Lot 986
RARE JULES STEINER DOLL & DOLLS TRUNK a rare 19thc Series B doll, with fixed blue eyes, closed mouth and pierced ears. With a Motschmann body and squeaker mechanism, with composition arms and hands, and bisque legs and feet. Also with a 19thc dolls trunk and a variety of dolls clothing. Doll marked, Sie, B, 3/0, and written inside the head with the name Celestine. 9ins (23cms) high *The doll belonged to the vendors Mother Evelyn Bridget Shirley nee Phelps (1913-2001), who named the doll Celestine. She may have had the doll from her early years at Edgbaston, Birmingham, and when she was growing up in Five Ashes in Sussex. In the 1930's she was Assistant Stage Manager at the Old Vic in London, and during WW2 she worked for displaced people in Italy for the Red Cross. It is probable that the doll was given to Evelyn by her mother Ethel May Phelps nee Kitson (1874-1945), who was from Leeds originally.
Condition report:
There is a small line above the right ear, which runs from the rim of the head towards the ear. It’s very small, around 0.5cm and very difficult to see on the images and in person. As you turn the head it sometimes disappears from view, so it is very feint. It could be a very feint hairline, or possibly done in manufacture. There is small chip to the left of the right ear (see image), the arms and hands are dirty and the feet are ok. It has been in the family probably since new, and has been untouched as you can see. The head is a little grubby and probably needs a very careful clean.
