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Skookum doll - how old and should I try and fix the head?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Bookahtoo, Jun 26, 2016.

  1. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    I got this doll at SA. The head is falling off because the thread is coming out of the "neck" - should I rethread it and tighten it up? I know this isn't real old - but I'm not sure of the age. Can any one help?
    Oh, and how much will the chips on the face affect value? Thanks. DSCN5165.JPG

    DSCN5155.JPG
    DSCN5156.JPG DSCN5161.JPG
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 26, 2016
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  2. GaleriaGila

    GaleriaGila Hola, y'all!

    GaleriaGila, Jun 26, 2016
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  3. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Thanks Gila!
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 26, 2016
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  4. GaleriaGila

    GaleriaGila Hola, y'all!

    'Twas my pleasure,
    Moderator!
     
    GaleriaGila, Jun 26, 2016
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  5. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    brown noser.....................:yawn::yawn:
     
    komokwa, Jun 26, 2016
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  6. GaleriaGila

    GaleriaGila Hola, y'all!

    Hater! :p
     
    GaleriaGila, Jun 26, 2016
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  7. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Suck up !!!:meh::wacky::wacky:
     
    komokwa, Jun 26, 2016
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  8. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

    Hee hee :woot:
     
    say_it_slowly, Jun 26, 2016
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  9. GaleriaGila

    GaleriaGila Hola, y'all!

    :bag:
     
    GaleriaGila, Jun 26, 2016
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  10. Ladybranch

    Ladybranch Well-Known Member

    Brook, the links GG listed are about the best you will find out there for Skookum doll info. I have one that an uncle gave me from a SW trip he took in 1947. Mine is a 7 1/2" woman wrapped in a blanket with paper tape covered feet ("paper tape moccasins replaced the leather ones c1940s).

    Without a label on a doll sometimes you can date it by their feet coverings and/or mask. It seems the earliest Skookums were apple heads. Composition masks were used from c1920 to c1940.

    "The earliest of these [composition masks] were somewhat primitive but as production increased new styles were added and the facial features became more refined."

    The plastic masks were introduced in the 1940s and continued into the 1960s.

    Nowwww the feet on yours are unusual. They do not have leather, paper taped or plastic molded moccasins. Somewhere I read that the earliest dolls sometimes didn't have feet. Yours do appear to have feet but covered in a fabric. On the following page the top pic in the right column shows a set of feet wrapped in a fabric; however, this is on an apple headed doll. I'm not sure if the mask on yours is composition or plastic. Composition dates c1920 to c1940. Plastic dates after 1940.

    http://www.skookumnews.com/past/v2n2spng2002/Pages/02feature.html

    How tall is your doll - The taller the more valuable. The eyes on yours are looking right as the big majority of them. A left looking doll are rarer; therefore, more valuable.

    --- Susan
     
    Ladybranch, Jun 26, 2016
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  11. GaleriaGila

    GaleriaGila Hola, y'all!

    Susan, that's all so coolio! What a good friend that doll is by now.
     
    GaleriaGila, Jun 26, 2016
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  12. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Thanks Susan.
    I assumed her face was composition but now I'm not so sure. It's almost like chalkware. I'll have to investigate further tomorrow.
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 26, 2016
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  13. Ladybranch

    Ladybranch Well-Known Member

    I think it is composition for have seen several Skookum dolls with damaged composition masks that have that same white chalky looking scratches. Is there anything on the bottom of the feet like the remnants of a label or a look like a tag might have been sewed on at one time?

    --- Susan
     
    Ladybranch, Jun 27, 2016
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  14. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Well - the head fell off, so here's some pictures of that:

    DSCN5241.JPG
    DSCN5242.JPG
    DSCN5244.JPG
    And the bottom of the feet:

    DSCN5246.JPG

    The feet are definitely made of wood. It looks like there are a few specks of paper stuck to the bottom of the right one in this picture.
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 27, 2016
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