Doll Castle News Vol. 47 #3

May/June 2007
Volume 47 #3

The Sentimental Restoration
~~ Margaret & Becca's Story ~~

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In the Doll restoration business I have the special opportunity to get to know many of my customers on a more intimate level. It is a very personable business that allows me the chance to see the significant role that a simple baby doll can play in someone's life. This past year I have restored numerous baby dolls for my varied clientele. I had a very sweet young girl of about 9 years of age bring me a vinyl baby that was her Mother's when she was young. She saved her birthday money to give the doll a new wig, new eyes and a new outfit. When she saw the doll restored, the joy in her face was such a pleasure to behold. When most girls of her age might be thinking of Barbies, Bratz or video games, she just wanted her Mother's baby doll restored. I thought that was great and a bit unusual. The sentimental restoration has always been the large majority of my business and the customers who bring these dolls are usually elderly. Most of these dolls are composition of the 1920's-30's era or earlier German bisque. But of late I have seen a new trend in my business that I find very refreshing. The very young are becoming a more frequent customer and they are bringing me vinyl baby dolls from the 1960's and 70's that were their Mother's, Grandmother's or a close family member. I like to think that our very young ones are beginning to place more value on things in life, even if it is just a simple baby doll.

As I said, the sentimental restoration (as I like to call it) brings me the majority of my business and I get to know some very wonderful people. I have heard many stories from my elderly customers of their early years growing up (1920's and 30's, some earlier) and the cherished memories they have of their dolls and families.

I believe more significance was placed on these early dolls because many families had very little during these lean years. And what they did have was well taken care of and had meaning. One of my recent customers came from a large family who struggled through these hard times. She has made a lasting impression on me, as many of my customers do. Her name is Margaret and her doll’s name is Becca.

Margaret & Becca

Margaret was born on March 26, 1924 to Mary and Charles Graves in Cedarville, New Jersey. Margaret had 10 siblings and was the youngest of 6 girls. She was raised on a farm that the entire family worked on. She recanted many happy memories to me of her family, her mother especially. Her Mother wanted to purchase Baby Dimples for Margaret's 3rd Christmas but did not have the money. Margaret's older sister Alvernia, who was 19 at the time was working at a Notions Counter selling fancy buttons, ribbons and pins so she offered to help pay for the doll. On Christmas 1927 Margaret received American Character Baby Dimples and she named her "Becca".

Margaret's life has been very full and Becca has remained with her through it all. She married her husband James Howard on September 5, 1941. They have been married for 65 years and when last I saw her they remain very happy. They are friends and Margaret says she doesn't know what she would do without him. How Great is that! They live in a lovely home in Bridgeton New Jersey and have been there for 46 years. She has always been an active member in her church and community and she is also an artist. She is a member of the Porcelain Painters of Southern New Jersey but because of health issues she cannot participate in many of the activities and services she has come to enjoy. Margaret and Jim had 2 sons and 3 Grandchildren. Margaret had a large family but sadly many have passed now. She loves people around her.

This is just a small window into the life of one of my customers, who walked into my shop last year with a very well loved Baby Dimples. She wanted Becca restored for her Great-Granddaughter Tara. Tara is 3 now, the same age that Margaret was when she received Dimples for Christmas so many years ago. When Becca was restored, Margaret was overwhelmed. She said that Becca looks just like she did when she received her.

Becca now sits up on a shelf in Margaret's family room. She is waiting for the time when Tara will become old enough to play with her gently and appreciate what has been given to her. Becca carries many happy memories of Margaret and her family. I hope that when Tara is old enough she will not just see a simple Baby doll, but a very important part of herself.

For more information about Louise's Little Ladies Doll & Toy Repair go to my website at: