Featured Antique doll from woman born in 1860. Marked No 2

I did a small garage sale fundraiser and my Swiss 80 year old neighbor brought over a doll that was her grandmothers to add to the sale.

The doll is in terrible shape, neighbor was going to just donate it to the sale if we could get a couple bucks for it, but I set it aside, knowing that some older dolls (even if in rough condition) might have some value, and I thought I'll just figure it out later, maybe list on Ebay if it made sense and donate the proceeds.

I know we have a few doll experts here... all thoughts appreciated.

And here is another matter. When my neighbor brought the doll over, she said, "I already broke the arm" or "the arm fell off". I noted that the arms were falling apart already (see tape) and that maybe the glue or whatever failed. This neighbor is pretty healthy, still skiing, etc --not like she would have done something dumb like been careless with it. I think it just fell off from age, maybe from being brought out of storage for the first time in 40 years.

WELL.... I just go to photograph this doll, who has been sitting gently on our table for the last 12 hours and now I see a huge crack down the face and neck, that I don't remember from yesterday!! Either I missed this (unlikely) or something about just being out of storage --kind of like the arm falling off, just being in the open air? Temp change?? created this double crack. Sigh of course on my watch but I just set it on the table with utmost care knowing these older things are fragile. Luckily we aren't talking about a $1K doll or something. Pretty sure neighbor has no expectations other than me maybe selling it on Ebay for charity.

Sooo.... in current condition with things falling off left and right, does this have any value?? Even $25?

 

that's one creepy ass doll......

I'm calling Chucky.....see if it's his cousin...

 

I would think someone who restores dolls would want the glass eyes if nothing else.

 

I was thinking the same about eyes, maybe hair??

Is it Judy who knows a bit about dolls?

 

@BoudiccaJones !!

 

I don't know if the teeth come out or not, but they look pretty good too!!! Don't we sound like miserable 'body parts scavengers'!!!!!!!

 

I'm not sure who made her but she is celluloid, which is why she is so fragile and brittle. The value on these is not much, even in great condition.

 

Agree with likely celluloid...does she smell at all?( Looks possibly a bit smelly from here? Impossible to tell from a pic. Might not be at all)

I think someone'd want her though, I think she has a certain charm

Well...have seen worse,at least

( For sure this isn't wax, is it?)

I had a dolly in a box, think she was compo though I actually believe she was a mummified corpse. I lovingly called her Miss Havisham's Bridesmaid.
Am sure she walked at night.

 

strange as it may seem, the material body and the shoulder joints are probably the most desired parts ( eyes hair teeth widely available )

I suggest you sell it on internet where most collectors and restorers hang out

 

Well...personally I cannot see anyone wanting *these* bits for their precious doll .
I am a doll collector. No way would I risk introducing possible disease into any of my collection. I don't collect this type or era but still...I do think someone'll buy her as she is,entire.
People buy *haunted* dolls. There will be a market

 

I don't know anything about these sort of dolls, is it for sure not wax? Wax would be totally different thing altogether.



This is another monster I had. Got it years ago from eBay, were no pics so I relied on the seller's description of *good original condition* from which I can only deduce, the seller had no nose.
This doll, a Pedigree, suffered ( and so did I , I have great sense of smell) from Hard Plastic Doll Disease and it reeked. Reeked.
I got a refund and had to destroy the ole Pedigree.

( This is a different disease to celluloid doll diseases, the OP's doll doesn't look to be diseased to me but celluloid disease presents differently to HPD and it can be deceptive. If there is any vinegary aroma then tis doomed. Celluloid tends to still look like normal unlike HPD which does...the below. I have to say again though...doesn't look bad to me from here at all. Am just mentioning this for educational purposes in case anyone ever comes across HPD. You would not believe the times I have had to tell people that their beloved Mummy's doll/ expensive car boot *antique* is doomed/diseased.)

The utter stink is infernal






This is more @judy 's area than mine, am sure she'll be more helpful than I xx

 

.Boudicca says "No way would I risk introducing possible disease into any of my collection.

I have been helping a close friend for years in restoring dolls ( I sew better than her ) and have never heard of any disease being imported the worst "disease" would possibly be mold stains

Does this mean furniture with holes in it should not be bought for fear of importing bugs ?
or same with unrefined flour with a moth in the packet ?

The HPD you talk about is not a disease as such as it is not catching but comes from badly mastered plastic mix from when they started making the stuff.

Certainly rare and never seen by me anyway, as it usually returns to first pieces/ and then dust RIP

 

The dress looks like a linen tea cloth ( or cushion cover ), lovingly made ....

 

...what?

Are you telling me that HPD amongst other things cannot be imported? Erm...okay. You're wrong but ...

No, this part below is simply incorrect.

**The HPD you talk about is not a disease as such as it is not catching but comes from badly mastered plastic mix from when they started making the stuff.**


It is named Hard Plastic/Pedigree Doll Disease. Am a bit surprised that after such a long time as a *doll collector's mate* you've never heard of it.
If you're not in Europe, you may have never seen it. Or smelled it. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist,however.

Utterly no idea what the bit about *first pieces/turn to dust* is about at all.

You could be confusing HPD with the American disease ( which is utterly different. )



I have been collecting dolls for decades. Please do not spread misinformation.

The first link I found when Googling/"Binging" HPD. Quite specifically mentions the spreading aspect.

https://vintagedollrepair.weebly.com/hard-plastic-disease-hpd.html


Edit for spelling mistooks.

And an amend to add this previous thread to the discussion. Many interesting links and a discussion about celluloid
disease

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/celluloid-disease-auguste-bonaz-decorative-haircomb.44835/

 

Just reading this..........

Will study post.........be back..............

 

The doll is good for parts..............

If you list her on ebay, make sure that that is how you list her......state so right in the title too.

Bou is correct about dolls having diseases.........different types for different types of dolls.

I don't know much about celluloid, but to me this doll head in question looks to be quite thick and sturdy for celluloid, altho I don't know what else she could be......my first thought was compo with that deep crack..........She does have the sheen of a wax doll.

Here is a page from my doll encyclopedia book



Here is a page from my encyclopedia's doll

Note the baby doll has a waxy finish as Bou noted.

I agree with above poster on minimal value on celluloids.

However, she is good for parts. I have no idea if the head could be repaired......could the crack be filled in somehow? Perhaps.

Most celluloids I am familiar with have such thin parts, that a hole is more easily made by squeezing too hard. Happened to me quite recently, and I have been living with the horrible results ever since. Can't get rid of her tho.

I'll post a photo after I take one.............

 

Her clothing is worth more than the doll....Until I find a doll that might be proper for the clothing, I'll just leave her as is.....very sad that I so carelessly destroyed her face removing something from a drawer....forgetting she was in there............

 

The dress on the poster's doll is quite useful, as are the stockings.

 

I have no idea what I did with the above photo.

How I managed to add a partial photo to the text photo is a mystery to me.........

Here is the doll I ruined.............

 

I must be going crazy!.....now they are two separate photos!

Sorry for duplicate.