Here is my list of books to read on Lenci in no particular order. With my personal reviews. Blessings, Max Rainet.
1. Helen Nolan / Lenci Dolls in Full Color : Toys for the Rich and Famous, 1920-1940
Published by: Dover 1986 / ISBN 0486252043 Paperback, as issued.
"This is one of the first books I ever found on Lenci. The pictures are fabulous, and just
enough to give you the Lenci bug. All in color. Wow." MR
2. Dorothy Coleman / Lenci Dolls: Fabulous Figures of Felt
Published by: Hobby House Press 1977 / ISBN 087588119x [paperback] issued in HB and PB.
"This book is a great source for matching mold numbers and has a source chart in the back of
the book which is helpful for dating dolls. It has a lot of outdated material, and misinformation.
So use it as a tool, and weed out the wrong facts from later publications. The book is really
commendable as one of the first comprehensive books on Lenci. All photos are in B/W. “ MR
3. Polly Judd / Cloth Dolls Identification and Price Guide : 1920s and 1930s
Published by: Hobby House Press 1990 / ISBN 0875883532 Paperback as issued.
“If you’re new to collecting any cloth dolls, this is the bible of who made
what dolls, what are copycat Lenci dolls and how the cloth doll developed.
Most of the photos are in B/W but it will really help you from getting cheated
by people who call everything made of cloth a Lenci.” MR
4. Sabine Reinelt / Lenci : Decorative and Extravagant (text is in German and English)
Published by: Gert Wohlfarth Gmbh Verlag 2002 / ISBN 3874631567 Hardcover as issued.
"A really lovely book, perhaps the best up till its publication. Wonderful family details, and
color photos of many rarer dolls. If you were going to start with one book on Lenci, I
would recommend this one." MR
5. Alfonso Panzetta / Le ceramiche Lenci, 1928-1964: Catalogo generale dall'archivio storico della
manifattura (Archivi di arti decorative)
Published by U. Allemandi 1992 / ISBN 8842203572 Hardcover as issued.
"The absolute bible of ceramics created by the Lenci Company. Stunning photos, although
only a few are in color. Profusely illustrated with production designs, and series by artists,
may by Lenci founder Helen Konig di Scavini and even a few by her daughter Anili. Who
knew Lenci was the creator of 1000s of wonderful ceramic designs. This is a collector must.
The text is only in Italian, but model numbers, artist attributions are easy to decipher. You
might just own a Lenci piece and not know it." MR
6. Carol A. McKee / Lenci Clothes
Published by: Hobby House Press 1982 / ISBN: 0875881912 Hardcover as issued.
"A very helpful book. Although it only have a few outfits, the patterns can be adapted to include
other designs for the established sewing aficionado. Basic teddy and shoe patterns are a blessing
since they tend to go missing. Lovely b/w pictures of a few dolls featured, which is a nice plus.” MR
7. Nancy Lazenby / Lenci : The History and the Dolls
Published by: Reverie Publishing 2007 / ISBN 1932485457 Hardcover as issued.
"I own this book, I'll have to admit that I only looked at the pictures. I have done enough
of my own research to know the Lenci story, but the full color photos are worth every penny.
I've heard that Lazenby is an avid Lenci collector and its very nice to have a refreshing,
updated biography for all collectors." MR
8. Marco Tosa / Bambole Lenci
Published by: Idealibri 1989 / ISBN 8870821471 Hardcover as issued.
“I first saw this book at a trade show, then bought a copy from the factory when in Italy.
It is the definitive biography as approved by the current owner of the company Beppe Garella.
The text is only in Italian, but the photos, model details, names and dates make this one of the
very best books on the company. I know a little Italian, and also have an Italian friend who has
helped me translate most of the book. The thing that felt a little weird about it is how the
book plays down the value of the founder Helen di Scavini. But other than that its displays
very rare drawings, and details that only the company owners would know.” MR
9. Giorgi, Michela + Henrietta Somalvico / Le Bambole Lenci : Le Bambole Di Stoffa Italiane
Published by: Idea Libri 2003 / ISBN: 8870827941 Hardcover as issued.
"Wonderful pictures, and great compilation of images not seen before. The text is only in Italian,
but you can figure out model numbers, dates and details not known before. The shear number
of photos and adverts, postcards are terrific. It would be another great book to start your
collecting library with. Lots of photos of Lenci documentation make it a real variation on the
same subject." MR
10. Catalog reprints. There are a few companies out there doing reprints from original Lenci Catalogs. I've seen various
years available including, 1931, 1930, 1928, 1926, 1924, and one on trunks and mannequins.
"I think these are a great source for figuing out what dolls you have, if you need outfits or just want to see
the amazing variety of dolls that were made by Lenci. They don't usually have much text, but model numbers
and sizes are common. Look for good color reprints."MR
11. Ann Carlsdotter / Lenci: A look at Dolls 1: Mascot dolls
Published by FBRE Ltd. 2007 Paperback as issued.
"This is a cute little book that features only mascot dolls. It is a bit more like a
scrapbook rather than featuring previously published details. It has numerous
photos of different small Lenci Dolls. I don't collect the mascot dolls, but its really
a nice tribute to their loveliness."MR
12. Stephanie Farago ; Sandra Kaplan; Bob Dennison / The Magic and Romance of Art Dolls
Published by: Farago Publications 1986 / ISBN 0935363009 Hardcover as issued.
"This is still one of my favorite books to look at over and over. Its not really just about Lenci
dolls but features many of the fabulous Lenci dolls owned by the Farago's. It features many
boudoir dolls, dolls created in the genre of art and decorating your salon. Almost entirely in color
this book is a joy and every page exudes the love and care it took to make it. Anyone who likes
dolls will love this book." MR
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