Jan Foulke's February Doll Review

Though we don't have a large number of dolls for the February sale, we do have some choice, rare, and desirable items. The highlight of our February dolls is another wonderful Maggie Bessie (Lot 1771#)  antique cloth doll made by the Pfohl sisters (Maggie & Bessie, hence the doll's name) in the Moravian town of Salem, NC, beginning in 1893 These dolls are very rare and much sought-after by collectors. Last year we sold an all-original model for over $15,000, and we are really thrilled to be able to offer this wonderful model which has an entirely different face. The Maggie Bessie dolls were all handmade and hand painted, just lovely little works of art.  This is a must-have for lovers and collectors of cloth dolls. For more information about Maggie Bessie dolls, check out the article by Bradley Justice in the November 2006 issue of the Antique Doll Collector magazine.

At the same time as the Pfohl sisters were making dolls in NC, the Adams sisters were making dolls in Oswego, NY. They called their creations Columbian Dolls, as they were first shown at the Columbian Exhibition of 1893. We have lot #1777, a much loved but very charming example.

For collectors of dolls from the 1950s, is a lovely hard plastic Mary Hoyer doll (Lot #1768) from Reading, PA, dressed in a beautiful tagged gown, accompanied by a very large all-original wardrobe of tagged garments, including dresses, coat, hat, nightclothes, shoes, socks, even a pearl necklace, beaded evening bag, and a tiara. She also has a wooden wardrobe which was purchased at the Mary Hoyer store in Reading. This is a fabulous item for a collector, as it is a totally original set, seldom found today.

Nancy Ann Storybook Doll lovers should look carefully at lots #1769 and #1770. Some rare and desirable models included are Powder and Crinoline, Operetta Series, and Miss Pattycake Baby. These are all original and in excellent condition with original boxes.

For admirers of large German bisque dolls, we have lot #1772, an ABG 1362; #1773, a C.M. Bergmann Simon & Halbig; and #1776 a Simon & Halbig 1078. These all have beautiful faces, and are in the very desirable 28-32 inch size.
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Jan Foulke
Bio
Doll Consultant
Morphy Auctions