Posted 9 years ago
Purplepug
(1 item)
This was my gran's doll that was hand made for her by a Dutch POW stationed in her hometown of Dorset, she was roughly 2 years old when given it. It is hand stuffed with (straw?) and real hair was used to make her own.
Randomly Googling brought me to an old Steiff doll that I thought bore a striking resemblance, please give me your thoughts!
My mum remembers playing with her and said she had beautiful bright vibrant clothes in the Dutch style, and can describe exactly what they looked like.
She stands roughly 14" tall.
I would never sell her, I am just hoping to uncover more of her history.
Read a little of it here : https://www.facebook.com/GreatGreatGreatFamilyTrees/posts/842534109122064:0
I'm confused. What do you mean, a Dutch POW stationed in Dorset? Do you mean a former POW who was on active duty and stationed in Dorset? Can you put up the link to the Steiff doll?
Yes a Dutch prisoner of war, he was stationed in Dorchester Dorset, Ellen Caundle was the name of my great grandmother and the date was 1914. The actual image was on Pinterest but I'll post the pic as a second image on the above
It has a touching story.
She has the look of a wonderful stieff doll but with repairs to body, as arms were not that long and made fully of felt . I would like to see her nude . But face says steiff . Side view of face and nude photo's needed
I do not believe she is homemade but factory made .
A close up of face would help also :-)
The provenance was passed down to my mum from her mum- this is all I know as sadly my gran has passed away. The information that I present is as told.
I am calling to mum shortly I will update the pics- or is there any way I can post the pics on this thread?
This is the doll you mean:
http://www.prices4antiques.com/Cloth-Doll-Steiff-Clown-Felt-Attire-Inset-Blonde-Hair-Shoe-Button-Eyes-11-inch-E8942724.html
Pinterest Steiff dolls
https://nl.pinterest.com/jackipoulson/steiff-felt-dolls/
Agree with Manikin, the face definitely shouts Steiff.
A Steiff Dutch girl doll would be completely made of felt, though - the shoes on your doll are not felt.
Here is what a Steiff felt doll body looks like:
http://mysteifflife.blogspot.nl/2011/06/steiff-double-dutch-family-treasure.html
Updated the photos. In total she had a pair of bloomers, a pair of combinations, a petticoat, a skirt, knitted socks, a blouse (missing) and a lace edged bonnet. I have more pics but can't upload anymore here. I'll make a facebook public album and share the link here
Facebook album added here: https://m.facebook.com/suzie.duffin/albums/10153239268007434/
Purple would you email the photo's you put on face book it won't let me save one to blow up . Would you also look at her ear to me I see a hole at top of lobe ? She is starting to appear to be put together doll to me . Meaning not on original body . Also need to see feet . Manikin1234@hotmail.com
Hey Manikin- email sent there
Feet can't be seen as the straw swelling a little has tightened the soda and I'd be scared the foot would fall off if I tried remove it
The straw filling bothers me. I can't find any references to straw ever being used in Steiff products. Steiff used excelsior as stuffing in early dolls. These dolls also had disc joints, like the bears. There is an appraisal transcript here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/200904A29.html
One thing I thought of was that the pow in the German camp was a Steiff worker? The pow were allowed to live amongst the community, some even taking jobs with local trades. Could it be possible I wonder that this was when it was made? The regular filing could not be sourced obviously, and an alternative had been used by Steiff- wood clippings. Stretching to straw may not have been that far a leap? Only a theory - and I appreciate you all have a wealth of knowledge compared to me !
The hands are much too big and there are too many seam joins in the body. I see that there are discs in the arm/leg joints. There were people in those days making Steiff knockoffs, so it's possible that this is one of them. I don't think it's a genuine Steiff.
Maybe so, I emailed the original pic to Steiff.com - they reckoned it could be genuine article but I guess now I'm not sure
There are straw stuffed ones ! http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=330812994786&category=3910&pm=1&ds=0&t=1457739476481
Did you contact the shop or the Museum?
Steiff Museum
Margarete-Steiff-Platz 1
D-89537 Giengen/Brenz
E-Mail: museum@steiff.de
Tel. +49 (0)7322 / 131 500
It is definitely a steiff doll a early model 1910-1912 . It is correct ! The extra photo's you sent my email confirm it . So it is factory made and a doll with value . Keep her from being handled to much and away from sunlight ,moisture and moths . She is a treasure . They also made this model as a man .
Yes Steiff used straw in early dolls . I have held them and yes straw is correct for early doll like yours
I emailed bromley@steiff.com and was passed on by the Steiff gallery store? @Manikin thank you for your input - I forwarded on their email to you
Manikin, where did you find the reference for the straw? I looked and looked and only found the mention of the excelsior.
Please tell me the value- I will never ever sell her but it may convince my mum to have a proper "bed" made for her. At the moment she is wrapped in two cash bags and a plastic bag over the top ????
We cannot tell you the value. There are no appraisers here.
Fully understand, but would appreciate if someone would say either ballpark €20 or €200!
Efsgirl I worked in a doll museum for 25 yrs so I know from experience and having seen them in person . I don't have a book to show you a photo but they did use straw .
Purple I don't know your currency in your reference but the very early one's are not easy to find and will just say over 100 plus since we can't give a true price on site . Yes a plastic bag is not good . I would put her in cedar chest or get enclosed glass case for her . You don't need to handle her anymore once redressed .
Thanks Manikin that's all I need to convince mum :) I'm in Ireland and prices in euro. Have you ever seen one dressed like this before?
Manikin - I had no idea. What an interesting job that must have been for you!
Efsgirl I worked in a doll museum and antique doll shop also for that long . Very lucky to see and work on some amazing rare dolls as far back as 1700's . I had a great mentor and I also sewed reproduction clothes in old fabric for naked dolls , did all their hair and yes it was a amazing job and I am still learning it is never ending :-)
Purple I believe your doll is missing her over dress or blouse as she seems to be missing part of clothes , and yes the dutch shoes are correct also .
Efsgirl you might enjoy reading my profile and always glad to have you with me on the dolls :-)))
Yes she had a laced lemon blouse with (pearly? as mum remembers) buttons. She has a lot of garments !
Thank you for emailing me confirmation you just received from Steiff verifying what I said she was 100 % Steiff. You can mark this solved and so glad you shared this wonderful doll with us !
Thank you all for your helpful input and Manikin thanks for your wisdom!! My mum has read the thread and is over the moon that her little doll has stirred up a discussion. Preparations for a special display box have been started too lol.
Your doll is special it is first one I have seen on site in 6 yrs I have been on it . They just don't show up often so it was such a nice post and you and your Mum were very helpful by supplying extra photo's as I requested . Enjoy your special doll and hope to see you again :-)
I will definitely be back- this is an interesting site full of information, I look forward to browsing more here :) Steiffgal posted a blog about Dutchie- thought I would drop the link here for you all! http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com/2016/03/its-all-in-family-with-this-turn-of.html
She has become quite famous :-)
Manikin, I am mainly a Barbie/Estrella girl. I have been lucky over the years, having found an American girl head (for free!) and a number of Susi Estrella dolls. One was the Afro American in original clothing. Orange eyes. She was gorgeous.
I'm glad this doll mystery was solved.
What a great post !!!!
Congratulations to everyone involved !!! !!! !!!