Once upon a time — in 1955, to be exact — Madame Alexander issued a 21-inch debutante doll with a full figure, arched high-heel feet, and a wardrobe the likes of which had never been seen before. Her name was Cissy, and she would forever change the way children and the doll industry looked at dolls. Previously most dolls were made in the likeness of a child, such as Betsy McCall, Ginny, and many others.
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Jiao “Jason” Huadong’s quest for doll-design excellence is evident and undeniable. So is the artist’s commitment to dazzling doll collectors with the bold and beautiful Mizi and Adonis characters in his JHDFashionDoll line. Based in Huizhou, China, Huadong graciously took the time for an interview with frequent DOLLS contributor Wil Peterson:
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I fell in love with this doll, which I saw pictured in an advertisement for an auction, but there was no identification of it in the ad. I would like to find one like this. Can you tell me anything about her?
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Q: I am a fashion-doll collector and was thrilled to find this beautiful Oleg Cassini doll mint in the box. She is 12 inches tall and all vinyl, with rooted hair and painted eyes. The clothing is spectacular; the doll is sort of basic, one would say. Can you tell me more about this doll and perhaps a value?
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If you’re a reborn doll artist, you will have no doubt become obsessed with every detail about the color and fine features of babies. You’ll constantly use that knowledge to create color and effects that make your work look alive. The good news is that everything you’ve learned in making reborn dolls is transferable — it will help make you a great silicone artist, too! The tough news is that Silicone painting is a more challenging medium.
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With a dollmaking career that’s lasted more than 35 years, Aankie Daanen has become not only an accomplished artist but a sought-after teacher. For years, she has held regular classes and workshops at various shows and other settings around the world. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everyone’s plans for 2020, Daanen faced a choice: simply discontinue teaching for the duration or learn new ways to share her dollmaking knowledge.
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Q: I found this little all-bisque doll with a sticker that says “E.I. Horsman Co.” and “Germany.” I thought Horsman was an American company that made composition dolls. Are there two doll companies with the Horsman name?
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Reproductions of antique bisque dolls are an enduring part of the doll-collecting scene. But few modern dollmakers try to re-create the carved-wood Queen Anne dolls of the 17th and 18th centuries. One artist who does is Maria Mordvinkova, and her creations beautifully reflect the historic look of the original Queen Ann dolls without carrying a hugely expensive price tag.
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As collectors observe the holidays each year, many enjoy including their dolls in the celebration, as well. We invited you to share photos from your collection on these special occasions, and now we present collectors’ dolls celebrating Easter!
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Q: I found this beautiful Madame Alexander Bride doll at a doll show some time ago. I just got her out and realized that she is from “The Sound of Music” and was an astonishing $124. I was unaware of this doll and wondered what you could tell me about her.
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This pre-Lenten festival is celebrated in many areas around the world. New Orlean’s Mardi Gras is the best-known U.S. event, but Venice and Rio de Janeiro are also famed for their celebrations. These collectors made their dolls part of the pageantry!
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More and more collectors are sending in photos of their dolls celebrating a variety of holidays. We’re very pleased and grateful to Yuko Waugh for sharing these photos and information about this Japanese holiday, in which dolls play an important role:
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Q: I have recently started to collect German antique bisque dolls. I have several marked Heinrich Handwerck. Now I have found one marked Max Handwerck. Did this company change its name or are these two different companies?
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My mother gave me this amazing 15-inch composition Jackie Robinson doll that she had bought years ago. He came complete with a Dodgers jacket and his iconic number 42 on his uniform back.
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Dolls come in all styles and sizes, and the very best ones are those that have their own unique charm and precious innocence, the ones that look like no others in the doll world. They seem less like dolls to be purchased and more like precious little people to be adopted and cherished. Such are the creations of Liliya Volkova, a resident of Moscow, Russia, and a superb dollcrafter.
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As collectors observe the holidays each year, many enjoy including their dolls in the celebration, as well. We invited you to share photos from your collection on these special occasions starting with Halloween last year, and now we present collectors’ dolls welcoming in the year 2021!
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Q: I was curious about this figure. I’m not sure it’s a doll, but do you know anything about it? Age? Origin? Purpose?
A: Collectors refer to these types of figures as “nodders.”
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Earlier this year, we invited DOLLS readers to share photos of their dolls dressed up in holiday finery, and boy, did you deliver! Here are some collector’s dolls all dressed up for Christmas.
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Q: I could not resist buying this adorable Barbie doll from 1994, still in her original box. She was available at Hallmark, according to the box. Can you tell me more about her?
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Earlier this year, we invited DOLLS readers to share photos of their dolls dressed up in holiday finery. Now, here are some collectors’ dolls all dressed up for Thanksgiving.
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