I had an inkling when I purchased the chair and couch in this scene that I would be able to find out their maker. For some reason, I just felt I had seen them before. Well, I happily discovered mention of them in two of my Dian Zillner books that they are by Hall's Lifetime Toys, and were likely made in the mid-1960s as part of a few different lines of 1:12 furniture (Hall's also made larger, 1:6 scale furniture for Ginny and comparable dolls).
The Zillner books -- International Dollhouses and Accessories, 1880s to 1980s and Antique and Collectible Dollhouses and Their Furnishings -- are slightly confusing on the line, however, since in one (International) it states that these pieces were part of a finer "Cherry" line, and in the other book it states that the set was a cheaper boxed line of simple/economical furniture, which also included a coffee table and television set. By the way, the current value put on a boxed set is $50-$75, making my two un-boxed pieces a pretty decent buy at $8.50. I think the pieces are very well-made; the fabric is like a raw silk and the wood very smooth and fine. I have a hard time believing these pieces were part of an economy line.
The Zillner books -- International Dollhouses and Accessories, 1880s to 1980s and Antique and Collectible Dollhouses and Their Furnishings -- are slightly confusing on the line, however, since in one (International) it states that these pieces were part of a finer "Cherry" line, and in the other book it states that the set was a cheaper boxed line of simple/economical furniture, which also included a coffee table and television set. By the way, the current value put on a boxed set is $50-$75, making my two un-boxed pieces a pretty decent buy at $8.50. I think the pieces are very well-made; the fabric is like a raw silk and the wood very smooth and fine. I have a hard time believing these pieces were part of an economy line.
I am glad I was able to I.D. them, though!
I entitled this post "A New View" primarily because I recently experienced a view into a dollhouse collector's world in the book Dollhouse Living by Beauregard Houston-Montgomery, published in 2000. Have you seen this book?
It features very dramatic, moody, and powerful photographs by and of Houston-Montgomery's super extensive dolls house collection. The photos are accompanied by personal text about some of his life events, primarily about growing up gay and finding joy and comfort in dolls houses in his young and adult years. A short film about Houston-Montgomery premiered in June -- you can see a (very short) trailer here.
I love seeing glimpses in his Marx, Rich, and TOMY homes, just to name a few.
And I saved the best "new view" for last! I met the wonderful Norway-based Pubdoll this weekend in New York City! It was a great treat. After exchanging some goodies (more to come on that), we went to the Japanese bookstore Kinokuniya, where we scored some Re-ment and stationery treasures, and then bussed it up to FAO Schwarz to the dollhouse store there, where Pubdoll purchased some lovely furniture and accessories. Even Polly had a peek into the Emerson on display, with a tall dark handsome stranger by her side...she tried out a Reac zigzag chair, too!
(By the way, definitely buy your Emerson online -- FAO's store prices were $100 above their website.)
After a yummy lunch at Le Pain Quotidien, we had a nice stroll around Kate's Paperie and left with some amazing papers and other related goods. We did a lot of walking and talking, took in the city sights, and I am so glad I got to meet this lovely gal. I only wish she lived closer! We talked about the idea floating around about a modern miniature meet-up, and hope that happens in one form or another.
Here's a final, funky, imperfect view of two:
Credits: Chair and couch are by Hall's Lifetime Toys; boomerang table and side tables are vintage German; lucite table is a drawer pull; hanging light is vintage Lundby; plant is vintage TOMY; rug is AG Minis. Accessories are Re-ment, Mighty World, beads from Pubdoll, and dollhouse store finds.
