Simon & Halbig 890

When I sold my last 2 flip dolls, I bought my Ugly New Lamp and had a little money left over. So I bought a new doll, too. She did cost more than the left-over money. But she’s cute.

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She is a Simon & Halbig 890, size 3 and she stands 7″ tall. I bought her on eBay from a dealer in France that I had dealt with before.

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As always, the first thing I did was undress her to examine her. She is marked 890 over 3 on the back of her head and body and 3 inside her arms. I couldn’t read the numbers on her legs.

She needs a bath. The kid lining at her neck is so discolored that it looks like a dirt ring. Hopefully, I won’t have to replace the kid, but will be able to clean it.

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Her sleep eyes work and the wax on her eyelids is intact.

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The wig is original, but pretty ratty. I will try to save it.

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Her Kate Greenaway style dress and bonnet are hand sewn/homemade and probably date from when she was made. It is cute, but I don’t think it flatters her.

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Her bonnet is very similar to a pattern in La Poupee Modele from 1896. They showed similar dresses, as well.

Yes, she will be a flip doll. I plan on making her some undies and a new dress, but I will sell her with her old dress as well.

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The first place I looked for inspiration for her new costume was my new book, Mesdemoiselles Mignonettes from yesterday and todayThe author has an affinity for Simon & Halbig mignonettes and features many of them in the book.

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I particularly like the BLUE dress on this doll and it looks like the pattern that came with the book is a similar style. I’d just have to resize the pattern.

But first, I’ll spend a few days flipping through more books, old auction catalogs, and my notebook of collected magazine clippings before I decide.

And she needs a bath. It’s hard to tell what color fabric will look best on her until I see what she really looks like under the dirt.

I recently bid on another doll on eBay and as the clock ticked down to zero I was the high bidder, but a sniper apparently got in at the last second and outbid me by $10. I was not happy. Does anyone want to take bets on whether the doll I lost will show up in a dealer’s booth at the December Gaithersburg doll show?

I bought this S&H 890 with the “Make an Offer” option on eBay and was happy that the dealer agreed to the price.

Maybe she needs a whole new trousseau…

Comments

Simon & Halbig 890 — 2 Comments

  1. She is wonderful! I’m looking forward to seeing how you save the wig. Please include that part although I imagine it is second nature for you. I struggle with wigs and don’t understand the “separate strands with a pin” thing. Your blog is really informative.

  2. If I can save the wig, I’ll be sure to show how I did it. “Separate strands with a pin” means use a straight pin to “comb” the wig.