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Antique DOLL Collector January 2026 Vol. 29, No. 1

Celebrating American Doll Makers Series Premier Sylvia MacNeil’s Chiffonnette Cloth WPA Dolls Dollhouses in Children’s Literature Lenci Balilla Dolls Layered Paper Dolls by Samy Odin

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Letter From The Editor

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt Dear Readers, This quote by former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt seemed appropriate for the start of a new year. After all, the beginning of a new year is a step into the future. Mrs. Roosevelt, the United States’ longest-running First Lady, had a fondness for dolls. She was a dedicated supporter of her husband’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, and she often visited the WPA projects across the country. In her January 11, 1938 “My Day” column, she described seeing dolls and other crafts produced by women in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “I just love dolls,” she was overheard to say. In this month’s issue of Antique DOLL Collector, Linda Holderbaum continues to share her research on dolls created in the WPA project. A comprehensive reference book on WPA dolls by Linda is scheduled to be published in January 2026. Our cover story is by our Senior Editor, Linda Edward, who relates the story of Sylvia MacNeil’s Huret, Chiffonnette and her wardrobe. Frashers will auction Chiffonnette and her extensive wardrobe on February 14. A QR Code at the end of the article leads our dressmakers to an apron pattern from Chiffonnette’s trousseau. Loretta Nardone gives us a fascinating history lesson on the Lenci Balilla dolls during the days of Fascist Italy. Maria Nikolajeva, Swedish literary critic and academic, specializing in children’s literature, invites us to peer into the miniature world of dollhouses in children’s books. Samy Odin paints a beautiful story of overlay paper dolls. In honor of America’s 250th birthday this year, we begin a new series honoring the dolls and dollmakers of the United States. We extend our appreciation to Joy Harrington for suggesting this idea to ADC. We wish each of you a Happy New Year…full of dreams come true.

Laurie McGill Editor-in-Chief

ANTIQUE DOLL COLLECTOR JANUARY 2026

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LAYAW AVAILA AY BLE

18.5” Beautiful Kling? Parian w/ shoulder plate embellished w/ 2 rows blue ruffles & bow, blonde hairdo w/ black bow, pierced ears, small flake on blue ruffle, antique body w/ left leg cracked $650

22” Simon & Halbig Erica 1489 on BJ Toddler body, blue sleep eyes, w/ bear $1950.

15” Bru Jne 7, beautiful painted with brown PW eyes, mohair wig, wonderful clean body w/ replaced arms $6495.

20” Sunburst Gebruder Heubach 7606 8, flocked hair, blue intaglio eyed, beautifully molded features, left forefinger, 2 small chips on his flocked hairline w/ 6” Heubach flocked hair, blue intaglio eyed baby brother, stringing loose $795. Pair

19.5” CM Kestner 13, brown sl eyes, original mohair wig, Clothing? & shoes, stiff wrist body, sm eye chip corner rt eye $995.

25“ Kestner 171 on beautiful lady body, stamped Germany, original mohair wig blue sleyes, antique shoes & clothes $695.

19.5” Heubach SANTA 7 ½ w/ Sunburst Mark, blue sleep eyes, original wig, shoes & socks $1075.

14.5” 1936 Alexander Dr. Dafoe in mint condition, left thumb repaired & 8” all original Dionne Quintuplets wigged toddlers w/ pins $695.

13” Brown eyed Kestner High Brow China 1850-60 on Milliner’s body, fabulous piece w/ antique dress $650 10” Brown eyed covered wagon Kestner China 1850’s $295. American Character 1950’s w/ high facial coloring Fabulous 18.5” Toni all original in minty mint condition $175. 19” Betsy McCall blue flirty eyes all original wedding gown & veil, replaced shoes $215.

18” Kestner Fashion, br eyes, nice leather body, left ankle banded $425.

16” Dressel & Kister Lady w/ Fancy Hair Do, new body & bisque legs, antique clothing $695. 18” Kestner 160, blue sleep eyes, nice BJ body, antique mohair wig, wool coat & hat, sweet doll $325. 22” 1850’s Covered Wagon A.W. Kister Pink Luster China cloth body w/ papier-mache limbs, antique clothing $525.

26” Beautiful C/M Kley & Hahn 166 15 Boy, brown sleep eyes, wonderfully molded & painted $275. 12” Bahr & Proschild character toddler CB & Co 620, brown sl eyes, mohair wig $295.

20” German ABG Blond Molded Hair, inserted blue glass eyes, 187080’s, newer body & limbs $245.

14” All original COD wax over papier mache 1870’s, bl sl eyes, mohair wig, molded gray boots $295.

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Chicago’s finest selection of Antique, Modern and Collectible Dolls, Barbie, Gene, Alexander, Tonner, Fashion Royalty, Steiff, Dollhouses and Accessories. Member U.F.D.C. & NADDA • Worldwide Shipping • email: questions@gigisdolls.com • Check Out Our eBay Store - gigisdolls2010

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Nelling, Inc.

FINE ANTIQUE DOLLS AND ACCESSORIES BUYING & SELLING QUALITY DOLLS FOR OVER 32 YEARS

Happy New Year!

published by the

www.antiquedollcollector.com Publications Director: Lisa Brannock Editor-in-Chief: Laurie McGill Senior Editor: Linda Edward Production Director: Louann Wilcock Art Director: Lisa Claisse Administrative Manager: Valerie Foley Social Media Director: Brigid McHugh Jones Contributors: Elizabeth Ann Coleman, Bradley Justice, Samy Odin Subscription Manager: Valerie Foley Subscriptions: adcsubs@gmail.com Display Advertising: Lisa Brannock: lbrannock@antiquedollcollector.com phone: 631-261-4100 Louann Wilcock: louannw@antiquedollcollector.com phone: 872-216-8842 Advertising Materials Contact: Louann Wilcock: louannw@antiquedollcollector.com phone: 872-216-8842 Editorial: antiquedoll@gmail.com Laurie McGill: lauriem@antiquedollcollector.com phone: 717-517-9217 Send all catalogs to this address: Antique DOLL Collector, 4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814 Marketing: Penguin Communications, Inc. Subscriptions: Send to Antique DOLL Collector, P.O. Box 349, Herndon, VA 20172. Phone: 631-261-4100 Subscription Rates: One Year $59.95; Two Years $109.95. First class delivery in U.S. add $34.00 per year. Outside the U.S. add $39.95 per year. Foreign subscriptions must be paid in U.S. funds. Do not send cash. Credit cards accepted.

Antique DOLL Collector (ISSN 1096-8474) is published monthly with a combined issue in July/August (11 times per year) by the Puffin Co., LLC, 4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 631-261-4100 Periodicals postage paid at Northport, NY and at additional mailing offices. Contents ©2026 Antique DOLL Collector, all rights reserved.

Intoxicating 24” early wooden Oberammergau lady. Many more photos and information on the

Early Dolls page of the website, www.maspinelli.com

Exhibiting: January 16 - 17 - The All American Collectors Show, Glendale CA, Glendale Civic Auditorium January 31 - Verdugo Hills Doll Club Show and Sale. Glendale CA, Glendale Civic Auditorium P.O. Box 4327, Burbank CA 91503 • e-mail: nellingdolls@gmail.com Cell: 818-738-4591 Home: 818-562-7839 • Member NADDA and UFDC

Visit us at: www.maspinelli.com 4

ANTIQUE DOLL COLLECTOR

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Postmaster: Send address changes to Antique DOLL Collector, P.O. Box 349, Herndon, VA 20172.

Antique DOLL Collector is not responsible for any inaccuracies in advertisers’ content. An unsolicited manuscript must be accompanied by SASE. Antique DOLL Collector assumes no responsibility for such material. All rights including translations are reserved by the publisher. Requests for permissions and reprints must be made in writing to Antique DOLL Collector. ©2026 by the Puffin Co., LLC.

MOVING? Important: We need your old address and your new address. The Post Office will forward magazines for 60 days only. Call 631-261-4100, email at adcsubs@gmail.com or write to us at: P.O. Box 349, Herndon, VA 20172.

JANUARY 2026

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Valerie Fogel’s

Beautiful Bébés Fine Dolls & Precious Playthings from our Past

www.beautifulbebes.com

Always Buying! Trades and Consignments Considered Tel: 425.765.4010 Beautifulbebes@outlook.com

What a beauty! A gorgeous Wood Body Huret with the loveliest face and delightful costume c. 1858-1860 (unmarked). She is on a wooden body with deluxe articulation so sought after once the original Gutta Percha articulated bodies began to fail. She represents the most desirable original face that was the original goal of Adelaide Calixte Huret’s inspired creativity. Brilliant coloring and exquisite painting of beautiful features. She is wearing an 1860 costume, in a charming cotton-print enfantine styling. $24,800 Free US Shipping

Member UFDC & NADDA

Meet a charming petite 13” Block Letter FG with such a beautiful face, gorgeous pale bisque, large pale blue eyes with sweeping lashes, lovely expressive rosy lips, and tinted cheeks. She is in wonderful condition and one of our favorite little cabinet sizes! $5575 plus S&H

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14” Schmitt Bébé marked 3 with beautiful royal blue eyes! She is wonderful with lovely bisque, stamped on head and body. Mitt style hands & early sheep skin wig is accented with beautiful sapphire blue frock and antique bonnet. This is a great opportunity to acquire a darling & excellent Schmitt at Holiday pricing! $7995 plus S&H

This beauty is 17 ½-inches tall with the most elegant face and brilliant blue spiral threaded eyes. Her bisque is pale and creamy with just the right tints of peaches and cream. Her joints work smoothly and allow her to sit or stand. She’s dressed in an antique sapphire blue frock, a matching chapeau, beautiful Russian style boots, and belted purse, all circa late 1860s-early 1870s. Her face is radiant and her beautiful bisque hands and feet are exceptional. $7900 plus Postage

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