Expert: Barbara K. Acchino - 3/1/2007

Question
I have a collection of thimbles of which each is a doll's head from a different country.  There are 12 of them from all over the world.  They were purchased at an estate auction.  I have not been able to find anything on them.  Can you help?  I am a member of TCI.

Answer
Hi Judy.  Your thimbles sound like they are the "Dolls of the World" thimbles.  They were issued in 1981 by Calhouns of the UK.  They represent Africa, England, France, Holland, India, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Russia, Spain and the US. They are bisque (meaning they are fired once).  Since they are contemporary, I'm not able to give you a value.  I'm glad to hear you are a member of TCI...you'll learn much from their newsletter.  Hope there's a thimble collecting club near you, as you can learn so very much from fellow collectors.  Barb