The State of the Doll Museum, Hasbro's Robotic Kitties and Games to help with Dementia

First, I'd like to wish all my followers and readers a safe and happy holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and  a Happy New Year, and a belated Happy Hanukah to those just finishing that celebration.  God speed to us all. It has been a difficult year; I lost my dear friend Rosemary Rovick to cancer, and another dear friend the author and paper doll artist Stephanie Hammonds.  Stephanie died the same day as my Dad this past November.  Rosemary collected Christmas ornaments and miniatures, and Steph loved Katy Keene and other vintage paper dolls, and all kinds of vintage dolls.  They were kindred spirits indeed.  Dad bought more dolls than I can count, and built doll houses and shelves, shadow boxes he called The Condominiums, drew paper dolls, whittled tiny dolls from sticks, and so much more.  He carried to 3 foot dolls wrapped like mummies through European airports, and carried all kinds of dolls back from Japan and South Africa.  He'd been to every continent but Antarctica, and brought me dolls to prove it.  He joked he was going to court to claim the dolls as his.  My answer, and my mom's, was "The Judge is going to say to you, 'Sir, you're way too old to be playing with them.' "

Scroll down for an album of Pics from our Museum Collection

Christmas brings memories of my mother taking a doll we already had and refurbishing her as one of our gifts. When she left us ten years ago, I found an unfinished crocheted outfit in her craft basket.


Dolls are currently in the news and will create more memories, I'm sure.  Hasbro is marketing robotic kitties geared at folks in nursing home to mimic the creature comforts and companionship real cats provide. There is also a video game developed that will aid those with dementia.


New dolls continue to flood the shelves, and there will be more posts about them, later.  The vintage and antique market is going strong, too.  While not everyone deals in highend dolls, I'm told by friends of mine who buy and sell on ebay that even ordinary Barbies and vinyl dolls are enjoying a brisk trade.  I'm guessing OOAK artists appreciate them, but also those who love the rag-tag dolls out there that need help.


Theriault's will hold in early January an amazing auction which includes a rare Rochard doll with it's Stanhope necklace.  That is definitely a doll on my wish list!  I hope to publish another book on dolls this year, to file the paperwork for the museum, and to blog professionally on dolls and related collectibles.


Dolls are the ultimate goodwill ambassadors of peace, and they are portraits of all of our moods and personals, both good and bad.  They are our history and tell our stories.  May we have a peaceful 2018, and a year devoted to the love of dolls and collecting. Merry Christmas!