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Dana (scowling): "Right. And they came equipped with smiley face June Cleaver and Donna Reed dolls, dressed in little plaid kitchen aprons." Dana jumps off Santa's lap and performs a curtsy move, right out of the 1950's. "Yes Ward," she says. "I'll get your slippers right away for you dear …Yechhh!" Shelley: (Interrupting her friend, less they end up with no presents at all this year) "Mr. Santa, we're acquainted with the subject. The best dollhouses are often lifelike replicas of real homes with doors, glazed windows, porches, steps, a pitched roof and multiple floors and rooms. Clean examples with sophisticated architectural detailing and original wallpaper and lithograph flooring can fetch four figures. Especially if the house can be attributed to renowned makers like: Bliss (Pawtucket, RI, 1890's –1911), Christian Hacker (Nuremberg, Mid 19th century-1914), Gottschalk (Saxony, 1880's-1930's), McLoughlin Brothers (NY 1875-), G&J Lines & Lines Brothers (England, 1890's-1971). Prices are even going through the roof for later models homes made by companies like Bluebox, Ideal, Jaydon, Marx and Plasco. In the world of antiques, Santa, real estate and the little toys that go inside those dollhouses are hot property!" Dana: (Agreeing with her friend) "Ba-ba-bing!" "Ho, Ho, Ho," Santa says. Shelley: "One other thing you should know, Mr. Clause … the furniture and accessories that go into dollhouses, constitute a larger market than homes themselves. Early miniature German telephones, birdhouses, kitchen accessories, carpet sweepers and Christmas trees can fetch as much as $50 each. Wood metal and composite furnishings sometimes fetch even more." Dana: (Mimicking Bob from Bob's Discount Furniture): "Come on Down!" Shelley: "Dana has a crush on that Bob guy." Santa: (Perplexed, and flipping through the pages of a current Toys R' Us catalog) "Dollhouse … dollhouse," he says. Then he stops on a page three quarters through the book. "Here we go girls, how about if Santa and his reindeer come down your chimney and bring you a brand new Barbie Dream House for Christmas?" Dana: "I'd rather eat venison steak!" Santa: "Huh!" Shelley: "What Dana means is her mom always keeps the fire burning Christmas Eve." Shelley throws a threatening glance in the direction of her friend. "Oh," Santa says. Shelley: Dana wants a 19th gothic mansion by Bliss. The company's products are easy to spot because their name usually appears over the front door on their dollhouses. I want a Victorian two-story townhouse by Christian Hacker. With the typical attic room set into the "Mansard" roof. Don't forget the period furnishing and accoutrements, perfectly fitting for every room. Original paint too, please. Dana: "Make mine in original paint too. Think condition, Santa!" Santa: (Sounding like a perplexed Ricky Ricardo from I Love Lucy) "Ay, Yi, Yi!" Reprinted with
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