Here's the rest of the stuff I brought home from the auction Saturday: a pair of big McCoy vases, a pair of vintage souvenir pillows stuffed with balsam needles, and a handmade doll.
Love the detail on these vases.
The doll was a box-lot surprise. I'd actually bid on the box lot because I liked the pillows. And the doll came in twos, also.
She's a topsy-turvy doll. Flip her over and smooth down her skirt, and she's another doll. It's funny, because I am so charmed by her - but if I'd known she was in the box, I'm not sure I would have bid on her. I am so uncomfortable with vintage wares with images of African-American people. Most of it is ridden with stereotypes, and although I've read about the various schools of thought on collecting it, I've come to the conclusion that it's not for me. I think the fact that these dolls have identical expressions and clothing, just different hair and skin color, is what makes this doll different than a lot of the other stuff that's out there.
Each of them has a tiny dimity apron.
And the sweetest fabric for their dresses, which are joined at the hem by crocheted trim.
Finally, I lugged, and I do mean lugged, home this typewriter. It is in brand-spanking-new condition, right down to its case with the original key. It counts as a "two," too, I guess, because it's the second typewriter I've bought this season.
My childhood topsy turvy doll is half wolf!
You are right though, she doesn't embody any type of stereotype, just sweet.
Posted by: Sarah | July 28, 2010 at 01:42 PM
Oh, the McCoy!!
Your doll(s) are precious!
Posted by: Tina | July 28, 2010 at 02:00 PM
Oh pairs of things! The McCoy is beautiful!! I love the doll and I'm like you and uncomfortable with a lot of those kinds of collectibles, but that doll is a keeper!
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | July 28, 2010 at 05:25 PM
What a precious little doll! You found some treasures! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | July 28, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Somehow I’m in the habit of imagining what the back story might be of things -- maybe that doll came about to celebrate the friendship of two little girls. And then they bought some McCoy pottery for each other.
They sure had good taste.
Posted by: Into Vintage | July 29, 2010 at 11:25 AM
We used to have a Topsy-Turvy doll. Can't imagine whatever happened to her/them. I'm surprised that we didn't find it in our mother's stuff. Yours is adorable, and that pair of vases...wow!
Posted by: HeidiAnn | July 29, 2010 at 12:29 PM
The dolls are the cutest things. I WANT that typewritter. Wow!
Maureen
Posted by: Mauren | July 29, 2010 at 08:21 PM
I have spent the past several evenings reading your blog & want to tell you how much I've enjoyed it. I too have a love for vintage. Looking forward to reading the remainder of the posts.
Posted by: Linda Aylward | July 30, 2010 at 01:35 AM
This is the second typewriter I've seen this week, and it reminds me all over again how much I regret throwing mine out when we got our first computer, way back in the 90s. Darn technology!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | July 30, 2010 at 03:31 PM
Finally I found you. I found topsy-turvy doll in the dumpster. Is this rare doll? Can you tell me about this? Who made this? What year?
Posted by: Maureen Sydnor | September 07, 2010 at 11:52 AM