The V pin on this doll’s sweater identifies her as Furga’s Valentina from Italy. She is holding baby Nana`. Her original box shows that it came from Milano, Italy. These dolls were among my daughter’s favorites.
Furga Doll
My daughter Elaine liked the Furga dolls from Italy. She played with this 14 in. Valentina doll and the 6 in. Furga baby Nana` that she called Angel. She also enjoyed playing with Furga’s 14 in. Vittoria doll, a dark-haired version, that she renamed Gina. According to their brochure, the large Furga dolls could pose in 15 different positions.
1930s Horsman Baby Doll
My 1930s 14 in. Horsman baby doll had a composition head and limbs with a stuffed cotton body. She has painted metal sleep eyes. Only the pink dotted Swiss bonnet is original. Her original dress matched the bonnet. There is a voice drum inside the body that would cry Mama when the doll was tipped.
Birthday 1935
For my first birthday, I didn’t get a doll, I got a dog. My Daddy and I celebrated with me riding my Scotty dog toy.
1967 Newborn Thumbelina
Not long ago our daughter Elaine, shown here at age 4 with her father, came home for a visit and sorted out her childhood dolls. Newborn Thumbelina, a 9.5 in. 1967 vinyl doll by Ideal was a favorite. A pull string in her foam filled body makes her wiggle and look alive. She is wearing her original outfit with others I made in the background.
1960s Teeny Tiny Tears
Teeny Tiny Tears was a popular baby doll in the early 1960’s. This 12 in. American Character doll was made of vinyl, could drink, wet, cry tears, and had eyes that slowly closed as she was rocked. She continued to be made into the 1970’s. Our little daughter would have loved playing with her but I didn’t find her until she was older.
1988 Madame Alexander Red Boy
On the wall in the house where I grew up hung a picture of Goya’s Don Manuel Osorio, known as the Red Boy. It made an impression because the little boy in the fancy red suit was painted with a pet magpie and three cats looking on. Mme. Alexander chose her Alexander-Kin mold to create this 1988 8 in. Red Boy.
1930s Doll House
On Christmas day in the late 1930’s there was a dollhouse waiting for me. It was filled with Tootsietoy metal furniture. The bureau drawers all opened up. There was a radio with doors, a tiny metal sewing basket, a tiny metal cradle with an even tinier doll inside. My sisters stood by and watched me. I could not have imagined the Tootsietoy furniture would be a valued collectable. Shown here is the dollhouse, inside and out. To date I have been unable to find the original furniture. Meanwhile it is furnished in a cheerful Swedish style.
Shirley Temple Books
In 1930-1940 we had radio shows, Walt Disney movies, and books – lot’s of them! Here are two well-worn Shirley Temple books that I enjoyed.
1940s China Head Doll
My first china head doll was sold undressed. My mother brought it back from a visit to Provincetown, MA in the 1940s. To my surprise, she made a calico dress that perfectly fit the 7 in. doll, and she did it without a pattern. This was a big favor for me because she preferred sewing for people, not dolls. Years later I crocheted the blue accessories.
