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. The Lenci company under the direction of Beppe Garella produced dolls for collectors in the style of the earlier famous antique Lenci dolls of the 1920s and 30s. They made molds for the heads that were based on some of the original head molds, and made fine wool felt outfits for them basing the patterns on original wool patchwork outfits of the Lenci glory years, and simplified for mass production. These dolls and outfits were finished to a high standard and sold in limited editions. Each had a Lenci tag and certificate and a number on the back of the neck.
Some were sold on the Home Shopping Network. Most of these dolls have synthetic hair, except for a very few special editions that had mohair. You can still find examples of them on eBay.

12 thoughts on “How to tell the difference between new and old Lenci dolls”

  1. I have two 20″ Lenci dolls…I am sure they are Lenci because Mom bought them in the 60’s for a lot of money from an antique shop…,I haven’t been able to find a photo of either of them on your site…is there somewhere I can upload a photo of the two dolls to get help with identifying them? I plan to put them on Ebay…Mom passed and she had an enormous antique doll collection…she spent 40 years doing it…thank you for your help!

  2. I’m looking at a Lenci doll named Lena.She is dressed in a pink outfit, pink bow in her hair and pink shoes. Also holding a tennis racket in her right hand. She has light brown hair. Eyes are looking to the right.
    Thank You

  3. Hello Patricia,

    I have a Lenci doll with the following attached tag: Bambola Italia Lenci Torino with the handwritten Lucy Fantasy 37. I have posted the photos of the doll and the tag in postimg.org. Would you be able to assist me in the value and how I might go about selling this unique doll. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

  4. Hello,
    We have a Lenci boy doll wearing a green newsboy hat and green bloomer overalls. We have been unable to identify him. He has the round silver cardboard lenci Torino tag with no other markings.
    Hoping you could help identify him or tell us anything about him.

    • Hi Jennifer I don’t see a link to a picture of the doll but the round silver tag is the identification as a Lenci the silver tag indicates it was made from mid 1930s or later

  5. Hello …I am so happy to find this blog on Lenci …..I have what I was told a pre production one off Lenci …..it’s 24 inch and feels/looks like 1920’s with no markings ….is there any way that I can post a picture for your thoughts …thank you in advance

    • Hi John,
      Use an image hosting site like photobucket.com and then post the link to your image in your reply.
      The Lenci face moulds and construction methods and materials are known and documented so I would question the story of a “pre-production one off” traceable to the 1920’s.
      Best wishes
      Patricia

  6. I have a Lenci doll that has L.H. 933 on the back of her neck and she still has her original tag that reads “Certificata pi Origine” Lenci No. 941088. She is in a white top and pleated skirt with blue stripes (3). She is in excellent condition and I have her original box, no paperwork. I “think” I found her in the 1931 Catalog but can’t seem to find any info on her. She has that “Lucia” face with blue eyes. Can someone help me identity her and maybe tell me where I might go to get her appraised? Thanks

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