The first three books on this list are by Marion Osborne.

Please note that all pages are photocopies, printed back to back, plastic front cover and comb bound.

ONLY AVAILABLE FROM MARION DIRECT. CONTACT DETAILS AS FOLLOWS:

Mrs Marion Osborne
29 Attenborough Lane, Chilwell, Nottingham, NG9 5JP  England 

  Tel: 0115 9193572 Email: mike.osborne@ntlworld.com

1. LINES & TRI-ANG DOLLS HOUSES by Marion Osborne
By Marion Osborne

G & J Lines made dollshouses from approx 1898 - 1931.  The book has  pages from 1909, 1925 and 1931 catalogues.  Joseph Lines (the J Part of the firm) had 8 children, 3 of whom left the firm and created their own called Lines Bros or Triang in 1919.  The book has pages from 1921, 1924, 1939 plus 7 postwar catalogues.  The final section is on Spot-On/Jenny's Home furniture made in the 1960's, again using actual catalogues. 

The book consists of 98 pages and costs £12.00 including postage and packing to UK.

Giving the history of the firm from 1948 - 1984.  One of the founder members of the firm has given details of the early days.  A catalogue from 1957 has been completely illustrated with drawings and photos of all the various items.  Catalogue pages for 1966, 1972 and 1979, adverts from various magazines all help to give all the known information on this prolific firm.  A separate section covers the Tudor range of furniture.

Also included is the history and details (where known) of items made by Taylor & Barrett Ltd 1922 - 41, metal pieces such as hoover, fire irons, jug and ewer, etc.  After the war the two partners separated and formed A Barrett & Sons Ltd (1945 - 84) and F G Taylor & Sons Ltd (1945 - 84).  Both firms continued to make metal items after the war; the metal was gradually replaced with metal until eventually only plastic was used.  Items made by the firms were fires, hoovers, cookers, washing machines, telephones, fridges etc.

Another section is about Grecon dolls made by Miss Cohn from 1938 - 1986.  These dolls have a wire skeleton with cloth faces and clothes made from felt/cotton/wool, then nylon materials.  Finally Kaybot Novelties with their plaster fireplaces, pictures, plates of food and toby jugs. 

The book has 131 pages and costs £15 including postage & packing to UK.

Using adverts and articles from "Games & Toys", a magazine for the Toy Trade, plus various catalogues, the book encompasses the period 1914 – 41 in an A _ Z format.  Amersham and Pit a Pat are both fully covered with illustration, plus many other manufacturers of that era.  Jammed full of information, not only on dollshouses and furnishings, includes listings of trade names for several years in the 1920’s from "Games & Toys".

The book has 205 pages and costs £18.00 including postage and packing to UK.

***I can highly recommend Marion's books, particularly if you are a novice and just embarking out into the "old dolls house world". Even if you are a seasoned & knowledgeable collector you will also find these useful in identifying your pieces. I must admit, my copies have been well thumbed and I still find them invaluable.

International Dolls House News Magazine

I know this is not a book but just had to include this.

This was a monthly magazine, discontinued a few years ago now, however if you can lay your hands on any old issues you will always find references & articles on old dolls houses with some wonderful photography.

Strongly recommended**

Dolls & Dolls Houses

by Constance Eileen King

Publisher- Hamlyn Publishing Co.Ltd.

1977

(Thank you to Joyce Farmery for recommending this one)

DOLLS HOUSES-THE COLLECTORS GUIDE

By Valerie Jackson Douet

Publisher -Chartwell Book Inc.

THE ULTIMATE DOLLS HOUSE BOOK

By Faith Eaton

Publisher- Dorling Kindersley

DOLLS HOUSE FURNITURE

By Margaret Towner

Publisher- The Apple Press

Thank you to Libby Hall for recommending the following three books

TOMART'S PRICE GUIDE TO TIN LITHO DOLLS HOUSES & PLASTIC FURNITURE

By Mary Brett

DOLLS HOUSE & FURNITURE ADVERTISING

By Dian Zillner

INTERNATIONAL DOLLS HOUSE & ACCESSORIES 1880s TO 1980s

By Dian Zillner

If you have any other suggestions of recommended reading that would be useful for anyone interested in antique or vintage dolls houses, then please let us know here at KT Miniatures so that we can add the titles to this list.

Many thanks.