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

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

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

Norah Wellings Fairy

                                         
                Norah Wellings Fairy Dolls

Christmas is nearly upon us and what better way to add to the Christmas spirit and end the year with Norah Wellings Fairy Dolls. A big thank you to all those who sent me a photo. I do hope you enjoy seeing them and also the catalogue illustration and the photograph from  British Industry Fair.

                                   
 Norah Wellings Norene model 3200 from the 1940's Catalogue 

Thank you to Joanna Bess for sharing her gorgeous Fairy Doll model 3200. She has a newer felt sash added to her outfit. She does vary from the catalogue photo but this does happen with certain models when they are produced for a few years. I think she is wonderful .  

 Norah Wellings Dollymine Doll. She does not have wings and may never have had them but she has the similar little dress with satin pants and shoes. She is 9 inches tall and made in the 1940's.

This photograph was taken in 1952 at the  British Industry Fair showing one of the Norah Wellings Display Stands. It shows Fairies and  Elves playing together.

This lovely photograph was taken by Heather Kendall and shows one of the Fairy Dolls shown in the 1952 Norah Wellings Display Stand. I have not seen her in any of the catalogues yet. Standing 9 inches tall. She would be one of Norah Wellings Character Dolls ( known before 1950 as Novelty Dolls).



Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas. I hope Santa brings you a Norah Wellings or Two.

I Do Hope 2017 Will Be Happy, Healthy and Prosperous.

Very Best Wishes
Gill

Norah Wellings Dolls on The Queen Mary Cruise Ship

                                 
 Norah Wellings Dolls  in the 'Queen Mary' Childrens Playroom 



 
If you click on this photograph it will enlarge.

 This is a postcard produced for the Cunard White Star Line for the  ' Queen Mary' Maiden Voyage in 1936. It shows the Childrens Playroom. Many Norah Wellings were sold on board Cruiser Ships but this is the first time I have actually seen a photo of a Playroom for the Children showing Norah Wellings Dolls to be played with.  It is amazing how many there are and considering they are cloth dolls how long they would have survived. Sorry the picture is not very good but I have tried to highlight the different models , they are, Norene Old Lady model 893 and Man model 894. Two Norene Dolls in Mexican Outfits,  Girl model 876 and Boy model 885. You can also see a Jollyboy Sailor model 139 playing with a ship and in the foreground looks to be a Norene Boy model 851 with golf clubs.  There is also a Dutch Boy model 854 playing or pushing the organ. All these models were available in the 1936 catalogue and I would expect for sale on board ship This would have been a very good marketing ploy if your Child had been playing with a doll and not wanting to leave it in the Playroom the parent could then go upstairs and buy one. Once again sorry for the poor quality photograph but  I just had to share.

I thought you might like to see the photo's of the dolls from the 1936 catalogue that are shown in the 'Queen Mary' postcard.  The picture of the Golfer is a very like the earlier Cora models. In  1936 there were two Norene Golfers , this one was also seen in earlier catalogues and did not appear in the 1937 catalogue. The other Norene Golfer model 3126 has the slimmer face with heart shape face and appeared up to 1939. I will feature the Golfers in a later article. Always remember various colour combinations than those shown in the catalogues were  also used and sometimes even different materials.  I do hope you enjoy seeing these Wonderful Dolls.