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Artful Restoration |
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Artful Restoration |
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Restoring "Schnickel-Fritz"
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The Doll Restoration business is a profession that must truly be one of love and dedication. It is very hard work when done properly and if you add the hours spent on a doll that might be considered a "basket-case" your pay tends to be meager by today’s standards. So it is for the reward of a smiling customer and a doll that has been "brought back to life" that keeps my feet on this chosen path. I meet many wonderful people through my business. They come to my shop; I may just speak to them on the phone or through e-mail. I have repeat customers that I have never met. I have quite a few who always stick in my mind for one reason or another. And just as with people, I have found that occasionally one of my "Little Patients" makes a more lasting impression than others. Schnickel-Fritz came to my shop for restoration in July of 2007. I am familiar with many of the Schoenhut dolls but this little character is one that I knew little about. The poor thing was a mess! Someone had attempted to restore him and it was awful. He was a ghostly white and his features were distorted. Someone had actually tried to carve into his eyes and his mouth; part of his ear and a pinky finger were missing. I knew this restoration was going to be a true test of my abilities. I looked Schnickel-Fritz up in my Schoenhut Dolls Encyclopedia by Carol Corson to see what this doll really looked like. I was shocked! The doll is adorable. He is full of character, with his chubby cheeks, crinkled eyes and that mischievous smile. I looked at this poor thing that now lay before me and I took a few photographs of him and packed him away. He was going to be with me for awhile. When a doll like this is restored, it is basically like a work of art to me. It cannot be thrown back together in a short time. The doll needed to be completely restored and repainted. I needed to research him thoroughly: his coloring, his characteristics, the qualities that would make him "Schnickel-Fritz" again. Also the doll's owner wanted him to look like he had been played with and his patina should look like one of a doll from 1911. He did not want his doll to look brand-new.
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As I began work on him I also realized that his deeply carved hair had been covered up, and I was able to uncover it successfully. His eyelids had to be rebuilt, along with his cheeks and mouth. I had to take him apart to repaint his body. Luckily I had purchased a reprinted copy of the Schoenhut Doll Hospital Instruction Book. This is a great book to have if you restore Schoenhut dolls. The book shows how to take the dolls apart and put them back together. When Schnickel-Fritz was made in 1911 (until possibly 1913), there were a few variations of the doll made. The earliest of the dolls had the heavily carved cowlick swirl and comb marks, as did my patient. As I researched and worked on my patient, he slowly began to resemble the gleeful little imp he once was. Finally he was finished! Schnickel-Fritz was with me for 6 months and he was ready to go home to his owner. He was beautiful! I took pictures of him posing and waving, and he was smiling again! I brought him back to life and that is why I continue to do this. But now the biggest test is shipping the doll home and waiting for the owner's response. I sent Schnickel-Fritz on his way. I hated to see him go. My children even commented on him. They couldn't believe it was the same doll. My daughter's reaction was, "Wow Mom, I can't believe how cute he is!" I sent him home in a "hospital gown" and a small teddy bear. I like my patients to have something to travel home with. And then I waited for his owner's call. He called a few days later and was thrilled! He couldn't believe it was the same doll. He had waited years for a Schnickel-Fritz and he researched many Doll Repair websites before choosing me and allowing me the privilege of "breathing life" back into his rare treasure. A bit of information about the Schoenhut Schnickel-Fritz: He was made by the Albert Schoenhut Company of Philadelphia, PA. He was registered with the U.S. Patent office on June 6, 1911. He came in five different sizes. It is believed that he was only produced until 1913. Schnickel-Fritz is a very rare and sought after doll. He demands high prices even in poor condition and continues to be one of the stand-outs in any Schoenhut doll collection. |
Schnickel-Fritz Before
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And Introducing: Schnickel-Fritz After |
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Resources:
Schoenhut Dolls-A Collector's Encyclopedia
by Carol Corson |
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For more information about
Louise and her work, go to her website at:
www.louiseslittleladies.com ©2008, Doll Castle News |
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