Posted 4 years ago
moogie
(3 items)
Hello. I am looking for someone to identify a doll I recently purchased. She has no markings, American made, 24", ball jointed composition body and head, tin lithograph sleep eyes with eyelashes, human hair wig, possibly made around 1919-1921?. I've collected antique dolls for about 15 years but have never seen this one. Thank you for your time. Joan
She's so pretty
Thank you, Yes she is! When I received her she was ten times prettier than her auction photos ... A lovely surprise.
Very nice. I wonder why your sure she is made in USA she has a European look to me . Her eyes appear to be glass not tin and something may have been done to her eyebrows ? Her wig does not look original to her making her had to ID . I think she is wonderful but without seeing more of her and what may not be original hard to know maker . I enjoyed seeing her though :-)
Thank you for writing. My original description was what the seller sent me thus I should have done my own research, and again, the seller concluded she was USA. But looking closer in sunlight and flashlight I do not believe her eyes are tin. I've seen tin eyes and they are dim not glassy-looking like hers. I don't believe however they are glass and I have compared them next to a pair. So I think they are plastic. Regarding the yellowing, I have read that if machine oil is used to clean these types of eyes they will eventually appear as so. Shining light in all directions, her eyebrows seem to be a first-try and do not seem painted over to me. And wigs you can never swear by. I have added more photos.
Thanks for better photo :-) Yes eyes are tin I can see that now . She appears European made to me still . Her eyes are off set and to far in when open . I am surprised she made it out of factory with mistake on eyebrows . Does she have a open head and a pate ? Don't put oil in eyes they are fine . Way to much hair for her to be original . Let me know if she has a pate or closed head ok
Yes, she has an open head. Her wig is very tightly glued down to the pate but I can pull up tiny corners in spots to verify the open head. And yes I say - way too much hair for original but looks attractive though. Please ask more questions:)
In my opinion, the doll has repainted eyebrows and eyelashes, the eyes can be made methacrylate, hence yelowish color, as for the air it is a modern wig for that doll, If you have lifted the wig you can see inside the type of eyes and the material of the head. The type of glue tells whether the wig is new or not. I think it could have been made around 1940. Anyway the doll is pretty
Kellymore. Yes I agree the eyebrows look repainted, looking closely I see no sign of originals. Possibly she was flawed leaving the factory and brows were forgotten thus someone took liberty? The eyelashes are exact same color as brows but do not strike me as not original. Her wig is unusually firmly glued on, I must use unusually strong force to peel it back which I am uncomfortable with plus composition comes off as well in those areas adhered to head. 1940 is an interesting date. Thank You for your thoughts.
I have added a new photo showing glue spots. If eyelashes were painted later on along with the brows, they are too perfect not to be professionally done. And although the brows seem a bit overpowering in color and are unlike what would be expected on a doll of this type, I find the dark shade complimentary to her overall pretty face.