| Baby Phyllis | Chinese Doll |
| Queen Louise | |
| Rosebud | |
| Unmarked Doll | |
The stories on this page come from doll lovers around the world who have bought a doll from the collection of Lillian Mae Wiskur.
Queen Louise, at home in Poland
Doll collector and fashion designer Izabela Kulesza has given Queen Louise a new home and a stylish look.
Izabela's website: www.uniquefashion.pl
Iza's website is in Polish, but the fascinating photos and art transcend any language.
A little background on Izabela, translated for us by Lydia Janik:
Iza Kulesza is a quite famous Polish fashion designer. She designs mainly wedding gowns as well as evening apparel. She has designed clothing for numerous Polish film and music industry stars. She graduated from the Fine Arts Academy in Lodz with a degree in clothing design. She has been recognized as one of the most prestigious contemporary fashion designers, and she received her first "Golden Thread" award. Her clothes adorn movie stars and are a common feature in many fashion magazines in Poland...I am sure her doll collection inspires her designs.
Queen Louise with her beautiful bisque face, fur eyebrows and stately posture
A new dress for our mystery "Frenchy" doll
Katja writes: I just want to thank you for the doll I bought from you - she is so beautiful. I found the number 15 on the socket of her head, but I still don't know her maker. The dress was too large (I will restore it when I get a larger doll), but I found another really pretty dress for her and am sending you a pic. Thanks again!
Best regards, Katja
Lillian had originally dressed this doll in silk and lace as pictured. We think the doll looks French, but there is no maker's mark.
The only mark on the doll or the doll body is an incised "15." The dress we had on the doll was too big, so Katja re-dressed her in elegant simplicity (see photo top).
*Send an e-mail if you recognize the maker of this doll. The only marking is a number "15" on the socket of her head.
Click for more photos of this doll!
Note: I had a doll expert write to say she thought our mystery doll has Kestner features. She writes:
Also her wig is newer vintage from 1950-1960 based on wig cap, type of mohair and side clips, typical of early dollspart replacement wigs. Kestner and Simon Halbig did make some heads for French market, though her body does appear German.Interesting doll!
Dolls & Teddy Bear Collectors and Artists Around the World:
Puppen Magazine in Hamburg, Germany
Max and Niesje Wolters in the Netherlands
Steffies in the Netherland
Baby Phyllis finds a new home!
Her new owner writes: ...once I received Baby Phyllis, I re-attached her head, found a diaper and slip for her, put her dress on, and sat her in the lap of my AM Dream Baby doll. She is simply beautiful and I just adore her! Baby Phyllis has found a loving and permanent home.
I am only 41, and will collect dolls until my final days! I have told my boyfriend and my parents that if anything ever happens to me, I would like my diverse doll collection to go to a museum or other organization where they will be cared for and appreciated.
I have never wanted children (although I do like kids), so these are my children... -Beth
Ada writes: As you can see, Rosebud is in good company with some of the other dolls I have in my collection. Where she is seated, everyone who comes to our house sees her...and loves her. I have many other dolls, but she is the oldest so far.
My husband keeps saying we have no room for more, but there’s always room in my heart for Rosebud!
I felt Rosebud needed something on her head, and then saw this outfit on eBay. And, although it is not antique, it looks beautiful on her. - Ada Fernandez
Before and After: a new dress and bonnet for Rosebud
©Patricia Wiskur 2011
Last updated August 23, 2011
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