Doll books

[Rhonda]

Hi, my name is Rhonda. Hi Kathryn. I have been without a computer for about 5 months and have only just got another one. It is lovely to be back on line. I have only bought a couple of new dolls. As usual, buying with my heart and not my head. She was cracked BUT had such appealing eyes!! I am trying to get together Doll Digest books. Does anyone out there have any they want to sell? I'm not sure if I am doing this right. It is the first time I have ever been on a site like this.. If you see this Kathryn, Merry Christmas. I hope everything is going well for you. Merry Christmas to all other doll people as well. My collection is mostly Kaders and Hard plastic 1950 dolls. A few vinyls have sneaked in and a couple of beautiful composition babies. Have a great 2009. Rhonda

[Kathryn]

Hi Rhonda - great to hear from you!

I couldn't do without my home computer, I'd be worried about all the bargains I'd be missing out on on eBay or trademe! Having said that I haven't bought much lately (I'm still looking for a job so am on a very tight budget). I did buy a doll just before Christmas as it was a bargain buy. An auction house in the USA was selling it together with another doll and the lot was described as a reproduction French doll and a Victorian style two faced doll. What they called a Victorian style doll was in fact an 1870s two faced chinahead on original pincushion base. I left a low bid and got the lot for the bargain price of US$240. By the time I paid a shipping company to pick it up and post it to me it ended up costing NZ$700. However one on the same type of base but with less decoration (it was holding a cleaning cloth whereas mine is holding baskets with peddler items) sold at a doll auction in the USA two years ago for US$7,200 and a broken head only sold on eBay about a month ago for US$865 so it was still very cheap. I'm thrilled to bits with it because the head's in excellent condition, the clothing is original (though the silk is melting a bit in places) and the items in the peddler's basket are wonderful. I've put it in the gallery on the website at http://www.antiquedolls.co.nz/kister_yo ... _age_2.htm if you want to have a look at it. I've already got a two faced doll with the same head but with an ordinary chinahead body. So I'll probably sell the one I already had (with the chinahead body). The other doll in the lot I bought is a very pretty reproduction Gaultier French doll which I'll sell on trademe. New Zealand collectors like the pretty dolls so I'm hoping it will do well!

Hope you had a great Christmas. Did you spend it with your family? Best wishes for 2009 for you too. I'm hoping 2009 is going to be a good year (it can't be any worse than 2008 was for me!).

Kathryn

[Rhonda]

Hi, Kathryn, yes I finally got onto your website. You must have nearly given up on me! Well done with the new doll. Wow! Didn't you do well? I am really pleased for you. I hope to be able to call in sometime and get a look at her. The little items in the basket are amazing.
Wishing you a very happy, safe and healthy New Year. Rhonda

[Rhonda]

Hi, how is everyone?
I have bought a couple more dolls. Always ONE more that I NEED. I am looking forward to the doll show in Hamilton. Are you going Kathryn? I might see you there. After a scare this month with 4 of my dolls showing up with a fine mildew over them I am keeping an eye on them now. They had been in a cabinet for 6 years without a problem and then this. Must have been a damper winter than usual. Most of them cleaned up really well, but the brown Pedigree is not coming off easily. It looks clean and then when it dries a white stain is there again. Maybe it is the same on the white dolls, just can't see it. Im not sure how this site works. Can everyone view this message? Can I talk to people in general by replying here? Ill get used to it, eventually. See you in Hamilton Rhonda

[Kathryn]

Hi Rhonda

What dolls did you buy? I understand the NEED thing, I've just bought another three faced doll (a modern wooden one but I don't already have one like it so I HAD to have it!!)

I don't know yet whether I'm going to the Hamilton Doll Show this year. Last year was the first time I went but it's definitely worth making the trip - it's a great show.

Yes, everyone who views the message board can see all the messages. You can send private messages to other members by clicking on their username and selecting Private Message - having said that, I haven't tried out that feature myself yet! I'll send you a private message and see what happens! You might like to post a message in the Doll Repair/Restoration section about the mildew and hopefully someone out there will have some good tips on how to get rid of it.

You should consider joining the Auckland Antique Doll Collectors Club. Maree has said she'll join this year. The collectors range from those who collect antique dolls though to those who collect vintage dolls and a few members make dolls too. It's only $20 a year and we meet once a month on a Saturday afternoon. The first meeting is February. Maree is going to come to my house and I'll take her along with me for the first meeting - you're welcome to come along with us. (You might even want to just come to a meeting to see whether you like it.) The ladies are very nice and you get to see other collector's dolls (we have a different theme each month eg celluloid dolls).

Kathryn