The Early Tin or Metal Head Dolls, Manufactured Late 1800's and Early 1900's...

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...Sported Painted Hair, Painted Eyes, Glass Eyes, and Mohair Wigs!

Tin Or Metal Head Dolls

If their paint had been as sturdy as their composition of metal these dolls would survive indefinitely. Heads molded from a sheet of tin (or metal), they are usually found on kid leather or all cloth bodies. Tin heads were sold separate from bodies, advertised in many old catalogues, therefore an old cloth hand made body is appropriate.

The most familiar name relating to tin head dolls is Minerva. They were manufactured 1894 through 1925 and perhaps a little longer. Registered trademark in the U.S. by A. Vischer & Co. and in Germany by Buschow & Beck.

Many companies including Borgfeldt and Louis Wolf & Co. distributed Minerva. Old Sears and Roebuck catalogues had many illustrations of these near indestructible dolls over a period of nearly 25 years.

Tin Or Metal Head Dolls were sold with painted hair, painted eyes, glass eyes and mohair wigs. There is also a sleep eye version. They were also more affordable than the bisque dolls.

It is only recently that doll collectors have started to appreciate the unique qualityof these simple tin or metal head doll children. Years ago they were on the bottom of the list of desirable dolls, now they have a firm position in the history of dollmaking.

This particular glass eye metal head is marked only Germany. Her attire is complete down to her pantaloons and camisole which contributes to her attractive demeanor. Who can say if her clothing is original...but it has been on her long enough to take the form of her body and she is dressed as she was discovered in a Montana estate. Actually, this is the only metal head doll I have ever purchased for my own collection! Maybe she needs a friend...

Information regarding Tin Or Metal Head Dolls can be found in a multitude of books. The out of print "Collector's Encyclopedia of Dolls" by Dorothy and Evelyn Coleman.

For more current reference books regarding Tin Or Metal Head Dolls:

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

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

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eBay is a great wedsite for "value" information about dolls, or most anything else for that matter--however, in order 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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