Antique Lithographed Dollhouse

This was my first antique dollhouse. Dating from right around 1900, it was made by an unknown American company emulating the famed Bliss dollhouses. This firm's products are similarly made of lithographed paper over wood, and open from the front on a hinged door. The oversized wallpaper is original to the house. These are commonly called "Gutter Houses" because of the molding along the roof line that resembles a gutter. This is a particularly small example, measuring about 13 inches high by 9 3/4 wide and only 4 3/4 deep. It's been a bit of a challenge finding furnishings small enough for this house: so far we have a teeny tiny stove, a rocking chair, and a tin trunk, along with an antique German all-bisque dolly. Looks like she's baking today...

Antique Hahn & Amberg Teddy Bear

Introducing one of my very favorite antique teddy bears: "Barney", made by the American manufacturer, Hahn & Amberg, c.1907. Barney is a really unique bear, in a very desirable cinnamon shade. He's unusually made of a thick woolish fabric, similar to antique upholstery material, and is stuffed with shredded cork, which gives him a certain heftiness. I've wondered if his materials are partly responsible for his amazing preservation: Barney is practically mint. He measures about 13 inches tall, and has a happy, smiling face, very different from his stern German contemporaries.

1940s American Toy Grocery Store

I just love these little toy grocery shops! They're perfect for using in displays with small antique dolls and teddy bears (who like shopping too, you know!).
I'm thinking this is American, probably from the 1940s, and many of the products shown are original. The set measures about 10 1/2 inches high. The little cans and packages are all wooden with paper labels, while the breads, ham, and steak are plaster.
(See the entry for the 1914 Cass toy grocery for an antique example, the 1950s British toy grocery for a very different style, and the 1930s German shop for another.)

1950s British Toy Grocery Shop

A wonderful find from England: a toy grocery shop from the 1950s, complete with original products (lots of tea, of course!). The shop is 15 1/2 inches tall.

1892 Palmer Cox Brownie Doll

Ooooh: how nifty is this: a Palmer Cox Brownie doll from 1892!
Palmer Cox was an illustrator who achieved fame with his cartoon creations, the Brownies, in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Brownies appeared first in comics and books, then quickly spawned a range of merchandise that was extensive even by today's jaded standards. Brownies appeared on everything imaginable: handkerchiefs, china, toys, cookies, sheet music, household utensils, even a humidor! Their greatest marketing triumph occurred when an early Kodak camera, the legendary Brownie, was named after them. This 7-inch Brownie doll is from a line of printed cotton toys that purchasers cut out, stuffed, and sewed together themselves at home.

Here's a link to a great article about the Palmer Cox Brownies:
http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=46528&arch=y&ssd=7/24/2004%2012:01:00%20PM