Determining the Value of your Lenci doll

This post is based on my responses to question I have received from readers.

Estimating the value of your Lenci doll

When asked about the value of a Lenci or similar doll I do not provide a valuation service. As a DIY approach to valuation  I  recommend the owner to watch auction closing prices for similar dolls. Historical closing prices are only a guideline to current values because the market sets the value in the end, just like stock prices. As a rule of thumb the monetary value  is only an estimate of what it would cost to replace your doll (taking account of its condition) at current prices.If you require an estimate for insurance or selling purposes I recommend auctioneers that specialise in dolls such as Theriault’s.

Is it a Lenci or “Lenci Type” doll?

If your doll matches a known model of Lenci doll with original tag and outfit that is the easiest situation but if are not sure your dolls is a Lenci or think you may have  a “Lenci type”  such as Raynal or Alma or other Lenci inspired doll, it is worthwhile to study pictures and past auctions of the most expensive Lenci dolls to get to know the faces and body types.. If there are even slight differences in the painting details of the eyes and the shapes of the facial features and hands you may not have a genuine Lenci doll.
If it is not a Lenci then search for the “lenci type” dolls on eBay or auction sites for an exact match to the face mold and painting style and hands and height of the doll to get an idea of the make and recent selling prices.

For Lenci remakes from the 80’s and later, check recent sold prices for similar dolls on eBay – use search words “lenci COA” to find the remake dolls.

What about missing or damaged Lenci doll outfits?

If your doll is missing clothes you would have to look at  similar sold dolls missing clothing. Without the outfit the value is about half the value of a doll with original dress. If your doll has a damaged or tattered outfit keep the original outfit intact for future collectors even if  you are an expert seamstress and can make a replacement outfit that will be your own work and will not have the same value to a collector as  the historically accurate item that came from the Lenci factory no matter how shabby it is, so please don’t be tempted to alter the old outfit or use parts of it to make a new outfit because your well meaning efforts will fail to find appreciation from serious collectors looking for the original factory outfit, perhaps to complete an identical outfit they have that is missing pieces or as the last rare record remaining of an original Lenci design that is almost impossible to find these days. Make a completely new outfit if you must for your own display but keep the old outfit together with the doll and give it to the new buyer. Remember the original Lenci outfit is a large part of the value of the doll. In general any outfit you make will not add significant value to the doll no matter how beautiful if is because it is not a Lenci creation.  New felt does not match the texture and quality of vintage felt and modern dyes seem harsh on a vintage doll so the result can be less than desired.

 

Cleaning & Restoration Issues

The condition of the doll .is highly relevant, if the doll is not well preserved and if the molding of the face has lost some definition this reduces the value. If the felt is dusty and dirty there are methods that can be successfully used to restore and improve the look of the doll. A bicycle pump can be used to blow away some of the dust on a dolls face. A nylon stocking over the head of a vacuum cleaner can be used to remove dust from the arms and legs. Pure acetone (such as used for removing gel nail varnish) can be used in stages to clean felt faces but its a bigger job than removing nail polish so the dangers of using it are greater.Antique doll restoration requires expertise and a safe environment.  Acetone is hazardous  to health and highly flammable, I prefer to avoid it  and do not recommend using it. But if you decide to use it know the risks, read the danger warnings on the label, wear an industrial quality face mask designed for use with solvents, in a well ventilated, non-smoking setting away from fire or naked flame..  Your health and safety is more important than adding a few dollars to the value of a doll.. Restoration efforts are not always successful and  and ultimately potential buyers may not appreciate your efforts when it comes to selling the doll.

Ars Lenci Sportswear Sketch

Rare early sportswear Ars Lenci Sketch

Source: Museo Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas

Museo Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas
Inventario CE14518
Clasificación Genérica Dibujo
Objeto/Documento Dibujo
Autor Lenci (Lugar de nacimiento: Turín, act. 1918)
Materia/Soporte Cartulina gris
Técnica Dibujo a lápiz
Aguada
Dimensiones Altura = 32,70 cm; Anchura = 33 cm
Descripción Composición deportiva. Tres mujeres jugando al golf. Un maniquí de espaldas en el ángulo lateral izquierdo con gran sombrero de ala vuelta por la parte trasera y fondo de rejilla de cuadrícula en tonos claros con flores estilizadas e idealizadas en tonos calientes. Una jugadora de golf en el lateral derecho en actitud de movimiento con sombrero de ala caida adornada la copa con flores estilizadas en tonos cálidos. En tercer término mujer con sombrero y al fondo, paisaje.
Iconografia Mujer; Paisaje; Motivos florales
Firmas/Marcas/Etiquetas Ángulo superior izquierdo
Ars Lenci
Datación 1925-1930
Contexto Cultural/Estilo Art Déco
Lugar de Producción/Ceca Turín (Italia, Europa)
Clasificación Razonada El atuendo es típico de la firma italiana Lenci, especializada en la fabricación de muñecas artísticas trabajadas en fieltros de lana, moldeados, recortados, sobrepuestos y superpuestos, muy flexibles, creados por Elena Konig y su marido Enrico Escavini, diseñadores de moda, ubicados en Turín

Transpation:

National Museum of Decorative Arts Museum
Inventory CE14518
Generic Classification Drawing
Object / Document Drawing
Author Lenci (Place of birth: Turin, act 1918)
Materia / Support Gray cardboard
Technique Pencil drawing
watery
Dimensions Height = 32,70 cm; Width = 33 cm
Description Sports composition. Three women playing golf. A mannequin with backs in the left side angle with a large hat with a back wing at the back and grid grid background in light tones with stylized flowers and idealized in warm tones. A golf player on the right side in a movement pose with a fallen brim hat adorned the cup with stylized flowers in warm tones. In third term woman with hat and in the background, landscape.
Iconography Woman; Landscape; Floral motifs
Signatures / Brands / Labels Top left angle
Ars Lenci
Dating 1925-1930
Cultural Context / Art Deco Style
Production Site / Mint Turin (Italy, Europe)
Reasoned Classification The attire is typical of the Italian firm Lenci, specializing in the manufacture of artistic dolls worked in felted wool, molded, trimmed, superimposed and overlaid, very flexible, created by Elena Konig and her husband Enrico Escavini, fashion designers, located in Turin

Dec 7, 1920 Lenci Dolls in Printemps Catalog

Catalog page of Lenci Doll Published in Au Printemps, Jouets, Mardi 7 Décembre, 1920

Dominique Pennegues drew my attention to this wonderful catalog page from Au Printemps showing the range of Lenci dolls offered from sale for Winter 1920/21. A notice on the cover of the Au Printemps toy catalog announces that the toys will be on exhibit from Tuesday Dec 7, 1920 for the entire month. Here we see examples of some of the earliest and rarest of Lenci dolls such as the Pierrot, the cowboy, Harelquin, the Salome doll, which was already on the market in 1919,  and the early toddler dolls etc. Notice the prices in French francs, which were roughly equivalent to the US dollar value at the time.

Many thanks to Dominique for this rare record of Lenci dolls from winter 1920-21.

Dominique’s website: http://french-cloth-dolls-encyclopedia.com/web/index.php/en/

Rare Lenci Josephine Baker Doll on Proxibid

Rare Josephone Baker Lenci Doll

Offered on “I Only Wanted to Wonder”, A Marquis Doll Auction
Tuesday, Aug 1, 2017 | 11:00 AM Eastern
Description:
18″ (46 cm.) Plumply-cheeked light brown wool felt swivel head with pressed and painted facial features, dark brown side-glancing painted eyes with white eye dots, curly upper lashes, rounded nose with accent dots, very full red felt stitched-on lips, black mohair wig in short bobbed style with forelock curl, stitched-on ears, uniquely-constructed body with voluptuous pose, sculpted bosom, constructed bent elbows, bow-legged knee. Condition: generally excellent, slight banding fade at midriff, few very tiny moth holes. Comments: Lenci, circa 1926, the doll portrays the American-born Parisian dancer, Josephine Baker, in the costume of her most famous performance, “Danse Banane” at the Folies Bergere; the doll was named Josephine in the Lenci catalog. Value Points: extremely rare Lenci model with uniquely-stitch-sculpted body and highly-stylized unique face, wearing well-preserved original costume of felt bananas and leaves, bangle necklace, wrist and ankle bracelets.

Update: This doll closed at: $5,250.00

https://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetail.asp?lid=37185172

Call for Canadian Lenci Collectors

If you are a Lenci doll collector from Canada you may be interested in the following notification. from Sherri Gropp, Assistant Curator at Castle Kilbride National Historic Site in Baden, Ontario. For further details please contact Sherri directly sherri.gropp@wilmot.ca

I am the Assistant Curator at Castle Kilbride National Historic Site in Baden, Ontario. In 2018 we are celebrating what would have been the 100th birthday of the little girl that lived at Castle Kilbride. She loved Lenci dolls and has at least 3 (unfortunately we only have one in our collection.) We would like to host an exhibit on Lenci Dolls and are looking for any Canadian collectors. If you could help us out we would greatly appreciate it! Please feel free to pass along my information to anyone who can assist.
Warm regards
Sherri
Sherri Gropp|Assistant Curator| Castle Kilbride National Historic Site |Township of Wilmot
60 Snyder’s Road W. Baden, ON N3A 1A1 | P. 519.634.8444 x 259 | Toll. 800.469.5576 |TTY 519.634.5037
http://www.castlekilbride.ca

 

A Selection of Lenci Dolls on Etsy

lenci-etsyI just heard about a fine selection of Lenci dolls for sale by Jeff Shumaker in his Etsy Shop(US)
Pictured above is a sample of the current offering – here is a link to his entire selection of Lenci dolls on offer:
Click here for a look at his current selection of Lenci Dolls on Etsy (US)
and here is a link to see all current Lenci items on Etsy:
All Lenci on Etsy (US)

Very Rare 1925 Lenci doll

s-l1600-23

Rare 1925 Lenci Doll on eBay

s-l1600-22
This is a rare 1925 Lenci doll Model 350A with forward looking eyes Click Here to see it on eBay. This model was only sold in 1925 and then discontinued making it very rare indeed. The doll came in 2 different versions one with long hair as seen here and one with a bob wearing a hat which can be seen in Continue reading