"Rye Museum
An early Edwardian doll in the museum's collection of toys. It has a very good head by Kamer & Reinhart c. 1903. The articulated body is probably thirty years older."This postcard was bought from Rye Museum, in Sussex, during the 1980s. Rye was once a port on the south coast of England but is now some two miles from the sea. It has a very long history and some beautiful old buildings, including the Mermaid Inn which dates from 1156.
A whole new world has opened up to me in trying to find out who Kamer and Reinhart were. It turns out that it should be "Kämmer & Reinhardt", a doll company founded in 1886 in Waltershausen, Germany.
I read that Kämmer & Reinhardt made dolly faced dolls, and that held me up for a time, while I tried to find out what other sort of dolls anyone would make. Apparently the alternative is a character faced doll, one that looks more like a real child and has more expression.
Clearly the doll in the postcard is a dolly faced doll even if her body is 30 years older. I bet she's looking in the mirror wishing her body could be rejuvenated too. I know how she feels.
A post for Sepia Saturday. A click on the button will take you to the blog.
That is a beautiful doll. I just checked in my ’The Ultimate Doll Book’ to refresh my memory about this company - makes a change from turning to the internet first of all.
ReplyDeleteAh, I see there is a doll expert amongst us. :)
DeleteMe, an expert? No just the possessor of a rather nice Doll Book.
DeleteMore expert than I am. :)
DeleteYes it is a beautiful doll.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Odie!
DeleteA lovely doll, although truth be told I find them all a bit creepy!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean, Lisa.
DeleteAlthough my head is not 30 years younger than my body, I know what you mean. Now I have to go find a doll with a more childlike face on it. Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristin!
ReplyDeleteOh what an awesome way they presented her looking into the mirror like that, very interesting view! I would so like to visit that old Mermaid Inn...amazing!
ReplyDeleteNever mind the beautiful doll, did you know the Mermaid Inn at Rye is supposedly the most haunted pub in England. Watch out when you look in the mirror!
ReplyDeleteNow Bob IS an expert - on haunted buildings!
DeleteI know little about haunted buildings but I have walked past the Mermaid often enough - though nothing happened. Next time I must venture inside, avoiding all mirrors.
DeleteShe looks a very healthy doll with the rosy cheeks. Must be the sea breeze on the hill.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely postcard! I just love her dress and those hands. I bet she wishes she had never hands! I could just imagine her character in a children's story!
ReplyDeleteGreat imagination, Emm! You should write the story.
DeleteSometimes my body feels thirty years older too. What an expressive face she has.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the informative post. I never heard of a "dolly" face before, and I didn't know the correct definition of a "character" doll.
ReplyDeleteThe doll looks like she's sneaking around, trying to hide from someone, and peering around the corner.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I agree with the others - it is a beautiful photograph but there is something just a little scary - especially with the mirror image.
ReplyDeleteI think this doll is one of the prettiest ones I've seen in the various doll posts - it scares me less than some of the others! I'm going to have to have a look at some character faced dolls now :-) Jo
ReplyDeleteNo woman, or doll, whatever her age can resist looking in the mirror. And I know how you feel about wishing to be "rejuvenated."
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful. After looking at your link, I was impressed at how they made their doll heads to look so much like really little girls. I enjoyed the link to the Mermaid Inn too. How fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Kathy M.
Collecting paper dolls led me to all the wonderful books about dolls such as this one. I highly recommend the writing of John Darcy Noble on dolls of all kinds. Beautiful doll, very soulful face.
ReplyDeleteSheila, you crack me up...I know I could use a transplant, at least, from the neck on down....wouldn't mind winning the lottery so I could invest in those fancy face creams, too.
ReplyDelete