Collector Shirley Shalles holding her beloved Pierotti Poured Wax King Edward, on the day he won his UFDC ribbons.

We recently acquired the lifetime doll collection of Shirley Shalles. We are still waiting for official biographical information regarding Mrs. Shalles, however I will share with you some personal information about her, from my heart.

Shirley was both a good friend and a mentor to me. I first met Shirley at a doll show in the early 1990's, when I was just beginning my career in dolls, but truly got to know her as a close friend after opening my doll shop in 1995. One day, just as I was about to put out my OPEN flag at the store, Shirley arrived with a brown paper bag in one hand and a couple of dolls under her other arm. "Hello, I'm HERE!" she announced, "and I BROUGHT MY LUNCH!" It occurred to me then that she was planning to stay at the shop with me all day! To be completely honest, no one had ever done that before- and I thought it was a little strange. But soon I came to look forward to Shirley's company, to the rare and wonderful dolls she would bring "just to show me" from her collection, to the things she would teach me. Shirley was a fun, smart, enthusiastic collector. She laughed frequently. She bought what she loved. She was a judge of modern dolls within UFDC, and attended the National Conventions through 1995, always coming home with more dolls than she could carry.

Shirley is still alive, but sadly is no longer herself. She is a victim of Alzheimer's disease. Her family has decided that now is time to depart with her beloved dolls. It is up to me to find a loving home for each and every one of them. I feel honored to have been chosen to consign the lifetime doll collection of my dear friend.

Shirley's doll room as it once was.

If at all possible, please visit our Mullica Hill, New Jersey doll shop to view the entire collection. Hundreds of dolls are available, and it is not possible to include every one on the site; however we will try our best to showcase a different grouping every month. The collection includes dolls of bisque, wax, wood, papier mache, composition, china, parian, and more. There are many unusual and "fun" dolls in the collection.

Call 1-856-478-9778 or email debra@debrasdolls.com for more info on any doll listed. Many more are available- if there's something in particular that you're looking for, ask us if we have it!

We are still putting the collection into inventory and will add more details & prices soon.

In the meantime, please email Debra for information regarding any item listed here.

9" All-Original Ravca "William Penn" Cloth Doll, French, circa 1920's-1930's $195.

9" All-Original Ravca "Betsy Ross" Cloth Doll, French, circa 1920's-1930's $195.

Vintage international cloth dolls, very affordably priced. $42. each
Shirley loved early dolls & has many in her collection. $2,800, Sold, $3,500, Sold
Incredible Wax-Over-Papier Mache Key-Wind Automata (still works!) $5,250	I also sold this rare poured wax baby with molded teeth to Shirley, and remember when it won a Blue Ribbon at a UFDC National Convention. $2,650
This one-of-a-kind Mollye two-faced Raggedy Ann was said to have been Made just for Shirley by the doll maker, as the two ladies were friends. It is signed in ink by Mollye on the torso. $4,200

A lovely parian with pierced ears $2,250	Lovely Motschman type wax-over doll in original clothes $3,250

This very rare American rawhide (leather) doll is missing one arm, but still wonderful. $3,500	Shirley often brought this all-original Milliners Model in Welsh costume to visit me at her shop; it was one of her favorites. $2,950

A delightful character boy. $1,350		Oil painted cloth Doll with rare mission marking on chest $2,800