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 what I think is either a paper mache or plaster doll. There are no markings other then a 4 and an zero on the back of her neck. She has molded hair with side buns. She has a socket head and strung body. She is 16 and 3/4 inches tall. The doll came from the estate of German immigrants where most everything was pre-war German, if that helps. I am not sure if the eyes are decals or if gloss was put on the lips and eyes to make them sparkle.
Can you give me an idea of what to even call her? An age and approx value would also be appreciated.
Thanks so much
Answer Your doll looks similar to photos of the few German regional dolls of the 1920's-30's that I could find. You do not include a full-length photo, so I have only the face to go on. It has the period eye paint or eye decals and single-stroke eyebrows of a 1920's -30's doll. The moulded hair with side buns and the size are in line with two other unmarked but documented German dolls I have seen. Your doll seems to have been redressed. She may be made of composition, papier maché, biscaloid or biskoline.
Because I cannot come up with an exact match and these dolls have considerable value (around three hundred dollars or more) in excellent condition, I recommend you have it appraised by an appraiser with expertise in vintage dolls.
Good sources for reputable doll appraiser listings are www.debrasdolls.com, www.theriaults.com and www.nadda.org.
I would love to hear from you on the results if you decide to have her appraised! Please do share her identity with other collectors.
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