Dollhouses

My interest in dollhouses started in the early 1970s. It was then, that for the first time, I saw one of the famous Dutch cabinet houses, a dollhouse made in the 18th century. I wanted to create a modern version of such a dollhouse. So, I started collecting all kinds of books about dollhouses. Not only about their history but also storybooks and picture books in which dollhouses play an important role.

I worked at a museum, the Westfries Museum in Hoorn, the Netherlands. In 1998 I organized an exhibition about the history of Dutch dollhouses. At that time I discovered that, after the Second World War, there have been a few Dutch toy factories that made dollhouses and miniature shops. I then began to collect dollhouses and miniature shops that were "made in Holland", as well as other factory made dollhouses made especially for children.

My main interest now is miniatures made for children between 1940 and 1980. I find the early, fragile plastic furniture made in the 1950s very appealing. I am also trying to find Dutch factory made furniture for children's dollhouses, which turns out to be very rare.