People collect dolls for many reasons. Some collect them because of fond childhood memories, others for the artistry that goes into making them, others for historical value, and still others for their resale value. People collect what appeals to them and reflect their desires and values.
Here in our store, we have gathered quite a collection of dolls (and stuffed animals). Our “Barbie” collection is fairly extensive. But we’ve other delightful additions to consider whether it’s a gift for a young one to enjoy or to be added to a collection.
Shirley Temple Doll
This delightful doll can be purchased with 6 outfits, but we have a total of 16 if you’re interested!
Brief History of Dolls
Another excerpt:
Dolls in the Middle Ages were often made from clay, tin, or glass. Clay figures of horses and knights and figurines from glass and tin have been found. In addition, dolls made from bread representing various saints were eaten on religious feast days. Beginning in the 1400s, fashion dolls were created to display the latest Paris fashions to wealthy customers.
In America, one of the oldest dolls is the Kachina, made by the Hopi Indians in Arizona. Kachina dolls were hand carved from cactus root or cottonwood, painted with symbolic colors and designs, and dressed in traditional dresses. These dolls were intended as sacred objects for children to study, and were not used as toys. During religious ceremonies, Kachina dolls were given out by masked priests who dressed as ancestral spirits and offered petitionary prayers for the tribe.
Colonial Americans made dolls from whatever materials they had on hand, including corn husks, corn cobs, fruits, nuts, and gourds. Northern Indians and Eskimos fashioned their dolls from whalebone, walrus tusk, and mammoth teeth.
We’ve been posting about dolls over the years. CLICK HERE to see some of those older posts.
Wonder Why We Collect Dolls?
You’re in good company if you love to collect dolls of any kind. Some famous people, such as actress Demi Moore and actor Johnny Depp, collect dolls. Even British singer, Sophie Ellis Bextor, collects a variety of dolls because they’re full of personality and charm. You may collect dolls purely for investment purposes. After all, an original and mint condition G.I. Joe doll can fetch a pretty penny, as can a rare, vintage, or designer diamond-encrusted Barbie doll. But you likely already know that not all dolls are worth a fortune, so there may be another reason behind your habit.
Whether you’re looking for a Barbie to add to your collection, a Victorian doll, or a princess or baby doll, we may be able to help. So we encourage you to stop in soon. Yep, we’re always watchin’ for ya!
Gentle Reminder:
Might we add that 5 months from now will be the Christmas Holidays.
Is there a doll you always wanted? We might have it!
Some of the huge variety of dolls in our collection.
Check our front window. There’s an amazing selection of dolls from small cloth dolls to beautiful baby dolls and everything in-between! They’re in excellent condition and will surely delight a collector, or a young one whose eyes would light up with one or two of these beautiful dolls.
Beautiful Presidents’ Wives Collection, Bride doll, and Beanie Babies.
Above are wives of former presidents (l to r): Mrs. Barbara Bush, Mrs. Pat Nixon, Mrs. Jackie Kennedy, Mrs. Nancy Reagan, and Mrs. Rosalyn Carter. These dolls are beautiful. In addition, there’s a lovely bride’s doll. And the beanie babies are only a few of the collection we have acquired.
Stop in soon and take a peek. Surely there’s a perfect doll for a very special person in your life! Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
No need to complain. No one wants to hear it. The heat has been … well … BEYOND HOT!
Do you wonder what George does when it’s so HOT?
“Caught ya!”
Yep, he received a wonderful assortment of all things “Barbie” and just had to play. Here he is going through the cases and dressing the dolls.
Here’s a sampling of the latest arrivals that came during our sizzling heatwave. Stop by and check them out. Whether you’re a collector, or you just have a special young girl that you know would just LOVE these, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
See what you miss when you aren’t checking in on George!?!? Stop by soon. We are looking forward to a break in the temps this week. And yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
At Bahoukas Antique Mall & Beer MuZeum we have a wonderful variety of toy sets to play house, buy groceries, cook and bake in the kitchen, and more.
The following describes a bit of ‘toy history.’
A great selection of kids’ pots, pans, coffee pots and more!
A toy is an item that is used in play, especially one designed for such use. Playing with toys can be an enjoyable means of training young children for life in society. Different materials like wood, clay, paper, and plastic are used to make toys. Many items are designed to serve as toys, but goods produced for other purposes can also be used. For instance, a small child may fold an ordinary piece of paper into an airplane shape and “fly it”. Newer forms of toys include interactive digital entertainment. Some toys are produced primarily as collectors’ items and are intended for display only.
The origin of toys is prehistoric; dolls representing infants, animals, and soldiers, as well as representations of tools used by adults are readily found at archaeological sites. The origin of the word “toy” is unknown, but it is believed that it was first used in the 14th century. Toys are mainly made for children. The oldest known doll toy is thought to be 4,000 years old.
Playing with toys is considered to be important when it comes to growing up and learning about the world around us. Younger children use toys to discover their identity, help their bodies grow strong, learn cause and effect, explore relationships, and practice skills they will need as adults
Kitchen accessories, baking tins, hand mixers, rolling pins and more – sized perfectly for kids!
Besides perfect toys for kids, it didn’t take long for marketers to realize the value of making kid-size representatives of their ‘brands.’ Who didn’t want a refrigerator “Just like mom’s.”
The following is a perfect example of this new marketing tactic that quickly built a huge toy market from the 1950s forward. (photo courtesy of Smithsonian Nat’l Museum of American History and Sears)
Pop into Bahoukas and see what fun items might be perfect for one of your youngsters. We really do have some great items. And yes, we’re watchin’ for ya!
Hula Hoops are a great way to have your children burn off that crazy, pent-up energy from the rainy days! We have them. We also have a variety of toys perfect for playing outdoors and others that make for a great time on a rainy day (goodness! Did I just say that out loud!?!?) We have metal trucks and cars, wonderful stuffed toys, doll houses, action figures, trading cards, dolls, and yes – games!
Do you know when the first Hula Hoop was marketed? Or the kind of ‘hoops’ different cultures used previously to the toy we are all familiar with now? Read below then click the link to Wikipedia for more information! Interesting!
The hula hoop gained international popularity in the late 1950s, when a plastic version was successfully marketed by California’s Wham-O toy company. In 1957, Richard Knerr and Arthur “Spud” Melin, starting with the idea of Australian bamboo “exercise hoops”, manufactured 1.06-metre (42 in) hoops with Marlex plastic. With giveaways and national marketing and retailing, a fad was started in July 1958; twenty-five million plastic hoops were sold in less than four months, and in two years, sales reached more than 100 million units. Carlon Products Corporation was one of the first manufacturers of the hula hoop. During the 1950s, when the hula hoop craze swept the country, Carlon was producing more than 50,000 hula hoops per day. The hoop was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong in Rochester, New York, in 1999.
The hula hoop craze swept the world, dying out again in the 1980s, but not in China and Russia, where hula hooping and hoop manipulation were adopted by traditional circuses and rhythmic gymnasts.
By the way, did you know there’s a NATIONAL TOY HALL of FAME? Check this out! CLICK HERE
Stop by today. It’s going to be a beautiful Monday! See what we have to offer that will make any day special for the kids in your family! We’ll be watchin’ for ya
The Victorian Sofa is perfect for a young girl’s smaller dolls. Burgundy cloth on a beautiful wooden frame is a perfect ‘seat’ for a variety of dolls including the Victorian Stuffed doll on the right. Of course, Mickey Mouse or a little doll with boots and coat will also enjoy the sofa.
… to Masters of the Universe – STRIDOR
STRIDOR carries He-Man to victory. And we have two of these awesome war horses sitting on the shelf waiting for the perfect owner.
We encourage you to stop in soon and see not only these items, but the variety of toys and games for the young and the young-at-heart. We’ll be watchin’ for ya.
Gift giving never has to be a challenge… instead think of it as a creative endeavor. Would a special person on your list appreciate a gift that shares some interesting history about the birth year, or the year you met, or another significant time in their lives? For instance an old magazine from their birthdate or birth year will most certainly create conversation as folks share stories that they remember.
Here, at Bahoukas Antique Mall, we have a number of old magazines that just might ‘fill the bill’ for that year you’re looking for. Or maybe it’s a childhood book that you find among our shelves that would be a real hit for a gift!
Another unique item can be music from a given year. This, too, can bring a flurry of conversation… and quite often, dancing! And yes, we have record players if you need one!
Looking for a collectible plate with a certain year,
… or a toy from a particular era, or maybe a toy related to a tv show of years gone by are a few more ways a collectible can make a perfect gift. We highly recommend that if you give a collectible item to a younger person, encourage them to find the tv show, commercial, or other piece of info about the item by searching on the internet. That bridges the generations and also brings a collectible to life!
We have old board games,
…license plates, sports items including collectible cards, models and hot wheel cars, Angels of the Year figures, Barbie Dolls, and even World’s Fair memorabilia. So come on, put you’re thinking cap on and start remembering those ‘good ole days’ … because you just might find a gift that will not just be a box to unwrap, but will become the ‘life of the party’ as you all share memories – we consider this the perfect gift.
Visit our blog posts for 44 Days of Gift Giving if you need more ideas to tickle your imagination.
The countdown is on…. Christmas is definitely close… so stop in and let us help you find the perfect gift at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Elvis Presley was rock & roll’s first real star, not to mention one of the most important cultural forces in history, a hip-shaking symbol of liberation for the staid America of the 1950s. A white Southerner singing blues laced with country, and country laced with gospel, he brought together American music from both sides of the color line and performed it with a natural sexuality that made him a teen idol and role model for generations of cool rebels. He was repeatedly dismissed as vulgar, incompetent, and a bad influence, but the force of his music and his image was no mere merchandising feat. Presley signaled to mainstream culture that it was time to let go. Four decades after his death, Presley’s image and influence remain undiminished. While certainly other artists preceded him to the alter of rock & roll, he is indisputably The King.
We have an entire section dedicated to ELVIS – THE KING including music wind-ups, Gold Records, Whiskey Decanters, telephone, collector plates & tins, AM Radio, dolls, figurines, stamps, puzzles, and shot glasses. If you loved ELVIS, or know someone who does, we can definitely help you find the perfect gift for your or their collection! Check out this awesome youtube video …. just in case you forgot how amazing ELVISwas!
Here are a few more photos of a small portion of our ELVIS COLLECTIBLES available at Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum. Stop by soon and pick up the perfect ELVIS collectible for you pleasure or to give as a gift this holiday. Don’t forget – we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
Barbie, Tuttie, Midge and Skipper cases make perfect gifts!
These cases make perfect gifts for the young girl in your life. They can be used for their own collections or as an overnight bag. They make great gifts to keep their own Barbie accessories and dolls, too.
Do you remember Skipper? No? Maybe this short video will help.
And here’s Barbie’s teenage friend, Midge, being introduced:
Enjoy these great videos of years gone by. Then stop into Bahoukas Antique Mall and pick one of our great Barbie, Tutti, Skipper or Midge cases for someone special on your gift list. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
According to Box Office: IT is the highest grossing horror movie of all time. Of course, Pennywise the Clown is not exactly one’s best buddy. But we thought that if you liked the movie, you just might love our clowns in general!
Our clowns are definitely less scary and lots more fun.
Above you have Krusty the Clown from The Simpsons, a clown nightlight (1966), Roly Poly Clown – 1960 and musical, clown salt shaker, plastic cup with a clown handle, Peter Pez – a giant PEZ dispenser that holds and dispenses full PEZ packs, plastic clown figure with hoop, a sqeak toy clown, and a wonderful cast-iron mechanical bank clown.
Krusty is often portrayed as a cynical, burnt-out, addiction-riddled smoker who is made miserable by show business but continues on anyway. He has become one of the most common characters outside of the main Simpson family and has been the focus of several episodes, most of which also spotlight Bart. From Wikipedia
In the photo below, we have another assortment of wonderful clowns. In front, the stuffed clown dolls are quiet smiley with the one on the left a collectible Knickerbocker stuffed clown. On the back shelf left to right are: 1950s tin, battery operated Violin Clown; Czechoslovakian blown glass clowns; and a 1962 Squeaky the Clown pull toy by Fisher Price. When you pull him along, the head bobs up and down and he squeaks.
Here’s a close up detail of the clown figure that’s on two of the Czechoslovakian, blown-glass, pieces.
You guessed it. We just couldn’t resist sharing the wonderful, collectible, variety of clowns available at Bahoukas Antique Mall to help celebrate the most popular horror movie, IT, based on the book IT by Stephen King. Stop in and have some fun!
This beautiful Native American Doll is not really a toy, but an amazing addition to an adult collection or for a child who really loves to keep the dolls pristine. Hand-painted by Native Americans, you must see this doll to appreciate the detail and the beauty.
The pillow cover is titled “Silver Moon” – a souvenir of York, PA.
This is one of those unique collectibles we have at Bahoukas that is easily missed. But do stop in and browse. And when you do, be sure to look at the beauty of this amazing Native American Doll.
We know Casper was friendly (and yes, our little doll is for sale). But who knew that one of the dolls that has since been sold just loved to play tricks on Betty.
Listen to Betty’s short tale of a doll that just couldn’t keep his safety-pinned pants on.
What do you think?
(It makes me wonder what happened when the person who bought the doll took it home!)
Our Holiday Barbies are in their original boxes – 1989 thru 1996 and 2000. They are beautiful and just waiting for the perfect owner. Stop in to see them and pick one out for your holiday gift giving. Make a child (or collector) very, very happy!
We have an array of Barbie vintage doll cases from the 60s and 70s. Use them for your dolls or for an overnight stay. Maybe you want an extra special cosmetics case. Whether six or sixty, you may just find the perfecting pairing with a Barbie doll case.
Did you know…
Barbie has become a cultural icon and has been given honors that are rare in the toy world. In 1974, a section of Times Square in New York City was renamed Barbie Boulevard for a week. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris at the Louvre held a Barbie exhibit in 2016. The exhibit featured 700 Barbie dolls over two floors as well as works by contemporary artists and documents (newspapers, photos, video) that contextualize Barbie. … from Wikipedia
Love her or hate her…. Barbie has history. So come check out our collection and find the perfect Barbie collectible for that special person on your gift list.
