Only the dolls know who they are and they aren't talking!
If you have any information about these dolls or would like to add a mystery of your own, please send email to michele@otey.com

lorraine.kulig@stratosglobal.com
Not a doll expert, I purchased these at an estate sale in Buffalo, NY a couple weeks ago. I cannot Identify their origin. There are no specific markings/tags or id. They appear to be cloth total body made of cloth. Everything in the home was very old. Can you help?
If you have any ideas, Lorraine at lorraine.kulig@stratosglobal.com would love to hear from you!

Dear Lorraine,

They look a little like Nora Wellings, who was in business in England from 1926 into the 30s. I'm basing this on the shape of the mouth and the very large index finger. The examples in the books show her work was more detailed but since the features are painted cloth, soil and age may have distorted the original look of the dolls. Cloth dolls aren't my specialty but nothing else in the books or on the web even come close. They could have been made by someone who was inspired by the Nora Wellings dolls but I'm fairly sure from the materials they're made of that they were made in the 20s. Original Nora Wellings dolls in mint condition with original clothing are worth from $200 up depending upon rarity and who sees them and wants to buy them. Unless these are the dolls that inspired Nora Wellings and are super rare and sought after in any condition (like the primitives made by slaves in the 1800s) then they'd be worth considerably less. Sorry I can't say, "Yes! I know who they are!" and tell you all about them. You might want to go to the library and see what books they have on cloth dolls. In your shoes, that's what I'd do.

hicky215@webtv.net
Michele, My brother has found some old dolls and some are dated in the 20s and 40s. Do you know where he can find a value on these dolls?
Here's all I could suggest. Does anyone else have any ideas?
They look like bisque. Any chance there's a mark on the back NASB? Or Nancy Ann Storybook? These were bisque dolls in fantastically made outfits of nice detail and fabrics but usually 7" tall. There were some littles ones that were only 3.5" though, like the ping bearer and flower girl and other dolls that needed to be children compared to the little 7" ladies. They need to be marked, though. There were several knockoffs in poorly made outfits and they aren't worth more than a few dollars. Another possibility is that they're doll house dolls. They look a little large for that, though. You might search ebay for dolls described with any words you'd use to describe these - that would be tedious thanks to ebay's new categories and search choices. Before ebay, I used call the library and get all the collector's doll books brought out to our local branch, then I'd borrow them for a month. Once you know what they are, finding a value is just a matter of looking them up in a recent price guide and on ebay to see what they're currently selling for.

Gail mommydearest_6@msn.com
hello maybe you can help me find out more about my doll she is a eegee doll and that’s about all I know any info. well be nice thank so much
Dear Gail,
The head is definitely molded vinyl and the body probably stuffed vinyl. The early magic skin babies were latex rubber stuffed with cotton batting but because of the vinyl head, I'll bet the body is also stuffed vinyl. The squeaker is probably why she's in such great shape. The air would be able to get under the skin. Dolls that were sealed trapped moisture from a pin hole or break in the "skin" and the moisture promoted a black mold that looked like a bruise. I'd guess she's from the mid 50s to the early 60s.
So, does anyone have one of these or remember having one? Maybe you know her name?