2 new purchases- Tonner Wizard of Oz Miss Gulch & Anne Fitzpatrick schooldesk

I recently made two purchases on Ebay - one for my Anne Fitzpatrick doll. I have had a 1:4 scale dollhouse in mind for a long time in the planning stage for a long time now. I have so many large scale props that work for 16 -17 inch sized dolls. One of my fantasies for this dollhouse is it be a traditional 19th century style mansion, with servants, an old family , a country house , with parties, etc. as described in the Agatha Christie mystery novels around the turn of the century on the last dying dregs of the the  1st World War and the rumblings of WWll. The turn of the century is a gilded age era that is fascinating and allows for a certain extravagance in decorating and a mix of fashions. 

I first acuired this little schooldesk as where I work as a church secretary we have a library, and I spied this same little desk as a decor prop on one of the top shelves in the children's section! I took photos of it at work, measure it, and one day brought Anne to work and staged photos of her with it. She fit perfectly! I found a few of them on Ebay. I believe it is made by Enesco, but not sure. I am thinking of purchasing a few more for my schoolroom in the mansion, as my mansion will have a proper Governess appointed to teach the young ladies and young boys their lessons. They will be sisters, brothers and cousins of all the members living there. Of course, we will need a Governess, which comes to my next purchase- a grail doll- Tonner Miss Gulch Wicked Witch. I adore her outfit . This is the one where Miss Gulch is the nasty neighbor who demands to take Toto away from Dorothy on her bicycle in her basket with a warrant to the sheriff. And Dorothy calls her a wicked old Witch! lol. The dress is turn of the century and the hat and boots are perfect.

                                                   

                                          Miss Gulch with her hat and basket

                                                       

     Shown with the Wizard of Oz stand, which is quite worthless. That plastic top will not sit correctly and allow the doll to stand stable. 

          Miss Gulch shown with the desk for scale comparison. 

                                                       

     

                                                          

The desk has many tiny details, like tiny carvings, books on the floor underneath, a book and an apple on top, a note on the floor, etc. All of it is fixed, resin and cannot be moved but it is very historically accurate and the look I was going for a turn of the century classroom. I need to get sewing and make Anne a more historically accurate dress, as well as Grace, her sister. I have shown Anne here with Miss Gulch and they are ready for lessons! 

Enjoy!
 

Hinamatsuri- Japanese Doll Festival March 3rd

I am a couple of days late posting about the Japanese Doll Festival, Hinamatsuri- which happens every year on March 3rd. It is also known as the Girls day festival as well. Ceremonial dolls are taken out, and displayed on steps covered in red cloth, and celebratory foods are also eaten, with lanterns hung as well. If go to Tik Tok or YouTube you can see some lovely videos of displays in Japan of these wonderous dolls that are sometimes antique or hundreds of years old, as they are not for play, but passed down in the family. 

Here are some photos in the archives from my traditional doll Miss Happiness and Miss Flower from Rumor Goddens' two books- Miss Happiness and Miss Flower and Little Plum, the sequel which talks about the Japanese doll festival and the first talks about how to build a Japense doll house. These are two children's books that were written in the early 1960's and she wrote many books about dolls that if you can find them are timeless stories that capture the hearts of little girls and little boys too, as well as their imaginations.