Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Hello dollies!



Yes, today is the day that we can meet Lori's challenge. My hubby already asked: is there a challenge you cannot participate in, LiLi? Yes there is. In my first blogpost ever I told you that I was going to show my collections and that I collect everything except for baseball cards, cars and militaristic objects. Otherwise...

I'm a doll lover 'pur sang'. Though I never was a little mum. My dolls had to sit in line and listen to me, the teacher. I liked to dress them and sew clothes for them and of course I was their hairdresser and make up artist, but not their mum. I hardly had any baby dolls. Today there are only a two of my play dolls left; one Barbie and one little Furga doll called Lucy.


here is.....Lucy

As I remember I received Lucy at my 7th birthday and I could choose between Lucy and a doll's house. I was in doubt, but eventually I choose Lucy. Most of the dolls of the sixties and early seventies are made from a kind of vinyl that looses its colors or absorbs colors from clothes etc. When my father died and we cleaned up my parents house, I came across my old dolls, but they were all spoiled. They looked so pale and dirty, that isn't how I remembered them and how I wanted to remember them, so I decided not to keep them any longer.


a few of my favorite vintage Barbies in my Barbie fashion shop. Once I bought something and I told the seller; it's already in my Barbie Fashion shop. She replied: Do you have a shop and how do I get there....lol.

When Barbie was introduced in the Netherlands I was only three, but when my neighbour got one I was totally hooked. My mother on the other hand, thought such a grown up girl wasn't suitable for a little girl so I received a Skooter (friend of Barbie's little sister), a blonde one, off course as I was blond too. I still like Barbie and I have a collection of vintage and mod Barbies. Barbie deserves a post of her own one day.

Around 1973-1974 the first nostalgia wave was going through the Netherlands and of course I jumped right into it. My parents were always going to antique fairs and I tried to persuade my mother to buy some of these antique dolls. At that time my mothers interest was mainly copper and china service. Of course I couldn't afford one myself. But when I went to a flea market with my aunt, I met the lady on the right (see photo below). At that time she only had one arm, but I adored her, she would cost me 35 Belgium francs (about one dollar at that time, which was much considering she was severely damaged.) And my aunt gave her to me as a present. This was my first half doll and I absolutely loved her. I took some antique lace from my grandmothers' and made her a dress and glued some of that lace onto an ice umbrella.


On the right my very first half doll which I bought in 1974, now restored. Her arm was made after the arm of my second half doll (summer 1974). A friend of my mothers has done this restoration quite clever.

My second half doll (on the right) also comes from Belgium. When I was 14 we went to the 'zandfeesten' in Brugge, this market is still held 3 times a year and so much fun. Rumour has it that the French go shopping here for the big brocante market in Lille. I bought her for 100 BF, which was about 7 dutch guilders, about 3 euro and about 4,5 dollars. My uncle was talking me out of it. It would be way too expensive; 100 francs for that! Of course I didn't listen. And I'm still happy I didn't. I like those flapper half dolls best, better than the marquises.


The coin is there as a referance. I was looking for an euro, but I'm broke :-(
I must have a dollar somewhere...but where? What I did find is a one pound coin, a little smaller than the euro coin, but I think almost the same size as the dollar.
This coin is featuring in the next pictures too!

Today I have a little collection of half dolls and even a half doll which actually is a whole doll. Does anybody out there know how I should call this whole half doll? This doll is all original though the silk was once blue and now deteriorating, I just like her to keep as original as possible.


Whole doll

Two half dolls make one whole doll, as you can see this is a powder box.

Nowadays I have some antique dolls, inherited from my Mother, she finally listened to me and now I'm enjoying her dolls;

My favorite, a french SFBJ doll which face has been polished too hard by my Mum. I take this lesson very serious ;-)

This doll once belonged to my mother too.

China heads, the one on the left side is japanese.
What I like about dolls is the mini part. I like small, don't know why. That's why I liked Barbie, with all her tiny and handsome accessories back in the sixties. Nowadays I like to buy little play shops and I'm planning to make one into a fashion or bridal shop. Over the years I have collected these china heads to model in those little shops.



Some bisque shop models

Two frozen Charlies or Charlottes, it's hard to tell. I guess the gold shoes make it a Charlotte.


The smaller the better!


Some other mini's. Those white dolls with the colored bands on the first line are japanese. Next to them is a french feve, that was used to hide in the buttercake (galette) at Epiphany. The child that received the part of the cake with the feve in it, would be king or queen for a day. Aah to receive a delicious piece of galette and such a beautiful bisque feve AND be queen for a day, it would be too much for me! Next to the feve are some dollparts that were probably dug up in England (but of German origin). I bought them there. And the second row are unpainted and probably rejected doll heads from Germany.


Two Corolle minidolls, I'm sure these will be collected in the future!

I think I will stay a doll lover until I die. I do love modern dolls too, if they are of certain quality. When my daughter was born she received a French Corolle doll from my cousin. I loved that doll and gave her more; Here are another two Corolle minidolls that are still in her (age 14) room. The other Corolles not to speak of the I guess more than 100 Barbie dolls (She is a Barbie and a flea market lover too) are already in the attic, but will come back, I'm sure, one day.
Goodbye doll lovers! Enjoy yourselves! Thanks Lori, for hosting such a wonderful event!

48 comments:

Marja Rijnsburger said...

Goedemorgen Lidwien,
Laat ik nu eens de eerste zijn, wat een geweldige collectie. vooral de half dolls vind ik helemaal geweldig. Maar ik begin er niet aan hoor aan een nieuwe verzameling. Ik doe het niet, ik doe het niet(lol).
Ik heb zelf (door omstndigheden) geen poppen meer. Wel gehad en zelfs zelfgemaakt van klei.
Je blijft zo wel bezig met al die challenge's, vandaar mijn vroege berichtje, nog even voor ik naar mijn werk ga.
Een mooie verzameling.
Hartelijke groetjes en een fijne dag.
Marja

Anonymous said...

Oh Lili, your dolls are all adorable.
You have such a lot of different doll. I cannot say which I like more... but I love those half dolls. They looks so elegant. Thank you for the story about your dolls. It is very interesting to read.
Oh and I saw your "Inge" Schildkröt in your wonderful antique shop . I have a doll shop too from the 60th.
But that is a theme for another post.
Have a wonderful doll challenge day!
hugs
Stefanie

Marianne said...

Hoi Lili, Ook weer erg mooi al die poppen en popjes. En ik vind het fantastisch dat jij overal ook zo veel van weet. Heb je ook een hele verzameling boeken over verzamelingen? Ik ben benieuwd welke verzameling je nu weer uit je hoed tovert.
Groetjes, Marianne

Boxwood Cottage said...

Hi Lili,

I'm just popping over from my Cousin Stefanies Sammelleidenschaften blog because I saw you posting there too. The world is so small, well at least online that is!

I totally love your antique dolls! The china heads are so so gorgeous I collect them too and find them quite hard to get hold of as well as your frozen Charlottes, they are also fabulous.
Great collection!!!! I admit that I'm a bit jealous *sigh*

Btw I have posted 2 sneek peak pictures for you on Heathers flickr group for our junque swap.

Have a happy week!!

Hugs Carola xox

Niki Fretwell said...

WOW, what an incredible collection you have!!!
Love the tiny dolls and the ones in the baths!
Niki

Splashes of Pink and Mint said...

Oh hellup...!!! Wat weer een fantastische verzameling! Mijn kleine doll challenge post valt weer helemaal in het niet, nu ik dit gezien heb! Goed dat ik eerst de mijne geschreven heb, en nu pas bij jou kom kijken, anders had ik niet eens meer gedurfd, hahaha!!! Jammer dat Lori nog ligt te slapen (denk ik tenminste, gezien het tijdsverschil!), maar ik ben reuze benieuwd naar alle ander deelneemsters! Ik heb in ieder geval genoten van de jouwe!

Natasha Burns said...

Lili your dolls are fantastic! I especially love your half dolls and your antique ones. The barbie dolls in the hair shop are fabulous. You have some great memories and somem beautiful collections here!!!

Lori said...

Lili, i don't know what you were talking about not being able to get dolls in the netherlands? you have an absolutely stunning collection of dolls!!! and i really enjoyed reading the stories about how you came to own these lovely girls:) i think my favorite is the powder box, i have never seen anything like her and she is just gorgeous!!! and LOL about your husband:)

LW said...

What an enchanting collection of dolls….
Love your half dolls, they are beautiful…

Louise

Rose Garden Romantic said...

What a charming collection of dolls you have! I especially love the flapper half doll and those very small dolls!
Michelle

Jessi Nagy said...

Heaven on earth!!!
wow you have so many beautiful dolls!!
a barbie shop? im coming over.
what fab stories behind all hte dolls too.
thanks for sharing. i knew you would have plenty of wonderful dolls to show us today!
oxooxx,
jessi

María Elena said...

Lili, that great collection! Your dolls are very lovely.

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

OH my GOSH!!! I don't even know where to start with this gorgeous collection you have here Lili!! wow!!!

first of all, I love how you told the stories of how you came to love dolls, you write so well, me I just post the picture and move on! lol... I wish I could have a more eloquant way of writing blog posts. anyway, I am in total love with every single one of your dolls but the flapper girls are SO special! that one with the silk dress... wow!!!

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful collection!

xoxo Heather

p.s.- I was always the teacher when I was little too!!!!

cherished*vintage said...

Hi Lili! Oh my, I so love your powder box doll, she is exquisite! I have never seen anything like her. Your Barbie's are so cool too. Love all your half dolls, and china heads, I could go on and on. Fabulous collection! Oh, and your French bisque doll - aah!
-Karoline
Yes, I'd be honored to be added to your sidebar link. I'm going to add you too, if that's ok?

Betty said...

Oh Lilli! I love your beautiful dolls. The whole doll powder box is my favorite though!

LW said...

Beautiful collection, I love your half dolls…

Louise

Unknown said...

Oh I am absolutely in LOVE!!!!!! You have the most fabulous dolls, I love them all!! What a beautiful collection! Thank you so much for sharing with us!

Hugs,
Amy

Anonymous said...

I'm in awe- now THAT is a dollcollection. Love, love, love the half doll powder box. Thanks for sharing!
D.

Kelley Bochman Smith said...

Hello to my new friend! (I know that is VERY forward, but I looked over your blog and immediatly found a kinship with you!)I LOVE your emotional discriptions of your connections with all the dolls. I need to write down my thoughts like that, Anyway, you are one FABULOUS gal. Thanks for visiting me and I will keep in touch with your delightful blog. Hope your world is happy and peaceful! Glamma Fabulous aka Kelley Smith

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Beautiful post! I especially love those half dolls. And the minis are precious!

My image host is refusing to upload but I have 18 pics to share, so please visit me later today!

Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Christine said...

What great collection! I especially like the half dolls and the one powder box girl~she is wonderful:)
Thank you for sharing al of these dolls:)
~Christine

Linda said...

What a wonderful doll collection you have they are all just beautiful. I'm afraid I only have 2 dolls to show because between my husband and three sons football cards, model cars and militaristic objects there is not that much more room in the cabinets. LOL
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers Linda

bluemuf said...

Lili...what a wonderful collection. I love them all, but the half dolls are amazing.

Karen

Fete et Fleur said...

The powder jar doll is wonderful. She is just perfect and your doll heads are beautiful.

Thank you for sharing.

Nancy

Betzie said...

Hi LiLi,
What a treat to visit you and read about your dolls, let alone see them! I just love half dolls and your collection is wondeful, but I am totally in LOVE with your "whole half doll"! I have never seen one like that before. I know you treasure her and she is lucky to live there! If she ever gets unhappy though, she is welcome here any time! LOL

Mackenzie Bergmann said...

Oh my goodness! Such wonderful dollies! I especially like the powder box one, but they're are so beautiful it's hard to choose!

Julie

Heidi said...

Wow! So many beautiful dolls!

vivian said...

great collection! I agree with you, the smaller the better! I love tiny dolls and bears!
vivian

Lola Enchanted said...

what lovely dolls you have!!!!~

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Lili, I enjoyed reading about your dolls! What an interesting tale, your passion for the dolls is quite evident! The history behind them was great! I love your half dolls! I was not familar with them, you learn something new all the time! :) Thanks for sharing! :) Rhonda

Pinkie Denise said...

Your dolls are wonderful, I love half
dolls they are my favorites, thanks for sharing Pinkie Denise

Anonymous said...

Mooi!

What a collection you have - especially loved the beautiful flapper dolls!

:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Lili!
Wow!! You have some amazing dolls!! They're all so beautiful! I especially love the half dolls!! That powder puff lady is exquisite!!

*hugs* Dara

Unknown said...

Wow, what a collection Lili, and you have done such a wonderful job at presenting them. I love them all, and especially the powder box with the doll top. Karen

Sarah said...

LOVE you half dolls and the china doll heads. Wonderful!!!! That powder box doll is my favorite.
Sarah
http://vintagelily.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Jeanette Nord said...

Oh my gosh! Your dolls are truly wonderful. Adorable! And what a blog! I read and read....I`m so glad I found it. I have a friend that collects dolls and Teddy Bears ( Steiff) so I just had to send her a mail about your blog. I have a contest over at my place by the way.Celebrating the fact that I now only have one blog ( used to have two)and therefore a lot more time on my hands to do creative stuff :-)

I would love you to visit and participate of course :-)

See ya!
Jeanette

Poppedijne said...

Wat heb jij een hoop poppen en popjes!! Ik heb daarin nooit verzameld maar heb wel poppen in huis en heb wel altijd iets met poppen gehad.Heb nog een tijdje antieke poppen nagemaakt en als jonge moeder maakte ik indertijd lappepoppen.
De flapper girls zijn echt geweldig.Wat een leukers is die Belgische dame.Maar goed dat je indertijd niet geluisterd hebt!!

roseroomnz.com said...

Wonderful, wonderful collection:) Rachael

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

I've never seen the powder box dolls before, that has to be my favorite, but Lucy is pretty sweet too!

casa nostra said...

jeetje wat een drukte weer hier. leuk! ik vind je half dolls helemaal te gek. wat een verzameling weer.
ik heb ook eens een pop met de hand gemaakt van klei, heb haar in een doos op zolder staan. eigenlijk was ze best goed gelukt (zo voor de eerste keer), maar ze staat/zit overal zo onhandig en met de zolderopruiming dus in een doos beland. misschien komt ze wel weer eens te voorschijn.
groetjes,

Sandra Evertson said...

Oh, I so enjoyed looking at all of your Beautiful dolls!
Sandra Evertson

Diane Mars said...

Great collection of dolls
Hugs,
Diane

Anonymous said...

I love all of your dolls, but I have a special place in my heart for vintage Barbies - such happy memories!

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and for the sweet comments! I liked your half dolls so much, I looked them up on Ebay last night! I would love to add some to my doll collection! They have a really big selection on Ebay! Yours are just beautiful! I didn't even know they existed until you posted them! :) ~Rhonda

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Your doll collection is delightful Lili..
I was doll obsessed when I was a gal and had many dolls of all shapes and sizes. My favourites were Bella.. a doll my grandmother bought me when we visited her in Ostende in the early 60's .Bella had blue silk pyjamas and a rag body..
My first vintage dolls from my mother were also an S.F.B.J and an Armand Marseille baby doll...
I love the miniature frozen charlottes and flapper dolls these days.. they take up less room and but have masses of character. It has been very nostalgic for me to see your wonderful collection.. reminds me of my dear mum and all the dolls she gave me when I was young...

Sandy said...

Mmmmm, so many goodies to google over, but those tiny dolls in the tiny tubs are wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

3rdEyeMuse said...

you have so many little treasures! what a wonderful collection. :)

I missed the party but decided to post my own favs just the same. If you are interested, feel free to stop by: http://3rdeyemuse.blogspot.com/2008/04/doll-party-worse-than-fashionably-late.html

smiles ~M~

Sarah said...

I just have to comment on these half dolls again! I love them. I never knew they existed...when I was antiquing last weekend I saw some in a glass cabinet...and now I new what they were! Thanks!
Sarah
http://vintagelily.typepad.com/my_weblog/