Description: Princess Elizabeth's Chad Valley ‘Bambina’ pressed felt and velvet doll, circa 1935, red on white 'Hygenic Toys' label to left foot, with inset blue glass eyes, painted rosebud mouth, blonde mohair wig, jointed velvet body, in pink cotton tunic with turquoise felt spots and edging, matching shoes; with a home-made turquoise tweed coat in fashionable 30s style; hand knitted knickers and a cream silk nightdress, 36cm, 14in tall; together with a copy of a letter on Sandringham House stationery acknowledging the vendor's possession of the clothes on behalf of H.M. The Queen (qty) Provenance: Originally in the possession of Clara (Allah) Knight the Royal nanny from 1926. Previously loaned to the Bexhill Museum from 1990-2007. The Chad Valley company wrote to the Palace requesting permission to produce dolls in the likeness of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Much to their surprise the Queen (mother) gave consent, as her daughters already had their own much-loved Chad Valley dolls in their toy box. This doll pre-dates the Chad Valley Royal warrant which was awarded in 1938. The Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose felt dolls Chad Valley went on to produce were hugely successful, not only in Great Britain but across the Commonwealth.

Condition Report: Face has faded. Paint is rubbed on eyebrows, small hole to one side of mouth. Curly hair is somewhat tousled, moth holes concealed along hairline. Two darned repairs to felt below chin. Limbs and velvet hands are grimey, and wear to index finger on both hands. Slight moth grazing or rubbing to top of left front leg. Rear torso seam has been re-sewn. Repair to velvet at edge of swivel disc top of right inner leg. Tunic dress has faded from pink to white at the front, and repaired split to neckline. Shoes have faded and have darned repairs, one with cardboard insole only. Silk nightdress is good condition. Home-made coat – couple of pinhead holes to collar and right sleeve, small darn to reverse of right sleeve, the coat is similar to one worn by the Princess herself in 1937. Socks with small holes. Knitted knickers are good condition, they look later?