Samurai Ken

The latest doll to fly off shelves appears to be the Japanese or Samurai Ken. I couldn't find any at Target. Had luck at Toys R Us, and I bought one online, and one at the local store. I don't usually buy two dolls this way, but it was so hard to find I decided I wanted a spare, and would also like to take one out of the box. I do like to keep my new dolls boxed. I've regretted taking them out because if I have to store them, I can't keep everything with them. Besides, their boxes are nice, and I find it easier to store them. This is, of course, personal preference. No one should keep or toss boxes because they feel compelled to do it. I also am not doing it to increase value. That kind of speculation frustrates and depresses us here at the museum. We like to remember it is a hobby, and we like to keep it light.

Lili, Barbie, Historical Women

I thought I would describe my next display of dolls and post some photos. I am doing the history of Barbie for a local museum, and will include dolls and pictures of Lili, Hong Kong Lili, Barbie, and all her ancestors. I will post my PowerPoint here when completed, so everyone may see it. I plan to use information briefly tracing ancient dolls and figures and their relation to Barbie, as well as the history of the fashion doll itself. The hard part is limiting myself. I have to transport everything, and The Museum could easily provide 1000 dolls. The PowerPoint will help limit transport issues, which is good. I put up and took down the last exhibit of Nutcrackers and German dolls, and that took me several trips. I took them down two weeks ago as the snow prefacing our huge blizzard began to fall. One of the dolls was a lifesized reproduction of an FG mannikin; I had to decapitate her to take her there, and then carry her around. She wears my clothes, and I think she's gained weigtht! There were several other very large dolls, decorations, large plastic boxes and accessories. It was spooky on one of the floors where I was working, and a perpetual film we play there depicting a pogrom was playing. In the dark behind me, there were frightened horses whinnying, dogs barking, screams, you name it. Then, there was a terrible crash two floors below me when I was on my last trip dowstairs, holding the huge mannikin. There were only two other people in the building, and I got very scared. I was sure I was going to die meeting the Friendly Neighborhood Serial killer, with this big doll in my arms. What would people think?! But, the two there were working on computers,and I think something fell or a door slammed. Both were fine and helped me by opening doors for me. I was covered in snow, and drove home with a car full of dolls and boxes, the big girl seated next to me, her head now on, and swathed in shawls and afghans. So, most of the Barbies and friends are small; I'm only taking one supersized doll, and one small house. Restraint, restraint,as Joseph Conrad writes.

In May, I am doing a talk on historical women dolls for AAUW. Again, choices must be made, but I can do that one quite nicely with my Nisbet and Alexander families, and with examples from our good friends at Uneek Designs. I will approach dolls representing historical women, dolls that belonged to historical women, and dolls that were made possible by historical women, e.g., the costuming/work of Mmes. Kestner, Jumeau, Bru, Huret, and Rohmer, to name a few. And of course, Barbie and Ruth Handler figure into the mix again.

The weather is better, more new dolls are out, the doll shows and yard sales are about to begin. Happy Dolling!

A Link for Resin Dolls

I met a wonderful young business woman and collector in an unlikely place Saturday. I was at our local Chinese New Year Festival, a last minute invitation by my friend and her husband. I came upon a fantastic ball-jointed resin doll from the shop of Kassy Caldwell. Her link is www.resin-shop.com. She is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and the dolls are wonderful. Take a cyber trip and enjoy!

The Penny Doll

Went to local antique show on a whim last night. I've been doing since age 7. I'm a little older, now. I saw a 4 in. penny doll, stone bisque, jointed arms, molded hair and painted features. She was ten dollars, a good price. I started paying fifty cents and a dollar for them at ages 7 and 8. Then I thought, these dolls originally cost a penney or less, and were given as change at grocery stores. They've gone up in value 1000%!

Metal Dolls

From my archives, a few photos of dolls addressed in my book. Enjoy, and stay warm!

Haunted Dolls and Advice

Thanks for the great comments! We at the Museum love them! The Haunted Doll Museum site, with its blogs and other materials on the site, is the best place I can think of. Also, check Doll Reader magazine; summer of 2009, one of their issues had an article on Haunted Dolls. Good Luck.

Barbra Streisand's Hot Water Bottle Doll

This is a very sad story; she didn't have dolls when she was little, only a hot water bottle a neighbor made clothes for. Now, she has a perfect collection of antique dolls, including some stellar French and automata. Her book is wonderful, and her life story very interesting. I wish she could do myhouse.

Hope all is well and no one is snowed in. I am posting some photos of new members of the museum. Enjoy.

Links of Interest

Porcelain Dolls; good article and photos, especially of antiques.http://www.nickolai-gurgeiff.com/about/index.php?subject=Products/Porcelain%20Dolls

Chest of Books. Doll Clothes. http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/needlework/Needle-Cult/Doll-Clothes.html

The Toy Zone.http://www.thetoyzone.com/2009/15-truly-terrifying-dolls/

Judi's Doll Store. http://dollnetmarket.com/home.php?cat=8

***Medieval Renaissance Culture, Toys and Playthings, Dolls Wonderful Information and graphics. http://www.larsdatter.com/toys.htm

Nearly 3000!

We have nearly had 3000 views; this is great. I found a great blog the other day focussing on ancient dolls and medieval dolls. I recommend it. Am working on Historical women dolls and Barbie/Lili lecture, including some PowerPoints. I took, down the Christmas exhibit yesterday, and the repro FG mannikin made it home in one piece in my front seat. My car was loaded; it was just unreal! But, everything came home in one piece, though I was virtually alone in a very strange place, and a couple mysterious crashes kept me jumping. Then, the snow and sleet began. It was sort of dolly armageddon. Then, the image of a black horse on a white truck blended into the mountain of snow in our parking lot today. The horse was rearing, and I had visions of the Four Horsemen Stock up on those sugar cubes and carrots!