Norah Wellings Journal: 2017

Thursday, 18 May 2017

Norah Wellings Golly

The Elusive Norah Wellings 'Golly'

The Norah Wellings 'Golly' is model 135 and he was first introduced around 1931, he was in an undated catalogue of possibly the same year and he also appeared in a 1933 to 1934 catalogue. A photograph from the 1933 British Industry Fair shows three gollys but the photo is not clear. There is no sign of him in the 1936 catalogue or indeed ever again. Very rare to find with his production only spanning over 3 years. The catalogue images are very hard to see but he appears to be made of velvet with similar stipe trousers that 'Sammy' the Black Islander wore. He was made in 4 sizes A 11", B 12 1/2", C 15 1/2" and D 20 1/2".

Catalogue photograph above from the 1933/34 catalogue

Photograph from the British Industry Fair 1933 showing three Golly Dolls.

I have not yet found a Norah Wellings Golly with a label but two have crossed my path who I believe are Norah Wellings . One I bought about 20 years ago with his jacket missing and another Daniel Agnew very kindly allowed me to share with you that he bought last year. As I say neither have labels but I feel sure they are Norah Wellings but it would be wonderful if any of you have one out there with a label that you wouldn't mind sharing so I can add to this article. If you do please email me at norrahwellingsjournal@gmail.com

Thank You Daniel for sharing your wonderful Golly He is in great condition, smaller size with googly type glass eyes, felt mouth and mohair wig. He wears a velvet tail jacket with velvet trousers and top, both an integral part of his body.

Golly bought years ago and now resides with a Very Dear Friend, larger size not in very good condition and missing his jacket but you can see how he compares to Daniels. Also note that the hands on both have all the fingers defined .

Please check out any Golly Dolls you may have and please email me if it is a Norah Wellings or you think it might be as I would love to see it. Thank you

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.