a blond waxed doll of this period on her original body.  I will watch for a correct old body, and may or may not ever get it.  There was a broken Motschmann for sale just this week on line, but too small to go with this head.  Meanwhile, I have placed the doll on an old cloth body and added arms from a wax doll of 1870 to 80.   This way she can be dressed and enjoyed with the doll family. The mid 19^th century under clothes of little girls and their dolls are so sweet.  How nice it is to find an old doll dress just right for her.

I believe this doll head with a snood was made about 1860. Most dolls I have seen of this type were waxed, but there is no residue of wax on this head even in the smallest crevasses.   She is seldom found in this large size.  As shown she stands 22 inches tall with child like proportions and would look correct on a slightly longer body.  Although she shows wear to her head this is preferable to restoration when wear is minor like this.  Her personality is intact .

To have a doll head with it's correct body is always to be desired. A make-do like this is mess so far as integrity and value are concerned.   I hope this doll can one day have the body she should have.  This does allow me to enjoy her till then.  edyth

Lucy's Doll House to Close in October

Lucy's Doll House will be closing its doors after October 12th of 2014.  Lucy's Dollhouse began in Camden, Maine in 2006 with Lucy Morgan and Susan Singer as the proprietors. Over the past 8 years the shop has been an inspiration to me, Dixie, as an appreciator of antiques and as a doll artist.  Sue graciously allowed me to document many Izannah Walker dolls which came through their shop. From those photographs, the Izannah Walker Chronicles was born.

The shop will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10-4 until Labor Day.  Following Labor Day the shop will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 10-4 until October 12th.  

While the physical brick and mortar shop of Lucy's Dollhouse will close, Sue Singer is looking forward to opening an online shop called Gazie's Dollhouse.