Antique Doll Fetches $25,100 on eBay

James Massey sent me this piece in the hopes that it might be of interest to my readers. I thought it was fascinating. The video clip reminds me of what you see when you watch Pawn Stars...old stuff with interesting history. The doll that gets sold for $3000 is not a restored doll as was the one in the eBay auction

Source: WhatSellsBest.com

 An extremely rare Thomas Edison Talking Doll has fetched $25,100 on eBay. A pretty good price for an item many considered to be a huge flop (for Edison), back in the day.

**See more photos on eBay

The seller stated (in the eBay listing) that they had purchased the doll at an auction, which was selling the contents of a midwest Phonograph Museum.
They also described the dolls condition as being exceptional, stating; "Due to the amazing condition of the doll we assume that the she has undergone a complete professional restoration at some time." The talking mechanism (minus the cylinder) was also intact.

Why's It Rare?

According to historians, Edison invented the talking doll in 1877. He then spent several years developing the doll before introducing it to the marketplace in 1890. Unfortunately for Edison, the doll was a huge flop. Apparently the hand-cranked mechanism was too fragile to be used by children. This often led to them breaking and being returned.
On the Science Channel in an 'Oddities' episode which featured an Edison Talking Doll (video below) it was stated that only a few hundred were sold before the doll was discontinued. Because of this, originals in good condition with the talking mechanism, are extremely rare.
The $25,000 price, places the Edison Doll among some of the top earning dolls we've followed on eBay thus far. (See: Ten Top Dolls previously sold on eBay)

Auction Data & Statistics

The Edison Doll received 81 bids from 14 bidders over the course of 10 days. The opening bid on November 8th, was $99. The final bid was $25,100. The eBay view-counter recorded over 1,300 visitors to the listing. The auction ended on Sunday, November 18 (2012), at 5:01pm Pacific Standard Time.
For more information and close-up photos of the doll see; **eBay auction listing; #230879180702 (auction links may expire after 90 days).

Ajuma is in the House!

Ajuma, Paul Pham's newest Numina (LE50) has arrived in time for the holidays. She has definitely cheered me up.

Her hard cap made by Chewin is beyond unique.

I've had several Numina and always wound up trading them for other dolls due to the difficulty I had with the knee joint. But a little birdie told me I could wire the knees which will firm them up and give me the stability I desire in a BJD. I'm going to have to do the same with my Ficon Leonie.

Pants pockets are trimmed with zipper teeth.

 I love the colors she is wearing.

Pink Suede Boots

 Numina have the largest feet of all my BJDs.

Fooling around with Photoshop.

Link: Paul Pham @ Dollcis

Nigel Chia's "DeMuse Doll"

 

The LE 5 debut DeMuse doll may be sold out but you can check Nigel Chia's website for a fascinating selection of photographs of the creation of the doll and more. 

Here is the link: http://www.demusedoll.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html

And in other good news, Ajuma has arrived. She will have plenty of camera time soon.

Paulette Goodreau Announces Her Retirement

Paulette of Goodreau Doll  has announced that she and Annette are retiring from the doll manufacturing business.  Here is the copy of her post on Facebook:

Annette and i have decided that we are retiring from the doll manufacturing business. I am still going to be a doll artist but it will be ooaks, designs for other companys, and perhaps some small runs of resin and vinyl for my charity projects.

As a lot of you know my Mom has alzeheimers and her health has declined. I want to be able to help my sister Mary with her care. We are also in limbo with a move to the east, 4 super old dogs, and 3 young pups! I want to take care of them and the doll companys just take so much of my time. They have been very profitable for us and allowed us to give back, but sometimes money is not everything. Sometimes time is much important.

The remainder of Goodreau Doll merchandise is moving to Toona Roona, we hope to make the transition in the next three weeks. Till then my goodreau doll website is down, you will be redirected to the toona roona website, and hopefully be able to order sometime in Dec. I am working

as fast as I can to pack the goodreau stock up.

I will still be at modern doll and i will be mentoring a few more artists this year. So i am still around and I still am working on what I would like to do with MIM, sell it, or close it down. Annette has encouraged me to start writing so perhaps after i sort MIM out I will finishthe 4 books i am working on!!!!

We have done so much in the last 7 years i feel so very fortunate. Annette and i with the help of all of you have built successful companys and we have been able to help generate or directly give tens of thousands of dollars to charity. We will continue to do many charitable projects and continue to give what we can to a world that has given us so much. Love you all Paulette

Second 2012 W Club Exclusive FR Doll

"Out Sass" Vanessa Perrin is dressed in a stunning mix of color and styles.

Out Sass
Vanessa Perrin Dressed Doll
Fall 2012 FR W Club Exclusive
Suggested Retail Price: $125

Limited Edition: TBA 

Special W Club Member Pricing: $125.00

Approximate Ship Date: Late Winter/Early Spring 2013

 IT calls it retro-chic; I call it talent. It's plain to see that the person who designed this outfit is not the same one who designed some of the convention collection's outfits (e.g. Veronique, Kyori, Vanessa.) The handbag is the only missed note of the entire fashion. It should have either been bigger or made to be a cool clutch.

I can only hope that it fits well because it looks like something is going on with the pleat at the back of the skirt.

Why is posing pigeon-toed so popular?

 This is Vanessa Redux 3 although in this photo, she looks like an awfully close relative of Poppy Parker.

Dior Noël au Printemps - Windows

At Le Printemps department store in Paris, the Dior window display is wonderful.