February 9, 2025, Meeting

The theme for this meeting was Valentine's Day, and members were invited to bring dolls dressed in pink or red, or that otherwise invoked the holiday.

Guest David Craig brought three examples of resin ball-jointed dolls by JAMIEshow USA, first introduced in 2009. He told the club that he admires the fashions from the 1940s through the 1960s. This doll's wig is attached by magnets, so that her hairstyle can be easily changed.

David calls this doll Violet, his Southern belle.

Most JAMIEshow dolls are 16 inches tall, but this is a 12-inch model was made for one year.

Member Sylvia McDonald brought this Black baby doll designed by artist Pauline Bjonness-Jacobsen. She told the club that she bought this doll to replace her childhood Amosandra, a Black baby doll created by the Sun Rubber Company in 1949 as a tie-in to the popular radio program "Amos ’n’ Andy.” Unfortunately, these dolls' soft rubber skin hardened and deteriorated over time. 

Sylvia also shared this doll by Madame Alexander called "Sweet Kisses for Grandmother."

This Madame Alexander doll, "My Heart Belongs to You," issued in 2001, belongs to member Myrna

 Loesch.

Member Pam Hardy displayed this Madame Alexander doll called "Sunday Best." She said that the doll reminded her of her childhood when her grandmother would get her all dressed up for church. 

Member Sharon Weintraub shared a quartet of comic couples. This pair has a timely Valentine's Day message, as the lady warns her beau, "Be good and if you can't good, be careful." Sharon explained that this was a fairing. Fairings were small inexpensive bisque or china pieces, often given as prizes or sold as souvenirs at fairs, made in Germany from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s.  

The other pieces were bisque novelties by the German firm of Schafer and Vater. 

Member Bette Birdsong brought this early example of a Ginny doll, appropriately clad in a red dress with a lace heart.

She also shared this vintage Valentine's candy box bedecked with a doll. Bette told the club that this box was a gift from a friend.

Member Jan Irsfeld displayed this Dollikin wearing a ravishing red gown designed by Jan.

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Member Elaine Jackson shared these two little hand-carved wooden dolls. One wears a blue dress adorned with little lovebirds; she was made by Ukrainian artist Marina Savchuk. The doll pretty in pink was created by Bruce and Fung Hicks.

Member Nancy Countryman brought a trio of dolls dressed in red. There was this Barbie in a bead-encrusted gown, 

this Madame Alexander doll called "My Heart Belongs to You," and

this cute cloth doll from Budapest.

Member Jenell Howell shared this all-original composition Patsykins, part of the Patsy series by the American doll company, Effanbee.

She also brought this Mary Hoyer doll with tagged clothing. Mary Hoyer began business in 1925 with a yarn and craft shop in Reading, Pennsylvania where she designed knitted clothing for infants and children. She later started selling a slender composition doll with patterns so that customers could sew or knit a wardrobe for the doll. At first the dolls were purchased from the Ideal Novelty and Toy company, but in 1937, she started using dolls designed for her. The composition, and later, hard plastic dolls, usually, but not always, are marked with Hoyer's name. Jenell said that although Hoyer sold doll pattern books in her shop, she also sold some ready-made doll clothing, like this tagged outfit. 

July 10, 2022, Meeting

Appropriate for Austin's hot July weather, member Sharon Weintraub did a program on antique dolls dressed in bathing suits.  She explained that although sea bathing was long considered to have curative powers, beginning in the Victorian era, with the rise in the middle class and leisure time, trips to the beach became more merry than medicinal. The 40-hour workweek and public transportation brought weekend trips to the beach within the reach of many working class families. Doll companies reflected their era by offering dolls in the latest style of swimwear 

This 17-inch tall French fashion doll models an antique doll-size bathing suit from the 1860s or 70s. Such dolls were the Barbie dolls of their day, and their exquisite and costly wardrobes included every article of accessory or clothing a proper lady would need in her trousseau, including a demure, but fashionable, bathing suit for a visit to the beach. Her two-piece bathing suit, consisting of a long tunic top and full trousers, is beautifully tailored of canvas with wool ribbon trim. Typically, such bathing suits were made from wool, serge, or flannel. All the buttons, even on her cuffs, are fully functional. The snood, stockings, and leather slippers are far newer than the suit itself, but are appropriate for the period. The doll herself has a bisque swivel head on a matching shoulder plate and a kid body. She wears her original mohair wig, which perfectly matches her eyebrows. Although marked only "4" on her shoulder plate, she is attributed to the French manufacturer Masion Jumeau. Her exaggerated elongated almond-shaped eyes, dubbed "wrap around" by collectors, are typical of early Jumeau fashions.

In 1878, Elie Martin, patented a mechanical "poupee nageuse" (swimming doll), marketed as Miss Ondine. The doll must have been popular, as she was produced in some form through the early 1900s. Sharon displayed two versions, an earlier example with a French fashion head and a later version with a Simon and Halbig head, mold #1079. Both dolls wind underneath with a key, moving their arms and legs in a frog-like breaststroke. Sharon told members that their cork bodies were advertised as waterproof and capable of floating in water, but she has never dared to try it. The French Ondine is unusual because she has a bisque breastplate; Sharon explained that typically the head was mounted on a cork and the bathing suit sewn shut around the neck (as is the case with the Halbig version). The plate is not simply a shoulder plate that was cut in half, but was clearly molded this way, as all the edges are finished. The lady has a cork pate and is only marked "2" on the back of her head. The Halbig swimming doll wears her original silk swimsuit, once blue, but now faded to ecru. Later or cheaper models had bisque heads from lesser German companies or celluloid heads.

Sharon shared a number of little German all-bisque dolls in molded bathing suits. She explained that although many collectors think that these dolls are dressed in their undergarments, they are actually outfitted for a day at the beach.

The Black girl in her original striped bathing suit is an early all-bisque doll by Simon and Halbig. The little girl in the pink swim attire by her side is an all-original character doll by Gebruder Heubach on a composition slender body. She is incised on back of head “8192 Germany Gebruder Heubach 11/0.” 

In front of her is a little all-bisque girl seated in her beach chair; jointed only at the shoulders, this little girl is molded into a sitting position. She is made from pre-colored bisque, meaning that the slip already has a pink or skin tone. Originally, the slip used for bisque dolls was white and the complexion coat had to be padded on and refired. Beginning around WWI, some German companies began using a precolored slip. Incised on the back "771 Germany,” she is from the German firm of Hertwig and Company. Not only did this firm extensively use precolored bisque for its all-bisque dolls, bathing beauties, and similar novelties, Hertwig was a whiz at using inexpensive materials to make an attractive presentations. There was a lot of competition between German doll companies, each trying to come up with cost-effective ways to make their items more eye-catching to the consumer. Hertwig often cleverly clad its dolls in a few scraps of cheap material to make them more appealing. The molded hair loop holding a miniature rayon ribbon bow is typical of Hertwig, as is the little mesh bathing suit. The chair, which actually folds, is another example of Hertwig's imaginative use of inexpensive material to make its merchandise more marketable. A few slats of lightweight wood and a thin strip of colorful material create a cunning toy chair that certainly would appeal to little girls, yet be inexpensive enough so that most parents could afford to be indulgent. The chair is faintly stamped “Germany.” Typically, Hertwig produced boy and girl pairs, so perhaps she has a male counterpart in his own little lounge.

Also of precolored bisque from Hertwig is this pair of all-bisque chubby toddlers are dressed in their original net bathing suits, trimmed with matching ribbon. 

Inside her original box labeled "Bathing Girl,” the doll in the striped attire doll wears in her original  bathing suit and matching cap, trimmed with silky bows. Marked "Heubach Kopplesdorf 250-17/0 Germany," and 6.5 inches tall, in her day, she was a rather inexpensive play doll, but sweet and pretty enough to catch a little girl's eye and win her heart. Sharon said that dolls such as this may have been sold in seaside souvenir shops, alongside the lithographed tin sand pails and wood-handled fish nets. This little blond beach babe is also still tied into her original box and wears her original pale blue mesh bathing suit and matching cap. Her painted eyes and closed mouth suggest that she was an even less expensive souvenir than the Kopplesdorf doll. The back of doll's head is incised with an intertwined "W&S," the mark of the German firm of Walther and Sohn, and "Made in Germany."

Members brought a wide variety of darling dolls in sun or swim attire to share.

Jenell Howell brought this vintage Vogue Ginny in a green polka dot sunsuit and her little playmate, an Alexander-kin by Madame Alexander. An all-original Number 1 Barbie, complete with her stand, babysits while an all-composition Scootles by Rose O'Neill wants to join in the fun.

Member Bette Birdsong shared this trio of Ginny dolls,  all dressed for a day of fun in the sun.

The Terri Lee doll with her personalized inner tube also belongs to Bette. Standing next to her is a porcelain Shirley Temple doll by Danbury Mint belonging to member Sylvia McDonald and in front of Shirley is another doll from Sylvia, designed by Helen Kish. The sophisticated sun worshipper in the striking aqua and navy ensemble is a vintage Dollikin belonging to member Myrna Loesch. 

The Cabbage Patch doll dressed as an Olympics swimmer for Team USA also belongs to Myrna. The other two dolls were shared by guest Joey Gomez. The doll in the lilac bathing suit is Fanfan, a contemporary fashion doll from France. The seated doll in bright blue is a Neo Blythe.

 

Ann Meier shared this sweet little Betsy McCall.

 

May 6, 2019, Meeting

Dressed in springtime finery, these Madame Alexander dolls greeted members at the refreshment table.

The program, given by President Faydra Jones, was about dolls that bring us joy.  Faydra said that many dolls bring happiness and that these are dolls we enjoy, but are willing to pass on to others.  She explained that when a person has a doll that brings joy, the person forms a deep and lasting connection with the doll and will always keep it.  Members were asked to share examples of dolls that bring them joy.  Brenda Kay White brought this doll, which she admitted is not her prettiest or rarest doll, but is the one that brings her the most joy.  She told the club that when she was in third grade, money was tight, but her mother did her best to ensure that Brenda and her brothers received gifts for Christmas, In addition to making each child a stuffed animal and a set of pajamas, their mother had saved enough S&H Green Stamps so that each child could select one toy.  At the stamp redemption center, Brenda saw this doll and fell in love, but her mother did not have enough stamps to get this doll and toys for her brothers.  While they were there, another shopper became angry with the center staff because they did not have a blanket in the color she wanted.  This shopper turned to Brenda's mother, handed her a bag full of Green Stamp books, and told her that she could have them because the woman was never coming back to the center again.  So Brenda was able to get her doll and has treasured her ever since.  Her nose is dented and her dress has been replaced, but Brenda said that this doll still brings her joy.

Bonnie Burch brought this Bonnie Braids doll.  As a child, she had a Bonnie Braids doll, but her mother gave it away while she was in college.  Bonnie bought this doll in memory of her childhood doll.

Bonnie told the club that she treasures this doll because it was given to her by a friend, who is now deceased.

Bonnie told the club that this doll is the first doll she made to win a blue ribbon.

Bette Birdsong bought this cloth doll by Martha Chase.  She said that she saw this doll at another member's home and each time she felt a need to pick it up and hold it.  Bette told the club that looking at the doll makes her happy.

Sylvia McDonald told the club that when she was a child, she had a beloved Patsy doll with a trunk full of clothing made by her mother.  The green sweater is the only piece remaining.  Sylvia said that after many years she has finally replaced her Patsy doll.  The Patsyette in red was purchased from the club's charity booth at its last doll show.  Sylvia described how other members found the perfect dress, shoes, socks, and other accessories for this little doll.

Elaine Jackson brought her childhood Toni doll.  When she was 10 years old, Elaine's mother told her that Santa could bring her either a new bicycle or a Toni doll.  Elaine could not decide which she wanted and Christmas day found she had a new bike.  After Christmas, her mother took her to the store and using money saved from her allowance, Elaine bought her own Toni doll.  Even though the doll was on sale, Elaine did not have enough money, so her mother helped her pay for it, but afterward deducted the debt from Elaine's allowance.  

This is the first Schoenhut doll Elaine purchased, after finding it at a United Federation of Doll Clubs convention.  Elaine said it was the first Schoenhut she had ever seen in person.

Jenell Howell brought this early Käthe Kruse doll.  She had spotted the doll tucked in the corner of a massive doll collection.

This doll was made by a friend of Jenell's.  After her friend died, Jenell helped the woman's daughter arrange her mother's dolls at the memorial service and the daughter told Jenell to take one of the dolls in memory of her mother.

Sallie Howard brought this doll by Robin Woods.  She said that looking at her always makes her happy.

Michele Thelen brought this bevy of Barbies.  She told the club that Barbie was her first doll.  Michele explained that although many of the dolls are reproductions, their outfits are authentic.  She said that they bring back childhood memories of playing with her Barbie dolls.

Beverly Evans said that she likes dolls that speak to her and have expression, such as these smiling children.

Jan Irsfeld brought two examples of Madame Alexander Cissy dolls.  The one in the bead-encrusted gown is called "Crystal Elegance" and is a limited edition.  Jan said that she was drawn to the exquisitely detailed outfit.  The doll in blue Jan dressed herself, copying the dress from a picture in a fashion magazine.

Sharon Weintraub brought two examples of dolls she always wanted to add to her collection.  She said that she admired the French Fashion dolls on jointed wood bodies, but most were too costly and many did not have especially pretty faces or expressions.  Then she found this early example by Francois Gaultier.  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, but Sharon pointed out that if so, the doll should be more properly dressed in Elizabethan garb rather than a romanticized outfit of the Middle Ages.

Sharon also collects all-bisque animal dolls by Hertwig and Company of Germany.  She told the club that these tiny dolls came in several sizes, ranging from 2.5 inches to 1.5 inches.  Sharon said that the smallest sizes can be hard to find, especially for the rarer animals, like the glass-eyed cats.  Finally, after many years of searching, she found this tiny 1.5 inch "kitten" to add to her cat family.

Faydra wound up the program by talking about her favorite dolls.  She said that she was always drawn to the looks of the Patsy dolls, like this tiny wee Patsyette.  The other dolls she created.  The little bunny-eared babies she named "Bitty Bit Cuddle Dolls"   Faydra told the club that she posted the pattern for the baby dolls for free on the Internet and that it brings her great joy when people contact her and tell her how much they enjoyed making these dolls.  

Faydra said that this Black doll is the second doll she ever made.  She spun the wool for the hair and hopes someday to give the doll to a grandchild.