Sunday, 27 January 2013
Norah Wellings Finds From 2012
For my first article of the New Year I have decided to share the four Norah Wellings I added to my own collection in 2012. I had promised myself not to buy anymore as I downsized my collection many years ago but once a collector always a collector.
When I saw the Norah Wellings original box for sale I was hoping it was just the colour that was different from the orange one I already had. On closer inspection it also had different dolls pictured so I had to have it. It is from the 1930's and measures just over 11" long and 9" wide and features a photograph of the 'Novelty Dolls' series consisting of six dolls, Mexican Boy 'Panchito' model K20, Dutch Boy model K25, Islander 'ZuZu' model 109,Swedish Boy model K35,Dutch Girl model K24, Soldier model K44. The box has number 1002 printed on the front and it would normally contain the models that are shown. In 1936 this box and the six dolls pictured would have sold for 8 shillings . The dolls were 8 to 9 inches tall, this is interesting because the Dutch Dolls and the Mexican shown are photo's of 13 and larger size dolls, when they are found to be 8 to 9 inches they look slightly different than those photographed. There is also handwriting with 'Birds' written on the front of this box so it may have contained Norah Wellings Birds. Customers could order different models and I am sure sometimes these boxes would be used and contain different dolls or animals to the ones pictured. You can see my orange Norah Wellings box in an article in this journal dated Sept 2009 in older posts click on the side bar side bar 'More Articles On Norah Wellings Products'.
You have already seen this little Spider Monkey in my Merry Christmas and Happy New Year picture. Although I haven't found him in my catalogues and he does not have a label I did see him in the Norah Wellings Family Collection. He is 7 1/2 inches long with his legs stretched out but not including his paws. He is made of Alpaca Wool with felt mask face, felt eyes and ears and felt tail coat, tie and hat. His legs, arms and tail have wire armature so he can bend easily, not jointed. There is a Spider Monkey in the 1936 catalogue model 131 but he does not have any clothes on and is a little smaller at 6 inches tall but he has the same bendy limbs and single felt hands and feet. There is a larger larger monkey in the 1940's catalogue with the same clothes on, model 4110 but he is not bendy and has formed hands and feet and some have glass eyes. The Spider monkey shown here is 7 1/2 inches long with his legs stretched out but not including his paws. He is made of Alpaca Wool with felt mask face, felt eyes and ears and felt tail coat, tie and hat.
Rare Pink and White Rabbit from the Norah Wellings 'So-Soft' Series made in the late 1920's , model 410 and he came in sizes 10,12,14,18 and 20 inches in height . The 1929 catalogue does not state what colours they were made in but they were of Beaver, Plush and Lambswool. My Rabbit is nearly 14 inches tall from the top of his ears to his feet. He is made of Lambswool with glass eyes. My little darling is as flat at a pancake but adorably cuddly being made for a baby. He has the earliest Norah Wellings label on his foot, not jointed.
Last but not least my favourite buy of the year a gorgeous Norah Wellings 'Cora' Doll from late 1920's to early 1930's. She is such a darling standing 11 inches tall, not including her massive wild hair. She has a felt head with lovely blue glass eyes, velvet fully jointed body with all fingers sewn together. Her felt ears are quite large and they are double thickness . Her lovely brown mohair wig is sewn in strips to her head. Wearing her original cotton two piece sunsuit, sleeveless top and shorts with a cute duck print and her original felt shoes. I do not know her model number,she has the earliest Norah Wellings label.Such a cutie.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing my new acquisitions. If you have any Norah Wellings you would like to share please email me with photo's and I will add to my Norah Wellings Journal. Always happy to hear from any readers with suggestions for other Norah Wellings articles they would like to see here.
Unil Next Month 'Happy Hunting'.
Monday, 17 December 2012
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year
Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy, Safe and Prosperous New Year. Sorry for my lack of articles on Norah Wellings this year but I will be adding at least one article a month next year so please keep looking.
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Wonderful Norah Wellings Norene Doll, Model 3210
A big Thank You to Ann Willis for sharing her photographs and description of her wonderful Norah Wellings Norene Doll, she is model 3210 and was first seen in the 1940 catalogue and I have added a photo from the catalogue.
She is 32" and is dressed in a long skirt and matching blouse of cream satin. The top fastens with small mother of pearl buttons and has long sleeves which fasten with a popper. The skirt fastens at the back with a popper.
Under her skirt she has a hooped petticoat, a nylon vest and rather baggy cotton drawers.
She has a rust coloured needlecord jacket with a peplum and the long sleeves end in a v-shape. Her poke bonnet ties with a rust-coloured velvet ribbon
Her yellow felt shoes fasten with white-capped poppers and she has white socks, these seem a bit incongruous with the outfit.
She carries a basket over one arm.
Thank You Once Again Ann she is a Fabulous Doll in Wonderful Condition.
Monday, 30 January 2012
Norah Wellings Novelty Night Dress Cases, Part 3
Norah Wellings also made Novelty Night Dress Cases in the form of animals these were introduced the same time as the Lady Night Dress Cases around 1933.Some of the Animals continued to be made into the 1940's but none are listed in the 1950 catalogue.I hope you enjoy seeing the Norah Wellings Animal Night Dress Cases shown here some have never been seen before. I will be adding photographs to my 3 part article on Novelty Night Dress Cases when they come my way so please keep checking back. Later in the year I will also be writing an article on Pyjama Cases and Handkerchief Sachets but my next article will be featuring some of Norah Wellings 'Norene' Dolls.
This photograph was taken from the early 1930's Norah Wellings Catalogue possibly 1933.All the Models except for the Donkey were made into the early 1940's. The first two pictured are Dogs they are both advertised as being made of wool plush with Velvet Bodies and Skirts. The first Dog is Model 6020 and the Second Dog is Model 6021. Next we have 'Bear' Model 973 he is 17 inches tall, made of wool plush with velvet body and skirt. 'Donkey' Model 991 is 19 inches tall, made of wool plush with felt body and skirt. 'Bear' has also been found with a felt body and skirt and material has also been used so I also think the others can also be found using different materials for the body and skirt and by checking some of the other material Norah Wellings used you should be able to tell if it is original.
This photograph is also from the early 1930's Norah Wellings Catalogue unfortunately there is no description with them. The Rare Parrot is Model 983, He is possibly made of felt, I have never seen one before. Rabbit is Model 970, made of wool plush with fabric body and skirt but can also be found with a body and skirt made of velveteen or felt. There is a photo of this model further down wearing different fabric.
Another Rare Norah Wellings Night Dress Case I haven't seen before. Only shown in the early 1930's catalogue so not made for very long. Nothing written about him except as you can see he is a Duck and the Model number is 990. It looks like he is made from wool plush with felt beak, flippers and tail feathers.
This photograph is taken from the 1936 catalogue and he is called 'Monkey' advertised as being 20 inches tall and made of Alpaca Plush and Velveteen.He does not appear in the 1940's catalogue so may have only been made for a few years.
Norah Wellings Rabbit Model 970.She is 18 inches tall not including her ears. Made of wool plush with glass eyes and velveteen body and skirt with original velvet ruffle around her neck. This shows one of the variations of material used different from the one in the catalogue.Made in the early 1930's.
Norah Wellings 'Bear' Model 973. He is 17 inches tall made of wool plush with glass eyes and material body and felt skirt. This shows one of the variations of material used different from the one in the catalogue. He is from the 1930's.
Wonderful photograph of a Rare Norah Wellings Bones Dog,He does not appear in any of my catalogues and would have been made in the early 1930's. He is 20 inches tall and made of velvet with glass eyes. A Big Thank You to Julie Wyles for sharing him with us.
This photograph was taken from the early 1930's Norah Wellings Catalogue possibly 1933.All the Models except for the Donkey were made into the early 1940's. The first two pictured are Dogs they are both advertised as being made of wool plush with Velvet Bodies and Skirts. The first Dog is Model 6020 and the Second Dog is Model 6021. Next we have 'Bear' Model 973 he is 17 inches tall, made of wool plush with velvet body and skirt. 'Donkey' Model 991 is 19 inches tall, made of wool plush with felt body and skirt. 'Bear' has also been found with a felt body and skirt and material has also been used so I also think the others can also be found using different materials for the body and skirt and by checking some of the other material Norah Wellings used you should be able to tell if it is original.
This photograph is also from the early 1930's Norah Wellings Catalogue unfortunately there is no description with them. The Rare Parrot is Model 983, He is possibly made of felt, I have never seen one before. Rabbit is Model 970, made of wool plush with fabric body and skirt but can also be found with a body and skirt made of velveteen or felt. There is a photo of this model further down wearing different fabric.
Another Rare Norah Wellings Night Dress Case I haven't seen before. Only shown in the early 1930's catalogue so not made for very long. Nothing written about him except as you can see he is a Duck and the Model number is 990. It looks like he is made from wool plush with felt beak, flippers and tail feathers.
This photograph is taken from the 1936 catalogue and he is called 'Monkey' advertised as being 20 inches tall and made of Alpaca Plush and Velveteen.He does not appear in the 1940's catalogue so may have only been made for a few years.
Norah Wellings Rabbit Model 970.She is 18 inches tall not including her ears. Made of wool plush with glass eyes and velveteen body and skirt with original velvet ruffle around her neck. This shows one of the variations of material used different from the one in the catalogue.Made in the early 1930's.
Norah Wellings 'Bear' Model 973. He is 17 inches tall made of wool plush with glass eyes and material body and felt skirt. This shows one of the variations of material used different from the one in the catalogue. He is from the 1930's.
Wonderful photograph of a Rare Norah Wellings Bones Dog,He does not appear in any of my catalogues and would have been made in the early 1930's. He is 20 inches tall and made of velvet with glass eyes. A Big Thank You to Julie Wyles for sharing him with us.
Monday, 23 January 2012
Norah Wellings Novelty Night Dress Cases, Part 2
All the dolls pictured here are Norah Wellings Nightdress Cases and I shall add photographs when I get them from time to time.
The Dolls pictured have skirts and no legs just feet sewn on the bottom of the skirt and the skirt has openings on each side where you put your night dress. The skirt has poppers to close.I have put the description and Model Numbers under each Doll in the Photographs.It is interesting to see how different some of the dolls look wearing different colour combinations to their outfits.Coming up in part 3 will be Animal Night Dress Cases. Until then I hope you enjoy this article and if anyone has any other Norah Wellings Night Dress Cases or any other Norah Wellings items they would like to share please send the photographs to me at norahwellingsjournal@gmail.com
'Old English' Lady Night Dress Case. There are many variations of Norah Wellings Night Dress Cases called Old English as you can see by the photographs below. I am not sure of the model number of this doll, she is from the 1930's. Standing 21 inches tall with felt head and felt arms. She wears an outfit of Art Silk with felt trim, her hat is art silk with felt inner lining and she carries felt flowers.
'Old English' Model 987, one of the earlier models from the 1930's slight variation in skirt from the catalogue. She is 21 inches tall with a felt head and felt arms. She has cotton yarn hair and her dress is made of Art Silk with felt flowers and she carries felt flowers in her hands.
Norah Wellings made a few variations of the Old English Model and this 'Old English' Model is 6017. She is a later model made after 1939.Pictured here in her original box. She is 20 inches tall with felt head, silk yarn hair. Her outfit is made of Art Silk and she wears lace fingerless gloves and holds felt flowers.
Another 'Old English' but this time model 6026.She is a later model after 1939. She has felt head and cotton arms with velvet dress and hat. Her shoes are also velvet and they have shaped heels. In the late 1940's a similar Night Dress Case but with a more child like face Model 6047 was made. She had the same outfit but no heels on her shoes and she was made right up to the last catalogue in 1958
This is one of Night Dress Cases seen in the earlier catalogues she is called 'Negress' Model 980. She is 21 inches tall with Veleteen Head and hands with Art Silk Outfit.
'Mexican' Lady Model 984 shown in one of the earlier catalogues. She is 23 inches tall with a velveteen head and hands, wearing a Veleveteen and Felt Outfit.
Norah Wellings made a few different models in Dutch Outfits this is one of her later ones made after 1939 and was made right up until the last catalogue in 1959.She has a child like face rather than a lady. She is called 'Dutch' Model 6027. She is 21 inches tall with felt head and painted features, mohair wig. Her velvet body and arms are an integral part of her outfit with cotton hands. Her skirt is and hat are made of felt.
Earlier 'Dutch' Model 981.She is 20 inches tall with felt head and hands, she wears a red curly wig. Her top is velveteen and it is an integral part of her body with skirt and hat made of felt.
Norah Wellings 'Jap' she is one of the earlier dolls shown in the early 1930's and was not made after 1939. She is Model 988 and is 21 inches tall. She has a velvet head and hands. Her Hair is wool yarn and she has felt flowers in it. She wears a dress made of Art Silk and she has felt shoes.
I was sent this photo in the 1990's so I am afraid it is not very good but it is the only time I have seen this lady other than the catalogue. She is called 'Russian', Model K103 and she was the largest of the Night Dress cases 23 inches tall. She has a felt face with yarn hair in plaits and felt hands and wears a wonderful felt outfit. Unfortunately her elaborate felt hat is missing but if you look at my other article Norah Wellings Night Dress Cases Part 1 you will see the catlogue photograph. She appears in the 1936 and 1938 catalogues but seems to have been discontinued after this.
'Italian' Model 986. One of the earlier models. She is 21 inches tall with felt head, mohair wig and felt arms. She has a felt skirt with Art Silk top and scarf and velvet bodice.
One of the earlier 'Spanish' Lady Dolls Model 985. She is 21 inches tall with felt head,yarn hair, Outfit made of Art Silk with Felt Flowers.
Another photo of the same model 'Spanish Lady' this one has her beautiful beaded mantilla head accessory sewn on ear rings and lots of bangles and beads. Thank you to Valerie Rose for sharing this photograph.
'Spanish' Lady Model 995. She is an earlier doll from around 1933. She is 21 inches tall with felt head and cotton yarn hair. Her outfit is Art Silk and her shoes are also of the same material.
Another 'Spanish' Model 995 showing a different colour combination than the above photo and she also has a matching head scarf and shawl as shown in the catalogue
This Night Dress Case is called 'Yachting Girl' Model number 992, she appears in a catalgue from the Ocean Trading Company in the 1930's but I have not yet found her in a Norah Wellings Catalogue so she may have been made especially to purchase on board Cruise Ships. She is 21 inches tall with felt head, painted features, ears and mohair wig. She has cotton hands and her outfit is made of Art Silk.
'Old English' Lady Night Dress Case. There are many variations of Norah Wellings Night Dress Cases called Old English as you can see by the photographs below. I am not sure of the model number of this doll, she is from the 1930's. Standing 21 inches tall with felt head and felt arms. She wears an outfit of Art Silk with felt trim, her hat is art silk with felt inner lining and she carries felt flowers.
'Old English' Model 987, one of the earlier models from the 1930's slight variation in skirt from the catalogue. She is 21 inches tall with a felt head and felt arms. She has cotton yarn hair and her dress is made of Art Silk with felt flowers and she carries felt flowers in her hands.
Norah Wellings made a few variations of the Old English Model and this 'Old English' Model is 6017. She is a later model made after 1939.Pictured here in her original box. She is 20 inches tall with felt head, silk yarn hair. Her outfit is made of Art Silk and she wears lace fingerless gloves and holds felt flowers.
Another 'Old English' but this time model 6026.She is a later model after 1939. She has felt head and cotton arms with velvet dress and hat. Her shoes are also velvet and they have shaped heels. In the late 1940's a similar Night Dress Case but with a more child like face Model 6047 was made. She had the same outfit but no heels on her shoes and she was made right up to the last catalogue in 1958
This is one of Night Dress Cases seen in the earlier catalogues she is called 'Negress' Model 980. She is 21 inches tall with Veleteen Head and hands with Art Silk Outfit.
'Mexican' Lady Model 984 shown in one of the earlier catalogues. She is 23 inches tall with a velveteen head and hands, wearing a Veleveteen and Felt Outfit.
Norah Wellings made a few different models in Dutch Outfits this is one of her later ones made after 1939 and was made right up until the last catalogue in 1959.She has a child like face rather than a lady. She is called 'Dutch' Model 6027. She is 21 inches tall with felt head and painted features, mohair wig. Her velvet body and arms are an integral part of her outfit with cotton hands. Her skirt is and hat are made of felt.
Earlier 'Dutch' Model 981.She is 20 inches tall with felt head and hands, she wears a red curly wig. Her top is velveteen and it is an integral part of her body with skirt and hat made of felt.
Norah Wellings 'Jap' she is one of the earlier dolls shown in the early 1930's and was not made after 1939. She is Model 988 and is 21 inches tall. She has a velvet head and hands. Her Hair is wool yarn and she has felt flowers in it. She wears a dress made of Art Silk and she has felt shoes.
I was sent this photo in the 1990's so I am afraid it is not very good but it is the only time I have seen this lady other than the catalogue. She is called 'Russian', Model K103 and she was the largest of the Night Dress cases 23 inches tall. She has a felt face with yarn hair in plaits and felt hands and wears a wonderful felt outfit. Unfortunately her elaborate felt hat is missing but if you look at my other article Norah Wellings Night Dress Cases Part 1 you will see the catlogue photograph. She appears in the 1936 and 1938 catalogues but seems to have been discontinued after this.
'Italian' Model 986. One of the earlier models. She is 21 inches tall with felt head, mohair wig and felt arms. She has a felt skirt with Art Silk top and scarf and velvet bodice.
One of the earlier 'Spanish' Lady Dolls Model 985. She is 21 inches tall with felt head,yarn hair, Outfit made of Art Silk with Felt Flowers.
'Spanish' Lady Model 995. She is an earlier doll from around 1933. She is 21 inches tall with felt head and cotton yarn hair. Her outfit is Art Silk and her shoes are also of the same material.
Another 'Spanish' Model 995 showing a different colour combination than the above photo and she also has a matching head scarf and shawl as shown in the catalogue
This Night Dress Case is called 'Yachting Girl' Model number 992, she appears in a catalgue from the Ocean Trading Company in the 1930's but I have not yet found her in a Norah Wellings Catalogue so she may have been made especially to purchase on board Cruise Ships. She is 21 inches tall with felt head, painted features, ears and mohair wig. She has cotton hands and her outfit is made of Art Silk.Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Norah Wellings Novelty Night Dress Cases, Part 1
I did have all the Norah Wellings Novelty Night Dress Cases on the side panel of my blog but I have decided to put them into a few Articles and explain more about them. You can also press on each picture to enlarge them which you couldn't do before.
Norah Wellings first introduced her Novelty Night Dress Cases in the early 1930's and I have an early catalogue not dated possibly 1933 and it shows nine Lady Novelty Night Dress Cases. I have put the three pages of the catalogue here for you to see.
The catalogue pages show different models, they were also made in smaller Handkerchief sizes but I will write about those in another article.The following are the model numbers, names and sizes to correspond with the catalogue pages.
Model 987 'Old English' 21 inches
Model 989 'Dutch' 21 1/2 inches
Model 985 'Spanish' 21 inches
Model 980 'Negress' 20 inches
Model 981 'Dutch' 20 inches
Model 982 'Eastern Lady' 20 inches
Model 986 'Italian' 21 inches
Model 988 'Jap' 22 inches
Model 984 'Mexican' 23 inches
This photo shows the Norah Wellings Stand at the 1934 British Industry Fair in England, here you can see the models from the catalogue. Although you can see some of the Dolls wearing their outfits the same as those in the catalogue it is not unusual to see other materials substituted. This makes collecting more interesting to find a Doll looking very different than those pictured although they still carry the same model number.
Image taken from the 1936 Catalogue a fabulous Lady called 'Russian' Model K103
This is a catalogue page from 1938. There are three models 'Dutch', Model K101 who can also been seen in the 1936 catalogue and two new models, 'Old English', Model 6017 and 'Old English',Model 6016.
A Catalogue Page from 1950. These Night Dress Cases where probably introduced in the late 1940's but where discontinued before 1958.There are no names in this catalogue only the numbers but I feel Models 6049 and 6050 would be 'Old English' and Model 6048 possibly 'Italian'. This catalogue featured six Night Dress Cases including the three in the photograph below.
This is a page from the last catalogue in 1958 and these are the only Norah Wellings Night Dress Cases to be listed.The first is 'Dutch' model 6027, 'Italian' Model 6045 and 'Old English', Model 6047.
In the next article I will add photographs that I have taken of some of the Norah Wellings Novelty Night Dress Cases that are still in or have passed through my own collection.
Norah Wellings first introduced her Novelty Night Dress Cases in the early 1930's and I have an early catalogue not dated possibly 1933 and it shows nine Lady Novelty Night Dress Cases. I have put the three pages of the catalogue here for you to see.
The catalogue pages show different models, they were also made in smaller Handkerchief sizes but I will write about those in another article.The following are the model numbers, names and sizes to correspond with the catalogue pages.
Model 987 'Old English' 21 inches
Model 989 'Dutch' 21 1/2 inches
Model 985 'Spanish' 21 inches
Model 980 'Negress' 20 inches
Model 981 'Dutch' 20 inches
Model 982 'Eastern Lady' 20 inches
Model 986 'Italian' 21 inches
Model 988 'Jap' 22 inches
Model 984 'Mexican' 23 inches
This photo shows the Norah Wellings Stand at the 1934 British Industry Fair in England, here you can see the models from the catalogue. Although you can see some of the Dolls wearing their outfits the same as those in the catalogue it is not unusual to see other materials substituted. This makes collecting more interesting to find a Doll looking very different than those pictured although they still carry the same model number.
Image taken from the 1936 Catalogue a fabulous Lady called 'Russian' Model K103
This is a catalogue page from 1938. There are three models 'Dutch', Model K101 who can also been seen in the 1936 catalogue and two new models, 'Old English', Model 6017 and 'Old English',Model 6016.
A Catalogue Page from 1950. These Night Dress Cases where probably introduced in the late 1940's but where discontinued before 1958.There are no names in this catalogue only the numbers but I feel Models 6049 and 6050 would be 'Old English' and Model 6048 possibly 'Italian'. This catalogue featured six Night Dress Cases including the three in the photograph below.
This is a page from the last catalogue in 1958 and these are the only Norah Wellings Night Dress Cases to be listed.The first is 'Dutch' model 6027, 'Italian' Model 6045 and 'Old English', Model 6047.
In the next article I will add photographs that I have taken of some of the Norah Wellings Novelty Night Dress Cases that are still in or have passed through my own collection.
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year
Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas And A Happy, Healthy And Prosperous 2012.
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