By Kari Gluski A 7 ½-inch 1953 Alexander-kins stands in a bedroom scene using the furniture with assorted miniature props. H and-painted black Pennsylvania Dutch doll furniture from the 1950s is delightfully eye-catching and has a fascinating history. It often came in playscale, also known as Barbie scale or 1:6 scale, where one inch is the equivalent of 6-inches in the real world. Coinciding with the popularity of Ginnys, Alexander-kins, and Cissettes, many styles and types of playscale furniture were made in the 1950s. These dolls look especially charming posed with Pennsylvania Dutch furniture. The furniture was sold in Amish gift shops around Lancaster, Pennsylvania, possibly starting around 1939 when Amish souvenirs began to be advertised in national magazines. It became very popular in the 1950s. The book Doll Furniture 1950s - 1980s Identification and Price Guide by Jean Mahan organizes the furniture by manufacturer and these pieces are put in the chapter called "Unknown but Made with Love." 52 FALL 2020