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How to Replace Lenses on Vintage Shirley Temple Doll Eyes

The Shirley Temple doll, modeled after the famous Depression-era child star, was first made 1934 by Ideal Toy Corporation. Through the years different manufacturers have made the dolls and today replicas are still being made, such as collectibles produced by The Danbury Mint. Shirley Temple doll eyes vary according to the time they were made and the material that was used. Doll eyes from 1930s were cloudy but during the 1940s and 1950s they were clear. Some doll eyes had a look that might be called "flirty" and some had lashes. Vintage dolls that need lens replacement must be sent to professionals who do proper doll restoration.

Instructions

- 1
  Consult the site Shirley Temple, Dolls, and Collectibles, which has a database of dolls that should include the doll you own. Identify the material of the doll, such as porcelain, sawdust, composition, cloth, wood or vinyl to approximate the age of the doll. Search for other identifying features such as height and manufacturer.
- 2
  Consult a doll-restoration firm that specializes in doll repair, such as The Doll Fixer. Doll-restoration companies often specialize in particular parts of dolls, such as clothing or composition.
- 3
  Find an appropriate restorer for your Shirley Temple doll's eyes. The age of your doll is important for particular eye types. Supply the restorer with the correct eyes, if required, from a doll-part supplier such as Dollspart Supply.

Collecting Vintage Toys