Interview with Lovelyposey!!

 Interview with a Collector - ggsdolls blog Series

Here's my monthly series on my blog where I share some of the most amazing collectors, sellers, and creatives, that have become friends of mine and what they collect and why?

    For the month of September, my blog interview is with the beautiful, kind and one of the sweetest persons I know,  Lovelyposey on Instagram or Isabella.

    Isabella was born and raised and currently lives in Queensland, Australia. She just recently celebrated her 22nd birthday this month and works as a TV News Editor for a popular news program in her state. I asked her when did she first encounter vintage rubber face plushies and if she collected anything else? 

    "As a child I took interest to things people would consider 'weird' I would say I've been drawn to things that are bizarre looking and not mainstream per say. I don't remember the exact moment I saw my very first Rushton toy but I do have a memory of coming across another fellow collector's Instagram by pure accident and recall just being in absolute awe of how wonderful her collection was, this person was bluusqueaks on Instagram!

    After seeing her wonderful collection I wanted to know more about the toys she owned and from there I recall searching for 'Rushton Toy' on Google and the first picture I saw was of the toy 'Queenie Quack'! I immediately fell in love with everything about that toy, from the details in her face to the detail of her accessories. I adored everything about how she looked and she looked so fragile! I never would have even imagined a child playing with a toy like her. Because she just looked like a decorative piece someone would have in their house. My mind couldn't fathom that toys like Rushton or rubber faced dolls even existed. They looked nothing like the typical toys that I grew up with & instantly I wanted to collect every single one I saw! The uniqueness of the toys designs was something that really drew me. Aside from rubber face dolls I also collect the rubber squeaky toys from the same 50s/60s era, and recently I branched out into the 1980s and took a liking into collecting My Little Ponies. Growing up, I had MLP of my own, but knew nothing of the first generation of ponies. I was drawn to the packaging of MLP at first. It gave off a very retro vibe. Which I liked a lot and from there I took an interest in collecting the ponies themselves too."

    How do you describe your relationship with your collection and what would you say is the magical thing that attracts you to it and keeps you interested? - "I adore them as decorative items. I can not wait for the day when I have my own apartment or house and display them in. However, I've recently in the last year or so really enjoyed taking them out places to be photographed. The magical aspect that draws me to them is just their uniqueness, but also the story behind each one. Each toy has already had a journey and although we may not know the history behind every single one of our collection pieces, sometimes it's just nice to look at them and just imagine what life they've had before they've come into our possession. It's also nice to give them a second chance at life instead of being thrown away or kept in a box forever. With my ponies I love to take ones that have been heavily played with and restore them to their former glory. A Rushton toy I recently purchased had been kept in a box all of its life and I can not wait to be able to take her places."

     What is it about the vintage cute aesthetic that distinguishes it from other toys/novelties of the same era? - "I'll skip this for now, because I'd really have to sit down and think about it." What was your first item in your collection? - "My very first item in my collection was this wonderful bunny right here!"

    I saw her on Ebay, and what drew me to her was she looked like the larger version of Molly rabbit who is all white and wears a cute little bonnet. I thought to myself I couldn't pass her up right? I'd never seen anyone else with this bunny before and she was in perfect condition. For a long time I thought I was the only one with her until earlier this year I did actually meet someone on Instagram who had the same bunny. There are quite a few of her out there but what makes her unique is her outfit. Not many bunnies have this outfit. In fact, I can't even find a picture her online! She was quite a lot of money to buy back then but it actually turned out to be a good deal in the end. Because, since then the prices have sky-rocketed again & if she were listed today she would probably sell for a lot more money than what I had paid. I still remember pulling her out of the box and seeing her for the first time. I was overwhelmed because it was much different than looking at the picture one. Personally I find that they are much larger in person than you originally imagine and it can really be overwhelming because you are trying to take in every detail all at once.

    Overall my bunny been there since the beginning and watched my collection grow and I don't think I could ever possibly part with her because of that sentimental value. My collection has grown quite a bit since my first bunny, I have quite a large collection of rubber faces and some I've not even shared on social media like 'Ricky Racoon', he doesn't make an appearance very often. I'm unsure about the exact number of rubber faces I own. I did attempt to count them once, but I received a few more since then. 

    I admire quite a bit of 50s and 60s kitsch, like ceramic planters and wall decals. However, I have opted not to collect them until I can move into my own apartment where I'll have space to display them. I am however always on the lookout for new Rushtons to add to my collection. They don't come around too often especially the rarer ones. You may only see a certain one appear once or twice in a year! So you always have to be on your A-game when it comes to collecting those. One toy I am always on the lookout for is 'Goldie Fish' he would complete my aquatic Rushton collection! But there is also a rubber faced pig out there that isn't made by Rushton Company who has a rubber tummy and I'm drawn to him because of his uniqueness of course.
 

    But he also reminds me of The Pig and Whistle Cafe that we would always pass by whenever my Mum would take me into the city when I was little.  There are other branded rubber faced pigs out there, but this one in particular looks exactly like the mascot and that's why I'm drawn to him in particular. He's quite common and can sell for a lot of money which is why I haven't been able to get him yet."

    What has been the reaction of your family, friends and coworkers, about your passion for collecting? - "I'm very grateful that my family are extremely supportive of my hobby/passion. They even help me to win auctions very occasionally and even get excited when one arrives. Several of my coworkers have taken an interest in my passion as well and follow my Instagram. I've brought two of my rubber faces into my workplace. One of my coworkers saying, 'I wish I had a unique hobby like yours.' It is very rewarding to be able to share these wonderful vintage toys with people." Tell me about your favorite item and why is it so special? - "It is difficult to pick a favorite, it would be like picking your favorite child. However, I do have my favorites. I recently acquired my dream toy and I would totally talk about her here but since she's not arrived yet and technically not in my collection just yet, I'll talk about my favorite toy that's in my collection... Which is...drumroll... 'Billy Butts the Goat'!

     "The reason why he's my favorite is simple, goats or specifically pygmy goats are my animals! Because they are such derpy animals! You look one in the eye and there wouldn't be a single thought behind those eyes. Not a care in the world! Just derp! Which is why I love the way Billy Butts the rubber faced toy is designed! Because he gives off those exact vibes! He originally belonged to a collector on Instagram. Who had sold it to someone on Ebay and I was very disappointed, but not more than a few months later that very same person has decided they didn't want it anymore and put it back on Ebay and I got my chance! Now, Billy Butts has a forever home, and he's quite unique because most of the Rushton goats have blue eyes yet mine has grey eyes and I'm yet to come across another one with this trait."

    Tell me about some of the unique items you may have come across? - "I can easily say that almost every vintage item I come across is very unique. But if I had to choose one thing I've come across that has stood out for me, the most is the chalkware pig owned by smug_pig_vintage. I cannot say exactly what aspect of this chalkware that makes it so unique to me. It could be its enormous size but also the 'smug' expression to me is just so unique. I've seen many other chalkware pigs before and none have quite the detailed expression as this one. Chloe the owner of smug_pig_vintage, informed me that she has never come across another. So the 'smug pig' could very well be one of a kind, making it even more special and unique. Gosh! I just love it!"

If any item could just land on your lap for free, what would it be and why? - "I would have answered Queenie Quack for this, but I will keep her secret for now!" Note: Isabella wrote this and a month later won her dream Queenie Quack!"

Have you noticed the increased popularity in rubber faces in the last few years, and why do you think that is so? - "Yes, I definitely have. I read an article on rubber faced toys online recently that was published in 2012 and the article featured screenshots of completed Rushton auctions and the prices were a lot cheaper but still in the hundred dollar zone, whereas today it's more common for these toys high hundred to thousand dollar range depending on the quality and type of the toy."

    "The toys definitely increased in popularity for a number of reasons, the most common reason I believe is because of exposure. These toys are being shown more and more in music videos, NFTs other kinds of media and photographs on all platforms on the internet. But why? I believe for the same reason I was drawn to them, because they are so unique. Pastel colors of some of the toys, the detailed facial expressions to the hand painted faces... what was originally just an American children's toy in the 1950s - 80s is now recognized by so many people around the world and I believe it's because the original creator, the woman behind it all, Mary Rushton was above it all an artist and she made something that was different and special to her.

    These toys were her vision and that's why I believe they are so appealing to a lot of us now. Because they don't blend in with other plush toys and you could easily pick them out from the crowd & and I truly believe they will be very well known and iconic children's toys from the 1950s and 60s in the future. (More than they are now)."

Thank you so much to Isabella for sharing her amazing collection and story with us! Until next month, be sure to check out my blog then. We head back to the States to meet a true Mary Rushton advocate!!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls