Triang Princess 2

Introduction to Triang Princess 2

Description of the Princess 2 from the 1939 catalogue:

‘[Not illustrated.] Larger model. Four rooms. Five electric lights. Bathroom with dummy bath, kitchen with dummy sink and gas stove. Garage with opening doors. Otherwise similar to No.1’

47.5 inches [119 cms] wide 18 inches [45 cms] deep 31.5 inches [78 cms] high

Description of No.1 Princess Dolls’ House from 1939 catalogue:

‘A model of the dolls’ house presented to Princess Elizabeth by the Welsh people. Double-fronted, with four rooms, hall staircase and landing. Opening metal windows. Imitation thatched roof. Four electric lights less batteries. Front hinged in two parts.

The Princess 2 was produced between 1937 and 1940.

 

Auction Day

Well it’s off to the Auction again. This time two houses on offer, one which I am really interested in.  

This one is a Lines DH/14 probably made between 1924 and 1933.  Notice in the description no measurements are given, I wonder why, it actually measures an enormous  55 inches [137.5 cm] wide, 20 inches [50 cm] deep and 48 inches [120 cm] high.

 

This is the one I am interested in The Princess 2, this is larger than The Princess and has a garage.  It was produced between  1937 and 1940. It measures  47.5 inches [119 cm] wide, 18 inches [45 cm] deep and 31.5 inches [78 cm] high.

Well I’ve got my bidding number and I am ready to go. First let’s go and view these two houses. The Auction was upstairs, and what greeted me at the top of the stairs was the Lines …. [Hamleys] Oh!!! I have never seen a house so big, how could I find room for this, I think it is a no bid on this one. I must admit it was a lovely house, very well restored, tastefully done with all new modern decoration inside, it did have all its windows and doors, inside and out. [No don’t even think about it, you don’t have room].

Right, let’s find the other house, and there it is, placed on a table, on a table. It was much bigger than I thought it would be, but I had fallen in love, size had no meaning anymore. I had to stand on tip toe to see inside, as I am not very tall. So my husband with his handy little torch [just like Auction Hunters] followed my instructions as to what to look for. There was a lot of old furniture inside, but I could not see anything from any particular maker. Three original Triang fireplaces, an original Triang kitchen dresser and sink, peering into the little bathroom with the handy little torch, a Triang bath and sink could be seen. It was overall in very good condition with only one window missing at the back of the house, and complete with all doors inside and out, how could I resist.

So I took my seat ready to bid, it would be at least two hours before my lot would come up, during this time I studied the people in the room, did they look like doll house collectors, which of these people would I be bidding against, could I hold my nerve. Then the doubt in my mind, how much should I bid, I really wanted that house. It was coming home with me. The first house [Hamleys] Lines DH/14 did not sell. This was to be a long two plus hours, people came and went. My heart was pounding by Lot 240, I was panicking, checking my auction card was the right way up, which hand would I use, should I wave it around or just hold it up? Lot 246 start me at £100, my hand went up and stayed up, £110 who was bidding against me, £120 an online bid, £130 …. £200 and the net is out, I WON!!, holding my card up for the Auctioneer to see, look, I said to myself it’s me, I won.

Well excitement over it was time to arrange for delivery, it was arranged for two days time, but we would have to phone and confirm. Later that afternoon we phoned back to confirm details about delivery, and would you believe it, they offered me the [Hamleys] Lines DH/14 house for £40, I must admit thoughts went quickly through my mind if I could find room, but I knew it was just too big, so had to decline the offer. There are times when you have to follow your head and not your heart, and this was one of them……

 

Arriving Home

This house has all original floor paper, the walls have been over painted, but not on the walls where the fireplaces are, so the original paint colour can be seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original Features

The Princess 2 had some original features which would have been fitted to the house when it was produced. Three of the rooms had fireplaces, the kitchen came with a sink and dresser. The bathroom came with a bath and sink, all these items were made of wood and painted white.

This is the Kitchen, as you can see the floor is a bit of a mess, the right hand corner had to be treated for woodworm, as one of the items of furniture left in the house was infested.

Both the dresser and the kitchen walls have been over painted. They have been painted in the position they were fixed in, so its a bit hit or miss.

The little kitchen sink is fixed in place, it also has been overpainted.

This picture of the bathroom was taken through the back window. The floor paper is complete if a little old and discoloured

The bath is fixed in position and has not been painted over, as the original paint can be seen. The sink is loose, and has been over painted. A pair of curtains has been fitted over the window and they are very old and match the house.

There are 3 of these fireplaces in the house, the backing paper with the flames, is attached to the wall.

 

 

Restoration Begins

This is the front view of the Princess [2]. The outside just needs a freshen up, it looks a bit tired, which does comes to us all as we get older.

The back of the Princess, has the holes for the batteries in the roof. Behind the wooden panels are the wires which connect the batteries to each light bulb. The middle battery hole in the roof connects to the light in the bathroom.

There are two small windows one is at the top of the stairs, the other is the Bathroom window. I only have one small window missing, so will get a replacement. I am leaving the window I have in original condition as it has curtains. As it is at the back of the house it won’t be seen.

This is the Princess [2] in its new home, with my other houses. I am sure it will be very happy. You can see from this picture how big it is. It measures 47.5 inches [119 cm] wide, 18 inches [45 cm] deep and 31.5 inches [78 cm] high.

The house is very dusty, and needs a good clean, especially the roof. Because the outside of the house is painted with a textured paint, I had to use a soft brush and a damp piece of cotton material to clean the rough surface. As for the roof I cleaned it very gently with detergent. You can see from the picture above how dirty it was.

I think painting the roof was the most difficult, it was hard to decide what colour to paint it without being just one block colour. In the end I mixed up a sandy straw colour acrylic paint, which I applied with a cloth, just wiping it over, then finished with a matt varnish. I use varnish a lot on my houses, it just protects any paint and makes it easy for cleaning. The roof seemed to have green paint under it originally, which makes some areas darker. So I have just tidied up without overdoing the painting.

All the doors and windows have been removed, ready for painting.

The outside painting is complete, the base, the top of windows and garage, have been painted with Buckingham Green Gloss, I then put on a matt varnish to dull down the shine. The doors and windows have been painted in Citadel Dark Angels Green [a paint used for painting Warhammer models] it was then sealed with a matt varnish. I put clear wax on the front door to give it a light sheen.

The windows and front door have now been fitted. I have given the windows net curtains.

The side window is fitted with two small pins top and bottom. These small windows do not have a window frame.

I have repainted the front door, polished up the letter box, and what is left of the door knocker and also added a new door knob. With a new window and fresh paint, it looks very smart.

I am not going to fit the front openings yet, as it is easier to decorate the inside without them.

 

 

Windows

It is now time to start the windows, I quite enjoy doing this although it is a bit fiddly and with 7 windows to do, it could take some time.

 

You can see from the picture above that the frames are quite rusty, and many of windows still have remnants of curtain material. The plastic windows have also become distorted and brittle.

 

That’s 7 frames and 18 inserts [there are also 4 single inserts for the bay windows]

The frames have been over painted and need the paint removing, it is a very messy job.

After I had removed the paint, I found that some of the window frames were originally white, although 3 of them were green. I have decided to paint mine green as it goes better with the house, which I have painted cream.

All the paint has now been removed from the inserts and are ready to be painted. Normally I use white spray paint, but this time I am going to brush paint them with which metal paint.

I was thinking of reproducing the original material for new curtains, then I had a better idea, and give the windows nice net curtains.

First I cut out new plastic for each insert, then selected some pretty cream lace and cut it to size.

Then I glued the lace to the plastic around the edges and a few dabs on the edges to keep it flat to the plastic.

Using my useful broken knife tool, I gently eased the plastic into the edges of the painted inserts.

All 18 inserts are now completed.

 

The completed window inserts have been put into the frames.

I am quite happy with how these look, and think they will look lovely in position in the house.

 

Bathroom

As I am going to decorate the whole house, I thought it would be silly not to do the bathroom. I will tidy it up and replace the floor, [which is the same pattern as the Kitchen] just to brighten it up. The original bath and sink will be refitted, and a new window put in place. There is a hole in the back wall for a light, which I shall install so that when the door is open you will be able to see inside better.

 

As with all plans, they are not always as easy as you think. First of all I had to remove the inner wall. This was not an easy task as it was nailed in place, between the two walls, but with a bit of jiggling around I was able to remove the nails, a bit of wood filler will tidy the wall up when the panel is put back in place.

This little room probably hasn’t seen the light of day for many a year, very dusty and dirty. I have removed the bath, which was stuck with a little glue. The floor paper is quite worn on the landing area, but I think a few well placed rugs may work.

I have slightly split the top edge of this panel, but it can soon be repaired. I have started to sand the door frame, I may paint the door in place so I don’t have to remove it.