Posted 2 years ago
shodan_chi…
(1 item)
Hello, looking for a little history on this shirley doll? Does this happen to be a prototype doll? Either way I'm interested in learning more about her.
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She's so pretty!
She is adorable. And what a lovely dress too!
What does the marking say? I can't read it in the second photo. Prototype dolls didn't have the words "Shirley Temple", but were just marked "Cop Ideal N & T Co". Sometimes they had a label inside their head, but in you case there seems to be a marking outside.
I think that the dress from "Stand Up and Cheer" in blue is rarer than the one in red. Really pretty.
The wig might not be original, but it is very pretty too and fits her very well.
Hi your wonderful Composition Shirley is All original. She has flirty eyes . Not as common in the 1930's doll like yours. It means her eyes move side to side to follow you. In Absolutely fantastic condition. I cannot make out marking on back of head also look on her back. It helps date her .The first ones sold with different markings but not her name on doll. Once Ideal realized she was a hit they added her name to back of neck and also her back. If her name is not on doll you could call her a testing market doll. These prototypes had chubbier cheeks too. What a treasure you have . That is her wig also :-) you can rub a pencil gently across marking to bring them out to read it won't hurt her and it will wipe off. Post what you see ok
Manikin, how do you recognize it is mohair? I would like to learn because sometimes I see wigs online and I am not sure and the seller is not sure either...
I think I have fallen in love with this Shirley!
I have tried to edit the photo with the back of her head, but I still cannot make out the marking..., possibly because there is some light on it. Let us know what it says yourself. :)
And I can see you even have her original box. How wonderful! It is quite rare to find a Shirley with everything, including the box.
I am not an expert (I started collecting dolls a couple of years ago, as I was more into bears back then), but I can see that the name "Shirley Temple" is on the box (and she also has a pin). As prototypes didn't have the name ST on them, maybe they didn't have it on the box either, as Ideal first wanted to see how successful the doll would be (and she was of course very successful). Either way she is just gorgeous.
Do you know about the boxes, Manikin?
arctophilegirl, The box she has is the 1st design I have a photo of the first 3 if you email me at Manikin1234@hotmail.com I will send it to you .
Well as far as hair and determining mohair,human hair , synthetic.I guess that comes from working on dolls hair for about 25 year with a doll museum I did the hair. The best way to learn is go to a doll museum where you can see many many dolls.. Dolls are always coming up with new information so I suggest Books ! Lots of them. Do not use price guides in them however . Nice to chat and any time I can help you I will try :-)
shodan_childs I believe your doll is the earliest 1934 in Stand up and Cheer Dress , variation of the red and white one . Her box is the one they used 1st . I thinkshe is marked COP Ideal N&T CO.
Thank you, Manikin. I have sent you an email. :)
I think in person/real life I can normally distinguish between mohair and synthetic too, Manikin, but photos sometimes are more difficult to interpret for beginners. This wig is in a much better condition than other original ST doll wigs. It looks so smooth and shiny (maybe because of the flash too). Maybe this doll was not played with much or was kept in the box. My ST came with a messed-up wig I had to restyle,,, :)
Something else I have been thinking about for some time...
The Doll Reference site says that the original Ideal Shirley Temple composition dolls had 52 ringlet curls, but most dolls I see only have a few curls? Have they have been restyled? I don't think I have ever seen one with so many curls, but maybe tiny curls are also included in the count... :) Even in old ads I cannot see so many curls.