Vintage Eskimo Inuit Doll W/ Real Fur 18 Inch Alaska Handmade Souvenir Native
Item History & Price
Beautiful vintage very large 18" tall eskimo/inuit doll, jointed limbs. Trimmed in real fur, leather, handmade, the stitching is beautiful and detailed. Comes with stand. If you've traveled North, you may have seen a doll like this in a souvenir shop. I am *pretty darn sure* this is a Carlson souvenir doll. Carlson Dolls was started in 1946 in Maple Lake Minnesota, and were primarily sold at tourist locations like National Parks and points of historical interest.
This doll does ...not have it's tag but would likely say: "Eskimo (Inui - Yupik) The People of the North Each member of this valuable collection is dressed to portray Eskimo people of Alaska's far north. This handcrafted product is a gift you should treasure as you remember your visit to Alaska." "A collector's item, not a toy, manufactured with the founders of America in mind to keep Americans aware of our heritage." "Historians believe that the Eskimos originated in Siberia or Asia and emigrated to Alaska and Sub-Arctic Canada thousands of years ago, across the land bridge that existed then and connected Russia with Alaska."
At the height of their production Carlson Dolls produced some 500 different dolls, and had 100 employees in their three factory locations (two in Maple Lake, Minnesota and another in Milan Minnesota), the factory in Milan being used primarily to produce the Eskimo dolls.
I include that for your information only, as it took several hours for me to track down that information on my own. This is an 18" doll, I have not seen any others as large for sale. Price is a reflection of size and condition. Will consider reasonable offers. Item will come packed well in a recycled box. From what I have seen the proper markings to identify the doll are on the back of the head, but the hood is firmly on and I do not want to risk damaging the doll. Please message with questions, thank you.
This doll does ...not have it's tag but would likely say: "Eskimo (Inui - Yupik) The People of the North Each member of this valuable collection is dressed to portray Eskimo people of Alaska's far north. This handcrafted product is a gift you should treasure as you remember your visit to Alaska." "A collector's item, not a toy, manufactured with the founders of America in mind to keep Americans aware of our heritage." "Historians believe that the Eskimos originated in Siberia or Asia and emigrated to Alaska and Sub-Arctic Canada thousands of years ago, across the land bridge that existed then and connected Russia with Alaska."
At the height of their production Carlson Dolls produced some 500 different dolls, and had 100 employees in their three factory locations (two in Maple Lake, Minnesota and another in Milan Minnesota), the factory in Milan being used primarily to produce the Eskimo dolls.
I include that for your information only, as it took several hours for me to track down that information on my own. This is an 18" doll, I have not seen any others as large for sale. Price is a reflection of size and condition. Will consider reasonable offers. Item will come packed well in a recycled box. From what I have seen the proper markings to identify the doll are on the back of the head, but the hood is firmly on and I do not want to risk damaging the doll. Please message with questions, thank you.
