FARNELL DOLLS
English Cloth Dolls | History | Internet Doll Research | Chad Valley | Dean's Rag Book Co. | Farnell | Harwin |
Liberty of London | Norah Wellings | More Information | Works Cited
Liberty of London | Norah Wellings | More Information | Works Cited
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HISTORY
J.K.Farnell & company also manufactured cloth dolls during the heyday of the 20s and 30s. They were founded in 1871 by Agnes Farnell, and used the trademark “Alpha Toys”. They are more commonly known for teddy bears than dolls. “They were originally silk merchants and went into soft toy production in 1897.” (Brown)
In the early days, they used natural skins to make their soft toys, but by 1925 the artist Chloe Preston used modern fabric for dolls and toys.
Their Alpha Cherub dolls and Joy Day dolls can easily be confused with Norah Wellings of Chad Valley. They were marked with labels sewn to their feet - but these labels often disappear with time and use. I know, as a child, I hated labels and would carefully remove them all. Dolls are real people, after all, and should NOT be labeled!!
J.K. Farnell Company produced a Peter Pan doll and contributed the proceeds to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children as part of the J.M. Barrie bequest. (Pollocks)
They also produced wonderful portrait dolls. Of particular note, is the one that was made of King Edward VIII, which was released only briefly and quickly withdrawn when he abdicated for the throne. Because it is so rare, it is also expensive. The portrait doll for King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II, is equally beautiful, but more common and less expensive.
The company went out of business in 1968.
In the early days, they used natural skins to make their soft toys, but by 1925 the artist Chloe Preston used modern fabric for dolls and toys.
Their Alpha Cherub dolls and Joy Day dolls can easily be confused with Norah Wellings of Chad Valley. They were marked with labels sewn to their feet - but these labels often disappear with time and use. I know, as a child, I hated labels and would carefully remove them all. Dolls are real people, after all, and should NOT be labeled!!
J.K. Farnell Company produced a Peter Pan doll and contributed the proceeds to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children as part of the J.M. Barrie bequest. (Pollocks)
They also produced wonderful portrait dolls. Of particular note, is the one that was made of King Edward VIII, which was released only briefly and quickly withdrawn when he abdicated for the throne. Because it is so rare, it is also expensive. The portrait doll for King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth II, is equally beautiful, but more common and less expensive.
The company went out of business in 1968.