Category Archives: Auction Results

Determining the Value of your Lenci doll

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This post is based on my responses to question I have received from readers.

Estimating the value of your Lenci doll

When asked about the value of a Lenci or similar doll I do not provide a valuation service. As a DIY approach to valuation  I  recommend the owner to watch auction closing prices for similar dolls. Historical closing prices are only a guideline to current values because the market sets the value in the end, just like stock prices. As a rule of thumb the monetary value  is only an estimate of what it would cost to replace your doll (taking account of its condition) at current prices.If you require an estimate for insurance or selling purposes I recommend auctioneers that specialise in dolls such as Theriault’s.

Is it a Lenci or “Lenci Type” doll?

If your doll matches a known model of Lenci doll with original tag and outfit that is the easiest situation but if are not sure your dolls is a Lenci or think you may have  a “Lenci type”  such as Raynal or Alma or other Lenci inspired doll, it is worthwhile to study pictures and past auctions of the most expensive Lenci dolls to get to know the faces and body types.. If there are even slight differences in the painting details of the eyes and the shapes of the facial features and hands you may not have a genuine Lenci doll.
If it is not a Lenci then search for the “lenci type” dolls on eBay or auction sites for an exact match to the face mold and painting style and hands and height of the doll to get an idea of the make and recent selling prices.

For Lenci remakes from the 80’s and later, check recent sold prices for similar dolls on eBay – use search words “lenci COA” to find the remake dolls.

What about missing or damaged Lenci doll outfits?

If your doll is missing clothes you would have to look at  similar sold dolls missing clothing. Without the outfit the value is about half the value of a doll with original dress. If your doll has a damaged or tattered outfit keep the original outfit intact for future collectors even if  you are an expert seamstress and can make a replacement outfit that will be your own work and will not have the same value to a collector as  the historically accurate item that came from the Lenci factory no matter how shabby it is, so please don’t be tempted to alter the old outfit or use parts of it to make a new outfit because your well meaning efforts will fail to find appreciation from serious collectors looking for the original factory outfit, perhaps to complete an identical outfit they have that is missing pieces or as the last rare record remaining of an original Lenci design that is almost impossible to find these days. Make a completely new outfit if you must for your own display but keep the old outfit together with the doll and give it to the new buyer. Remember the original Lenci outfit is a large part of the value of the doll. In general any outfit you make will not add significant value to the doll no matter how beautiful if is because it is not a Lenci creation.  New felt does not match the texture and quality of vintage felt and modern dyes seem harsh on a vintage doll so the result can be less than desired.

 

Cleaning & Restoration Issues

The condition of the doll .is highly relevant, if the doll is not well preserved and if the molding of the face has lost some definition this reduces the value. If the felt is dusty and dirty there are methods that can be successfully used to restore and improve the look of the doll. A bicycle pump can be used to blow away some of the dust on a dolls face. A nylon stocking over the head of a vacuum cleaner can be used to remove dust from the arms and legs. Pure acetone (such as used for removing gel nail varnish) can be used in stages to clean felt faces but its a bigger job than removing nail polish so the dangers of using it are greater.Antique doll restoration requires expertise and a safe environment.  Acetone is hazardous  to health and highly flammable, I prefer to avoid it  and do not recommend using it. But if you decide to use it know the risks, read the danger warnings on the label, wear an industrial quality face mask designed for use with solvents, in a well ventilated, non-smoking setting away from fire or naked flame..  Your health and safety is more important than adding a few dollars to the value of a doll.. Restoration efforts are not always successful and  and ultimately potential buyers may not appreciate your efforts when it comes to selling the doll.

Rare Lenci Josephine Baker Doll on Proxibid

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Rare Josephone Baker Lenci Doll

Offered on “I Only Wanted to Wonder”, A Marquis Doll Auction
Tuesday, Aug 1, 2017 | 11:00 AM Eastern
Description:
18″ (46 cm.) Plumply-cheeked light brown wool felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, dark brown side-glancing painted eyes with white eye dots, curly upper lashes, rounded nose with accent dots, very full red felt stitched-on lips, black mohair wig in short bobbed style with forelock curl, stitched-on ears, uniquely-constructed body with voluptuous pose, sculpted bosom, constructed bent elbows, bow-legged knee. Condition: generally excellent, slight banding fade at midriff, few very tiny moth holes. Comments: Lenci, circa 1926, the doll portrays the American-born Parisian dancer, Josephine Baker, in the costume of her most famous performance, “Danse Banane” at the Folies Bergere; the doll was named Josephine in the Lenci catalog. Value Points: extremely rare Lenci model with uniquely-stitch-sculpted body and highly-stylized unique face, wearing well-preserved original costume of felt bananas and leaves, bangle necklace, wrist and ankle bracelets.

Update: This doll closed at: $5,250.00

https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?lid=37185172

Lenci Prices: 8 inch Lenci doll sold for $16,000

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Nov 2012, a Italian Felt Miniature Boy with Hobby Horse by Lenci, Series XX 800/1300 fetched $16,000 at auction
Notice the bent knees which are different from the straight legs of the less rare Lenci Mascottes.
cat-1112_018
Item Description:
8″ (20 cm.) Felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, large round downcast blue eyes, painted long curly lashes, high arched brows, accented nostrils, closed “O”-shaped mouth, blonde mohair short curly wig, jointing at shoulders and hips. Condition: generally excellent, light surface dust. Marks: Lenci (blue-edged cloth tag). Comments: Lenci, the model first appeared in a 21″ size in the mid-1920s named “Carluccio”, and was later released, circa 1931, in this miniature size. Value Points: rare and delightful child wearing his original, felt costume including felt apron with pocket embroidered “Tom”, and with his original paper cap and wooden hobby horse. –
Link to auction listing at proxibid

Auction Results: Lenci Sam sold for $19,000

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Lenci Sam sold for $19,000

The Candy Spelling Doll Auction results are online now and Lenci collectors will be interested in the closing prices,especially for the rarely seen Lenci characters. The highest price in the Lenci category went to the later model Lenci character Sam that sold for: $19,000. This may well be a record price for this 1940’s-50’s era remake of the earlier 1925 Sam.  This later model Sam is slimmer than the chubby and more child-like earlier Sam of 1925. This model Sam was exhibited in  December 1953 at the annual Toy Trade Show in Italy – watch the 1953 archive  video clip below  or see the entire newsreel at Archivo Luce  CLick Here to watch the archive video at archivioluce you can see the 1953 Lenci exhibit at around 0-2-18-20 the on screen counter. Sam is briefly is on the left of the screen at the start of the following clip – see also the screen capture below.

Lenci Sam Original 1925 Lenci Catalog

Compare to the earlier 1925 Lenci Sam which is a standing chubbier child-like doll with more rounded eyes, listed as model 260 at 31 inches tall. He did not have a waistcoat and is made of brown felt. The later Sam is made to be seated like a boudoir doll and is of black felt.

Screen Capture Lenci Toy Trade Show 1953 - Sam is seated on the left

Above is a screen capture from the 1953 Trade Show video, the Lenci Sam is seated to the Left of the screen, this video clip is interesting because it shows some of the larger boudoir dolls that were on sale that year – note the lady doll in black the commentator refers to as “Anna Karenina” and the Spanish Lady with Guitar, Large Russian Dolls and Japanese Costume dolls. This newsreel is a brief but rare glimpse of the Lenci dolls on offer in the early 1950’s – there is no complete Lenci catalog for the 1940s-50s. If you have Marco Tosa’s Book “Bambole Lenci” you can see full color photos of dolls from this era of production. The Lenci Sam on page 155 in the Tosa book has a green Lenci paper tag that was in use during this later period of production – however the date given in the Tosa book refers to the date of the earlier series of 1925.

SAM 1925

See the rest of the auction results of the Candy Spelling Lenci dolls

Auction Results: The Candy Spelling Collection Lenci Dolls

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Below are the Proxibid auction results of the entire selection of Lenci dolls from the recent Candy Spelling Collection auction  – the Lenci Sam black boudior doll fetched $19,000 and the Lenci Josephine Baker went for $11,000. this is nowhere near the high prices of some of bisque dolls that were sold but these are high prices for Lenci dolls nevertheless. If you are a collector who buys or sells on eBay the prices for the dolls below is relevant in terms of current market pricing for the rare character dolls and the near mint condition Lenci dolls.  If you missed the online auction, you may even get a chance to see some of these dolls again. In the days or weeks following a major auction it is not uncommon to find some of the same dolls listed on eBay for resale. So take note of the prices and bookmark this page for your reference. Scroll down for the details Continue reading →