The Doll Convention

I attended my first local doll convention last Saturday, held at a museum, and I had a great time!! The sales area was incredible for a local show. It was far more than I expected. I saw so many beautiful dolls that I had only read about. I felt the prices were quite reasonable considering the quality, but I didn't spend much. I won a raffle for the Chase doll and was I ever excited!! I also won a door prize. Each attendee received a souvenir doll at the conclusion of the conference and we were all gifted with UFDC magazines and a Doll Castle News as well as a necklace for our dolly. The programs were given by a former President of the UFDC (Composition Dolls and Tonner Dolls) and a regional director (china dolls). We were also able to view the doll museum, housed in the buildings. I took some photos before the start of registration as I was there early with some of the helpers. The curator of the doll museum drew the winners of the raffle. Here's my Martha Chase company doll. It is made of painted cloth. A wooden ball and stick are covered with tightly stuffed stockinet and the cloth is covered with paste and paint. Production of these dolls began in the late 1800's and they were also made as teaching tools for hospitals. This doll is possibly from the 1950s. I need to do more research. Also, I bought an Effanbee French Pierrot. I found it appealing. Maybe because of a daughter in France. :-) The Minerva tin head came from a free box in the sales area. .