u/PokeytheGwumph

I found this sweet little girl at an antique store today. I almost didn’t stay in the shop long enough to find her, because they had so many modern dolls priced at rather aspirational and ridiculous amounts. I was on my way out when I spotted another basket full of dolls on the floor. This girl, one of the only true antique doll that they had in the store, was thrown unceremoniously into the basket along with a bunch of vinyl dolls. I poked around through an adjacent trunk filled with clothes, and managed to find her hair, and an antique dress that may have been hers as well.

They wanted $95 for her, but I talked them down to $45. Now she can come home and hang out with her new big sister, once I get her restored. I also found two antique dresses that will fit the larger doll perfectly once she is embodied.

She does seem to be a bit put out about her treatment over the last century. I didn’t realize she was flipping the bird until I got home. I’ve never re-sculpted fingers before, but in this case I might!

I was searching for bodies for a different Simon and Halbig head that I acquired recently, and came across this one on eBay. It was the perfect size. When I was going through the description, the seller mentioned that the head actually still existed, but was broken. From the tiny bit of the head I could see from the pictures, it appeared that at least part of the face was still intact.

I contacted the seller, and asked if she’d be willing to send the doll with her head. She had originally intended on just getting rid of the head, and selling the eyes separately. As it turns out, she only has two broken pieces from her forehead, one of which the seller still had. The breaks are almost completely obscured by her rather voluminous wig. The seller was very happy to work with me to make her whole again.

A lot of my dolls have serious flaws that many collectors would reject, but I absolutely love them. She’s clearly been restored in the past, and although I might change out her wig, I’m very happy with her as is. I’m thrilled that the seller and I worked it out, so that this beautiful girl didn’t go into the dustbin of history.

My two lovely Simon and Halbig girls just arrived! I haven’t embarked on a restoration of this scale yet, and am aware it might take me a while (and a decent chunk of money) to acquire the correct bodies. They are larger than I was anticipating, so I’m sure that will add to cost as well, but thankfully they cost very little.

Left is S&H 1079 13 1/2, Right is K*R S&H 121 56.

Questions for the more experienced folks—I understand how to measure for eyes and wigs, but how do I use head measurements and/or mold size to choose an appropriately sized body? I’m guessing the 126 needs a toddler body, too?

Also—aside from trawling eBay, what are good sources for antique or high-quality repro bodies?