September 11, 2022, Meeting

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In memory of Queen Elizabeth II, this month's theme was queens. 

Member Sharon Weintraub displayed two doll heads, one of fine bisque and the other of carved wood. Both heads had the hair tucked into a snood, with a scarf draped over on side of the head and a plume on the other.  She explained that this style of head is known to collectors as Empress Eugenie. Empress Eugenie was the consort of Napoleon III, who reigned as the emperor of France from 1852 until 1870. Sharon stated that there is no evidence the head is actually a portrait of the empress, but that this is just a name given this type of head by early doll collectors. The wooden head was found in an antiques market in Barcelona, Spain, and is expertly carved. 

She also shared this French fashion doll by Francois Gaultier on a jointed wooden body. The doll is dressed in an old beautifully tailored and hand sewn outfit, including layers of undergarments. Pinned to the back of her slip is a yellowed note declaring in French "Margueritte of France, Sister of Francis the 1st." This would indicate that the doll represents Margaret of Valois, who became Queen of Navarre upon her marriage to Henry III of Navarre in 1572 and then rose to Queen of France at her husband's 1589 accession to the latter throne as Henry IV. Sharon pointed out that the doll should be more properly dressed in Elizabethan garb rather than a romanticized outfit of the Middle Ages.

Sharon displayed this 9.5-inch tall bisque-headed doll representing Queen Victoria. The doll is part  of the "Femmes Célèbres" ("Great Ladies") series produced by Société Française de Bébé and Jouets (S.F.B.J.) in the 1940s. Her round paper tag reads "Fabrication Jumeau Paris Made in France" on one side and written in ink on back of label is "Victoria I Reine d Angleterre Cirque 1860." 

Member Sylvia McDonald brought this 1992 Madame Alexander doll dressed in a coronation outfit, complete with crown and velvet robe

On one side of the doll are dolls in elaborate uniforms by English doll artist Peggy Nesbitt.  The older man represents a yeoman warder, who guards the Tower of London and the crown jewels displayed therein. The other man represents a palace guard wearing his signature "bearskin" helmet. The actual helmets are made of Canadian bear skins and were originally intended to make soldiers look taller and more intimidating in battle. 

A doll peddler, also by Nesbitt, admires the pomp and circumstance.

Member Myrna Loesch brought this collection of Madame Alexander Cissy and Cissette dolls in coronation gowns. The lovely lady in the purple robe dates from 1955. Myrna pointed out the doll's "ruby" and "diamond" bracelets, explaining that the jeweled cuffs worn by Queen Elizabeth during her coronation were a symbol of her sovereignty. The other Cissy dates from 1957 and wears a replacement crown made by Myrna. The purple robe, large golden crown, and specter belong to Member Jan Irsfeld and were made by Alexander to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Elizabeth's coronation.

The Cissette in the golden floral dress is from 1958. The doll with the red sash dates from 1972-73.

Member Elaine Jackson shared this book, first published in 1950, written by Marion Crawford, who was the governess to Princess Elizabeth and her sister, Margaret.

Member Elaine McNally displayed some of her latest wood and cloth creations.

Guest Pam Hardy brought this artist doll to share. She purchased it on a tour of Germany. The doll has a handwritten paper tag that says "matrosen mädchen," or "sailor girl."

 

August 14, 2022, Meeting

This month's theme was the souvenir dolls produced for the United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC)  conventions.  For every convention a limited edition doll is produced as a souvenir for the convention itself, but special dolls are also designed for luncheons and other events. Member Elaine Jackson brought two examples of UFDC souvenir dolls. This doll is Rosita, the souvenir doll for the 1984 UFDC convention in San Antonio. 

This charming child is Baby Stuart and was the souvenir doll for the 1996 UFDC convention in Dallas.

These are the UFDC souvenir books from these conventions.

Member Sylvia McDonald brought two examples of dolls produced for other events at a UFDC convention. The taller doll is Fritzel, a Child of Fortune, designed by the German doll company of Käthe Kruse. He is 13.5 inches tall and has a soft body and vinyl head with a hand-painted face. Originally he also came with pajamas, bathrobe, slippers, and a blanket. As is typical of these luncheon dolls, there were other accessories, such as a little wooden dog, that were given as table favors. Sylvia received a note from Marion Hohmann at the Käthe Kruse company stating that Fritzel was made in 2000 as a limited edition of 260 dolls.

The smaller girl is Gretel, made exclusively for a Käthe Kruse luncheon at the 2007 UFDC convention. The luncheon theme was "The Sound of Music" and the doll is dressed like the youngest daughter of the Van Trapp family in a traditional Austrian outfit. She is 11 inches tall and stuffed with reindeer hair.

This Cissy by Madame Alexander belongs to member Jan Irsfeld. Jan explained that the doll was a limited edition made for the UFDC in 2001 in a special blue version of an outfit known to collectors as "On the Avenue," inspired by a vintage advertisement for Yardley of London fragrance featuring a Cissy doll.  Jan created this lovely lilac and white outfit for her doll. 

In edition to the various souvenir dolls, a wonderful selection of antique, vintage, and modern dolls is offered for sale at the UFDC sales room, a major attraction at every convention. Member Sharon Weintraub bought this unusual googly-eyed Gebruder Heubach character cat at the 2022 UFDC convention in St. Louis.  

Members also brought dolls to share for show and tell. This doll has head and hands carved from walnut wood by doll artist Floyd Bell and represents Miss Jane Pittman, the heroine of the 1971 novel The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. The doll is beautifully dressed by Charlotte Semple.

Nancy Countryman brought these unique dolls from an unknown artist, dubbing them the ugliest dolls in her collection.

Member Sue Smith shared this handmade doll representing a man from the Native American Sioux tribe in traditional dress. She said that the doll is around 200 years old.

She also brought this doll representing an Apache woman, which Sue said dated from the late 1800s.

Guest Pam Hardy brought this sweet Cissette doll by Madame Alexander. Pam told the members that this is a childhood doll that she received for her birthday in 1956.