This wonderful reference book, Dollhouse and Furniture Advertising: 1880s – 1980s by Dian Zillner is my “go-to” book! I’d love to meet this published author Dian Zillner one day.
BOOK: DOLLHOUSE AND FURNITURE ADVERTISING 1880s-1980s
Tag: dian zillner
MARSHALL FIELD’S: HALL’S LIFETIME TOYS DOLLHOUSE
As I live here in Chicagoland for over twenty years, Marshall Field’s Department store on State Street with the iconic clock is one of the Chicago’s highlights. This particular heirloom dollhouse, 1970’s Colonial Mansion by Hall’s Lifetime Toys is believed was created for Marshall Field’s & Co. This one is still sought after by collectors today.
This 1970’s Colonial Mansion may be considered as “plantation style” but it did not have any other trim, like a balcony. It has a Greek revival with the columns and triangular shape on the top front. The painted green roof is plain, sloping on each side. 4 rooms total with a staircase, covered in red suede. A fireplace. 2 rooms upstairs and 2 rooms downstairs, all beautifully wall papered. Each window is plastic stapled with painted white curtains and green wooden shutters.
I love the lithographed front door design as it stands out elegantly. Happy viewing!
along with the other images below
Dollhouse and Furniture Advertising: 1880s-1980s by Dian Zillner
State & Washington Street – with its iconic clock
The iconic Walnut Room at Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s) on 111 N. State St. below
R. BLISS COLONIAL MANSION circa 1910
I bought this beautiful antique wooden lithograph dollhouse for only $50 via Facebook Marketplace in 2018. After my visit at the local library, it was an authentic R. Bliss – Colonial Mansion circa 1910. Unfortunately, the owner who sold it to me didn’t know the true value as it was left in their barn for years.
Because of extremely delicate illustrated paper lithograph (glued on wood), I had to gently clean every nooks and crannies by using dry soft toothbrush and Q-Tips. No water!
I contacted the dollhouse expert Ann Meehan and she thought it was a great find! She said if I put this on display at a miniature/toy show or eBay — it could bring about $500+. She suggested me to put it on eBay instead of an auction house (like Dan Morphy’s auction) because they (the auction house) would sell it at any price it brings and I’d have no control. Good tip!
The director of The Great American Dollhouse Museum in Danville, KY (https://www.thedollhousemuseum.com) has shown interest in having the dollhouse take part of their collection. But they would ask us to donate it.
So I ended up selling it for $550 on eBay – to a R. Bliss collector.
More information about R. Bliss Manufacturing Company: https://www.causeafrockus.com/2019/02/mini-history-of-r-bliss-manufacturing-co/
HOUSE MINIATURES 