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've rediscovered my childhood thru' Kiddle dolls. I would be ever so grateful if you could give me any info about the names and/or number of kiddles in the following categories
(these are the only ones I remember having as a kid):
1960's vintage Lockets, Kologne, and Soda Bottle dolls.
Your kind help would make me very happy. I thank you sincerely in advance.
Answer Wow! Liddle Kiddles! The popularity of these Mattel dolls first issued in 1966 is booming now as the generation of children who played with them, the Late Baby Boomers coming into their '50's, wax nostalgic for these delightful sprites of their past.
I can tell you there were 9 different types of Kologne Kiddles: Rosebud, Orange Blossom, Honeysuckle, Apple Blossom, Bluebell, Violet, Sweet Pea, Gardenia and Lily of the Valley.
Ther were apparently 14 Locket dolls, with Lois being two issues: Larky Locket, Laverne Locket, Lilac Locket, Liz Locket, Lois Locket (2), Lola Locket, Lorelei Locket, Loretta Locket, Lorna Locket, Lottie Locket, Lou Locket, Louise Locket and Luana Locket.
The 6 Kola Kiddles were Luscious Lime, Laffy Lemon, Shirley Strawberry, Kleo Kola, Olivia Orange and Greta Grape.
The 24 original Kiddles issues were: Babe Biddle, Baby Liddle, Beat A Diddle, Beddy Bye Biddle, Bunson Burnie, Calamity Jiddle, Florence Niddle, Freezy Sliddle, Greta Griddle, Howard "Biff" Boodle, Kampy Kiddle, Lemons Stiddle, Liddle Diddle, Lola Liddle, Millie Middle, Pretty Priddle, Rolly Twiddle, Sizzly Friddle , Slipsy Sliddle, Soapy Siddle, Surfy Skiddle, Telly Viddle, Trikey Triddle and Windy Fliddle.
There is so much fine material on these dolls in both print and online that I am simply going to give you a few resources to peruse at your leisure. The online sites I'm providing include links to even more sites. Have fun!
A pretty good list of the many Kiddles issues with photos can be found at http://dollreference.com/liddle_kiddle_menu.html.
There is a whole Kiddles menu to choose from and links to other collector sites. Dollreference.com, like allexperts.com, is a volunteer project, providing the expert input of many generous collectors.
Another source of excellent links for Liddle Kiddle collectors is http://q.webring.com/hub?ring=kiddles, a Liddle Kiddles web ring.
An excellent site with the complete Kiddles listing is http://www.fashion-doll-guide.com/Vintage-Little-Kiddles.html. Included are current Kiddles listings on eBay. Great site! Please do check it out.
Recommended by another Kiddle Kollector is Paris Langford's book, Liddle Kiddles Identification & Value Guide. It is available through amazon.com.
Have fun with your collection and research. I am an earlier Boomer (b. 1949) and am close to my sixties now (horrors! where did the time go!). I was kind of shocked by the recognition of how much older I am getting, as the next generation of vintage collectors comes up! I know how the enchantment of the toys of our childhoods makes it seem like just yesterday that we were heartwhole and carefree! Enjoy!
