Sailor dolls were created by Norah Wellings, England. Norah, the chief designer for Chad Valley, opened her own doll company Victory Toys with her brother Leo in 1926. Travel by ship was a very popular means of transport during this period and almost all the shipping companies sold the souvenir sailor dolls on board their ocean liners. They were produced right up until 1960, the year of Leo's passing, when the company closed.
The Empire company produced sailor dolls in a similar style. To distinguish between the two dolls, Empire or Wellings, look for the 'Empire' sticker under the collar on the back, or remnants of, and check the foot as Norah Wellings dolls will be tagged.
Each sailor doll wears the name of the ocean liner proudly on their hat bands. Who could resist a little souvenir or two, especially when they are so cute?
9 comments:
Ahoy there Tamara...SNAP!! I collect this little fellows too....punch in sailor dolls into my search on my blog and they should pop up all over the place lol. Love them !! also souvenier life rings, i see you like these too. I have a little chap as my symbol next to my ebay account. Hope you have a great week, cheers Katherine
I sailed from Kenya to England in 1966 and got one exactly like your boy in the first photo with the S A Vaal ship on the hat.....wow did that bring back memories.
@theoldboathouse hi Katherine, just popped over to check out you lovelies, they are so cute aren't they? Tamara
@Razmataz Hi Chania, thanks for the visit :) Thats what I love about vintage pieces they are like a snapshot from the past :) Have a good one, Tamara
it seems they changed the taste when it went to oz also the name, I tried vegemite when over there on holiday but didn't like it.
I had a look on e bay for marmite, oxo and horlicks, I suddenly got obsessed, they even have marmite earings for sale :)
off to bed now
have a good day
cate x
These sailor dolls are just gorgeous. They look particularly good in a collection as to me they look the best of buddies. Thanks for sharing your collections. I love to see what people collect.
Have a great day
Pam
@baysiderose Thanks Pam :) Tamara x
Thanks for stopping by.... I dearly love your sailor dolls; what a handsome bunch!
Jan
@Gracie's Cottage Thanks Jan for popping by also. Nice to hear from you :)Tamara
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