About Diana Lucas Expertise I can answer most questions regarding the age and identity of Madame Alexander dolls. Nude dolls missing their original outfits can occasionally be identified if the questioner can provide pictures to aid with identification. I can also identify Madame Alexander doll clothing by itself with detailed, accurate descriptions and/or pictures. Approximate values of dolls can be provided only if the questioner can provide accurate descriptions as to condition and completeness of the doll(s) or costume(s) they are asking about. If the doll being asked about is NOT a Madame Alexander doll, and I DO know what doll it is, I will provide that information, but I can not provide values. I will gladly guide that person to other sources to find the necessary information, however.
I also have an excellent knowledge of vintage Liddle Kiddle dolls by Mattel, Inc. I can help with identification, completeness and age of the dolls and their accessories, but any values provided would be approximate, and based on current market popularity.
Experience I have been collecting dolls, in general, for 14 years. For the past 12 years I have collected Madame Alexander dolls nearly exclusively. My personal library of collector books about Madame Alexander dolls contains nearly every book published about these dolls, including many difficult-to-find, out-of-print editions.
Organizations Madame Alexander Doll Club (12 years as a member)
Publications Madame Alexander Doll Club's publication "The Review", AuctionBytes at www.auctionbytes.com
Question I have a Mary Poppins doll and on the back of her neck it says Horsman Dolls Inc on the first line, the second line says 1964 and I can't quite read the figures on the third line. I am looking for an original dress for her on e-bay but am not quite sure how to measure the size of the doll for clothes. Do you measure from the top of the head or the neck down for the body size itself? I would like to know more about this doll as I have had her since I was in the first grade(long time ago). Please tell me what you can about her or lead me to someone who can. Thanks so much.
Answer Susan,
The 12" Mary Poppins doll by Horsman is quite popular among collectors and it's not too difficult to find her original clothing and accessories with a little effort. She was made in conjunction with the Walt Disney Company as a tie-in to the 1964 Julie Andrews movie.
For doll clothing purposes, the size given for doll clothes correlates to the height of the doll from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. So, a doll that measures 12" in height will need doll clothes for a 12" doll.
The Horsman Mary Poppins was made in 1964 in three sizes, 12", 16" and 36" and then in a 26" size in 1966. All those measurements represent total height from the top of the doll's head to the bottom of her feet. If you have the 12" tall Mary Poppins, here is an auction, #2987964646, that would have the clothes you'd need for her. The coat and dress are what she came in - the fancy white dress was usually sold separately for this doll. This auction, #2988043515, one of many, will give you a good idea of what originally came with your doll. Search on the words 'mary poppins' on eBay and you should be able to find what you need. In fact there is a NRFB 12" doll on eBay right now - #2988998428.
I should add that if your doll is NOT the 12" doll, but one of the larger sizes, you will probably have a harder time locating the correct clothing for her. In addition to checking eBay and yahoo regularly, I would suggest placing an ad at www.ewanted.com if you really want those larger-sized doll clothes. As for value, it's all over the place. There are enough examples of the 12" doll around that values have remained relatively low. I would suggest following eBay auctions to see what prices they end at for the best idea of your doll's value. The larger sized dolls are more value as they are scarcer and would be, without clothing, about $20 to $50 for the 16" size, $50 to $75 for the 26" size and $90 to $100 for the 36" size.
Good luck in your search! :)
