Searching for Black Dolls on Ruby Lane Part 2

Part two of Searching for Black Dolls on Ruby Lane, "the world's largest curated marketplace for vintage and antiques," of all kinds, including dolls, has been published and can be read here.

If you missed part one, navigate here.  Thanks and enjoy!

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New Website Devoted to Black Dolls From the Past

Beverly and Bill Flowers participated in the 2012 National Black Memorabilia Art, Doll, and Collectible Show in Gaithersburg, Maryland where the above photograph was taken.

A member of my WeLoveBlackDolls Yahoo Group, Beverly Flowers, has recently launched a new website devoted to her love for antique Black dolls.  Flowers is known for selling affordable antique and vintage Black dolls and participates in several doll shows annually. Her website, appropriately named, Black Dolls From the Past is described as follows:

Black Dolls from the Past is a doll hobby that is dedicated to the preservation of Black doll history and research.  We are focused on antique and vintage dolls that represent people of colors throughout the world. Ultimately we would like to form an on line Antique and Vintage Black Doll Club...

Several fine examples of antique Black dolls are showcased at Black Dolls From the Past where Bev shares her enthusiasm for this doll genre.  Information about the web owner's presence at the July 27-31st, 2013 National Antique Doll Show in Georgetown, Washington, DC, is also available there (the link to the website is shared below).

These antique black dolls by a variety of manufacturers are the types of dolls that will be available for sale by Bev at the National Antique Doll Show (NADS).

Bev will have this lovely pair of German-made twins available for sale at the National Antique Doll Show

The 26th Annual National Doll Festival, featuring the National Antique Doll Show will be held in Georgetown, Washington, DC from July 27, 2013 through July 31, 2013.  This traveling doll show is strategically held during the time and in the same vicinity as of the annual UFDC Convention.  Additional information about the National Antique Doll Show, where Bev will feature her dolls, can be found on the newly created Doll Events tab on the home page of this blog, and as mentioned, on Bev's website.

Please visit and bookmark Black Dolls From the Past to learn more about Bev's passion for the hunt and chase of antique Black dolls and her interest in documenting and preserving their history. 

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Black Dolls From Around the World - Germany (Antique)

Germany, known as the center of the toy-making industry, is well-known for making beautiful black (a.k.a. brown and "mulatto") dolls dating back to the 1800s and earlier.  A beautiful example of two German dolls by Konig and Wernicke grace the tattered cover of my second copy (the first one is even more tattered) of Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide 1820-1991 by Myla Perkins.  Perkins describes this pair as, "Adorable flirty-eyed toddler boy and girl with Negroid features.  18" tall.  Bisque heads, dark brown flirty eyes, open mouth with two glass upper teeth, curly synthetic wig.  Composition five-piece toddler bodies.  Made during the first quarter of the twentieth century.  Marks:  K W/g/734/72/(crossed nails), on head."

J. D. Kestner, Jr. of  Waltershausen, Thuringia, Germany began making dolls as early as 1820.  Two reproduction Kestner Hildas are shown above. An original black Hilda and links to other antique German dolls can be seen at the following links.


Antique Black Hilda

9-inch Heubach Koppelsdorf 399 Character Baby (scroll down to view)

German-made Virtual Black Doll Museum installations

Germany remains steadfast in the manufacture of beautiful dolls representing all ethnicities. Their modern play line and artist dolls rank high in quality and are desired globally by parents for their children and by collectors for their collections. Examples of these will be included in the next post.


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