CLOTH AND LENCI

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Exceptional 21” ( 54cm ) example of the Sheppard Baby, aka the “ Philadelphia Baby “, circa 1900, with head and shoulder molded and painted oilcloth, exhibiting remarkable three-dimensionally rendered facial features, all hand painted allowing for similar but distinctive personalities with each and every individual doll. The eyes must be considered the most realistic of the features as they are deeply indented with intaglio painted precision, white highlight dots in pupils, as well as individually molded upper and lower eyelids. The mouth also has a deep indentation with realistic molded lips which are delicately painted and shaded. The separately modeled ears are delicately blushed and the short babyish hair, quite wispy, with emerging short bangs. The head and shoulders plus the lower arms and legs are all similarly constructed and painted with special attention given to the formation and highlighting of the nails on the extremities. The torso, upper arms and legs are covered by a light stockinet-type thin cloth. The cotton print dress is most likely original or, at least “of the period “, as are the simple undergarments. There is no repaint or repair anywhere on the doll, only slight fading over time, but in an overall uniform manner and consistency. A wonderful example and offered at a modest…………….US$ 1,450. 

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This 15’ ( 38cm ) American cloth “ Babyland Rag “ doll has about as much appeal and personality as any we have seen to date. Boys in general from this firm are much more difficult to find than girls, and furthermore this early example has the “painted silk “ face, still in excellent condition, with wisps of blond human hair poking out onto forehead and all around from underneath the ( slightly faded ) plum wool cap. The original sewn-on costume consists of a cream- colored linen shirt with starched high collar, plum linen trousers, sailor-type collar, purple tie that is hidden under the collar while tying in front, white knit socks, and black canvas shoes. As he appears to be a boxing enthusiast, he has antique leather covered boxing gloves, and a leather covered punching back. Pinned to his shirt is a brass pin with a large red letter “A”, and also a metal advertising button stating “ The World’s Best Varnisher “. The exact maker of the advertised varnish is unknown. A great piece with lots of accessories and loads of charm!…US$ 775. 

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19” cloth doll with stockinet covering known to the doll collecting world as a “ Black Beecher-Type” as it is made in a similar manner to the “ Beecher Babies “ manufactured around the turn of the Twentieth Century in upstate New York but there is no evidence that Julia Jones Beecher of Elmira NY ever directly made or sold the more elongated black children of which this doll is well exemplified. Regardless of the ambiguity/uncertainty of exact source of manufacture these dolls are highly regarded in their own right and stand alongside both in terms of respect and approximated price range of the “ Missionary Rag Babies “ of Mrs. Beecher. As is typical, this doll has a stockinet covering over the molded head and facial features, a tight wooly caracul wig as part of the doll, and black pupiless eyes backed by a white celluloid-type material. Lips and nostrils are painted bright red , hands are “ mitten-style “, and there are sewn joints at shoulders ,hips, and knees. This doll is dressed as a “country boy “with plaid cotton shirt, plaid linen trousers, a red neckerchief, and a multicolored woven straw hat. Although he does have some anticipated age wear, he is still in relatively overall good condition compared to most and priced accordingly to reflect his actual physical status. Those in excellent to near mint condition usually sell for at least 30-40% higher…………….US$ 995. 

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 Lovely, desirable, and all original 9” (23cm ) Lenci miniature ( so-called “Mascot ) in very clean overall condition, with almost no surface dust or fading with age. Sewn to the lower right side edge of the jacket are two Lenci identifying items, a folded -over cloth banner reading “ Lenci Made in Italy “, as well as a silver foil round paper tag ” Lenci Torino Made in Italy “. His hair is a one-piece yellow felt cutout with comb marks in front edge framing the face, rolled -up curls covering the ears, also in back of head, and terminating in center of neck is a long and wide braid folded up and tied at neck level. His mid-to-late 18th Century costume consists of a pale green felt jacket, open in front, and lined with light plum felt which is also used to trim the tops of his oversized folded up sleeves. Under the jacket is a light ivory felt fitted vest with applied colored felt flowers, a cotton gauze kerchief, with likewise fitted high neck collar. The mid-ankle length trousers are of dark lavender felt with light green bows at the sides at knee-level. The shoes are green felt slippers that match the jacket, with tight- knit high stockings covering remainder of legs. Tucked under his left elbow and pressed in place against the jacket, one will observe his original felt tri-cornered light gray felt hat. What more might one expect for a ninety-year-plus-old doll ?!…………US$275. 

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14″ (35 cm) American cloth girl made circa 1940’s by “Georgene Novelties” representing the (United Feature Syndicate) comic strip character “Nancy” created by Ernie Bushmiller. She has a swivel neck on a cloth torso with sewn joints and shoulder and hips. The one piece arms have attached “mitten-style” hands, and the straight legs have sewn on black and white horizontally stripe ankle socks tops with orange felt covering over the feet to simulate shoes. The dress is made in one piece with white linen arm sleeve and collar, and black felt top and orange short skirt. Nancy’s face is hard pressed cloth with “button” nose, a tight lipped red smile and nostrils highlights, black arched eyebrows, and indented black pupiless eyes. The back yarn wig is sewn on to the head with a yellow silk ribbon bow as part of the wig. An extra feature is the original  cardboard swing tag with all the printed identifying marks and attributions already stated above. In overall good condition with very minor surface dust primarily on the shoes. US$ 125.

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 Rare 12”( 31cm -to top of hat ) Ravca stitched cloth man with black top hat and spectacles, with right hand tucked into his vest pocket. All clothing and accessories are stitched permanently to the main figure as are the glasses frames. His large kerchief black and white print oversized bowtie also has a stiff white collar obscuring the cloth behind neck. His face looks onward with a slight tilt to his right side. On the outside of one coattail is stitched a cloth tag “ MADE IN FRANCE “. His large red swollen nose is reminiscent of that of W.C. Fields whose fame was at its zenith at same era of production of these figures. A charming rarely found character surely with his own special name unknown to us……………..US$ 125. 

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 Although not remembered to have been seen by us before, here we have another version of the rare and eccentric 12” ( 31cm ) male gentleman also with the same cloth “ MADE IN FRANCE “ tag sewn to the coattail but ALSO maintaining a rectangular paper tag with silver foil surface in front reading “ Original RAVCA Paris “; and, on reverse side, written in cursive ( although second word hard to read ), “ Professor “ Nimbug (????)”. He, as is his friend, is rather formally dressed with black hat and waist coat with long tails in back, glasses frames attached, but with his gaze looking evermore slightly to his left. His clothing is almost identical to that of his compatriot, however with a large red and white oversized bow tie………..…..US$ 125. 

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