Category Archives: Identifying Lenci Dolls

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.

Lenci Dolls of 1936 old catalog pages

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1936 Lenci dolls fedora (2) fedora (1) 1936dollssource  Archivio storico del Comune di Torino
Seen above is the cover of the 1936 Lenci catalog and  some pages showing the dolls of that year, the new surface washable baby dolls were featured, one model is called “Pupo”. These were the depression years and by 1936 the Lenci company had been bought out by the Garella brothers who kept Madame Lenci on as artistic director until she retired,after which she helped her daughter Anili launch her own felt doll manufacturing company.

Lenci doll in 1920s Store Window

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Lenci doll in shop window 1920s

This little girl is looking at a shop window full of dolls. the doll that caught her eye seems to be looking right back at her. In the center front is a 22 inch 109 series Lenci doll in a plaid felt dress that first appeared in the Lenci catalog in 1927 as model 109/48 so this dates the photo to the mid to late 1920’s to early 1930s

Actually there is another lenci doll in the picture – can you spot it? Is is only partly visible to the right of the picture, it appears to be a Lenci 300 series or a Grugnetto boy doll carrying a cane.

Lenci series 109/48

Lenci series 109/48

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Very Early Lenci Toddler Doll

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Early Lenci Fat Face Toddler Doll

This is a vintage photo I saw on Etsy today. This is the earliest version of the108 Series  Fat Face Lenci dolls. These 15 inch fat baby dolls were made from 1919-21 and were seen in the early ads and the 108 series doll appeared in very first Lenci catalog of 1923 which included examples of the dolls and characters Lenci was selling up to that time.

Lenci ad Playthings1921

Lenci ad Playthings1921

The Lenci ad above is from the american toy trade Playthings magazine 1921, showing a selection of Lenci dolls for promotion on the American market that year. There are two of the early chubby baby dolls on the top row.

The article page above shows a goup of the early fat face Lenci babies from the Farago collection. The doll on the right looks like the exact same doll from the black and white photo on etsy.These early fat babies are now very rare and are rarely seen at auction or on eBay. See below a rare picture from the 1923 catalog of one of the 108 series fat face toddlers –  notice the doll from the catalog that has separate fingers in contrast to earlier 108 series dolls in the photos above that have joined fingers.

LENCI lead button

LENCI lead button

The early Lenci dolls made before 1923 often have human hair and many have a metal(lead) round button tag on the body or clothing similar to the Steiff button, with the word “LENCI” in capital letters on it. These early dolls can be difficult to identify. They have coarser features than the later dolls as the process was not refined yet and they were likely molded by Lenci herself.

1923 lenci catalog fat baby

1923 Lenci catalog 108 C Fat Face Toddler 15"

From about 1923 when the dolls were increasing in popularity, Lenci hired artists and one of them was assigned the task of creating the 1923 catalog which was to showcase all the types of characters and dolls they were producing going back to the early dolls like the 15 inch 108  Series Fat baby from the 1923 catalog pictured above  as well as the new dolls for 1923. With new artistic input and synergy there was a rapid development of production with culminated in the beautifully refined child and lady dolls produced from the mid 20’s to the early 30’s.

1920 Lenci Ad

I am looking for  more picture  to share on the website so if you know of any please let me know. Continue reading →

350 Series Lenci Mascotte of 1949

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Lenci Mascotte 1949

Heather sent in this picture of her Lenci mascotte of 1949.  Heather writes ” I have had this Lenci doll for at least 35 years in a box.  My mother owned it before me.  She received it as a gift from a very well off family. I have looked through all of the Lenci catalogs online and have not been able to find this doll anywhere.  She is in mint condition.  Her paper tag is from Torino; on the back handwritten it says 350/1. So she’s a 350 series, but she looks so much more primitive than the 350’s in the catalog.  A majority of the 350’s in the catalog are followed by a letter rather than a number.  She has a solid body, her face is one piece of felt, she has sewn on ears and human hair. ” Continue reading →

How to tell the difference between new and old Lenci dolls

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Lenci Doll Googly Remake

Lenci Doll Googly "Autunno" Remake source: Lenci Fallimento

How do I tell the difference between new and old lenci dolls? This is a question I get asked occasionally

– if you are new to Lenci doll collecting this can be a confusing issue.
The Lenci dolls made during the 80’s and 90’s up until the Lenci factory closed in the early 2000’s can be considered the “new” Lenci dolls. These Lenci dolls were made during the boom in doll collecting that occurred at the time. Continue reading →