Friday, October 24, 2014

A Charming Tudor Cottage from GeeBee


The GeeBee logo on the base of the house.


My newest house is a GeeBee DH/8 Tudor Cottage, possibly from around 1965. It is hard to tell which year it was made as they used this form for several years with many variations of paint colours and architectural details

Rebecca Green of Dollhouses Past and Present has written a wonderful and comprehensive article on the GeeBee company. Check it out. There are many examples of houses in the article.

Rebecca tells us "They were made in Hull (England), and they were called GeeBee because they  were set up by two men called Goodeve and Bell. They started in 1946 and ended in 1981 (the last 3 years under Humbrol), according to Marion Osborne... (who) collected ... information over many years of searching trade journals and catalogues."
Jenny and Johnny Dol-Toi are just arriving home from school.

The kitchen is furnished with tin pieces from "My dolly's kitchen series". These were made by Brimtoy in Great Britain in the 1950s. You can see these pieces and more in Dian Zillner's book (International Dollhouses and Accessories 1880s to 1980s). I have the stove, sink, ice box, washing machine and dresser. I think there are a few more pieces as well.
The table and chair came with the house and were made by Dol-Toi

The cleaning supplies were sold by British dollhouse companies of the period

A closer look at the ice box, sink and washer. The sink inset is plastic 

The ice box is full of yummy painted food. All foods are red...

The stove and the sink have working doors, as does the under sink cupboard.

All the Brimtoy items are marked Made in Gt. Britian

Jennny and Johnny burst into the living room an wake up little Jeremy
who was asleep on Granny's knee while she watched her stories.
The stairs are made of tin and are original to the house.
Dol-Toi was a British brand of Dollhouse furniture, dolls and accessories. The items in this post are all a small 3/4" of 1/16th scale.
Father is standing by the fireplace as a good master of the house should. The sofa and chair are from Dol-Toi, as are the dolls. I think the lamp is too, but the TV is Lundby and the fireplace is an unidentified piece.

Poor Mother is busy vacuuming with her wooden and fabric Dol-toi vacuum. 

The bedroom furniture came with the house and I think it is Dol-toi.
Click on these links to see some previous blogs where I have Dol-Toi furniture in my houses.
Dol-Toi Furniture?
The Barton Model Home

22 comments:

  1. Oh wow! What a beautiful Tudor Cottage! The climber is so delicately painted and I love how it divides to go up either side of the upper window. And you have the yellow and red stairs, too! I've only seen one other example of them - Karen's in the article, which also has a climber like yours, but not as high. Love all the furnishings! What a great find.

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    1. Thanks Rebecca! I didn't realize how old this cottage was until I read your article. DHPP is full of such great information. Keep up the good work.

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  2. me encanta esa cas , esta genial

    besitos

    Mari

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  3. A wonderful cottage & thank you for sharing the history. I was not familiar with GeeBee. I have a real love of tin toys and dollhouses & your kitchen set is fabulous. It appears to be in excellent condition. Great find!
    ~Lisa

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    1. Isn't it sweet, Lisa? I was surprised to find it in such great condition with some original furniture. It was at an antique market in a neighbouring town.

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  4. Hello from Spain: awesome house. Great furniture. Keep in touch

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    1. Thanks Marta! I think it such a cute little cottage.

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  5. This is such a sweet house and love the Brimtoy kitchen.

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    1. I love the Brimtoy kitchen too. Apparently there were also pots and pans to go with the set, but I don't have any of those. I am also missing the broom closet.

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  6. Great house! I love the bedroom furniture. My grandparents had the same furniture in their London flat in the 60s, bought in the 40s I imagine. Enjoy!

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    1. Hi Neen. It is such simple, yet classic furniture. Very mid-century modern. Your grandparents must have been quite chic.

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  7. Oh what a cheerful little house, I love the bright pink and the flowering vine!
    Teresa,
    sugar, spice and whatever's nice

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    1. I love the vine too. When I cleaned the decades of dirt off the house I avoided touching the painted vine in case it came off too.

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  8. Gosh, these kinds of houses bring back so many memories. I didn't have one but I adored them even then!

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    1. This type of house is so different from what I normally collect, but it is so charming I couldn't resist it. It is so childlike. Thanks!

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  9. Hello Shale,
    What a terrific house. The illustrated details are fantastic and I love the furniture. It is incredibly charming! I especially love the kitchen furniture. It is a really great house.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Thanks Giac! It is like a fairytale cottage. So cute and cozy.

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  10. Some days ago I received a similar house from England,
    have to admit that it was in slightly worse condition than yours (missing its left front), but nevertheless I love it! There will come some pictures, when it is furnished...
    Best wishes,
    Irmchen

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    1. I can't wait to see it. It is such a cute house!

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