Inherited doll from late 30's need help with Identification

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by AshTheCrafter, Apr 29, 2023.

  1. AshTheCrafter

    AshTheCrafter New Member

    So I have inherited an old doll after my great grandmother's passing. I really want to know what brand or how actually old it might be; after doing some research I've figured out the doll is most likely a composition doll, maybe from the late 1930’s she's about 12” tall and has hooked and strung ball joints on the base of her limbs. I have scoured every inch of the outside of the doll and can not find any logos or any indicating markings. I have found out that she is quite similar looking to this 1936 Alexander Wendy Ann doll, [​IMG]which were also composite and made out of saw dust which I suspect my doll may be made of at least in her legs. However, my doll's torso is a bit squat/shorter than it She has green sleepy/blink eyes and Black hair which is a wig I think. Here is the doll.
    [​IMG] [​IMG][​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    judy likes this.
  2. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    @BoudiccaJones .........I know...it's not a doll u may recognize.......but I just like calling on you !!:kiss:
     
  3. BoudiccaJones

    BoudiccaJones Well-Known Member


    Thank you my friend Komo <3
    All I can say with any confidence is it's an American compo dolly ... wish I could help more xxxx

    Pretty sure this is the type of American doll that can have some sort of issue, ie smelling like gone off milk.
    If she were Alexander I think she'd be marked.
    More likely to be a clone BUT I only really know about English fashion dolls xxx
     
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  4. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    @judy might have some ideas... also, @Bookahtoo knows something about dolls.

    I also just realized that, if no luck here, the Doll Reference site has a tapatalk group where you can ask questions about dolls. https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/dollreference/index.php

    My mother has collected dolls for years, and she has a lot of reference books about them. (Many of which I've perused.) But I'm not well versed enough to have an answer for this.
     
  5. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

  6. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    That looks like it! Good work, anonymous informant!

    Alexander has done several versions of the Scarlett O'Hara doll. This would probably be the first version, issued in either 1939 or 1940 not long after the famous movie came out.

    Too bad about her condition, but many things can be repaired in old dolls.
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2023
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  7. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    Sometimes dolls are marked on the back of the head, underneath the wig.
     
  8. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    I was just going to post that she could be marked under the glued wig on the back.

    I'll check my MA book.
     
  9. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    Tin or glass eyes?
     
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  10. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    Some molds were used time and time again, with a different name.

    Do you have the missing parts?
     
  11. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    An example of the same mold, several IDs.

    MAdoll5.jpg
     
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  12. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    Is there no tag in the dress? May we see a better photo of the dress itself?
    It appears that it could be THIS dress from a 1939 doll:

    [​IMG]
     
  13. silverbell

    silverbell Well-Known Member

    That's Miz Scarlett, at the picnic!

    Would know her anywhere.
     
  14. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    That looks like the same dress.
     
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  15. AshTheCrafter

    AshTheCrafter New Member

    OMG thank you all so much! Im so grateful! I am overcome with wholesome tears of joy. Its so amazing I know what doll it is now!
     
  16. AshTheCrafter

    AshTheCrafter New Member

    [​IMG] Here is a better picture of the dress and I agree it appears to be the same one in the picture!
     
  17. AshTheCrafter

    AshTheCrafter New Member

    I have the missing limbs and that is all. I do plan to restring them but i have no idea how to do that
     
    judy likes this.
  18. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    It's easy - just use a strong rubber band and a crochet hook. The limbs should fit snugly but not too tight.
     
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  19. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    There are probably videos on YouTube that show how. If you don't feel like trying, there is probably somebody in your area who would do it for a fee. Ask a local doll club if they can recommend somebody.
     
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  20. bluumz

    bluumz Quite Busy

    Actually, having now seen a better photo of ATC's doll dress, I don't think it's the same print as the one I posted after all. The print looks quite different.
    Is the dress not tagged inside?

    Screenshot (185).png
     
    Figtree3 and judy like this.
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