Shirley Temple

Jointed composition doll modelled on the American child film star Shirley Temple. The doll's swivel head bears the mark 'S.T. 2 1/2 CB Germany' (ST stands for Shirley Temple). It has painted features and 'weighted' sleeping blue glass eyes with eyelashes. The mouth is slightly open showing teeth and the doll has characteristic blonde mohair curly hair. She is dressed in white knitted cotton knickers (original clothing) and white cotton socks, white cotton petticoat, a coat of brown flecked tweed fabric and matching hat (later additions). The donor's mother made the coat and hat from a McCall pattern specially issued for Shirley Temple dolls.

When purchased from Hamley's toyshop in, Regent Street, 1940, the doll was wearing a blue pleated organdie dress and paper shoes. These clothes have not survived. This was a 'best doll' played with only on special occasions by the donor and owner Mrs Valerie Jean Knight, nee Hammond, who was born in 1931 and nine years old when given the doll.