British Dolls of the 1950s


Book Description

Photos, descriptions, and fascinating history for dedicated doll collectors. In the 1950s, a new material—plastic—revolutionized the doll trade and made dolls affordable for people of all classes. This book focuses specifically on British dolls of that decade, offering not only useful information for collectors but a glimpse into the history and culture that surrounded these cherished toys. Along with photos and descriptions, this unique guide covers: doll manufacturers must-buy dolls what to spot when buying dolls how to avoid buying fakes a where-to-buy directory doll hospitals specialist museums




British Dolls of the 1960s


Book Description

This is the first book to be published on the popular area of British dolls of the 1960s which explores what's worth collecting and why and focuses on outside events such as the growth of the pop scene and how dolls were aimed at the newly created 'teenagers', not just children. These toy and pop dolls are now very collectable, partly because of the nostalgia element as many of the collectors would have grown up with them or desiring them and appeals to other types of collectors e.g. social historians, fashion and pop collectors. The book focuses on the doll manufacturers, including must-buy dolls, what to spot when buying dolls, how to avoid buying fakes, safe cleaning and includes a directory of doll hospitals and specialist museums. The first book, British Dolls of the 1950s was also written by Susan Brewer.




American Family of the 1960s Paper Dolls


Book Description

Tradition-toppling costumes including one-piece stretch fabric swimsuits, turtleneck sweaters, sheath dresses, bleached jeans, much more.




British Teenage Dolls


Book Description

Teenage dolls with fashionable clothes, boyfriends, dream homes and exciting accessories were introduced in the late 1950s as toy manufacturers rushed to match the aspirations of the now teenaged 'baby-boom' generation. From the earliest 'Roddy' dolls of




Famous Character Dolls


Book Description

Part of the popular Famous series, Famous Dolls celebrates dolls in film, TV, cartoons, books, comics and comic strips, as well as toys such as Hamble in Playschool. It also explores the world of celebrity dolls including stars such as Shirley Temple and Mae West, pop star dolls including Michael Jackson and Cher, and dolls representing royalty. Written by leading doll expert, Susan Brewer, the author of British Dolls in the 1950s and British Dolls in the 1960s, the book starts with a series of essays setting dolls in context and exploring their role in popular culture. The main part of the book is an impressive A-Z of famous dolls, with symbols to show in which field they became famous (e.g. cartoons, toys or comic strips). The stories behind each of the dolls are told, including the tragic tale of Raggedy Ann and how a little girl inspired one of the most iconic character dolls of all time. A must-buy book for everyone who has ever own or collected dolls or is interested in popular culture.Did you know? The author of Raggedy Ann, Johnny Gruelle, was a vehement anti-vaccination campaigner after his young daughter died when she was vaccinated at school without his consent Angela Rippon created the Victoria Plum doll series based on a plum tree in her garden Holly Hobbie is an author and illustrator who named the famous patchwork-wearing little girl after her. It became a popular doll in the 1970s




The Collector's Guide to British Dolls Since 1920


Book Description

Established over many years as the definitive book on the subject, Colette Mansell's monumental work is now available in paperback for the first time. Tracing the history of doll-making in Britain from 1920 to the present day, this book gives detailed information on the dolls produced by large factories and well-known companies, as well as those made by small concerns, cottage industries and individual doll-makers. The innovative and realistic fabric dolls made by Chad Valley, Farnell, Dean's Rag Book Company, Norah Wellings and others during the 1920s and 1930s are great favourites with collectors, and extensive research has been carried out by the author. Sections on doll's-house dolls, costume dolls, unidentified and miscellaneous dolls, and the valuation of dolls are included, along with a fascinating chapter devoted to the now highly collectable dolls of the Royal Family. This book is intended not only for those beginning a collection but also for the experienced and discerning collector.




Transformation and Tradition in 1960s British Cinema


Book Description

Over half a century on, the 1960s continue to generate strong intellectual and emotional responses - both positive and negative - and this is no less true in the arena of film. Making substantial use of new and underexplored archive resources that provide a wealth of information and insight on the period in question, this book offers a fresh perspective on the major resurgence of creativity and international appeal experienced by British cinema in that dramatic decade. Transformation and Tradition in 1960s British Cinema is the first scholarly volume on this period of British cinema for more than twenty-five years. It provides a major reconsideration of the period by focusing on the central tensions and contradiction between novelty/revolution and continuity/tradition during what remains a highly contentious period of cultural production and consumption.




Collecting Classic Girls' Toys


Book Description

This is the first study of its kind, focusing on toys made for girls, including the spin-off accessories and comics. Renowned toy expert Susan Brewer explores the world of toys, divided into sections to encompass dolls, cuddly toys and ‘families (e.g. Sylvanian Forest and Fisher Price’s Little People), amongst others. She includes brief biographies of some of the best known firms, such as Mattel, Pedigree and Fisher Price but the main focus is on the toys themselves, many of which readers will remember from their own childhood. Includes fascinating factboxes with quirky facts – did you know. Angela Rippon created the best-selling Victoria Plum toys based on a plum tree in her back garden - she has written the foreword for this book.




The History of Sindy


Book Description

A reprint of a very popular title. Written by an acknowledged expert on the subject of British dolls. Sure to appeal to all those interested not only in British dolls, but also in fashion and design.




1960s Scrapbook


Book Description

The 'Swinging Sixties' were a concoction of many things that brought Britain to the forefront - England winning the World Cup on 1966, mini skirts and mini cars, the Beatles and Twiggy. 'The 1960s Scrapbook' presents a unique visual record of a turbulent decade.