The Eva Mae Doll Factory P.O. Box 331 San Pablo, Ca, 94806 was owned and run by Marion Davidson from a wooden factory built behind her house from about 1967-1987.
Mrs. Davidson was married and lead an active life with her husband and children. She also had a fascination for the German porcelains that were popular at the time. Victorian reproduction was all the rage, and Marion went to it full bore. She learned how to make molds and to make castings. Then from her precious dolls, she made molds and than reproductions made from slip clay porcelain.
Eva Mae carried all things for making dolls and was featured in a number of " DIY" magazines. All records were kept by hand, and there were many repeat customers who ordered each new edition. Marion also published a small catalog, and offered things for sale by mail. In 1980 Eva Mae dolls were featured in the Spring and Fall issues of McCall's Needlework and Crafts Magazine. From a letter written by Marion to a patient customer
" Each doll is hand cast, trimmed, sponged, dries, buffed, fired, polished , painted and fired an additional 3-4 times. For each 100 dolls there are 500 pieces to be made and finished, as each doll has two arms and legs. "
Eva Mae doll heads came in a variety of sizes, and finishes. They were available in mix and match sets. Most were "sew together." You could buy your body, and get the right sized head, hands, and body and then sew a head and shoulders on it. Marion made patterns to dress the dolls and even sold clothing ready made. The scan does not show this very well, but there is a hand written note saying " Color and style made to order" on the picture above. She sold everything to do with doll making. She had a kiln and a nice yard to pour doll heads when the weather was fine. She had shelves floor to the ceiling packed with dolls. Everything from the originals mold, pourings, firingings and painting was done on site.
Eva Mae doll heads, as fascinating for their variety and beauty are not extremely valuable. They can be "raw" that is unbaked, or "bisque, which is fired once and than painted with china paint ( color usually rosy.) Or Glazed which is usually glossy and high color.
- They can be mono color ( all white for example) which would have been painted with more glaze. This can still be done today, as most low fire clays and glazes are still compatible. Though you always take a slight risk re-firing a vintage piece.
- "Flat Heads" a very white, Victorian dolls with black wavy rather flat hair.
- Baby doll
- Curly headed woman painted eyes
- Curly haired woman cut out eyes
Guide created: 03/10/09 (updated 05/20/09)
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