Norah Wellings Monkeys

I am very grateful for a question asked about a Norah Wellings Monkey. It has spurred me on to write this article for you about the Wonderful Monkeys Norah Wellings made.

 Norah Wellings Monkeys were listed under her 'Novelty Animal' range. Norah was happy to make Special Orders of all her products so out there somewhere I hope there will be some Monkeys never listed in any of the Norah Wellings Catalogues.  If a model number does not appear in all the catalogues it does not always mean she didn't make them again. There is always a chance someone could order a particular model from a past catalogue.  As you can see I do not have real life photo's of all the Monkeys so if you have any to share please email me and I will add them here. Thank you.

Original Plaster Monkey Moulds  Sculptured by Norah Wellings 

                                                                    

 'TRIKKO', Model 129 and 130  

The first Norah Wellings Monkeys were called 'Trikko' . I first saw him in a 1928 photo of The British Indusrty Fair stand and he appears in a 1929 catalogue. However he could have been introduced in her first line of products in 1927.  I can't see him in any of the photo's of that time, however this does not mean he wasn't there. Interesting that there are three models with the 'Trikko' name . Most of them made of Alpca and Lambswool Plush however Mohair was used occasionally. The Monkeys had velveteen faces, hands and feet with glass eyes in the early years until around 1938 when eyes were painted 

 The first  'Trikko' model 129 was made in a sitting position with knees up. He came in four sizes 7 inches to 30 inches. Made of  Alpaca and Lambswool with largest made of longer mohair.  He does not appear in the 1936 catalogue but Norah often did Special Orders and possibly made him again but not in her main line of production.

 'Trikko' model 130 is the one we see most of the time. He is in a standing position with only his head jointed. In the early days he was made in four sizes up to 39 inches.  He was a very popular model and still produced right up to 1959 and is in the last Norah Wellings catalogue. I have seen him made in white, alpaca (seems to be used as a colour as well as material in the catalogue) , brown, pink and lilac. It would be interesting to see if there are any other colours out there. Only the colours White and Alpaca are mentioned in catalogues I have. Norah Wellings Labels are found on the Tail or Foot

'Trikko' Model 129 .First photo from a 1930 catalogue

'Trikko' Model 129 .Photo taken at the British Industry Fair 1930

'Trikko' Model 130 . Taken from the 1929 catalogue.

Two photo's of 'Trikko' Models  130. The first one as you can see has longer hair the next two have slight pink shade to them and are shorter wool plush. All have glass eyes. Norah Wellings Label found on Tail or Foot

SPIDER MONKEY, Model 131

Model 131  called a  'Spider Monkey' made of Alpaca Plush  and features in the 1933 catalogue . He appears standing on all fours and has wire armature in arm, legs and tail. He was only 6 inches tall.

Spider Monkey model 131 taken from the 1933 catlogue.

 ' KNUTTO', model 450

'Knutto' model 450 was descibed as a Comic Monkey in a pre 1933 catalogue. His outfit is an integral part of his body with jacket ,pants and a removeable flat cap made of velveteen. They were made in sizes 8 1/2 inches to 37 inches. The largest Knutto had separate fingers and toes. Wonderful character and found in lots of colourways for his oufit. He was made through to the 1940's again earlier with glass eyes later painted eyes. The smallest one had painted eyes regardless of age. Norah Wellings Labels found on Tail or Foot

'Knutto' 450,  photograph from the 1930's catalogue

'Knutto' 450 Smallest size 8 1/2 inches, painted eyes and a 17 inch Monkey with glass eyes

'Knutto', 17 inches tall 1940 with painted eyes.

 'GYPO', model 455

'Gypo', is model 455 another described as a Comic Character but only made for a few years 1930 to around 1937. He was listed in sizes 8 1/2 inches to 19 inches. His outfit was an integral part of his body felt top and pants with a clown type pointed hat.

'Gypo', model 455 taken from an early 1930's catalogue

'Gypo', model 455, he is 12 inches tall , not wearing his original hat, glass eyes.

  ' MONKEY', model 4110

'Monkey', model 4110. Described as Monkey with Coat and Hat. He first appeared in the 1936 catalogue. He was made of wool plush and his outfit of felt.  He has wire armature in his arms, legs and tail similar to the construction of the  earlier Spider Monkey. He wears a Tail Coat and Fez Hat. Made in four sizes  12 1/2 inches to 22 inches . He has glass eyes. Only seems to have been made for a few years but in the 1950 catalogue it shows him looking even more like the Spider Monkey. It has the same model number 4110 but only made in one size 7 inches tall and he has felt eyes.

'Monkey' model 4110. Taken from the 1936 catalogue

'Monkey' Model 4110. He is 14 inches tall with all original clothing, glass eyes, label on foot. 

'Monkey', model 4110 . Taken from the 1950 catlaogue.

 

'Monkey' , model 4110. He is 7 inches tall Showing him front and back and has felt hands like the Pixies and his felt eyes similar to those used on Norah Wellings Mascot Animals.

'Monkey', model 4110. I couldn't resist taking them both together. 

  'MONKEY', model 5112 

Monkey model 5112  was only made for a couple of years and first shown in the 1936 catalogue and only made in one size 20 inches . The catlogue says made of wool plush but the long hair around his face looks like mohair. He looks similar in a sitting position as the early model 'Trikko' 129 

Monkey ,model 5112 taken from the 1936 Catalogue

'MONKEY', HAND PUPPET

Norah Wellings made Monkey Hand Puppets with the model number K62 they were 9 inches tall with the label on the inside. The earlier one wasmade with mohair and glass eyes or painted eyes and had felt ears, feet and hands They were still being made right up to the last catlogue in 1959 but then with wool plush , painted eyes and cut straight at the base with no feet.

Two Monkey Hand puppets model K62 one with mohair and glass eyes the other wool plush and painted eyes.

'MONKEY ' PYJAMA CASE

Monkey Pyjama Case model K106, this photo is taken from the 1936 catalogue but I think he would have been introduced  a little earlier but only made for a few years. He is 20 inches in height and described as being made of  Plush, Velveteen and Felt.  I have seen some in diffeent colourways and trousers made of different materials.I have also seen one with a Fez Hat. Made with glass and painted eyes.

MONKEY NIGHTDRESS CASE

Monkey Nightdress Case, model K107, taken from the 1936 catalogue. Described as being made of Alpaca, Plush and Velveteen and 20 inches tall. I think he was made a little earlier but only made for a few years. Made with glass and painted eyes.

Norah Wellings Old Man and Old Woman

Sorry I have taken so long to add a new article to my blog, hopefully I will add some more over the next few weeks.

This article is about the wonderful character dolls Norah Wellings made, The Old Man and the Old Woman. I am going to show you the actual dolls that belonged to Norah Wellings  and also one that Norah Wellings made for her Mother. The same modelling was also used for her  Dutch Man and Woman and I will cover those as well in this article

They were first shown at the 1935 British Industry Fair and appeared in the 1935 catalogue. Although I am calling them The Old Man and Old Woman they came under the category of Norene Dolls, therefore they were not given a name just the model number. As previously written all Norene Dolls only had a model number and were not named. The Novelty Series were named. It is interesting to note a writer for the British Industry Fair called them Darby and Joan in their review but this was their interpretation.

They are amazing characters and the Old Woman was model 893 and the Old Man 894. They are 24 inches tall ( give or take an inch ). The head is felt with zig zag stitching on the back seam. Their features are painted by hand, with either brown or blue eyes.  Both have mohair wigs and the man has mohair sideburns.  The body is cotton and the arms and legs felt with two middle fingers sewn together. They are fully jointed. The Man wears all felt clothes with mother of pearl buttons and a cotton neck tie. He has a wooden stick (often missing). The Lady wears silk underwear with lace trim and silk stockings.  She has a felt skirt and felt jacket and scarf  with cotton gingham apron and matching bonnet, She also has a basket with felt flowers (often missing). Their outfits are sometimes found with different colour contrasts. They were only made for a few years and in 1938 another Old Man and Old Woman dressed in Dutch Costume were introduced .

 These dolls above belonged to Norah Wellings and are the Original Old Man and Woman (unfortunately at the time the basket was not photographed but it does still exist) They were hand painted by Norah Wellings and the faces are much softer than those shown below

                                                         
Picture  Above ,  Catalogue Photo 1935

                                                             

These were the dolls produced for the catalogue and not painted by Norah Wellings  .You can see a difference in the painting when you look at her dolls painted by her.

This is an interesting  Pair of Old Man and Old Woman Dolls they belonged to Norah Wellings Niece. They are only  9 inches tall. The man has plastic shoes and these were used in the 1950's but I have not found them in any of my catalogues and may have been made as special orders. They would have been made for the Norah Wellings Character Dolls Range ( Formally Novelty Dolls pre 1950 )

Norah Wellings, made this doll for her Mother in the late 1930's. She painted the face and made the clothes for her.. The doll is not unlike Norah Wellings  Mother at the time.


From 1938 the Old Man and Woman are not listed in any catalogue , however in 1938 a new couple appear. They seem to be the same dolls but dressed in Dutch Costume and were made in the same size 24 inches and the man has a beard  as well as his long sideburns. The Lady is model 3167 and the Man 3166. She is wearing a felt outfit with lace hat, cotton apron, knitted scarf and carries a basket. The Man wears all felt with a knitted scarf. I expect some have had one of these dolls and thought the scarf was not original!  They might be wearing a Dutch Costume but they were still referred to as Norene Dolls. They were made until the early 1940's.

                             
 Picture Above, taken from the Norah Wellings 1938 Catalogue

                                           
Picture Above, Norah Wellings Model 3167 , He is all original

I hope you enjoyed this article . Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions

Norah Wellings 'Harry The Hawk', A Very Special Mascot

Remembrance Day is nearly upon us and I have been holding back this very special story about a  Norah Wellings Harry The Hawk Doll that was used as a Mascot in the Second World War. I am very  grateful to Gerry Burke who contacted me through this blog as he saw a photo of a Harry The Hawk that I had written an article on. It answered a question he had and I am very pleased he was able to share his information and the wonderful photographs and has allowed me to share them with you. I thought it better to copy part of the two emails Gerry sent me below.

   ' I came across your website whilst trying to determine what 46 squadrons mascot was in 1940-41.

It seems that they had a Harry the Hawk doll.

46 squadron flew Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain and it's quite possible that their mascot, Harry the Hawk, flew in a hurricane with one or more of the pilots during the Battle of Britain.

I have attached some photographs for your interest. The first one is a bit dark but Harry is hanging by his parachute.'

You can just see Harry Hanging up in the background

Of course I can hear you all say where is Harry now and Yes I did ask the question.

' I have no idea what eventually happened to Harry the Hawk. I always thought that he had been made by one of the squadrons wives of girlfriends until I saw your web site.

The photos were sent to me years ago when I was looking for photographs of Battle of Britain airmen for a book I was assisting with '

Maybe someone out there has this particular Harry the Hawk it would be wonderful to think he has survived.. What a great job Harry The Hawk and Max the Dog did as Mascots for the 46th Squadron.

If you would like to know more about Harry The Hawk please take a look at my article on this link, you may need to copy and paste the address if the link does not work

  http://norahwellingsjournal.blogspot.com/2013/04/norah-wellings-harry-hawk.html

Norah Wellings Novelty Animals , Bears

I wrote an article on Norah Wellings Teddy Bears  in 2009 on this blog,  I can't believe it was 9 years ago. I have been asked if  I have more information so this time I am including other Bears that Norah Wellings made. The first Bear Norah Wellings made  had the name 'Bruno' but  the following year his name was changed to 'Bear' as were all the following models that Norah Wellings made.  Most were made of wool plush which unfortunately does not seem to age very well . The Traditional Fully Jointed Teddy Bear does not feature in any Norah Wellings Catalogues or any of my research. I often wonder if she ever made one as a Proto Type,but never produced it or for a  Special Order. So far I have no evidence of this. If anyone has any other  Norah Wellings 'Bears' they would like to share please email me.

Sometimes a lovely surprise happens when a Norah Wellings Item comes along that I haven't seen before. A Big Thank You to Gill Bernard who made me aware of a Panda Bear that I have not seen in any of my catalogues. I was lucky enough to be allowed to use photographs of Denise Baileys Panda.Thank You So Much.

Please Note all photographs used and all articles are copyright by me unless otherwise stated. If you wish to use anything please ask.

Wonderful Panda Bear. I have not found him in any of my research. He was possibly made when London Zoo got their first Panda in 1938 called Ming. The other famous Panda was Chichi who arrived in the Zoo in 1958. This is too late though as the factory was winding down at this time.

He is not jointed and is standing on all fours. Thank You to Denise Bailey for allowing me to use her photos and Gill Bernard for bringing the Panda Bear to my attention. If anyone has more information on this charming Panda please email me.Thank You

Not a very good picture I am afraid but this is from a photo copy in the 1929 Norah Wellings catalogue. This is the first bear  Norah Wellings made and in 1929 his name was 'Bruno' but the following year it was changed to  'Bear', still with the same model number.  Norah Wellings  included him in her  'Mascot Animal' Range, he was model 163 and only came in one size. The catalogue description says he is 6 inches in length and was made of Art Silk . From this photo he appears to have boot button eyes,  He does not appear in the 1933 catalogue .

I must give a Big Thank You to Steve of Woodenhill Bears for allowing me to use these wonderful pictures of  an early 'Bear'. He measures 6 inches in length, filled with kapok and woodwool and has boot button eyes. His little felt ears have been a little nibbled but they are there. He has his Norah Wellings label inside his back leg. Thank You Steve.

This is a picture from the 1936 Catalogue of  'Bear', he is a similar design to the earlier one but has a new model number 5116 and  appears in the Norah Wellings 'Novelty Animal' Range. He looks darker in colour and is now made of Mohair Plush. He has felt ears and felt circle eyes with embroidery. He continues to be made to the end of the 1940's.

In 1933 Norah Wellings introduced another 'Bear' to her 'Novelty Animal' Range he was model 570. Made in quite a few different sizes 8", 9 1/2 ", 11 1/2", 14", 19", 20 1/2" and a massive 36 inches . This style 'Bear' was made until the end of the 1940's.

Here is the early 'Bear' looking very similar to his catalogue photo. The outfits did vary sometimes in colour. He is 19 inches tall with wool plush head, arms and feet, hand paw pads are felt. He has glass eyes and only his head is jointed. His velveteen pants and cotton top are an integral part of his body, velveteen jacket can be taken off and ties with a ribbon at the neck. Often this jacket goes missing. He has gold buttons sewn down the front of his top. Label on the bottom of his foot.

Three more 'Bears'. It is interesting to note that the middle bear is the only one I have seen made of mohair the others have been wool plush. He stands 16 inches tall. The bear in the mustard is the smallest size made 8 inches tall and the one in red the next size up 9 1/2 inches tall. All three bears have velveteen tops instead of cotton, cotton appear to be the first ones made . They all have a label to the bottom of the foot.

This is the earliest example of the 'Bear' Nightdress Case introduced around 1935. he is model 973. This particular one is just how he appears in the 1936 catalogue. He is 17 inches tall with his head, hands, feet and trim down the skirt in wool plush. The rest is made of velveteen with silk pompoms. Opening at the sides with poppers and lined inside. He also has glass eyes. Once again different colour variations made. Label is on the bottom of the foot.

Another slightly later 'Bear' Nightdress Case, this time cotton is used for the top and body with felt used for the skirt and shawl around her neck. Not only different colours  used but also materials due to shortage in the War Years . They were made until the late 1940's. Label on the bottom of the foot.

The Polar Bear was made in the late 1930's and is model number 5142. He is made very like the 1936 'Bear'. Made of wool plush he is 6 inches in length, felt ears, embroidery eyes and shaved muzzle. His label is on his tummy. He was made right up until the 1950 catalogue but  his number changed to 5169.

The last 'Bear' made by Norah Wellings was made in the 1950's. This particular 'Bear' was given  to Mrs Hassell who worked at the Factory by Norah WEllings when the Factory closed down in 1958 . Mrs Hassell kindly allowed me to use this photograph. He is 16 inches tall, fully washable plush, glass safety eyes and wears printed cotton dungarees with a ribbon around his neck. It is interesting to note that the Norah Wellings  round paper label has changed to show a Rabbit on the front rather than a Doll that was previously used.

I hope you have enjoyed finding out more about the Norah Wellings 'Bear' and do not forget to email me if you have any you would like to share. I can add photo's and information to this article. I hope to hear from you. Happy Hunting

Rare Norah Wellings Goblin Dolls

Happy New Year Everyone.

I thought I would start the year with these fabulous Very Rare  Special Order Goblin Dolls by Norah Wellings. I purchased one of them many years ago on ebay and the under bidder who collected Goblin items said she thought it may have been made for Goblin, a Company that made electric products and probably for the Teasmade ( electric tea maker). I could not find him in any of my research or catalogues and thought the information might be correct. You can imagine how excited I was to be offered another Goblin and this time from the Niece of the Original Owner and she was able to give me more information.  Her Aunt worked for the  Goblin Company and Goblin had a stand at the 1939  Ideal Home Exhibition , these dolls were used as a promotion. Not only that but the two staff including her Aunt had to wear Goblin Outfits while demonstrating Goblin Vacum Cleaners to potential customers  ! Makes me smile as I can just picture them ! As you can see one of the Goblins has  the original paper tag from the exhibition. I am so pleased I am able to share this with you. It is not often we see Special Order  Dolls by Norah Wellings  made for a Company and here are two of them. The Goblins

Made in a similar style to the Norah Wellings Pixie Dolls. These Goblins are both 9 inches tall, heads and hands made of felt with painted features.  The body is an integral part of the clothing and they have felt shoes , hands and felt hats. Both have white Norah Wellings labels under their shoes with brown writing.The one with the original paper label belonged to the Aunt who worked at Goblin