Cloth dolls have been around since people started using woven fabrics for clothing. Mothers putting pieces of left over cloth together into an easily portable companion for their children is a natural act of love. Any type of fabric can be used for the construction of these toys. They became known by the name of Rag Doll.
As time passed the fabrics became softer and more expensive. Velvets and silks were used for faces as well as clothing for the dolls. Faces could be painted onto the fabric or embroidered into it. It did not take long before beads and buttons were added to the facial features to give them more human like features.
Mass production of the rag doll began in approximately 1850. The patterns were printed on fabric much the way newspapers are printed. They were then cut out, put together and stuffed. Some manufacturers used human hair or mohair for the heads and if necessary painted the faces. As the trade progressed more detailed models were hand sewn and painted by special teams that were employed expressly for that job.
One version of the rag doll that has been around for decades is Raggedy Anne. She was rescued from an attic and used as a prop for a father while entertaining his daughter. Later he put the adventures of Raggedy Anne into print and she became an instant success story. She was later partnered up with her pal Raggedy Andy and the two of them are still a popular item for children today.
Another part of this doll family is the Art Doll. They first came to be Europe and were not toys but rather a decorative piece for the home. They were sought after because they had wire in their bodies that allowed their arms and legs to be arranged in different ways. They became fashionable to own because they were very colorful and attractive.
Smaller versions of this type of doll are gaining popularity in today's market. They are being produced by private parties as well as the larger companies and are viewed as images of real life in the extreme. They are dressed in bright colors using feathers and other props and posed in ways that garner instant attention from all who see them.
If you are considering the purchase of one of these vintage companions as a collection piece it is important to gain as much knowledge on the subject as you can before you buy anything. There is so much to know and so many ways you can be fooled that this is not an item for the impulse buyer to consider.
The original clothing is a value factor to be aware of. Whether or not a doll has had a makeover and been repainted or the costume has been recreated. And if it has been, were the proper fabrics and stitching used. The list goes on forever. Experts recommend that you take your time and study the subject before you spend your money.
As time passed the fabrics became softer and more expensive. Velvets and silks were used for faces as well as clothing for the dolls. Faces could be painted onto the fabric or embroidered into it. It did not take long before beads and buttons were added to the facial features to give them more human like features.
Mass production of the rag doll began in approximately 1850. The patterns were printed on fabric much the way newspapers are printed. They were then cut out, put together and stuffed. Some manufacturers used human hair or mohair for the heads and if necessary painted the faces. As the trade progressed more detailed models were hand sewn and painted by special teams that were employed expressly for that job.
One version of the rag doll that has been around for decades is Raggedy Anne. She was rescued from an attic and used as a prop for a father while entertaining his daughter. Later he put the adventures of Raggedy Anne into print and she became an instant success story. She was later partnered up with her pal Raggedy Andy and the two of them are still a popular item for children today.
Another part of this doll family is the Art Doll. They first came to be Europe and were not toys but rather a decorative piece for the home. They were sought after because they had wire in their bodies that allowed their arms and legs to be arranged in different ways. They became fashionable to own because they were very colorful and attractive.
Smaller versions of this type of doll are gaining popularity in today's market. They are being produced by private parties as well as the larger companies and are viewed as images of real life in the extreme. They are dressed in bright colors using feathers and other props and posed in ways that garner instant attention from all who see them.
If you are considering the purchase of one of these vintage companions as a collection piece it is important to gain as much knowledge on the subject as you can before you buy anything. There is so much to know and so many ways you can be fooled that this is not an item for the impulse buyer to consider.
The original clothing is a value factor to be aware of. Whether or not a doll has had a makeover and been repainted or the costume has been recreated. And if it has been, were the proper fabrics and stitching used. The list goes on forever. Experts recommend that you take your time and study the subject before you spend your money.
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