I was wondering what kind of dolls these are. They look very similar to the Florence Maranuk, but I can't find anything on them that is a mark from a designer. If anyone can help me identify them that would be amazing.
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I looked at some of the Florence Maranuk dolls. www.ebay.com/
Florence Maranuk dolls in this series have approximately the same eyes and noses. All of your dolls have the same eyes and nose too. But I would say that the eyes and nose of your dolls are different from the eyes and nose of Florence Maranuk dolls.
These are very cool. I am doubtful they are Maranuk dolls for a few reasons.
One is most were marked on the body with the number of the doll and the number in the series. Those that didn't have that marking had a small tag actually stitched to the body itself. There were some that had paper hang tags and those could be easily lost so that leaves the hint of doubt.
In that doubt is an outside chance they were made by her company, but not designed by her. Her company was called Showstoppers, but again, without the tag (hang or sewn) or the mark it is going to be very difficult to prove because there are so many varieties of her fairies.
To me the biggest reason for my doubt (and I am not an expert on her dolls--so maybe someone here is much more familiar with her work than I am, I am just a doll fan and have been a doll seller in both retail and resale venues since the 1980s), the Showstoppers/Maranuk dolls are much more finished and professional looking--they are artsy and casual but finished looking
Your dolls are beautiful and unique, but to me they look more like kit dolls where an artist created her to make an OOAK (one of kind) doll from either their own materials or the kit materials.
Professionally made dolls have more detailed finishes. Edges are glittered or colorfully stitched down, hair is braided or styled (even the messier type dos are more done and even), make up is detailed and applied like a movie stars. The hair on all three, their make up and facial features, and the unfinished nature of the costumes are more kit reminiscent than not.
But, there are always exceptions.
I am going to suggest two things--one is to put the dolls on Facebook in a group called identifying your mystery dolls and see if someone there is a Showstoppers/Maranuk expert and they may see something that I am missing and know right away yes or no.
If they don't know, then I suggest you list them on eBay as unbranded fairy dolls and give all of their specs and colors and start at what you want for them and let the market dictate the values. The Showstoppers/Maranuk sell from $300 and below--so start sky is the limit and take best offer. Don't be surprised if fetch less (either way)--but always start high.
Then there are two challenges--one the one that is damaged will need to be clearly identified and the damage mentioned in multiple places (headline and at least three items in the description) . The second challenge is these are super fragile so they will need to be double boxed which is going to make shipping very expensive--but that is the only way they will get to where they are going safely.
Post back what you learn and how your sale goes!
Thanks for posting!!
Thank you so much for your in depth comment, as much as I remember I dont recall ever seeming a tag of label or even an engraving of some sort so its much more likely its a knockoff or like you said, a kit doll. And I dont mind about the value although having a Florence Maranuk doll would be amazing!
If it doesn't have the mark, it is a knockoff, and worth much less.
I always thought these were an interesting style of dolls but never owned one; mainly because I could not decide on how to best display them.
I hope you have them displayed - no matter if they are the 'real thing' or not as they are lovely.
I agree with PGHgirl that they probably are not Showstoppers but if they are for your pleasure I'm sure that does not matter.
I've been around dolls of all kinds for many years - owned hundreds and sold many but I only bought dolls that I liked and owned some knockoffs that were just as nice as the originals and some were even nicer/better. That does not mean the value was the same but for me - just as valuable.
Hope you enjoy having your lovely dolls for many years to come.
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