Making the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Doll
Peter Nisbet's Drawing of the first doll
In 1953, Peggy decided to make a figure of Elizabeth II, ready to commemorate the forthcoming Coronation of the new Queen. In her book, "The Peggy Nisbet Story, she explained "The vision which had gradually become clearer in my mind, was to make a Coronation doll in English bone china bisque, with the hem of the skirt forming the base of the figure. I then wanted to dress this figure in a silk underskirt, a silk or brocade gown and the purple coronation robe. I aimed to make between 200 and 300, which was the maximum it seemed possible to achieve in the limited time available before the Coronation".
Before producing the doll, Peggy had to seek permission from The Lord Chamberlain. After several visits to his office, permission was granted. Peggy carried out research in libraries, museums and art galleries, where information could be obtained on robes worn at previous Coronations. Her son, Peter, produced the early drawings of the doll, (shown here). Materials were bought, and the dress and robes made. Peggy needed miniature replicas of the crown, orb and sceptre, and turned to C G Oxley & Co, a local Weston manufacturing jeweller, who was able to produce them.
Peggy took the model to Harrods of London, who liked it, and ordered as many as could be made. The first order for 350 dolls was dispatched to Harrods just a few weeks before the Coronation. The cost of making this doll in 1953 was £10; they are worth a lot more today.
Peggy's son, Peter, recalls taking the Elizabeth II Coronation doll to America, where they were quite a sensation. Back home, the story made the front cover of the Daily Sketch newspaper, along with a photograph of the doll.
News
21st September 2023
Important Announcement
My dear wife, Christine, passed away on the 8th December, 2021, after 8 weeks in hospital. I was by her side, when she slipped away from me peacefully, with no pain or suffering.
Chris had been struggling with a slow decline in health, associated with a progressive, untreatable, and ultimately terminal lung disease, and finally succumbed to her old adversary, Pneumonia.
We had been friends for 55 years, together as a couple for 50 years, and married just a month short of 48 years, when she died.
This website was Chris's idea, and I did all the technical stuff, to make it work. After news of Chris's passing reached her close friends in the doll collecting world, I was deeply touched and gratified to hear their tributes to my dear wife, and I must thank them all for their kindness and support. Ultimately, it was her doll friends that gave me the courage to continue with the website.
In the months before her eventual hospitalisation, Chris had outlined a number of additions and changes she wanted to make to the website, and it is my intention to honour those wishes, and to implement the changes we had considered, over the coming weeks and months.
I must apologise to all those who have written to us via the website, only to have your emails go unanswered. Unfortunately, the email system had been hacked aroung the time Chris was going into hospital, and many emails must have been lost, as a result.
As you might imagine, I felt completely broken by Chris's loss, and it is only now, almost 22 months after her passing, that I have felt strong enough to even look at the website again.
My aim is to continue with the website, and to implement Chris's aims for her many new ideas as soon as I can. In the meantime, I have hopefully got the email system sorted out, and I will attempt to answer any enquiries as soon as I can, and to send replies with the same high degree of accuracy that a reply from Chris would have had.
From now on, I will be flying solo, whilst my co-pilot and guide will be soaring much higher, (though she is always in my heart, and in my thoughts).
My thanks to all our website visitors for your continued support
Dave (also known as Arthur), and Chris, (my lost love, Guinevere)
Christine Poulten
25th December 1949 - 8th December 2021
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