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Mc Guffey- Ana

Doll
1937-1943 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This object is one of a collection given to the museum. The 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 collection 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 particular doll was made by The Alexander Doll Company in New York. It may have been collected as inspiration for the Pedigree range or something to compare it too.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 8 parts.

  • Box Lid
  • Box Base
  • Underwear
  • Shoes
  • Socks
  • Pinafore
  • Dress
  • Doll
TitleMc Guffey- Ana (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Composition, card, fabric
Brief description
A composition doll with box made in New York by The Alexander Doll company in 1937-1943
Physical description
A composition doll with long blonde hair worn in plaits with blue ribbons tied to them at the bottom. Her head, arms and legs are movable and her eyes close when lying down. Her eyes are blue/ green and the rest of her facial features have been painted on. The doll is wearing a navy blue dress with a red and blue flower pattern. She is also wearing a cream, netted pinafore over the top of the dress, which has a subtle dotted pattern and frilly sleeves. The doll is also wearing a pair of dark brown, leather shoes with cream socks. The doll comes with a box and lid, which is slightly worn. It is cream in colour with a red decorative pattern on.
Dimensions
  • Doll height: 48.5cm
  • Doll width: 21cm
Marks and inscriptions
'Mc Guffey-Ana / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED / Madame Alexander- N.Y' (On a label sewn on to the dress)
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.
Summary
This object is one of a collection given to the museum. The 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 collection 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 particular doll was made by The Alexander Doll Company in New York. It may have been collected as inspiration for the Pedigree range or something to compare it too.
Collection
Accession number
B.69:1 to 8-2010

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Record createdNovember 2, 2010
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