The Metal Doll Book and Project

I've been asked what this book on metal dolls is about. Primarily, I'd have to say it was a labor of love that I began in 1986. I first read about dolls with metal heads when I was eight, and my mother bought me Helen Young's excellent text, The Complete Book of Doll Collecting. She wrote over forty years ago that metal heads, along with half dolls, some foreign dolls, and folk dolls, to name a few, were considered "secondaries" that people were not interested in. At the time, no one was collecting vintage Barbies or Ginny, or really any modern dolls. The only artist dolls that mattered were those gorgeous creations by the National Institute of American Doll Artists, N.I.A.D.A. Parians and china heads were got, with French Dolls and all antiques not far behind. Queen Anne dolls were around, but most were in Museums and I met a lot of collectors who felt that's where they belonged.

I first saw two perfect, mint condition twin metal heads with blonde hair and beautiful complexions at the home of a lady who was a friend of my Brownie leader. We were able to visit her collection, housed beautifully in the basement of her home, because my leader know how much I loved dolls. Indeed, I got special showing that day. The prize of Mrs. W's collection was her set of twin Minervas [I think that's what they were!]. They were dressed in light blue cotton bustle dresses trimmed in white lace. She kept them upstairs and felt they were her best dolls. Five years later, I bought my first metal head, a Minerva, in fair condition, in an antique shop in Wisconsin Dells. There were many shops then that featured old dolls, tourist dolls, and antique reproductions. I also bought my first Ginny on that trip from a shop set up in an old barn. There were big grey geese running underfoot the whole time! I found the body for the doll in the early 90s in Murfreesboro, TN. I was hooked after that, and started writing about them. I met many famous collectors and exchanged information with museums all over the world. I included dolls with metal parts in the book, all metal dolls, ritual idols and religious figures from the ancient world, and automatons and mechanical dolls. I was lucky enough to to find primary materials, and I have letters and other memorabilia from some of the great names in doll collecting. Two became my dear penpals and friends.

The Holy Grail for me is to locate the metal headed Huret that once belonged to Maureen Popp, and then Dorothy Dixon. Ms. Dixon wrote me a lovely letter after I learned she had the doll, but she would not send a photo. She said she had other plans for her pictures, but I don't know if they ever materialized. I'm not sure who sold her dolls after her death, either. I had to sketch the doll from an old photo and from other descriptions I had for the book. Needless to say, I would love to own her, but I'm realistic. Even correspondence with her owner, and a decent photo would thrill me.

Then, I included chapters on toy soldiers made of metal, and novelty dolls that walk, talk, eat, etc. I updated the book with trends in dolls and doll making and also talked about toy robots and other doll related figures.

It is not a picture book per se, though there are photos. There is a good index, and a lot of material for museums, interested collectors, and those who want to learn more about theirown dolls. I will excerpt it from time to time for those out there interested.

I would be very happy to hear from others who love metal dolls, and am also looking for an all steel ball jointed little girl doll, if there are any out there, and photos of a French metal doll by Lucien Vervelle.

Till later, Happy Doll Collecting!