Modern Collectables

Nowadays shops are full of modern porcelain dolls. Some are better than others, but many are very attractive. It's debatable whether they are strictly 'dolls' as they are always marked 'unsuitable for children', and so aren't intended to be played with. Prices of these porcelain dolls usually start at around Ł5, so an attractive collection can quickly be assembled. Manufacturers include Alberon, Knightsbridge, Leonardo and House of Valentina.

In addition, extremely beautiful, lifelike and highly expensive dolls, made from porcelain or vinyl in limited editions - or even 'one of a kind' - can be purchased. These special, collectors dolls are made by such designers as Heidi Ott, Annette Himstedt and Helen Kish. Some of them are as expensive as buying an antique doll, but many are incredibly, almost uncannily, realistic.

Ruth is made by Knightsbridge. She is 16" tall, with long blonde plaits, big blue eyes and a beautifully shaped mouth with two teeth. She's smartly dressed in a dress of navy spots and checks, with a matching hat, and carries a basket of flowers.

Gemma is also a Knightsbridge creation. She is 16" tall and has a mass of blonde curls which tumble around her face. Her eyes are bright blue, and she is dressed in a gorgeous white-spotted lilac silk dress trimmed with purple roses. Gemma's white, flower-trimmed hat has a long white net veil which ties under her chin.

Vicky is a freckle-faced young lady with deep brown eyes and dark brown plaits. She is made by Leonardo and is 17" tall. Her lovely dress is made from a teddy-bear printed fabric, overlaid with silky gauze. She wears a matching bonnet and carries her teddy in a basket.

This is a designer doll - Tia is a Helen Kish creation, one of a limited edition of only 750. Made of heavy vinyl, the sculpturing of her body and limbs is exquisite, especially the graceful modelling of the hands and fingers which assume exactly the pose of those of a ballet dancer. Tia is 16" tall, and wears a turquoise leotard, white skirt, white tights and white ballet shoes tied with turquoise ribbons. The designer, Helen Kish, has been modelling dolls for over twenty years and has won many awards in the USA.

Barbie dolls are issued in Collectors Editions, as well as the regular play dolls. This beauty is Eliza from 'My Fair Lady', wearing an elegant pink chiffon gown, pink hat, and carrying a frilly stole. She's presented in a silver box which contains a mini-poster from the film. Other Barbie dolls from My Fair Lady include those wearing the dramatic black and white Ascot dress, the flower-girl outfit, and the long white ballgown. And Ken comes dressed as Professor Higgins!