About Anne Hoffmann Expertise As a modest collector of appropriately vintage age, I'm good at identifying American vintage dolls (largely late 1940's-1970's) and have the interest and resources to research particularly challenging identifications. I would hesitate to make specific value estimates, however, as markets fluctuate and I am not a professional appraiser. I can recommend at-home repair methods and resources for particular repair instructions and supplies. I can differentiate repairs that will enhance or devalue the historical significance of your doll.
Experience For one, I am 58 and a life-long doll lover. I played with many of these dolls! I am an adult collector, hampered only by my inability to afford the high-end and rare collectibles. I do some doll identification for sellers on eBay and am in demand for local yard sale and church pricing of doll "finds". I like folks to be able to realize a good return for their offerings by correctly identifying their dolls for collectors. I am highly literate and like people as well as dolls! I was briefy a customer service associate for JC Penney (one of those "filler" jobs) and enjoyed resolving issues to customer satisfaction. I am retired and spend a lot of time studying dolls. On the down side, while having an excellent command of the English language, I am a poor typist.
Education/Credentials None for doll collecting. I was a draftsman and machine programmer for an architectural metal firm.
Question I am trying to identify an old doll that I played with as a child in the 40-50s. I don't think I got her new - I think the doll was handed down to me. I have searched the Internet and can not identify its age or the name of the doll. I will attempt to attach pictures. It is an Ideal baby doll with a cloth body and composition head, arms and legs. At one time it would say "ma-ma" when put on its back. It has a glued on wig of very soft fine brown hair that could pass for real hair. It has a closed mouth (no teeth) a slight dimple in the chin, blue glass eyes that open and close, real eyelashes and painted bottom lashes. She is approximately 23" long. The back of the neck has the identifying mark: "IDEAL DOLL" . All parts are original and the fabric is in excellent shape except for a couple of minor stain spots. The face has some light crazing and tiny dark spots that I think will wash off. Can you also give me an approximate value? I do not want to sell her but would like to know for future reference.
I was only able to upload one photo so I chose a close up of her face. If you need additional photos to identify her, I have more photos. Just e-mail me and I will attach them.
Answer There isn't a whole lot of interest at present in the American composition mama dolls, which is too bad as they are one of the most endearing play dolls of our past. Doll values, like those of so many other collectibles, are first based on popular market interest in the type or issue. Following factors affecting values are condition, completeness, workmanship, rarity, historicity, age and originality.
Condition is the most important factor in establishing value after secondary market interest. To bring top-or "book"- value, the doll must be comparable to the best example known.
The Ideal cloth-bodied mama dolls with composition heads and limbs and mohair wigs were made from the 1920's into the 1940's. Variously marked as Ideal, they have a value on today's market of about $100, depending largely on condition, including that of any original clothing. The Ideal composition child dolls, particularly the Shirley Temple and Deanna Durban issues, have much greater value at present.
The light crazing of the composition paint finish detracts somewhat from the value, especially being on the face. If her crier works, that adds a little to the value.
Your doll's greatest value at this point in time is as a family heirloom of irreplaceable sentimental value. Secondary market interest may rise in years to come, especially as these composition dolls become more fragile with age and good examples more sought after.
To best preserve your doll, do NOT clean. The crazing in the finish would let any cleaning solution leach into the base material and cause further damage, including lifting of the finish layer. Keep her out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Humidity, being moisture, can cause the greatest damage. Never wrap any doll in plastic or store in a plastic container.
If you are displaying your doll, dust her daily with a soft brush. If you store the doll, archival acid-free boxes and tissue paper can be obtained from many drycleaners, doll hospitals and online. Sleep-eyed dolls should be stored upright or face down on an unbleached muslin pillow to prevent the eye weights from sticking.
Check ebay auctions for "Ideal composition doll" periodically for current values. It has world-wide availability and a competitive auction format, thus establishing secondary market trends for all but truly antique and rare vintage dolls. Theriault's, the famous doll auction house, has auction lists for more valuable dolls, including American composition dolls.
PS This response was based on the description, as the photograph did not transmit, somehow. If you would like to resubmit the question with another attempt at attaching the photo, I would be happy to look at it and try to pin down its identity more exactly. The valuation for this sort of doll, whatever her exact identity, is still at $100.00 in very good condition.
