GIFT FROM FRANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23129, 30 August 1938, Page 5

GIFT FROM FRANCE

ENGLISH PRINCESSES TWO DOLLS WITH LUGGAGE FULLY-EQUIPPED WARDROBE [fboii oub own cobbesfondent] LONDON, August 11 The dolls named France and Marianne, which were presented by tho children of France to Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, have arrived in London from Paris, but the Princesses will not be ablo to see these lovely presents for many weeks because they are on a holiday in Scotland. Tho dolls travelled with twp toy motor-cars and 20 pieces of luggago containing frocks of tho latest fashion. They were taken to tho French Embassy, in a packing case, before going on to Buckingham Palace.

The packing case weighs one and threcquarter tons and is 14ft. long. It is addressed to "Les Princesses Elizabeth ot Margaret Pose," and bears the inscription: "Envoi de Madame Georges Bonnet au noni Des Enfants de France." Mme. Georges Bonnet is the wife of the French Foreign Minister. Tho suggestion to send the presents was mado on the occasion of the visit to Paris of the King and Queen, and was enthusiastically received by the French people. Hundreds of thousands of children subscribed tho money to buy these lovely presents.

One doll is a blonde and the other is a brunette. They have lovely curly hair, quite short. Tho clothos are wonderful, for each doll has about 40 dresses, and all aro mado in the latest French styles. To keep these dresses in good condition there are dressing cases and suitcases, and 20 tiny trunks, all embossed with the Royal Crown.

All the best French workmanship and taste have been concentrated on these interesting little people They are sure to become valuable heirlooms and probably they will be seen in a museum in the years to come, with their possessions. People then will know what people wore in 1938. Someone who knows all about the trousseaux of France and Marianne says

that there aro smocked baby frocks, scarves figured with a. design of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; fur coats of nutria, summer ermine, ocelot, grey broadtail, and a cloak of Pussian ermine with an embroidered lining of white georgette. There are also 22 pairs of shoes of satin, crepe do chine and gold and silver kid match handbags and gloves. There are dainty littlo fitted silk stockings, fans, perfumes, miniature hats in the latest styles, elegant day, afternoon and evening ensembles, beach suits, deshabilles, and finely-embroid-ered underclothes. Tho predominating colours are pink, blue and white. Some of the dresses have names. One is called "Fairy Tale," in soft mauve organza. It has three big bows, running diagonally from the waist to the hem, in white-spotted red and blue organdie.