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.
I HAVE A DOLL APP. 70CM TALL TANNED SKIN WITH LONG BLONDE HAIR. SHE HAS BLUE GLASS EYES SHE IS MADE IN A HARD MATERIAL PERHAPS PLASTIC MAYBE. SHE HAS ON HER JOINTS AND BACK OF NECK THE NAME H. GUNIEL OR H. GUMIEL AND THE LETTER C IN A CIRCLE UNDERNEATH IS CHINA. SHE IS VERY DETAILED PLEASE COULD YOU GIVE ME SOME CLOSURE ON WHO MADE HER SHE IS VERY PRETTY. THANK YOU mAREE AUSTRALIA
Answer I'm sorry to have delayed so in answering your query, but I spent a lot of time trying to track down the exact model of your doll - alas, without success. But I do have some information that may enable you to make an exact identification.
Your beautifully sculpted doll would seem to bear the impress of Hildegarde Günzel, a German-born doll artist who has designed production dolls for Madame Alexander and Gotz, as well as her own limited editions. The "z" in her signature is difficult to decipher, looking indeed like "Guniel" or "Gumiel". The "C" in a circle simply stands for copyright and "China" would be the place of production. Hildegarde Günzel started making dolls in 1972 and still produces some of the most finely sculpted dolls for the discriminating collector. Her dolls have been produced in vinyl, bigadur (a special hard vinyl), porcelain and wax-over-porcelain, and now have been introduced in resin.
The sculpting of your doll, other than being obviously detailed and beautiful, is hard to evaluate at the particular angle of the photo. The forehead seems much pronounced and the bridge of the nose higher and the lips thinner than in any recent child Günzel dolls I reviewed, but it may well be an older sculpt. The 70 cm (27.5") height is a common Günzel size for artist editions.
Since a Günzel doll is of some value, I would make the effort to pin down the particular issue of your doll. I suggest that you get in touch with the artist at:
designby@hildegardguenzel.com
or write to her at:
Dr-Alfred-Herrhausen-Allee 60
D-47228 Duisburg
Germany
You can refer also to her website: http://www.hildegardguenzel.com
An imperative to making an exact identification would be attachment (email) or enclosure (regular mail) of clear, detailed photos of the doll, front and back, dressed and undressed, including all markings. The construction of the doll's body (that is, vinyl and cloth, all one material, strung limbs or swivel joints, poseable armature, etc.) is also important to note in as much detail as you can without pulling the doll apart!
There is a book, which I don't have in my own library,
Bezaubernde Puppenreise Enchanted Journey Dolls By Hildegard Gunzel 1992-1997 by Verlag Puppen & Spielzeug available on eBay. Your local library may be able to get it for you on inter-library loan.
The value of your doll is dependent both on the issue and overall condition, including clothing if it is original to the doll. Keep her dust free and out of extreme temperatures. Do NOT keep her under plastic!
Good luck! I would like to hear from you if you are successful in tracing your doll's origins. Meanwhile, I will keep your photo on file and make a follow-up here if I can better identify her.
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