Have you seen this charming doll? The sweet face reminds me alot of Effanbee's Patsy family of dolls!!

I found the dolls I'm going to present today in the July/Aug. 1998 issue of Patsy & Friends Newsletter, Volume II-#66 in an article by Patsy Moyer.

I was particularly intrigued because this particular doll is indicative of Romania, my husband's homeland.

For that reason I would really like to find this doll; maybe after this study you'll find one that touches your heartstrings, too.

Her name is Marguerita, one of the most common names found in Romania.

  While I'm sure many of you have seen the small plastic tourist dolls featured on eBay, you may not be familiar with this 13" composition doll with unique facial characteristics which feature regional costumes indicative to the specific countries they represent.

The ones I am showing all have side glancing eyes, molded hair under mohair wigs and have hangtags.

Made with a well finished composition, they have jointed gently curved arms, pouty mouths, one line painted eyebrows and eyelashes painted above their brown irises. Their black pupils each have a dot of white for accent. The fingers are molded together.

Since little research has been done on these dolls, this might be a great project for either someone new to doll collecting -- a great adventure trying to find one of these older composition dolls which are believed to have survived with little crazing -- or, for the doll aficianado looking for something new and unique to add to their collection.

Wouldn't this be a treasure for anyone's collection?

Ethnic or tourist dolls of this quality are believed to have been made in the 1930s or 1940s.

Although they were promoted as educational, these dolls were available in shops where tourists were known to visit and often wound up in the traveler's personal collection or were brought back for a cherished friend or relative. Therefore, it is thought that most of the remaining ones are still maintained in private homes.

It might be quite an accomplishment to find someone like Katrinka from Holland.

Okay, you've read the study and here are some fine books used for it and which offer insight on these and other special dolls; see if you can find one of these rare dollies!!

African and Asian Costumed Dolls, 1995, Polly and Pam Judd, Hobby House Press Compo Dolls, 1928-1955, Polly and Pam Judd, 1991, Hobby House Press European Costumed Dolls, 1994, Polly and Pam Judd, Hobby House Press Modern Collectible Dolls, Vol 1, 1997, Patsy Moyer, Collector Books and of course, the newsletter noted above. Or, you can order the newsletter and find many Patsy treats on the Patsy & Friends webpage.

UPDATE!!! Perserverance pays off -- it is not even a month since I presented this on the eBay Doll Chat Board and I am now the proud owner of these wonderful Tourist dolls -- notice I captured my prized Romania for my husband!! Going after Katrinka next!!hehe

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