Gosh, I love them. Yes, I remember them too.

I think I'd wait to be inspired. Don't force it. I have seen boxes of old fashion valentine cards sold somewhere. I think maybe it was in Border's Book Store. I'd go with a vintage look. Clump them a bit closer together and surround them with other vintage things. You'll know what to use when you see it. I did a search on ebay and found a Febuary IDEALS magazine. It has great pictures in it. I especially like the one with the little boy and little girl.

Someone may have a hint on cleaning the dollies up, but I wouldn't worry too much about them. They're supposed to be a little rough around the edges.

Here is a link that might be useful: February 1954 IDEALS

Bright,
I dont remember chocolate boxes with dolls (although that sounds wonderful). And it looks perfect for a V'day setting. I just wanted to say that I used to have a doll very similar to the one on the right most that my aunt made for me a long long time ago.

Mo

Bright, what a great keepsake. Maybe you could touch up the skirts a bit with a warm--not hot--iron, but I wouldn't worry too much about it since they are older anyway. From the pictures on the Ideals site OA posted, I could see a display with a music book propped up in the back and a vase of red roses too. Maybe put the taller doll in the back and then the shorter ones toward the front--not just in a row. Then a nice big heart on the other side of the shelf--you could cut one out of cardboard and paint it or cover it with tissue paper or scrabbooking paper even. Does that sound "doable"? Someone on the Craft forum has a bunch of sheet music and wants to do a "swap" for something else. I've found some at the store at our library. Just play with it until it looke the way you want it to. Luvs

What a find. I don't remember the dolls coming with chocolate, but I remember calling that kind of dolls collection dolls I suppose because they weren't meant to be played with. They seem in good condition to me. If they were absolutely perfect, you would lose the vintage feel. - Gail

I don't remember them either,but that red and white doll is beautiful ! I don't think I would do anything to them either.They're pretty just the way they are :>)

Susan

I don't remember that, but what a sweet idea!

I don't remember them with Valentine Chocolates. But those dolls are familiar. I remember when I was a little girl, there was a Bakery that would have them all lined up in Beautiful Boxes for sale. Some were dressed in Foreign Costumes or elegant gowns and some Dressed As Bride Dolls.
I used to just stare at them and wished I had one.
Your dolls are so wonderful and what great keepsakes to still have. Lucky you.
I have one of those small hand held steamers for clothes that might work..but I agree..I would just leave them as is.
jane

Thanks for all the wonderful comments everyone. I feel bad that I've had them stashed away for soo long. I will have to play around with them a little bit. I no longer have my fav.. she had blonde hair (like I used to) and a baby blue dress with pink lace!! Can't remember what happened to her.

Jane I have seen the same type of doll in other costumes. I think they used the same body for different purposes.

Luvs.. I think I'm going to try to iron the red one just a tad so her dress hangs a little nicer but I must be very careful! don't want to burn it.

The one in the heart is actuall a full bodied doll... I can feel her legs!!

I will post a photo of how it turns out. I can't believe it's Feb already... better get the lead out!! LOL!!

you might try a hair dryer set on cool temp to dust it...and maybe a steamer held away from the clothes to fluff it out. Maybe use a fabric softener cloth as you steam it. We had some dolls like that as kids that came from the fairs and carnivals..usually on elastic at end of a stick to make them dance. But same sleepy eyes. Usually hollow so we had to be careful.

I do not remember this.. I only remember heart shaped boxes covered with silk-like fabrics and fake flowers. To tell you the truth... I paid more attention to the candy inside!!!

I don't remember them being attached to a box of chocolates for VDay, but the dolls I most definately remember dolls like that. When I was a little older child I remember seeing them in stores dressed as dolls from various countries.
But when I was little, my aunt who lived next door was a seamstress. (I guess just for fun, maybe she sold them but I don't think so) she used to sew beautiful elaborate dresses and hats for them and always had a bunch of those dolls around. For her daughter's wedding, she not only made the bride's and all the bridesmaid's (I think there were 5) and flowergirl's (me) dresses, but made matching dolls like that, from the the same fabrics, complete with the same headpieces and little pearl necklace and earrings. It was incredible now that I think back on it. That was about 50 years ago. Donna