20″ Concertina was advertised by Valentine in 1958. She could be purchased in her Swan Lake costume, or in a gift set with several extra outfits. She has a hard plastic body with jointed knees and ankles, and a vinyl head with rooted hair and sleep eyes. Her “Swiss musical movement” I think would indicate that it is wind up rather than battery operated. If you have this doll, or any more information, please leave a comment and tell us about her.
Vintage plush Trudy Toys musical elephant is tagged and in excellent, clean, working condition. She sits about 7.5″ tall and has lovely, shiny, clean plush fur, brown plastic eyes, and a windup music box in her belly. The song is “Around the World in 80 Days.” When the music plays, she waves her trunk around and around. No odors. She dates to the 1950s or early 1960s. A darling vintage plush animal in wonderful condition!
I don’t know the age of this dress, but it is definitely 19th century or early 20th century. The fabric is very loosely woven, but kind of stiff. It feels like linen but may be cotton. It is machine sewn, but the button holes are hand worked and the black velvet ribbon trim is sewn on by hand. It measures about 16 1/4″ from the front neckline to the hem. The front of the dress is lightly faded, and there are a few tiny holes and a few tiny spots, but overall it is in very good condition with no objectionable odors. One sleeve seam needs restitching at the cuff, a very easy fix. A lovely dress for a special doll!
A look at what’s inside the Winter 2018 issue of Doll News, published by the United Federation of Doll Clubs, plus information on how to become a member of UFDC. Articles in this issue include the Barrois doll, plus the pattern to make her outfit shown on the cover; Leo Moss dolls; Seminole Indian dolls; and much more. For more information: www.ufdc.org
Kerr & Hinz was the trade name for a line of small all bisque dolls made by the Santa Clara Tile Co. in the 1930s and ’40s. They originally made dolls for Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls, then began selling the dolls under their own name. A lawsuit followed, and the remaining stock was forgotten in a warehouse until it was discovered in the 1970s.
The company made babies, pudgy toddlers and slim children from 4″ to 7″ tall. They are incised K&H USA on their backs. The girls have mohair wigs. Dolls were sold dressed and undressed. Kerr & Hinz dolls were popular with women’s groups who bought them by the dozen to costume and sell at fundraisers.
A Wedding Party set was made with bride, groom, flower girl, ring bearer, and four bridesmaids. See it here.
Photo by Franklin Lim LiaoPhoto by Franklin Lim Liao
