Beautiful Dolls On Display at The Burlington Inn Antique Center
This time of the year, many antique dealers showcase their collectible dolls, perhaps moving them from a hidden corner in their booth space to a new upfront position for the holidays. Dolls sell at this time of the year. At the Burlington Antique Center in Burlington, CT there are several doll dealers who sell amazing dolls all year round> Presently these sellers have some very elaborate displays which are worth visiting even if you are not a doll collector.
Fifth Avenue in Burlington, CT
On a recent visit to The Burlington Antique Center, I was reminded of the special holiday windows that you will see on Fifth Avenue in New York City
at Christmas time. . Very large glass showcases were installed at this new Antique Multi-Dealer Shop on Route 4 in Burlington Center for the dolls. You will see vignettes set up of exquisitely displayed dolls in gorgeous costumes. There are also other sections in the store with baby dolls.
How Do You Classify Dolls?
But it is the larger dolls at The Burlington Antique Center which stopped me in my tracks. In fact, I actually considered, bringing home one of these glorious dolls and beginning a doll collection. But first, b
efore any impulsive purchases I knew that I would need to do a bit more homework on the subject. I consulted an older copy of "Antique Roadshow Collectibles" by Carol Prisant (Workman Publishing) and began my homework assignment to learn more about doll collecting.
Classifying Dolls
Dolls are divided into categories, collectible 1918-1975. Antique dolls would be those classified earlier or manufactured by Bru or Jumeau (France). Dolls by these companies would be considered "antique" even if they were not 100 years old. The there is what we might call "Modern" dolls which are the last twenty five years and "Contemporary" dolls which are being manufactured currently.
Dolls From France and Germany
Early dolls (eighteenth and nineteenth century) were made of wood, leather, china, paper mache or bisque. France led the way in doll making before World War I (Jumeau and Bru) as well as Germnay (Kammer & Reinhardt and Simon & Habig) .
American Doll Manufacturers
After World War I, American companies started to replace bisque with newer materials such as composition and better rubbers (Effanbee, Ideal, Horsman, Mattel, Madame Alexander). As companies continued to perfect new materials, dolls would follow these trends. Baby boomers will remember dolls of the 1950s made from hard plastic. This generation (1950s) also had favorites such as Tiny Tears, Ginny's, Sweet Sue and of course Barbie.
What is Meant by "Mint"
Many collectors look for dolls in their original packaging and in "mint" condition. Most time baby dolls are not found in their box or packaging because
they have been played with in baby carriages and cradles . Like people and pets , dolls are evaluated according to" condition" (hair, eyes, skin, clothing, condition").
Major Doll Manufacturers:
Cameo 1922-1970
Effanmee (started in 1910)
Horsman (starated 1865)
Ideal (introduced dolls in 1930's )
Madame Alexander (founded in 1923)
Mattel(Barbie born in 1959)
Nancy Ann Storybook (first dolls 1936)
Steiff (founded 1894)
Vogue dolls (Ginny) 1948-1960's
Photos courtesy of:
Burlington Inn Antiques
304 Spielman Highway
Route 4
Burlington, CT
860-404-1780
Visit Antique and Collectible Dolls at
http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/antiqueandcollectibledolls
C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.
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dianne@cdiannezweig.com
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