Press Room - Select Jane Withers Dolls (Presale)

ALL DOLLED UP!
CHILDHOOD STAR JANE WITHERS TOURS THE NATION WITH HER DOLLS…ONE LAST TIME

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jacquelyn Freburger
jacquelyn@cca-pr.com or 410.975.9001

Download Image

36. Studio-Size English Cloth Royal Guard by Norah Wellings
34". Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, brown upper glancing eyes, thick black upper eyeliner and lashes, black brows, closed mouth with firmly set lips, brown mohair wig, felt body with jointed shoulders and hips. Wearing elaborate red and blue felt uniform of the Royal Guard with silver buttons, braid trim, belt with artillery bags, black fleecy hat with chin strap, leather shoes. Marked "Made in England by Norah Wellings" on cloth tag. Circa 1935. $1100/1400

"I named this doll Freddie Bartholomew after my dear friend and fellow child star. Freddie was truly like a brother to me. He starred in "Captain Courageous" and "Little Lord Fauntleroy" during the 1930’s and we were nearly inseparable."

Download Image

49. Studio Size English Cloth Character Doll by Norah Wellings
32". Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, very large blue side-glancing eyes with black upper eyeliner and lashes, feathered brows, accented nostrils and eye corners, closed mouth with impressed dimples at lip corners and philtrum, brunette mohair wig, felt body with jointing at shoulders and hips. Wearing blue and white print romper suit with black belt and bow tie, blue felt jacket, shawl, blue knit stockings and black shoes. Marked "Made in England by Norah Wellings". Circa 1935. $1100/1400

"I named my blue coat boy Peter Lawford because I bought it just about the same time Peter came over from England to star in the 1938 movie, "Lord Jeff," and we became good friends. He was fifteen then and a real flirt. The doll’s expression reminded me of him."

Download Image

50. American Golden Teddy Bear
21". Golden brown mohair teddy in stiff standing position with unjointed neck and legs, upturned nose with brown embroidered tip, brown glass eyes, stitched nose, jointed short arms, straw-filling, felt paw-pads. Decorated with red and white striped bow tie, and patriotic ribbon and flag. Circa 1935. $300/400

"This teddy bear was a gift to me from the great child actor, Alfalfa (Switzer), who is most known for his part in the Our Gang series. I played with him in "In Wild and Wooly" and "Gift of Love." He was a wonderful person."

Download Image

96A. Large Cloth "The Goof" for Walt Disney Productions
27" including hat. Velvet-faced comical figure has cream velvet muzzle and mouth with black velvet top of head and elongated throat, elaborate stitch-shaped construction of muzzle with black stitched ribbing, black velvet nose, white felt teeth, white felt over-sized eyes with large black pupils and grey eyelids, cream sateen armature body with over-sized orange muslin shoes and brown undersoles. Wearing grey serge shirt with patches, orange vest and cap, blue pants, white rayon gloves. Marked "The Goof Copyright Walt Disney Productions" in stamp on foot base. Circa 1935. $500/700

"I admired Walt Disney so much and we were grand friends. One day he came by in his pick-up truck – he always drove this old truck – and said we were going on a picnic. We drove to Orange County that was then just a wide expanse of orange groves, and with a wave of his arm over the entire valley he told me of a dream he envisioned for an amusement park unlike any other, and one that would bring the whole world together. He asked me what I thought of his idea and I said ‘Why it’s a grand thought because it really is a small world, after all.’ Later he told me that day inspired his theme ride "It’s a Small World" in which dolls and more dolls set out to see the world. Anyway, at the end of the day he gave me this wonderful Goofy and said it was the first model of a line of comic character dolls he had designed. I’ve always cherished it."

Download Image

102. American Composition "Jane Withers" by Alexander in Exclusive Studio Costume from 1935 Film "This Is The Life"
19". Composition socket head, brown sleep eyes, mohair lashes, painted lower lashes, feathered brows, open mouth with slightly parted lips, row of teeth, brunette mohair curly wig, composition five piece jointed body. Wearing rayon custom made taffeta Scottish costume. Alexander, circa 1935. $1100/1500

The doll-sized version of the costume worn by Jane Withers in the 1935 film, "This Is The Life" was made especially for this doll by the 20th Century studio wardrobe department and was presented to Jane as a gift.

Download Image

103. Charlie McCarthy Doll and Trunk from Edgar Bergen
34". Gesso-sculpted head portraying Charlie McCarthy has brown sculpted side-parted hair, painted facial features, large brown eyes with painted lashes, closed mouth with wide beaming smile, elongated throat, muslin stitch-jointed body, composition hands, painted white gloves, black shoes. Wearing gentleman’s formal suit with white pearl buttons, vest, bow-tie. Included with the doll is a metal steamer trunk with stenciled label and original travel paper label designating "Edgar Bergen, 6536 Sunset Boulevard". The doll and trunk, actually used by Edgar Bergen in his performances, were presented to Jane Withers from Edgar Bergen. Circa 1935. $700/900

"I was great friends with Edgar Bergen and we did several radio shows together. I was fascinated with the whole idea of ventriloquism and playing with Charlie McCarthy dolls was a wonderful fantasy past-time for me."

Download Image

109. American Composition "Shirley Temple" by Ideal in Original "Little Colonel" Costume
27". Composition socket head, sleep and "flirty" eyes, real lashes, painted lower lashes, feathered brows, open mouth, row of teeth, dimpled cheeks, blonde mohair wig in ringlet curls, five piece composition body. Wearing yellow nylon taffeta multi-tiered gown, lace trimmed muslin slip, petticoat and pantalets, lace-edged sunbonnet. Marked "Shirley Temple c. Ideal N&T. Co" on head and "Shirley Temple Doll, Registered US pat.Off." on costume. The doll is wearing costume based upon her role in the film "Little Colonel". Ideal, circa 1936. $700/900

"I adored Shirley. Our roles in "Bright Eyes" was a dream come true even though I was worried that everyone would hate me because I was mean to Shirley in the movie! But critics raved about my part and it made me famous so I was happy. The studio still thought I was jealous of all the attention she had, though, and one day my doorbell rang at home, and here was a special delivery to me, a big box with this beautiful doll I’ve kept all my life."

Download Image

118. American Composition "Princess Elizabeth" as Alexander
18". Composition socket head, sleep eyes, real lashes, painted curly lashes, dark eye shadow, feathered brows, open mouth, four teeth, blonde human hair, composition five piece body. Wearing riding habit comprising black velvet jacket, twill trousers, white shirt, tie, black fitted hat, boots. Marked "Princess Elizabeth Alexander Doll Co.". Alexander, circa 1936. $400/500

"The young English princesses were the same age as myself, and I was in total awe of them. I collected all the clippings I could find about them and made wonderful scrapbooks. Then one day a letter came from their nanny telling me that they were big fans of me – imagine! - and adding that recently the sisters had been reprimanded for copying some of the pranks I did in my films. Many years later I met the then Queen Elizabeth and was invited to stay at the Royal Guest House for seven days."

Download Image

120. American Composition "Princess Elizabeth" by Alexander
23". Composition socket head, sleep eyes, real lashes, painted curly lashes, dark eye shadow, feathered brows, open mouth, four teeth, blonde human hair, composition five piece body. Wearing pink nylon taffeta gown with puffed sleeves and matching reticule, slip, panties, shoes, socks, crown. Marked "Princess Elizabeth Alexander Doll Co. All rights reserved" on doll and costume. Alexander, circa 1936. $200/300

Download Image

138. American Portrait Doll of Gloria Vanderbilt by Margit Neilsen
21". Gesso figure of adult woman with one piece head and shapely torso, painted facial features, richly painted eyes with blue eye shadow, arched brows, closed mouth with full lips, elongated throat, blonde human hair in arranged coiffure, legs attached at hips, jointed shoulders with one piece curved arms. Wearing original burgundy velvet gown with lace sleeves and bodice edging. Marked "Margit Neilsen, 71 Fifth Avenue, New York" on back torso. Circa 1940, portrait doll of Gloria Vanderbilt, a presentation gift to Jane Withers. $400/500

Download Image

156. American Composition Mammy Designed by Tony Sarg
17". Brown composition head with flanged neck portraying adult woman in stereotypical manner, painted brown eyes, thick black eyeliner, broad nose, closed mouth with wide beaming smile, large lips, row of teeth, black mohair wig, brown muslin torso and upper arms and legs, painted brown arms, painted over-sized brown shoes. Wearing original red cotton dress with white muslin apron, undergarments, gold bangle earrings, and carrying composition baby with painted hair and facial features, wrapped in flannel bunting. Designed by Tony Sarg, circa 1937.
$400/500

Download Image

204. Doll-Sized Concrete "Hollywood Walk of Fame" Made for Jane Withers
32" x 63" in wooden frame. A reduced size version of a portion of the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, first created in Hollywood in 1958, was re-created for a exhibition of the Jane Withers dolls when they were displayed at The May Company, a Los Angeles department store, in the 1980’s. This reduced size version contains the actual signature of Jane Withers, along with faux-signatures of other noted stars. The hand prints are doll-sized and the entire display is sized for display with a collection of dolls. $400/600