Celluloid dolls were cheap, mass-produced toys made from synthetic plastic in the mid-1800s to 1940s. They were a durable alternative to fragile dolls and were produced worldwide. Celluloid deteriorates easily, making well-preserved dolls valuable collector’s items. Vintage celluloid dolls require special care and should be kept away from sunlight and moisture.
Celluloid dolls were children’s toys created from cheap synthetic plastic from the mid-1800s through the 1940s. They were produced as an indestructible alternative to the extremely fragile Chinese, wax and bisque dolls. High-fashion French Kewpies, badolls, and Colettes were all made of celluloid. Mass-produced throughout Europe, Japan and the United States, these inexpensive dolls have become very popular. Today it is rare to find celluloid dolls in pristine condition, making them a valuable antique and collector’s item.
Some of the first celluloid dolls were made by the Rheinische Gummi and Celluloid Fabrik Co. of Mannheim, Germany. The company’s first dolls had cloth bodies with celluloid heads, arms, and legs. These dolls were the most delicate and the ones that still exist are very valuable. In the early 1900s, celluloid was improved and companies began making the dolls completely out of celluloid. Many had limbs that could be moved and eyes that opened and closed.
Celluloid dolls have been made in many different sizes. Some were as small as 1 inch (2.5 cm), while some Japanese dolls reached as large as 30 inches (76 cm). Most were smaller, however, as celluloid was very light and larger dolls were more difficult to make.
In the 1940s, the United States banned the use of celluloid for toys because it was found to be highly flammable. Celluloid was still used, however, in many European countries and some dolls were still being made in Eastern Europe into the 1990s. British companies have also created a cellulose acetate doll that is safer and less flammable.
The dolls were not very durable and deteriorated when exposed to moisture or humidity. They often cracked in high humidity and yellowed as they aged. The dolls also dented and broke quite easily.
For these reasons, many celluloid dolls have not survived the test of time, although they can still be found. Aspiring doll collectors can usually find these dolls at a reasonable price. Rarer dolls in mint condition can be much more expensive.
Vintage celluloid dolls need special care. They should be kept out of direct sunlight and should be stored or displayed in an area with low humidity. Cleaning these dolls is almost impossible because they cannot come into contact with water. Dolls that have been damaged are difficult to repair and this also greatly diminishes their value.
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