Alice In Wonderland-Precocious Heroine

Alice In Wonderland...

...Precocious Little Heroine With Ageless Appeal 

Alice In Wonderland.... A unique and very appealing collection can be acquired if you desire to purchase only dolls and items about the beloved classic by Lewis Carroll, Alice In Wonderland. Carroll's precocious little heroine has captured hearts young and old for over a century.

The image of Alice has been produced and marketed by so many. For so long, it would be impossible to list them in their entirety.

They range from old cloth to recent miniature figures from fast food restaurants such as McDonald's. Books, pictures, clothing, toys, music boxes, games...a never-ending list of items pertaining to the Alice in Wonderland adventure.

This can only attest to the popularity of Alice's ageless appeal. If you are just starting a collection of Alice, you are in for an incomparable excursion into the world of dolls.

The circa 1880's wax over composition bears a strong resemblance to Alice. She is often referred to as such mainly because of her molded hair and familiar Alice type headband. This particular representative also has blue molded high boots. She is also a larger version which measures about 24".

The early print of the child reading an "Alice in Wonderland" book is the perfect backdrop for any "Alice" display.

During the early 1950s, A & H Dolls produced a Marcie "Read and Play" series. The first of this line was "Lovely Alice." A 7" all hard plastic doll with sleep eyes, Alice was packaged in a cellophane window box with the Wonder Book., "Adventures From the Original Alice in Wonderland." Advertising for this particular doll stated, "...imagine reading this wonderful story while holding an exact replica of Alice right in your hands".

Although these little replicas are sometimes set aside by many collectors as not being as desirable as the higher quality hard plastic dolls, they are sadly underestimated, as their clothing is generally stapled to the baby... making it difficult to find one that is NOT original. I see all of the Marcie dolls have a unique appeal, but perhaps that is because they were part of my childhood.

The white mohair rabbit is lovingly hugged by an image of Alice executed by the Queen of doll design, Madame Alexander. This particular doll is using the Margaret mold. All hard plastic, she was manufactured circa 1948.

Collectors tend to prefer the "Maggie" face Alice doll by Madame Alexander. The hairstyle is closer to the image of Alice we all relate to.

eBay has a rather large set of listings of vintage Alice in Wonderland dolls for sale if you are interested in a purchase, or to find values, or looking for costs--(if looking for values, it is necessary to register with eBay).

Madame Alexander has created many "Alice" dolls from cloth to new vinyl. To familiarize yourself with most, I would recommend the books..."Madame Alexander Collectors Dolls" and "Madame Alexander Collector's Dolls--Second Series" by Patrica Smith. Both volumes are out of print but can be found listed occasionally on eBay.

The sad little cloth doll is probably from the first part of the 20th century. Her little face is water stained, just as Alice when she cried the room full of tears. She is very proud to have retained her original little dress which has "Alice" embroidered on the midriff. Now, I can not say with certainty that she was "Alice in Wonderland," she may have just been plain "Alice," but as long as she remains with me, she will be "Alice in Wonderland"!

The book displayed with her is an early 1900's version of Alice in Wonderland.

Generally, these precious books do not boast a date of printing, but, are commonly personally inscribed with a handwritten gift date inside the front cover. This particular volume was a gift to a young New York gentleman for Christmas, 1906.

Many other familiar doll manufacturers have produced the "Alice" doll. American Character had a beautiful hard plastic version in the early 1950s. Martha Chase created a full set of characters circa 1920. Nancy Ann Story Books dolls had a very sweet shy appearing Alice. (1940's and 1950's).... 

In 1952 American Character Doll Co. advertised an all hard plastic walker as "Sweet Alice." She has waist length Saran hair........which is very difficult to restyle........and blue sleep eyes. The doll used is the same as "Sweet Sue."

Other books which are more readily available are the ever popular price guides by Jan Foulke. Full of photos and information, there is usually a reference to Alice in Wonderland dolls somewhere in each current edition.

Blue Book of Dolls and Values, 15th Edition by Jan Foulke 

Blue Book of Dolls and Values, 16th Edition by Jan Foulke

Probably the best place to look for the present "doll and accessories" value is on the Internet, primarily the auction sites--my favorite is eBay...where you can browse the past 30 days of completed auctions of Alice in Wonderland dolls and accessories. On the left side, in the box named "Display," you can select "Active Items" to see the "Alice in Wonderland dolls and accessories" presently up for auction.

Also, if you have a doll or doll accessories you would like to find out about...eBay is the place to start. In the Dolls and Bears Category, just type in what you have in the search window just under "Dolls & Bears" on the left, and "Shazam", there appears a list of present, up for auction items--in the "Display" box on the left select "Completed Items", a new list will appear, displaying completed items going back for 30 days.  

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eBay is an excellent website for "value" information about dolls, or most anything else for that matter--however, to see what something has sold for, registration is required, so if you are looking for past sales of any particular doll, please register.

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