Norah Wellings Journal: February 2023

Wednesday 22 February 2023

Norah Wellings Mexican 'Panchito' For Sale

Norah Wellings Mexican 'Panchito' models K20 For Sale.

Your chance to buy a huge 36 inch 'Panchito'

Boy. He is the largest size Mexican from the Norah Wellings Novelty Range. Very rare to find this size in this particular model. The glass eyed model dates from 1933 to 1936.

The later ones have painted eyes. He is all original. Made of velvet with integral outfit shoes

I am selling him and the smaller Panchito's for a friend of mine. Please email me for more information

norahwellingsjournal@gmail.com

Sunday 5 February 2023

Norah Wellings, Wonderful 'Norene ' Dolls.

You may have seen these wonderful 'Norene' Boy and Girl dolls in my book ' Norah Wellings Cloth Dolls and Soft Toys'. They feature on page 50. My friend Mark bought them from me years ago. They are dressed in outfits to represent Mexicans although Norah Wellings only gave them model numbers . They completely original and are 15 1/2

inches tall. The girl is model 876 and the boy model 885. First featured in the 1936 catalogue.They are nice and bright, the boy is missing his hat. They make a great pair.

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.