HISTORY OF COSTUME SERIES
This series of dolls in authentic English period costume was the starting point of my business and has only in recent years been overtaken by the dolls house dolls featured in previous pages. Like their smaller cousins, they are completely original pieces of work, made from cotton stockinette over a wire frame, with moulded heads and hand painted features. Unlike the twelfth scalers, however, they are not meant to be posed or 'played with' and are permanently fixed to their own hand turned wooden bases. This latter is the only part of the operation where I have any help, as they are made from reclaimed timber by my husband.
The scale of these dolls is approximately one eighth. Not counting the bases, the children stand about 6 inches (15cm) high, the ladies about 8 inches (20 cm) and the gentlemen about 9 inches (23cm). Including bases, hats and hair-do's they can be a maximum of 10 1/2 inches (27cm) high. If you especially require a doll in this size to be posed, seated for example, it will need to be made to order, but can be done. A number of my little people have gone to model makers and are currently cruising in some very fine vessels.
As you will see, the whole collection builds up into a fair summary of the history of English costume and can be a useful source of reference in history lessons. It is important to note, however, that the dolls in this range represent only the wealthy and leisured classes, as they were the trend setters of their day.
Each doll bears a silk label, dated with its year of making.
Prices are from £43 to £73, inclusive of postage within UK. However, I am still offering a SALE of some dolls at only £20 to clear older stock. Or now even better - buy any one of these for just £10 at the same time as another at full price!
There is now only one doll still in the Sale:
Gentleman of 1977
There is only one available and the replacement will be at
full list price, so it is 'first-come, first-served'.
Some of my longer-standing customers may think that these prices are now rather high, compared with what they used to be. However, quite apart from the usual inflationary process that has seen my costs rise continually, over the years I have been gradually improving the construction of my dolls and each development has added to the time it takes to make them. The current prices go only some way towards covering this extra time and are still very reasonable for the amount of work involved. The dolls offered at sale prices were made before the latest improvements.
Please note that all these dolls are not suitable for children and are an adult collector's item only.
Below is a copy of the Care Notes that I enclose with every doll sold. It may help to answer questions about their use.
Thank you
for choosing a
Teresa Thompson Costume Cavalcade doll for your collection.I hope it will give you many years of pleasure. Here are a few points that may help:-
1. Most importantly remember that this is a collector
’s item, not a toy and should not be given to children under 14 years of age.2. The figure is fixed to the wooden base and should not be removed.
3. Although the doll is wired it is not intended to be posed. Any wire will eventually break if repeatedly bent back and forth in the same place.
4. The entire doll is made from fabric but is not washable. It should be protected from sunlight, dust and damp.
5. Costumes are fixed in place and are not removable.
6. This is not the correct size for a dolls house. A full range of dolls in one twelfth scale is available for that purpose. See my website or ask if you would like to receive a list.
7. If you have any problems, do not hesitate to contact me.
Finally, if you are dissatisfied with a doll for any reason you may return it to me within 14 days for refund or replacement.