$2,600
Sold
sold
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Description
13" (33 cm.) -16". Each of the three dolls has rubber shoulderhead with sculpted and highly-characterized facial features and coiffure, and original cloth body. Condition: fair/good, with typical craquelure of the hardened rubber. Comments: American, circa 1860, the use of rubber in the production of dolls was introduced at this time based on an 1851 patent by Charles Goodyear; the fascination with this newly invented and luxury product was simultaneous with the use of gutta percha in doll production. Value Points: a delightful family trio, notably each doll has a different facial model and hair style, one with singular curls at the forehead sides, and each with original body and costume. A note attached to the dolls names them "The Rubber Family, Mama Mehitibal and the Twins Dorcas and Fanny" and notes that they were formerly in the collection of Velma "Dolly" Driscoll, an early member of Doll Collectors of America.