Date: Fri 16-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Furse-Jenny-Lind-doll-Doina

Full Text:

New Sponsors, Same Location: Newtown's Doll Show Returns Next Weekend

(with cuts)

BY SHANNON HICKS

Dolls, whether old or new, are among the most popular of collectibles. They

are as diverse as their enthusiasts, but the common thread among doll

collectors seems to be the thrill of the hunt, and the joy of the find.

For ten years, Aunt Mary's Doll Hospital has sponsored an antique and

collectible doll show at The Fireside Inn in Newtown. The doll show returns

for its 11th fall this month, only this time the show will have a new sponsor:

The Jenny Lind Doll Club.

After being presented by Mary Furse, the owner of Aunt Mary's Dolls, the show

is changing hands this year but not its commitment of presenting dolls of all

shapes and sizes to collectors of all ages and backgrounds. The 11th Annual

Newtown Antique and Collectible Doll Show and Sale returns to The Fireside Inn

on Sunday, October 25.

The number of collectible dolls, artists and companies keeps growing daily.

Each collector has his or her own reason for collecting dolls. Some are in

search of beauty, others desire financial investments, and still others are in

pursuit of nostalgia.

"It's a walk down memory lane to see the dolls you played with as a youngster

when visiting a doll show," says Gloria Doino, a former speech therapist at

Newtown Middle School who is now enjoying retirement with her own hobby of

collecting dolls. The Weston resident is also a member of the Jenny Lind Doll

Club, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary.

(The Jenny Lind Club is actually the second oldest club in the National

Federation of Doll Clubs, according to Jenny Lind president Regina Sheltmire.)

"Collectors have such varied interests," Mrs Doino said. "Mine is just the

pleasure of having dolls. To me, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Of

course it could be an investment, but I believe dolls have to be loved."

Among the membership of the Jenny Lind Club, there is a common bond in wanting

to preserve and appreciate dolls. Throughout history, many dolls have told the

story of the times during which they were created. They present a unique

social history of their era.

Most doll collectors are involved in more than one category of collectible

dolls. Many times the only limitations, says Mrs Doino, seem to be space and

budget. For those who do not have much display or storage space, smaller dolls

are an option.

Doll prices can range from tag sale bargains to costly antiques. Past crowds

at the annual Newtown doll shows have certainly found this to be true.

In addition to the dolls that are at the show either for viewing only or for

purchase, the show also presents a doll hospital and an appraisal table.

Regina Sheltmire, the president of the Jenny Lind Club in Connecticut, said

this week she expects to have 40 dealers at the show next weekend, many of

them repeat dealers.

Education is always a large lure for collectors to join doll collecting clubs.

As a former teacher, Mrs Doino found that aspect particularly important when

she joined the Jenny Lind club.

"I have found this to be not just a social setting, but also very

educational," she said. "There is such interest in not only appreciating each

other's collections, but also to pass on the information about dolls. The

education aspect... I think it's wonderful to learn, as well as to pass on.

"The Newtown show, like many shows, is very reflective of history," she said.

"Dolls range from the antique to contemporary. These shows are as varied as

the people who collect."

Just Another Vendor

Mary Furse created the Newtown Antique and Collectible Doll Show ten years

ago, when she was also running Aunt Mary's Doll Hospital on a part-time basis.

A few years ago, she began working full-time.

Three years ago, she began to mention how difficult it was for her to plan an

annual event. After last year's show, Mrs Furse pulled up her stakes and

called it a day as far as planning and presenting the doll show went.

"I did the planning for ten years and was really quite pleased with the show,"

Mrs Furse said this week. "But I had come to the decision that I was not going

to do this any more." At that point, Mrs Furse offered the one-day event to

the Jenny Lind Doll Club, of which she is a member.

"They were a little hesitant at first," she said, "but they're running the

show now."

While the sponsorship has changed, customers to the show are not in for any

major changes in the show's format or presentation. Dolores Gilbert is

returning for the ninth year to do the doll appraisals at the show. One of the

stipulations Mrs Furse laid down was that the doll show would remain similar

to what it had always been.

"I needed to feel comfortable with that before I could turn the show over,"

she said. "They have been doing a very good job, although they are in for the

busiest week -- and the most demanding day, physically -- with the upcoming

week." The day before the show, she pointed out, will be a big test for the

doll club and those who are setting up the tables and booths in the Fireside's

hall.

Mrs Furse has been working on a consultant basis this year with the Jenny Lind

Club, but says she is looking forward to the new role she will be playing next

weekend.

"I'm looking forward to being at the show and not actually being responsible

for everything that's going on," she said. "I'm going to try to pretend to be

`just one of the vendors,' and maybe even do a little shopping for myself."

The 11th Annual Newtown Antique & Collectible Doll Show will be Sunday,

October 25, 10 am to 4 pm, at The Fireside Inn, 123 South Main Street in

Newtown. Call 860/628-8896 for additional information.