dollshow

dollshow

AUSTIN DOLL COLLECTORS SOCIETY

The Austin Doll Collectors Society is an organization of antique, vintage, and modern doll collectors, dealers, and artisans. We meet on the second Sunday of each month and our meetings are fun and educational. We begin with refreshments and socializing, and, following our brief business meeting, there is a special doll-related program and "show and tell." The Austin Doll Collectors Society is a nonprofit organization and is a member of the United Federation of Doll Clubs.

Monday, September 12, 2016

On Key, Off Beat

As posted previously on this blog, our club was selected to take part in a promotional campaign for  KMFA, Austin's public radio classical music station, entitled "On Key, Off Beat."  On July 7, 2016, we participated in a photo session at our usual meeting place, with many members generously lending their dolls and our very photogenic Mary McKenzie patiently posing.  The introductory print ad is now out. 

September 5, 2016, Meeting

 Because September 5th was Labor Day, we could not meet at our usual spot and member Sylvia McDonald generously opened her beautiful home to us.  She gave a program on the Gotz Doll Company and their artist dolls.


Sylvia began with a short history of artist dolls.  She explained that in the early 1900s Marian Kaulitz in Germany began creating dolls that looked like real children.  About the same time, also in Germany, Kathe Kruse began producing cloth dolls.  She wanted dolls with faces that allowed children to project their own feelings during play.  Here a little boy by Kathe Kruse stands next to a German bisque doll with the typical "dolly face."


German makers also created bisque dolls with more realistic faces, like these antique baby dolls.


Sylvia told us that Gotz was established in Germany in 1950.  In 1964, Gotz entered into an agreement with Swiss doll artist Sasha Morgenthaler, creating the first reproductions of original artist dolls in the world.  However, Morgenthaler was not satisfied with the dolls produced by Gotz and a few years later she transferred the making of her dolls to a company in England.  Gotz again produced Sasha dolls from 1994 to 2001.  The little blonde girl is one of the later Gotz Sashas while the red-haired girl belongs to the earlier Gotz production line.


Over the years, Gotz has entered into agreements with a number of doll artists to produce limited edition dolls.  These were designed for Gotz by Sylvia Natterer.



More artists dolls produced by Gotz. The little girl in pink with blonde pigtails is "Mareike" was designed by Joke Grobben.  The two dolls to her left are both by Sissel Skille.  The wistful girl in the center is Tora and next to her, in a colorful ethic costume, is Rashanee, who represents a Thai hill tribe.



This is "Liddy," designed by Elisabeth Lindner.


Gotz also produces well-made play dolls.


Other members brought artist dolls to share.





Monday, September 5, 2016

Exciting News About Our Upcoming Doll Show!

Be sure to visit our web page "Austin Doll Show" for all the latest information on our upcoming doll show. In addition to antique, vintage, and collectible items being offered by our wonderful vendors, this show will feature special programs on a wide variety of doll topics . Plus, buying a ticket to our show entitles you to two free doll appraisals at the show by one of our knowledgable members!