old doll, repair or keep as is?
 

I have my doll from 1946 and the fabric body is ok. The arms and legs have no holes or tears but are some sort of vinyl that has discolored terribly. The head is good, eyes still open and close, no wig. I was going to toss her out and my husband brought her back from the trash. Now I have decided to keep her but I would like to replace the arms and legs. Her name is Twila. What do you think? Is she worth keeping? Should I make some clothes for her and leave as she is or get new limbs? Where would I get new limbs?

Keep her, make her long sleeved clothing to cover the discolored arms and long skirt the legs. imho

I agree, don't replace anything. You can buy all sorts of doll clothes for covering them up if you don't like to sew them. some day some one will want to look at how things were really made ( in the olden days!)

Have you googled about her? There are doll collectors out there that may be able to help you know more about the doll. I am glad you are keeping her...you'd may have been sorry later.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]353732[/ATTACH] Here are a few friends she can play with!!:o

Nygal, The doll on the right (that you posted) should have some other kind of wig. That one is saran and does not suit the doll. She is very pretty otherwise.

Seasidegal, Your doll is probably a migic skin baby. If there are no holes in the magic skin, don't replace anything on her but clothes. I have one also that I received for Christmas in or about 1945. Her arms and legs are blackened but she still has her original clothes and blanket. Don't throw yours away and don't replace anything but clothes and then only if you don't have the originals.

My other weakness... dollies! I love these! Can I play with them, too?

There are tons of sites that can help you decide what to do about your dolly. My vote would be leave her as is (unless her skin is flaking off). Could you post a picture of her?

I like dollies too. Mine are maybe 10-15 years old. I'm not wild about old things.

Being a collector of antique dolls and having restored many, it is best to leave them in their original condition. You should see if you can find out what she was originally dressed in when she was new and make her a new dress just like it. Depending on size, sometimes older small children's clothing can be adapted to fit. Good luck and enjoy her! I've got almost 100 dolls hanging around in display cases at my home starting with the German bisque heads from back in the late 1800's.

Looks like some of mine! I LOVE my old girls.

Yes, keep her as she is and maybe find a vintage doll dress and put her on a shelf or make her a dress. I would have loved it if I had a doll from my mother. She was a child during that time frame and lived in post war torn Europe. She had no toys. I think it is very special and if you don't want her maybe some one else would.

Do you collect German or French dollies? I want a Hilda so bad I can taste it!

As you can see by my Avatar, I'm an old doll lover too.. and am SO glad that your husband retrieved yours from the trash pile! You should google UFDC (United Federation of Doll Collectors) for more information about your dolls. I've been a member for many years, and have made many friends through that organization. Also there are many reference books available, so check out your local library, Amazon, and Ebay.. Your dolls will usually have a manufacturer's name and a mold number impressed in the bisque head on the back. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what you learn about your great old German dolls.

I bought my very first antique doll on time payments, and she's a 27" standing Hilda.. Told the lady I bought her from that it would take me years to pay her off, but when I set my mind to it found other things that I could sell, and got her out of layaway in just a few months.. that was about 30 years ago! And altho my collection has grown since then, she's still my favorite doll..

She is wonderful. The only doll I ever remember getting was when I was little. She was not even 12 inches high, had a tiny body and wet a diaper (I was 9 years old) (which was the only clothes she had) I got a doll house of tin once and skates that worked with a key to tighten onto shoes. I don't remember ever having any other toys. I had a brother and we didn't get many things growing up, as parents didn't have much money. Thanks for sharing those dolls. Glad your DH rescued it from the trash. I'd be busy hugging that doll all the time. Please hang onto it. They are all wonderful. Make new clothes if you want, but hang onto the ones you have. Thanks for sharing. Bivkry

I have a By-lo Baby that belonged to my sister. It still has the original dress. It is over 80 years old and has some broken fingers but they told me not to try to have them replaced. My real love is making cloth dolls but I don't have much time for that--too many necessary things to do.

I still have Georgia, my favorite doll (official name Burpie because when you gave her a bottle and squeezed her, she burped). She's about 60 years old and her vinyl arms and legs are pretty much rotted. Her hands are okay so I just gave her a nice new dress and put her next to the picture of her christening and she's very happy. Don't change yours, just love her. (the christening - 3 of us took turns being mother, godmother and priest for our dolls. Once our dolls were baptized we went and bought candy and that was the party; when I found my friend Georgia after 35 years I showed her the pictures and we had a good laugh)

I used to love my barbie dolls!

I am beyond jealous! :hunf: LOL! I've just always loved Hilda! Is yours a baby Hilda or a little girl Hilda?

My Hilda is a toddler... has the slanted hip joints.. and is so big that she wears antique baby clothes and shoes. Also, she is wigged.. I would love to have a solid dome head Hilda, but probably never happen now..

Most of my baby dolls are smaller and just the right size for a larger doll to hold..

And you just never what dolly will be coming to you in the future.. They just keep on surprising me..