Fond Websites and Favorite Collectors Gone By

When things are bad, as they have been, I turn to the dolls. Another way to put it is, when the going gets tough, the tough "play" with dolls. I started thinking of websites of the past, which are under reconstruction or no longer active, and that got me to famous collectors of the sixties and seventies, who are no longer heard of.

One of my favorite sites was Lee's Cheap Doll collection; these were not cheap dolls by any means, but unusual foreign costume dolls, fifties and forites hard plastic dolls, and folk and handmade dolls that the collector found in odd places, tag sales, thrift stores, The Salvation Army, etc. I loved her attitude, and the way the dolls were showcased. She knew each individual story, and it was clear that Lee loved the thrill of the hunt. I can no longer find her site.

Me Dolls was a great site that featured the author's collection of black dolls. She had a few things for sale, too. It was nicely arranged, and the collection was carefully thought out and arranged.

The Doll Garden was a site for handmade dolls, but also had links, doll history, informatoin about artists and antiques, etc. She played beautiful music when you visited as well.

JnJ dolls, run by my friends Jim and Joan Radke. I miss Jim and his doll advice, and the great photos. I also miss hearing from Joan as "liveware" on AIM. Jim was great with advice, and they also were selling the doll collection of a friend who had died. They were also on the old AOL Hobby Central, which had folders for all types of collectors. I had interaction with Pat Smith, Jim, Florence Theriault, Dorothy McGonagle, and others. I always started my morning with a few minutes on The Doll Collectors Folder exchanging ideas, and then went on to the Book Report to read. AOL doesn't have these sites any more.

The Shelter for Misfit Dolls, hosted by The Little Dead Gyrl. Cached since 2004, and I've tried to contact her. She has wonderful "linkies," and dozens of primitive art dolls. Her own collection of "monster" dolls really made me laugh, and she really inspired me. Her Edward Gorey miniature scenes using Kelley, Barbie's little sister, were just awesome. Site is still up, but no one knows where The Little Dead Gyrl is.

By the same token, no one knows what happened to Margaret Whitton, or Blair,her husband. They had legendary collections of antiques, such variety, and were always in books. Kay Desmonde of England passed away, but her All Color Book of Dolls, with the dolls arranged in scenes with furniture, will always be a favorite. Barbara Whitton Berger was Margaraet's daughter, and we exchanged letters over my book of metal dolls. Her mother also was curator of the Margaret Woodbury Strong museum when it was just dolls.

I think EJ Carter died, and she had the most amazing Jumeau protrait of I believe Eleanor of Austria. I would like to know more of Laura Treskow and her scary, glass eyed, double row of teeth china head with a wig. Now, that was a creepy doll! My friend R. Lane Herron still writes for Doll Castle News, and his Much Ado about Dolls is one of the best guides for collectors. Anne Rice had one of his price guides, which I bought, and I have one with photos of my dolls. He also worked with The Wallace-Homestead price guide to dolls. What happened to those editors?

Doll Castle News goes on, even after their founder and all doll collectors' mom, Edwina Mueller died in 1996, but Bernice's Bambini and The Raggedy Ann Doll Museum are gone. With Rosalie Whyel closing, and two museums in Europe being auctioned off, one wonders about the future of dolls and museums.

Carl Fox never wrote about dolls after The Doll, but I would love to find anything else he wrote. The National Doll Library Foundation is apparently gone, along with Sam Pryor himself. Where did the dolls go? Where is the catalog for the collection of Dorothy Dixon, last owner of the Metal Huret?

And Bonnie Mox of California, where is she now? Her collection and her mother's were featured in Eleanor St. George's books. Where is the daughter of Janet Pagter Johl, who was beginning to collect, and trying to piece together her mom's collection? What of Faith Eaton?

There was also the Charles Bowers Memorial Doll Museum in Santa Ana, CA. No one hears much about it, either.

I'd welcome informaton about these, or other doll palces/authors of the past. Maybe Mona Berger will write back? Or, Valerie Jackson Douet? And Nadia, where are your dolls?

I'd be interested to know.