The much anticipated Rich Toys dollhouse book is now
available in two parts: Rich Toys Dollhouses, 1935-1962 and Rich Toys
Buildings, 1935-1962, authored by Patty Cooper, JoAnn Belanger, and Rita
Goranson who collaborated on the books from three different states.
Over 80
dollhouse collectors around the United States contributed photographs or other
information resulting in a chronological catalog of Rich dollhouses through the
inclusion of interior and exterior photographs, original ads of the time period
in catalogs and magazines, vintage photographs showing children with their
houses, pictures of appropriate era dollhouse furniture for the dollhouses, and
lots of helpful information.
The reviews have been very positive with people commenting
most often on the fine quality of the color photographs, the interview with a Rich factory
worker, and the still shots of dollhouses from 1930’s-1950’s movies. Two quotes:
“So happy to have this excellent
book! It’s perfect for anyone interested
in Rich dollhouses. Beautifully illustrated
and clearly written, the authors have done a first rate job with their
research. The book arrived yesterday and
I have been devouring it since. An
invaluable and much needed resource for dollhouse collectors and those
interested in the American toy industry.”
“What an outstanding achievement
for Patty, JoAnn and Rita! I looked at
the Colleen Moore section first. What a
delightful picture of the little girl with Fred MacMurray and her C.M.
dollhouse. I also found the ad for the 5 room castle interesting in that a
lighted version was available. I also
enjoyed the many pictures throughout of children with their Rich dollhouses. Rita’s interview with Maxine Hensch was
fascinating. This is a wonderful,
well-done contribution to ‘saving’ these charming houses."
You may order the Rich Dollhouse book ($65.00) or the Rich
Toy Buildings book ($25.00) from JoAnn Belanger’s ETSY site,
DollhouseWonders.
Also available on DollhouseWonders is a book called Restoring Vintage Masonite Dollhouses ($14.00), by JoAnn Belanger, which gives tips on cleaning and doing minor and major repairs to the floors, roofs, and walls of the dollhouses.
A beautifully illustrated book by Carol Stevenson called Colleen Moore’s Doll Castle Made by Rich Toys, ($15.00) featuring the most sought after dollhouse made by the Rich Toys Company, is also available.
And a comment from me: The Rich Toys book is beyond what I anticipated. Anyone with a love for these grand old ladies made during the generations from 1935 to 1962 will enjoy seeing toys that were made with children's imagination in mind. Wouldn't either of the Rich Toys books be a great gift for the older lady or gentleman in your family to bring back memories of what they had as toys or what they wished for Santa to bring?
Be sure to check out these other books that Patty Cooper has published, some in collaboration with George Mundorf, and all available on Blurb.com...just click on the links I've provided. I hear there are more in the works!
Schoenhut Dollhouse Furniture
1928-1934
1938-1948
of the 1930s
Dollhouses Furniture & Buildings
