Antique Bisque Head Quaker Lady Doll, All-Original, Mary Merritt Museum, ca 1885

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Welcome to our auction! Many of you know us as longtime collectors and sellers of antique and vintage Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Easter holiday memorabilia, paper ephemera, antique dolls and toys, fine jewelry and lovely old china and glassware. We are also given the honor of selling fine and rare pieces for other collectors.We are proud to present a wonderful opportunity to own a very early and all-original, petite-sized, bisque-head doll from the renowned but now closed Mary Merritt Doll Museum that was located in Douglassville, PA.We had the good fortune of not only visiting the museum but also attending the two-part auction where all of the Merritt Museum treasures were distributed. Both halves of the auction were conducted by Noel Barrett Antiques and Auctions Ltd. in association with Andy Ourant, both of whom are well-known appraisers on The Antiques Roadshow TV program.The distribution of the museum's possessions took place in autumn 2006 and in spring of 2007.This sweet little doll, whom we have named Rebecca, appears on page 114 of the spring 2007 catalog. Rebecca measures 5 ½" tall. Her head and arms are made from bisque. Her body is made from cloth filled with perhaps sawdust, straw, or horsehair.She wears her all-original brown silk costume and adorable matching silk bonnet. The original tag from the Museum is still attached and reads "Quaker Lady, circa 1885." This is the tag from the Museum and not from the auction.Rebecca has hand-painted features including delicate blue eyes and a tiny red mouth. She does have some "melting" of her hand-sewn silk costume and a little darkening to her hands but for a little lady of this elderly age, we think she is in incredible condition!The Mary Merritt Doll Museum was a well-known attraction for those, like us, who love and appreciate beautiful well-kept antique dolls and toys from all eras and corners of the world. It amazes us that Mary Merritt was able to assemble such a vast collection of historical significance long before the days of the Internet. She actually traveled the world over to find the treasures for her museum.If you enjoy collecting exceedingly difficult-to-find early pieces such as sweet Rebecca and you would like to include an example from the Merritt Museum in your collection, we think this just might be the perfect acquisition for you!WE LOVE OUR BIDDERS! We are thankful for you every day. Please check out our other auctions, including Antique Victorian Lemonade Set Handmade Old Art Glass, Hand-Enameled & Gilded.We charge actual shipping costs with no handling fees. We'll ship this item for $11.00 Priority Mail in the continental United States insured. The shipping costs for this item are an estimate and may be more or less depending on your location. However, if the actual shipping costs are less, we WILL refund the difference . We pack with tender loving care, and love to combine shipping. We're also happy to arrange for free pick-up if you can come to Lancaster PA.Please pay within 3 days of end of auction. We'll ship within 1 business day of receipt of payment. Pennsylvania residents pay 6% sales tax. While we prefer to ship to the United States only, we will ship overseas to interested collectors - but will need to quote actual shipping costs BEFORE the end of the auction. All international sales will be shipped USPS Priority Mail International insured. We also cannot predict other fees such as tariffs or duty taxes for each country.Happy eBaying! read more

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