Who is she?

I recently bought this doll and a load of dolls clothes at an auction and I'm a bit mystified about its age and origin. I get the feeling it might be victorian, the clothes seem to have been made for the doll as they're all the same size as what she's wearing. Yes she's a bit battered and missing a limb but any info would be most welcome.

I have to admit that I've never really bought dolls before and unfortunately I don't think I'll be keeping this one for long as my daughter gets a bit creeped out by her one-eyed stare, reminds her of Syd's room in Toy Story!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Graceful Antiques on June 19, 2012 at 7:30am

Fabulous. She comes with a whole trousseau. This dolly was well loved by someone. The hair can be fixed with a wig.

What a beauty she could be.

Permalink Reply by Rich Brown on June 20, 2012 at 9:25am

She could, but I'm not the one with time or spare capital to have her repaired so I think I'll sell her and her clothes (nice word, Trousseau!) once I've figured out what she's worth!

Graceful Shops said:

Fabulous. She comes with a whole trousseau. This dolly was well loved by someone. The hair can be fixed with a wig.

What a beauty she could be.

Permalink Reply by valerie cifaldi on June 20, 2012 at 6:13pm

i have sold similar wax composition dolls in about this condition. i sold one at a flea market for about $50 and i used fee-bay, i must admit. pricing depends on how long you want to keep this as inventory. i started at a $24 opening and it closed in the high $40's online . i stripped the clothes and sold those in another listing online.

i am not a doll expert and the time and trouble it takes to properly soak, wash, iron etc doll clothes is not usually worth it to me. i 'd do "as is" BUT sell individually not as one big lot. maybe all pantaloons, all chemise-slip, all socks, and shoes lots, but dresses and hats individually. doll buyers are one of the few groups still active at auction format online. stress edwardian- victorian era in the title and they will find you.

value is tricky, personally i do not "trust the market" online any longer so don't low ball the opening bid. a fully restored near mint dress from this era is worth $45-$75 in my experience so i do "as is" at no lower than $20.

again, i stress that i am more of a turn and burn dealer not a doll dealer.

Rich Brown said:

Thanks for the reply Valerie,

Its 18 inches top to toe and looks like its some sort of waxy type material, its gone very dry and the surface has cracked and flaked off.

As for the clothes, there seem to be loads, hats shoes, pinafores, dresses, I haven't a clue what they'd be worth. Should I wash them or just leave them as I found them?

Rich

valerie cifaldi said:

how tall is the doll? and what materials is it made from?

dress look really well made, often i just sell the clothes and hats from box lots with dolls.

Permalink Reply by Rich Brown on July 3, 2012 at 3:38am

Happily, 'Miss Haversham' has now found a loving home with a collector in Cambridgeshire here in the UK. Her wardrobe however is still for sale if anyone's interested? (including the clothes she is pictured in on this thread)

Permalink Reply by Sunday Dolls on July 8, 2012 at 10:53am

The clothes are incredible. I would have to agree with Cybermogul Dolls: Avoid washing them as the oxidation (darkened) spots can disintegrate, even with gentle handling. I would offer the doll and her wardrobe together. Someone may purchase it for the clothing alone, but you may be fortunate and find a buyer who is willing to restore (or at least protect) the doll and keep her with her 'trousseau.' Let us know!

Permalink Reply by Rich Brown on July 8, 2012 at 4:42pm

Well the doll went on her own to someone who was very keen to restore her and I've just sold the dress she was in too. However it would really be a shame to split the rest of the items. The thing is it seems that people would love to see the doll with its trousseau but the cost of buying the whole lot plus factoring in the restoration costs seems to be beyond a lot of people. I think I want to sell the remaining clothing as an entire lot if you know anyone who may be willing to make me an offer.

Sunday Dolls said:

The clothes are incredible. I would have to agree with Cybermogul Dolls: Avoid washing them as the oxidation (darkened) spots can disintegrate, even with gentle handling. I would offer the doll and her wardrobe together. Someone may purchase it for the clothing alone, but you may be fortunate and find a buyer who is willing to restore (or at least protect) the doll and keep her with her 'trousseau.' Let us know!