In this box marked Dolly's Home....
is a special little house.....
and a real treasure!
Imagine how happy a little child would be receiving
this little house with a garage and a fenced front yard.
This Dolly's Home was produced
by the firm of Morris Gottschalk in 1931.
This little cottage has stucco walls, a front door
that opens and a flower box full of flowers.
The background behind the house and garage
looks to be hand painted.
I added the fir trees and auto. I'm wondering if
an auto was provided for the garage.
A spacious front yard is enclosed with a picket fence
and gates for access to the house and the driveway.
A grassy area provides a circular flower bed plus
a bench and table set for outdoor entertaining.
The lower level of Dolly's Home is used as a living,
dining and entertainment area.
The seating area has a davenport
and an etagere that houses an angel statuette.
On the right side of the room is a grand piano
with bench and a dining table with 2 chairs.
This little house still has the original lace curtains.
And what do we find behind the red door?
A bedroom with table and lamp between twin beds,
a dressing table and a chaise lounge.
This is the home of Juan and Juanita Morales.
Juanita is an avid gardener.
Juan enjoys standing by the gate to visit with passers-by.
" Hasta la próxima!"
("Until next time!")
This furniture came with the house when it arrived
from my friend who shared it. It is just the right size,
and it's possible it is original to the house.
The sofa is 3" wide.
It is missing trim on the back and one side arm.
The table is 2½" wide and 1½" tall.
The chairs are 2" tall.
I found it interesting that the legs
were attached and then stained.
It is evident they came as a set.
The additional furniture in the house is referred to as "penny furniture".
These are tiny metal dollhouse items made of tin or cast metal
and originally sold as affordable "penny toys,"
popular in the late 19th/early 20th century.
In France, the firm of Simon et Rivollet,
and in Germany, the firm of Schneegas,
produced these toys that are still popular with today's collectors.
The etagere's door originally opened; when it joined
my collection it was missing one of the hinges
and no longer has the ability to open. It is 2½" tall.
The angel statue is a French feve figurine.
Both pieces give the appearance of original paint.
The bench is 1½" wide. The piano is 2 5/8" deep.
The bed on the right came
with the fabric and lace mattress.
The mirror on the dressing table tilts!
Tabacco felt rugs are found in Dolly's Home.
Juan and Juanita are handcrafted dolls standing 2.5" tall.
I am sure there were many more designs of Dolly's Homes considering all the many different designs of the dollhouses produced by Morris Gottschalk. Because of the copyrights of the pictures, I am not able to show you any of the other Dolly's Homes.
Marianne and Jurgen Cieslik, in researching traces of past toy and doll industry, found a complete set of catalogue photos of all Gottschalk products from 1892 through 1931 in the remains of a closed down printing company. Their book, shown above, has a wonderful collection of dollhouses and dollhouse furniture produced during those years by Morris Gottschalk. This book is often found on Ebay and Etsy and is certainly a treasure to collectors of this wonderful era of Gottschalk dollhouses and dollhouse furniture.
