Kamkins dolls are one of the most sought after items that an antique doll collector may want to have as part of their collection. Kamkins dolls were made by Louise R. Kampes in 1919 and were handcrafted until the early 1930s at her studio in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Made primarily of cloth, Louise created a technique that would make faces hygienic by using a mold on which layers of rubber were placed. By sanitary it means that it was designed to be easily cleaned. After which, the fabric was laid and before it was vulcanized and then painted.

This special method was patented on November 2, 1920 under patent number 1357779. Cotton bodies are marked with red heart-shaped paper labels that are printed with “A Dolly Made to Love” Patented by LR Kampes Atlantic City , NJ “Some of the dolls were also marked differently as they had a label stamped on the back of the head or on the foot of the dolls.

The normal-sized Kamkins were between 18 and 19 inches and the sports mohair wigs or even the wigs made from human hair. The hair style was the Dutch cut and was used for either male or female dolls, but long-haired dolls were also available for female characters. The 19-inch (48 cm) dolls also came with a larynx or crybaby on the back. The 18-inch version came with blue painted eyes and a blonde wig. The toes and thumbs were also sewn separately and the hip joints were sewn as well.

New wardrobes that came in different styles were also available each year. Accessories for Kamkins dolls include shoes, sandals, wardrobes, hats, and socks. These dolls are generally difficult to find today and an interested Kamkins collector will be able to find dolls in good condition on online auction sites. An overall 19-inch Kamkins doll in good condition, from around 1925, with a slight mark on the nose, can fetch up to $ 950 on an online auction site.

For doll and antique collectors who are interested in starting a Kamkins doll collection, it is best to check online auction sites and even doll conventions to get the dolls that are still in good condition. There is also a 6.5-inch tall miniature version of the Kamkins and one can buy a single doll for $ 499. But just to set expectations for those who are interested in purchasing one, most of the Kamkins dolls available for sale they are sold immediately due to their rarity.