A rare wax doll given as a Christening gift in 1866 is expected to spark worldwide interest at auction.
The doll – made 100 years before England won the World Cup in 1966 – has been in the same family since it was made more than 150 years ago.
It’s due to be sold at Hansons Auctioneers’ toy sale on February 22 with an estimate of £200-£300.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, in Heage Lane, Etwall, said: “The doll came to us in a fairly mundane rectangular box but, when we opened it up, revealed within was this remarkable wax doll.
“Dolls like this were made by pouring wax into a mould. The benefit of working in wax for early doll makers was that the wax could be tinted to make beautiful, realistic skin tones. However, wax can be fragile when subjected to temperature change, so other more practical materials superseded it.
“The doll we uncovered is English with piercing blue eyes and soft blonde hair. Her arms and legs are in good condition and her face has a gentle but somewhat serious expression.
“It’s wonderful to see her wearing her original red shoes. She’s been beautifully cared for through the generations and would appear to have her contemporary dress on with pink silk waist ribbon.
“The doll is in remarkable condition, given its age. We would expect it to make £200 to £300 at auction.”
The wax doll will be sold at a Toys, Trains, Railwayana, Dolls and Teddies Auction at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, on February 22. Entries are now closed but always welcome for future toy auctions. Toy expert David Wilson-Turner offers regular free valuations at Hansons. To find our more, email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
