Welcome!
The Nancy Ann West Coast Gathering is an annual event for collectors and admirers of Nancy Ann Dressed Dolls and related items. Each year, attendees come together for a day of fun, sharing, informational programs and displays, buying and selling of Nancy Ann dolls and accessories, a competition, drawings and much more. The entire event is dedicated to the beautiful dolls made by the Nancy Ann Dressed Doll Company that existed in San Francisco, CA from 1936-1965. Throughout this time the company produced a variety of dolls with stunning costumes. From the early bisque storybook dolls and babies made in the late 1930s -1940s to the dolls of the 1950s and 1960s including plastics, Muffie, Debbie, Lori Ann, Miss Nancy Ann and Little Miss Nancy Ann and of course the glamorous Style Show dolls. Participants at the Gathering enjoy this special time to enhance their knowledge and their collections of Nancy Ann dolls as well as to socialize with friends and other like collectors.
Nancy Ann West Coast Gathering Activities
Pre-gathering dinner – Thursday night an optional dinner and short Nancy Ann related program are organized for those attendees coming to the hotel early. It’s a wonderful way to begin reconnecting with Nancy Ann friends and making new ones! The cost of dinner is an additional fee and can be paid at the time of registration.
First Choice Sale – This long standing Gathering tradition has been a favorite activity of attendees. Before the official buying and selling begins, participants have the chance buy one special doll when their randomly selected First Choice group is called into the sales room. This gives everyone an equal chance to take home a treasured doll.
Sales Room – Attendees at the Gathering have the opportunity to sell dolls either at their dedicated dealer table or by bringing dolls and items to put on the Consignment table. There is typically a wide variety of items available for sale, including some very rare dolls. The sales room is open for buying and selling several times during the day.
**NEW** This year after lunch dealers will be allowed to put other dolls and doll items on their tables. We know that many of our attendees also collect other dolls and it is our hope that expanding the offerings will enhance the experience of buyers and sellers. Morning and first choice sale will still be limited only to Nancy Ann items. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Competition – Each year a variety of competition categories are selected related to the theme of that year’s Gathering. Any attendee may enter one or more dolls. Ribbons are given to winners in each category. You just never know what might be the Judges Champion Choice!
Programs – Education is an important part of the Gathering. Throughout the day several informative programs related to Nancy Ann dolls will be presented in different formats, such as a keynote presentation or small break outs and conversations. Previous programs have included such topics as the life of Nancy Ann Abbott – founder of the company, rare dolls from the war years, cleaning and repairing dolls and costumes, life in the factory, boxes, brochures and packaging, doll identification, information on specific types of Nancy Ann dolls, etc.
Gathering Favors – the Co-Coordinators select a unique theme for each Gathering. As a special treat, attendees are able to take home gifts and favors related to the theme of the year. These are included with the registration fee.
Meals – On the day of Gathering, a light breakfast, buffet lunch and snack are provided and included with the registration fee.
Saturday Excursion – Join us for a delightful excursion to the quaint and historic nearby town of Niles, CA! Stroll the main street and explore wonderful old buildings containing dozens of picturesque antique stores, museums, and artist shops. See the Special Events page for details.
Here’s what some of our attendees have to say!
"We had great programs, fantastic sales, and a ton of fun and laughter as well as great food.
Hope you all can make it next year. Each year just seems to get better and better."
“Always a great time. Seeing wonderful doll collector friends,
good food, good programs, beautiful displays.”
“If you have never been you DON'T know what you are missing,
and if you do go you ALWAYS want to come back!”
“I had a wonderful time with my Nancy Ann family. I loved the Rosie the Riveter Theme.
Can't wait until next year.”
“I look forward to the Gathering each year to visit with my collector friends,
buy and sell dolls, and learn new information.”
“Nancy Ann dolls come in all shapes and sizes (as do we all ;-})
and its fun being able to share a love for these dolls with like-minded souls.”
The Nancy Ann West Coast Gathering is an annual event for collectors and admirers of Nancy Ann Dressed Dolls and related items. Each year, attendees come together for a day of fun, sharing, informational programs and displays, buying and selling of Nancy Ann dolls and accessories, a competition, drawings and much more. The entire event is dedicated to the beautiful dolls made by the Nancy Ann Dressed Doll Company that existed in San Francisco, CA from 1936-1965. Throughout this time the company produced a variety of dolls with stunning costumes. From the early bisque storybook dolls and babies made in the late 1930s -1940s to the dolls of the 1950s and 1960s including plastics, Muffie, Debbie, Lori Ann, Miss Nancy Ann and Little Miss Nancy Ann and of course the glamorous Style Show dolls. Participants at the Gathering enjoy this special time to enhance their knowledge and their collections of Nancy Ann dolls as well as to socialize with friends and other like collectors.
Nancy Ann West Coast Gathering Activities
Pre-gathering dinner – Thursday night an optional dinner and short Nancy Ann related program are organized for those attendees coming to the hotel early. It’s a wonderful way to begin reconnecting with Nancy Ann friends and making new ones! The cost of dinner is an additional fee and can be paid at the time of registration.
First Choice Sale – This long standing Gathering tradition has been a favorite activity of attendees. Before the official buying and selling begins, participants have the chance buy one special doll when their randomly selected First Choice group is called into the sales room. This gives everyone an equal chance to take home a treasured doll.
Sales Room – Attendees at the Gathering have the opportunity to sell dolls either at their dedicated dealer table or by bringing dolls and items to put on the Consignment table. There is typically a wide variety of items available for sale, including some very rare dolls. The sales room is open for buying and selling several times during the day.
**NEW** This year after lunch dealers will be allowed to put other dolls and doll items on their tables. We know that many of our attendees also collect other dolls and it is our hope that expanding the offerings will enhance the experience of buyers and sellers. Morning and first choice sale will still be limited only to Nancy Ann items. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Competition – Each year a variety of competition categories are selected related to the theme of that year’s Gathering. Any attendee may enter one or more dolls. Ribbons are given to winners in each category. You just never know what might be the Judges Champion Choice!
Programs – Education is an important part of the Gathering. Throughout the day several informative programs related to Nancy Ann dolls will be presented in different formats, such as a keynote presentation or small break outs and conversations. Previous programs have included such topics as the life of Nancy Ann Abbott – founder of the company, rare dolls from the war years, cleaning and repairing dolls and costumes, life in the factory, boxes, brochures and packaging, doll identification, information on specific types of Nancy Ann dolls, etc.
Gathering Favors – the Co-Coordinators select a unique theme for each Gathering. As a special treat, attendees are able to take home gifts and favors related to the theme of the year. These are included with the registration fee.
Meals – On the day of Gathering, a light breakfast, buffet lunch and snack are provided and included with the registration fee.
Saturday Excursion – Join us for a delightful excursion to the quaint and historic nearby town of Niles, CA! Stroll the main street and explore wonderful old buildings containing dozens of picturesque antique stores, museums, and artist shops. See the Special Events page for details.
Here’s what some of our attendees have to say!
"We had great programs, fantastic sales, and a ton of fun and laughter as well as great food.
Hope you all can make it next year. Each year just seems to get better and better."
“Always a great time. Seeing wonderful doll collector friends,
good food, good programs, beautiful displays.”
“If you have never been you DON'T know what you are missing,
and if you do go you ALWAYS want to come back!”
“I had a wonderful time with my Nancy Ann family. I loved the Rosie the Riveter Theme.
Can't wait until next year.”
“I look forward to the Gathering each year to visit with my collector friends,
buy and sell dolls, and learn new information.”
“Nancy Ann dolls come in all shapes and sizes (as do we all ;-})
and its fun being able to share a love for these dolls with like-minded souls.”
