This morning after wondering whether or not my collection includes dolls made in Haiti, I recalled one. She is a circa 1940s, 30-inch boudoir doll with heavy celluloid head and breast plate and straw-stuffed, mature cloth body.
I purchased Miss Haiti from a doll dealer in approximately 1998. I know it was prior to my Internet access years, which commenced in 1998. Lynn sent pictures of the doll via snail mail to me after which I finalized the purchase. A similar doll had been valued at $400 in Myla Perkins'
Black Dolls An Identification and Value Guide (Collector Books, 1993).
Miss Haiti, whose red sash now only reads "Miss H," has graced my master bedroom for several of the 15 or so years I have owned her. I included her identification and value information in my first black-doll reference book,
The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls (Hobby House Press, Inc., 2003).
I often wonder how many hands have touched vintage, previously owned dolls like Miss Haiti... how many people's lives has
she touched before touching mine?
dbg
Last night I did a search for Haiti + Doll and all that came up were references to Voudou and two low quality dolls that were not made in Haiti by Haitians.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see this doll. Do you have an idea of who made her?
Terri
Hi Terri,
ReplyDeleteMiss "Haiti" is unmarked. I have no idea who made her. She was definitely manufactured (machine stiched body and molded celluloid or rigid plastic face). Her clothing is hand stitched to her body. Thanks for your comment.
dbg