Two conditions, not one
A Douglas animal can be immaculate with no tags, or badly worn with a perfect hang tag still attached. These are different facts about the same object, and collapsing them into a single grade loses information. Record them separately.
Collectors consistently report that pieces retaining their original paper hang tags are difficult to find, which is why tag condition is tracked at all. [1]
What to look at on the animal
- Fur: matting, thinning at the seams and pressure points, and whether the pile still lies in one direction.
- Airbrushing, where present: faded shading is common and cannot be restored.
- Eyes and nose: secure, or loose. This one is a safety matter as well as a condition one.
- Fill: firm, lumpy, or crumbling. Very old pieces are the concern here.
- Odour: smoke and damp are the two that do not come out easily.
What to look at on the tags
- Is the sewn-in label present, legible, and still attached at both ends?
- Is the second sewn-in label with the purchase order and item number present?
- Is the paper hang tag present, and is it this toy's hang tag?
- Is the hang tag creased, torn, punched, or price-stickered?
Cleaning: the company's advice
These are Douglas's own instructions, in their own words:
Machine wash only in cold water with mild detergent, with the plush tied securely inside a pillowcase to protect the eyes and nose. Avoid fabric softener, which leaves a sticky residue. Remove all soap — residue attracts dirt over time. [2]
Do not machine wash large plush; the agitator can damage both the fur and the machine. Never put a plush in the dryer — heat singes fur and causes irreversible damage. Dry large damp pieces near a fan or in sunlight to avoid a musty smell. [2]
Smooth or comb the fur while it is still wet. Fur left rumpled dries rumpled. For surface dirt, apply diluted soap and rub lightly with the direction of the fur, without saturating it. [2]
Avoid disinfectant wipes. Alcohol and similar ingredients can damage fur or colour and leave residue. For items labelled “Surface Wash”, a damp washcloth is enough. [3]
Cleaning: why a collector might not follow it
Conservation guidance identifies the agents that damage textiles as light and ultraviolet, incorrect humidity and temperature, pests, physical forces and pollutants. [4]
Flat storage supports the whole object so fibres do not carry their own weight, and enclosed flat storage also protects from water, dust and light. Inspect for insects or mould before storing, isolate anything affected in a sealed polyethylene bag, remove non-acid-free paper, pins and staples, and store textiles clean — soil invites infestation. [5]
Store textiles at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit with relative humidity as close to 50 percent as possible. High temperatures make textiles brittle. [6]
Leather, skin and fur components need inner and outer mounts to prevent flattening and permanent creases, with trays or boxes giving three-dimensional protection. This is directly relevant to the shearling lambskin pieces from the company's earliest years. [7]
How should the shredded polyurethane foam fill used in older plush be handled as it degrades?
What would settle this: Foam of that era is known to crumble, but nothing found addresses Douglas foam specifically. The Canadian Conservation Institute's enquiry service, or conservation specialty groups, would be the place to ask.