Norah Wellings Journal: Norah Wellings Mystery Dolls

Tuesday, 17 March 2009

Norah Wellings Mystery Dolls

When watching ebay a while ago I saw an unusal Norah Wellings Girl that I hadn't seen before, she was being sold by a favourite Ebay Seller of mine Gina owner of the ebay shop girltoyinternational.com who has very kindly let me show her pictures above. When I fist saw her I wondered if she was a version of Red Riding Hood. Although her cape isn't red it does have red trim.She also reminded me of a possible Irish Girl? I can't see her in any of my catalogues and I am wondering if anyone else has seen her in a catalogue or any other suggestions? I would say she is from the 1940's. Gina's doll stands 16 inches tall and only her head is jointed. She has mohair plaits and wears a velvet dress with a velvet cape. Unusual velvet shoes part of her leg with wonderful ballet type ties going up her leg

Low and behold as usually happens in this wonderful world of collecting only a couple of months later I managed to buy a smaller version of the same model only 11 inches tall. Same construction but smaller and with the normal velvet shoes we see.. Both Dolls are pictures above. Would love to hear any suggestions you might have.

7 comments:

Kathie Napier from New Zealand18 April 2009 at 03:30
Hi,
I was also interested in your mystery girl. I have an 8in model, in faded condition (with much foxing on the velvet outfit) and have assumed the character to be in Army nurse outfit. There are no ties on the legs either.
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Gillian Trotter18 April 2009 at 23:30
Hi Kathie,
Great to hear from you. If I hadn't seen the larger one with ties on her legs I too would have thought her a nurse of some kind. Norah Wellings did make an Army nurse, however she is nothing like these. Lets hope we can solve the mystery sometime. Thank you once again for writing.
Kind Regards
Gill
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Anonymous20 August 2009 at 07:31
I purchased a Norah Wellings doll that was in a group of 40 dolls that had been collected by a retired schoolteacher who had traveled the world. This doll is 8" tall, has a dutch-like blue cap trimmed in lace w/ 2 large red dots sewn on. She has a velvet blue skirt that is very faded on the front, a red top, green felt neck scarf, a nylon apron w/ 2 large green felt dots sewn on, & the Norah Wellings tag sewn on her left shoe. She has a lovely face & blond braids. I am thinking of placing her on Ebay since a collector of her dolls may appreciate her---I am getting rid of my collection (no granddaughters!). Can you tell from my description which doll she is---sorry, don't have a digital camera at my disposal? I am wondering since her skirt is so faded if she is worth selling...
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Gillian Trotter20 August 2009 at 09:41
Hello,
I am afraid you did not give me your email address so I am writing a reply through the comment page. Your doll sounds like a Dutch girl model 1171 made from the late 1940's right to the end of production 1959. I have seen these sell on ebay between £15 and £45. Condition plays an important part when pricing a any doll, some collectors like dolls in mint condition others do not mind and love the fact that a doll has been loved and treasured.I am sure someone would love to add her to their collection. Hope this helps. Good Luck if you put her on ebay.
Kind Regards
Gill
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Ginny Giguere13 April 2010 at 09:17
I am still looking for a Norah doll like the one you mention you fell in love with in your book. I beleive her name is Norah and she is about 21" tall. Please keep your eyes open for me, Gil.
Be well,
Ginny in Green Bay
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Gillian Trotter28 April 2010 at 08:43
Hi Ginny,
Do you mean the Norene Mexican Girl I won in the raffle? Please let me know.
Kind Regards
Gill
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dianne radke31 December 2012 at 21:41
the mystery doll face is totally like vivian leigh the actress...a huge star at that time...i think it was modelled on her
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Contacting Me and Comments

My book ' Norah Wellings Cloth Dolls and Soft Toys' is now out of print but can sometimes be found on ebay or Amazon.

I have written articles for The Doll Advertiser an excellent magazine by Judy Bebber and printed twice a year in the United Kingdom. Judy Bebber also organizes Doll Fairs. To order Magazines and for Information on the Fairs please go to her website www.dolladvertiser.com

I am happy to answer any questions you may have regarding Norah Wellings Items or if you would like to share any Norah Wellings products you have please email me. Emails and photographs can be sent to this address
norahwellingsjournal@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you

Very Best Wishes
Gill

Copyright

All photographs and articles presented on this site are copyrighted by those offering the images or articles for posting and are not to be used by other persons without permission. All writings and photographs are copyright Gillian Trotter unless specified.

Norah Wellings, Leonard Wellings and The Victoria Toy Works

Norah Wellings was a very talented artist and designer of cloth dolls, she started her career with Chad Valley in 1919 and became one of their chief doll designers. Leonard Wellings her brother was also an artist and well known for his plastering skills having his own premises in Wellington, Shropshire. When Norah left Chad Valley it was Leonard who suggested Norah rent a room in his building to make Cloth Dolls and Soft Toys. Norah moved into the premises in 1926 with only six women employees and called the small factory room The Victoria Toy Works. Norah Wellings began production and the catalogues and letterheads described the company as ‘Manufacturers of Soft Fabric Toys and Novelties’. Leonard was involved in the business and promotion side of the company as well as continuing with his own plastering firm.
Norah designed all of the dolls and soft toys herself. In 1927 she attended her first British Industry Toy Fair where her Products were shown for the first time with great success. The business grew very quickly and Leonard and Norah decided they needed larger premises and in 1929 bought a Baptist Chapel in King Street, Wellington, which was expanded and buildings added over the years. At the peak time during the 1930’s there were around 250 employees. Norah Wellings was also one of Britain’s leading doll exporters with over 70% of sales going overseas, this is why so many dolls are found world wide today. Many of the products were sold on board ship as holiday souvenirs.
Leonard Wellings died in 1959 at the age of 67 Norah had lost not only her brother but also her business partner and best friend. Norah decided it was time to retire and so on September 4th 1959 Employees were given two weeks notice and production ceased. Norah spent her retirement doing the things she enjoyed, painting, cooking and gardening, Norah Wellings died in 1975 at the age of 82.