Bathing Beauty Doll Links

post written by Laura Bogush

As promised, here are the website links that I shared in yesterday’s program:

Bawdy Bisques and Naughty Nudes

This is the blog of Sharon Hope Weintraub, author of the book Bawdy Bisques and Naughty Nudes:  German Bathing Beauties and Their Risqu’e Kin.  She regularly posts pictures of her selected “Bathing Beauty of the Week” with descriptions.  I love her light-hearted writing style.  It’s definitely worth a look if you are interested in learning more about this doll collecting genre.

Mundial online catalog (good place to check for repros)

The link above will take you to the Mundial Company of Belgium catalog online.  This is the company that is currently reproducing many of the antique bathing beauties that are showing up on Ebay.

You’ll also find the above links on the “Links” page in the pink bar on the main page of this website.

Have fun!

A Holiday of Tonner Fashion Dolls

Article by member Sandy Pelphrey published in The Weekly Villager.

This past December Cleveland Doll Club meeting found me doing something I have grown to look forward to and love. This is to share my passion and collection of dolls with fellow collectors.

I presented a program for CDC on Robert Tonner dolls. The program started out to be about his holiday dolls. When I had talked with my two daughters, Jamie and Tommie Jo about this program we began to compare notes and dolls in our collections and thought we needed to include a few from each group of Tonner’s that we owned. To our surprise we ended up with 5 – 6 foot tables loaded with samples of our little jewels and still left many at home.

We started the program with a short history of Robert Tonner and his passion for fashion which after several years on 5^th avenue in New York City turned into one of the country’s most successful doll artists and manufacturers.

Tonner dolls include fashion dolls such as Tyler Wentworth, Kitty Collier, Cami, and many more.

Tonner Doll Company, Inc. was founded in 1991 by Robert Tonner under the original name Robert Tonner Doll Designs. In February 1991, RTDD made its public debut at the American International Toy Fair in New Your City, multi-jointed porcelain fashion dolls and jointed porcelain child dolls were displayed at the fair in limited editions ranging in price from $650 to $1500.

By 1992 RTDD was well on its way to becoming a prosperous enterprise.

In 1995, Tonner Doll gained licensing rights for the recreation of the 1950s paper doll Betsy McCall, for reintroduction to the collectors market. To keep the cost down for collectors, Tonner decided to produce the doll in China. Made from vinyl, the Betsy McCall license was one of the initial mainstream commercial successes of the company.

Over the coming years, RTDD began to grow the size of its staff to accommodate the rising demand. This growth lead the company to be renamed the Tonner Doll Company. By the year 2000 Tonner Doll employed 24 people including designers, marketers, and various sales and administrative staff.

Since the 1995 issue of Betsy McCall doll, Tonner has gained the rights and recreated doll designs for movies such as 1997’s Titanic, (Kate Winslet), and 1999’s Star Wars Episode I. In 2006, Tonner Doll gained licensing rights to recreate the cast of the Harry Potter series, as well as Memoirs of a Geisha.

Tonner Doll has licensed comic book heroes and villains from DC Comics for their DC Stars Collection. The line includes 13, 17, and 22 inch dolls, including various versions of Aquaman, Batgirl, Batman, Black Canary, Catwoman, Green Lantern, Harley Quinn, Lois Lane, Supergirl, Superman, Wonder Woman and Poison Ivy.

Tonner did not stop there. The company also licensed the Twilight Saga, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Legend, Chicago (2002) film, Dreamgirls, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Golden Compass, Mary Engelbreit’s Ann Estelle, Fancy Nancy, Theatre de la Mode, Dick Tracy, Get Smart, Disney Pricesses, Mary poppins, Davy Crockett, Pirates of the Caribbean, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Miss Piggy, Miss America and characters from the comic strip, For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston.

One of the latest license and one of my favorites  is Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland (2010) film, also Lord of the Rings, Disney’s Prince of Persia, and Disney Princess Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog, Disney’s first Aftican-American Princess.

In 2002 Tonner Doll purchased the Effanbee Doll Company, Inc. to obtain the rights to several classic characters from the company’s century-old history. They gained exclusive rights to Bernard Lipfert’s 1928 Patsy doll, Patsyette. Effanbee also had the rights to reproduce fashion dolls licensed by Tribune Media like the Brenda Starr, Girl Reporter series, another of my favorites.

Brenda Starr was rolled out in first class style during a Tonner Convention in Chicago. We as attendees were bussed from our hotel to a downtown newly re-opened 1940’s night club called The Black Orchid. The entire evening was as if we were taken back in time. The doll presented after dinner that evening was named Black Orchid in honor of the occasion. What a beautiful evening and a doll to match.

One other favorite of my Tonner dolls I did bring to share was the 22” American model OOAK, one of a kind artist dolls gifted to me for Christmas by Robert in honor of my Mother whom we had lost the year prior to ALS. Robert had done an OOAK doll for our Cleveland Doll Club luncheon charity for ALS that year. This, showing not only the passion Robert Tonner has for dolls but also his compassion for the collectors and so many charities that he has given to and contributed to over the years.

I was very appreciative to be able to share with a doll club once again part of my collection and experiences of collecting this art form known as dolls. As always it is my desire along with my fellow collectors to advance doll collecting and preserve its history. I trust and believe it was an afternoon enjoyed by all.

December Meeting: We Celebrated the Holiday with Tonner Dolls!

Once again, special thanks goes out to Pat D. for writing up this summary of the December 15th meeting and taking these pictures!

What a fun day we had at our annual Christmas Party! So many came dressed in festive and elegant holiday attire and many brought cards, candy, cookies and other goodies to share with club members, some arranging gift exchanges too. So the room was filled with color, laughter, hugs, oohs and aahs.

Our little travel dolls gathered on their special table and excitedly “told” each other stories of their Christmas wishes. Pat T. decorated the table for Christmas and provided little holiday treats for each doll. Thanks Pat!

Our president, Deanna, greeted us with holiday cheer and wishes everyone a happy and healthy New Year.

Deanna also asked us to please remember those having a difficult time in our holiday and new year prayers, cards and wishes.

As is customary, the club collected cash donations for our selected charity. Then those funds were doubled per the wishes of the club and will be given to Forbes House (a battered women’s shelter).

The 2013 club trip to Washington D.C. is a GO! So Pat has asked all to complete their 1^st payment now for those on the 4 payment plan. The 2^nd payment is due by January 19^th. Checks are to be made to Lakefront Lines and sent or given to Pat D. The trip form is on our website if anyone else wishes to join the fun.

The June 2013 Wilde Imagination Mardi Gras luncheon will be open to children 6 and older if they are accompanied and supervised by an adult. The price is the same: $160.  And a special offer is made to club members only. You may make 2 payments of $80 each if your 1^st payment is in by January 19^th. Checks are to be made to the Cleveland Doll Club and sent or given to Carol E.  The luncheon form is on our website for those wishing to attend.

The doll display was just spectacular! Six tables were filled and beautifully arranged with samples from Robert Tonner’s brilliant doll career. Sandy P. with daughters Tommie Jo and Jamie worked on the amazing display from 7:00-10:30 a.m. and their hard work showed. Collections of dolls were grouped together along with Christmas trees, tinsel, ornaments and other holiday and doll related accessories.

In their program, the three ladies gave a history of Robert Tonner from childhood to present. And they sprinkled it with many personal stories, some touching and some funny. Sandy, Jamie and Tommie Jo have worked behind the scenes with Robert Tonner at many of his events and conventions, as well as, serving as liaisons for Cleveland Doll Club events. Along with the stories and history, they introduced the long line of dolls from their personal collections.

Movies, old and new, have been a long love of Robert’s. His creations have been so realistic and the detail, accuracy and quality of the dolls and their ensembles top shelf so that the dolls have been sought after and are very popular. (Harry Potter, Narnia, Tim Burton’s Alice, Wizard of Oz, Gone With The Wind, Pirates of the Caribbean, Twilight and many Hollywood Stars and Legends such as Bette Davis, Ava Gardner, Joan Crawford) Now the movie makers come to him first when ready to begin a movie.

And of course what child of the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s did not read comic books? Marvel Comics and DC Comics heroes and villains are well represented by the Tonner Doll Company.

Robert also loved the old dolls of his childhood. He produced Miss Revlon in a totally new design but also was able to recreate the Little Miss Revlon in true to likeness face, body and ensembles as they were produced in the 1950’s. He bought the Effanbee Doll Company with the original molds and produced wonderful Patsys. Other dolls from his past were also reproduced like the beautiful Toni and darling Betsy McCall dolls.

But one type of doll is truly the “Tonner Doll” and those are his gorgeous collections of fashion dolls: American Models, Anne Harper, Kitty Collier, Wilde Imagination, Theatre de la Mode, Tyler Wentworth and so many more. Being a clothing designer in his earlier life and having a true sense of style since childhood, it was natural for Robert to turn to the world of dolls as another outlet of his tremendous talent.

He is also known for his big heart and he has been involved with charity and benefits. He is quite generous to his fans as anyone who has attended a Tonner event can tell you. In fact, when the ladies were done with their program, they handed out heavy Tonner shopping bags with some little surprises inside and our thanks go to the Robert Tonner Company.

It was a wonderful presentation with a beautifully arranged and awesome display, Sandy, Jamie and Tommie Jo, and we so appreciate all your hard work and the festive mood which it put us. Thank you and Bravo!

We had one last surprise as Deanna presented our club gift to us. Wendy had worked long and hard creating tiny treasures for us. Each piece was ladies jewelry remade into beautiful one-of-a-kind doll jewelry pins. Thank you Wendy, for a wonderful finale to our wonderful day.

Tonner Fashion and Movie Legends

Betsy and Jane

December Travel Dolls

Program Presenter Sandy P. with helpers Tommie Jo M. and Jamie M.

Click here to see more pictures!

The November Meeting was a Rootin’ Tootin’ Great Time!

Thank you Pat D. for submitting the following summary and photos from the November program!

The Program Doll Display:
To supplement her presentation, Carol and other club members shared their western dolls. Three tables were filled with representations of the cowboy/cowgirl eras, legends and popular icons. The dolls were a multitude of materials, sizes, manufacturers and characters. Some of these were even accompanied by their horses. A wonderful display!

The Doll Program:
What a high-falooting good time we had going down the memory lanes of our childhoods. Cowgirl Carol made a wonderful Excel presentation which brought us through the earliest history of cowboys and cowgirls.   She kept us on our toes with questions about cowboy facts, such as, true or false? Cowboys originated in Texas (false, they originated in medieval Spain, transported to Mexico and then up to Texas). Carol instructed us on how they developed here in the U.S.A., the variety of people who became cowboys and where they had originated. We became familiar with cowboy equipment which they used daily. Then she took us thru the late 1800’s popular images of a cowboy/cowgirl such as Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill. And the doll and toy world was not left behind with images and history of antique to modern examples. Mixed in with this were the cowboys/cowgirls of movies, books and television in the 1930’s thru 1960’s. We ended with everyone singing along to “Happy Trails”. Bravo Carol!

Vogue dolls from the 1950’s

Cowgirl Carol and Deputy

 

Terri Lee and Bisques

October 13 Meeting

On Oct. 13 2012, a beautiful autumn day, several dressed for the season and there was laughter and hugs as we convened again for our monthly meeting. Deanna opened the meeting at 11:45.

President Deanna decked out in her Halloween chic

We had 27 reservations. Contact Judy B. with your Nov. meal choice of Turkey & Dressing or Baked Cod.

Our website designer Laura shared changes to the club’s new website: no password is required and no last names or phone numbers are listed, except contact information to events and monthly reservations. A motion was made and approved to accept the website.

Deanna asked for us to remember those with or their loved ones with health problems. We are thinking of you Pat F., Beve,  Sue, Carol D. and Barb P.  So happy to see Jean with hubbie Lyn!

Shirley and Jeanne visited and reported on Carolyn’s collection and recommended her to the club. A club vote followed and she was voted in as a new member. Welcome!

Michele  introduced speaker Jane with her wonderful display and program “Huret Fashion Doll, Clothes and Accessories”.  The November program will be “A Trail Ride with Cowboy and Cowgirl Dolls” given by Carol E.

Deanna introduced and welcomed guests Pam (Jane’s daughter) and Lyn (Jean’s husband).

Becky decorated the Travel Doll table and provided doll favors of sweet doll sized Halloween bags.

Becky and Kathy show off travel dolls.

Reports were made on upcoming events: Oct. 28, 2012 Olentangy Doll Show, June 22, 2013 Mardi Gras Jubilee luncheon with Wilde Imagination, July 31- Aug. 2, 2013 Washington D.C. bus trip ($50 down payment by the Nov. 17^th meeting. Make checks to Lakefront Lines, not to Cleveland Doll Club) and the Dec. 2013 Cleveland Doll Club’s 75^th Anniversary celebration. See this website for information and forms.

Barb J. announced the Nov. 11^th fall program “A Day with Barbie” will be held at Jeanne’s house.  Next years fall 2013 Junior program will be held at Barb’s house and will include carving pumpkins.

The business meeting finished at noon and we all enjoyed eating lunch and chatting.

Ellie H with program speaker Jane L

Program: The display of gorgeous antique Huret dolls, their fashions and tiny accessories was truly amazing. Jane so graciously passed around treasures of doll boots, vinegarette, opera glasses and leather gloves. She educated us about the history and peculiarities of Hurets. And we learned how she began collecting for her beloved Hurets.

Deanna shared her beautiful reproduction Huret doll and accessories which were created for a club’s anniversary celebration. She encouraged us to think of making (and selling) items for our 75^th Anniversary souvenir doll.

Thanks to Pat D. for this wonderful summary of the October meeting.  Scroll down to see pictures from the program.

Huret 2 and friends

Huret 3 – Rare Mold

Accessorize!

Appropriately-sized trunk

Huret 2 with her beautiful bed

Tiny Treasures

Repro Huret and her accessories

September Meeting

Here is an update from our meeting on September 15, 2012!

It’s good to be back at a meeting after a summer hiatus!  There were about 35 in attendance at the meeting.  (I’ve realized that I’ll have to keep better notes for my next blog post.  I was too busy having fun!  Teehee!)

Deanna kicked off the year with a great meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our president Deanna lead our business meeting.  There was plenty of exciting news to present about upcoming events:  Our October trip to the Olentangy Doll Show, the Mardi Gras Luncheon in June, and the trip to Washington DC in July with a stop at the UFDC Sales Room!  Click on events for more information.

Shirley gave the club her delegate report from the 63rd UDFC Annual Convention that was held in New Orleans in July.  Delegates brought a great display of dolls and souvenirs from this year’s convention.

 

After the meeting, we all enjoyed the delicious Italian Buffet. It’s a club favorite!

During dessert, Laura presented the club’s trial Cleveland Doll Club website.  If you’re here, you already know about it!  We will be  discussing issues and voting on whether to keep the website at the October meeting.

Barb, Pat, and Jeanne, our club’s delegates to the UFDC convention, shared fun stories about the events and programs.  Barb showed us a few dolls designed by artist Joan Greene who will do the souvenir doll for the 2013 UFDC convention.  Pat shared some beautiful dolls and her good luck in winning some  It does help when you stuff the helper bag with tickets, but winning the center piece was truly lucky 😉  Jeanne shared the beautiful cape that she made.

Barb shows us dolls designed by Joan Greene

Pat shows a doll so all can see.

Jeanne and the gorgeous cap that she made!

 

Next we listened and followed Michele’s and Linda’s directions to make a very cute dolly suitcase using a small tin and the materials that we brought.  Here’s what it looked like:

Here’s what is inside.

Suitcase closed.

The quote on the inside says:  “Know first, who you are, and then, adorn yourself accordingly. – Epictetus”

 

 

 

 

Michele and Linda were so organized and kept us on track.  Even those of us who aren’t too crafty managed to follow along and our finished products looked unique and beautiful!  I’m sure that our dolls loved them!

Michele guiding us through the process.

I neglected to get a picture of Linda.  I’m so sorry!  By the time I got going on my craft project, I was too focused to remember to take pictures!

This was a fun meeting for all who attended.  I hope that you enjoyed this informal recap!

Your website designer and blogger,

Laura Bogush.