Tender tex
Doll
1957 (manufactured)
1957 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This object is one of a collection given to the museum. This collection is quite important as it belonged to Dennis Arkinstall. Dennis worked in the toy industry for a company called Lines Brothers Ltd, they were mostly famous for their Tri-ang range of toys. Dennis was a sculptor and worked in the research and development of new toys for the company in particular the dolls which were produced under the Pedigree trade name. The catalogues highlight that their range of dolls are realistic and produced by a sculptor. We do not know when Dennis started working at the factory but we know that he was an influential figure in the designing of their most popular doll Sindy, which was produced in 1963.
This collected includes dolls from other manufactures as he would have collected them to inspire new ideas. They are often just heads, which was not uncommon as these were usually exported in large numbers and the bodies made at their destination as it was a cheap way to manufacture. The collection also includes moulds and experimental pieces from the factory as well as complete ones in their presentation boxes.
This collected includes dolls from other manufactures as he would have collected them to inspire new ideas. They are often just heads, which was not uncommon as these were usually exported in large numbers and the bodies made at their destination as it was a cheap way to manufacture. The collection also includes moulds and experimental pieces from the factory as well as complete ones in their presentation boxes.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Tender tex (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Vinyl |
| Brief description | Plastic naked doll in sealed bag, a Tender Tex Doll mage by Pedigree, introduced in 1957 |
| Physical description | A vinyl doll, it is a girl, she has dark brown hair that is in a up do, with a red ribbon. She has sleeping eyes, red lips and blushed cheeks. She is naked and has a moulded body that indicates she is to resemble an older child with buds for breasts. She is in her original polythene bag with a header card. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Pedigree Regd. Trade Mark
a "Tender Tex" doll
unbreakable-washable-hygienic
An all vinyl doll
Made in England |
| Credit line | Given by Donald Arkinstall |
| Object history | This item belonged to Dennis Arkinstall, who worked for Lines Brothers Ltd as a sculptor. It was given to the museum by his son after his death. |
| Historical context | Tender Tex dolls were all vinyl dolls produced by Pedigree. They first appeared in the 1957 catalogue. They were popular with children as they were less likely to break than hard plastic dolls when dropped. They catalogue stated: New, revolutionary Vinyl dolls are the highlights of the fabulous Pedigree range for 1957. They join an already unlimited choice of dolls ranging from six to twenty-eight inches high: including life like walking and talking dolls, baby dolls, story book characters, and many others beautifully dressed in fashionable styles. |
| Production | Page 120 British Dolls of the 1950s by Susan Brewer |
| Summary | This object is one of a collection given to the museum. This collection is quite important as it belonged to Dennis Arkinstall. Dennis worked in the toy industry for a company called Lines Brothers Ltd, they were mostly famous for their Tri-ang range of toys. Dennis was a sculptor and worked in the research and development of new toys for the company in particular the dolls which were produced under the Pedigree trade name. The catalogues highlight that their range of dolls are realistic and produced by a sculptor. We do not know when Dennis started working at the factory but we know that he was an influential figure in the designing of their most popular doll Sindy, which was produced in 1963. This collected includes dolls from other manufactures as he would have collected them to inspire new ideas. They are often just heads, which was not uncommon as these were usually exported in large numbers and the bodies made at their destination as it was a cheap way to manufacture. The collection also includes moulds and experimental pieces from the factory as well as complete ones in their presentation boxes. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.49-2010 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 15, 2010 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
