When Maryrose Hodgson heard that friends' builders had discovered two dilapidated garages full of old prams - she leapt into action, for not only were the demolition team stood poised and waiting - but these were no ordinary old prams - these were all vintage dolls prams!

The actual number of prams found that day is still uncertain as pile after pile of dismembered and orphaned pieces still remain unidentified.

Following much research and specialist collaboration, one year on, the first eight renovated prams have been completed and shown for the first time...

The first four included
three stunning Silver
Cross dolls prams (the most prestigious of British Pram makers) and were immediately snapped up by collectors. We managed to photograph three more before they too are offered for sale. The 1952 Silver Cross (top left) is finished in a classic Silver Fox Grey, the Green and old Englilsh White 1950s Wilson (centre) is timeless, and the tiny1940s Tri-ang melts your heart - finished with leather suspension straps and a complement of tiny handmade vintage linens, a quilt and ticking mattress.

The canopies are all handmade, the bodywork pinstriped by hand and all the original fittings are cleaned, restored and refitted.

The joy of these rare finds is that they are being sympathetically restored. Each one retaining as much of the original finish as possible - making them historically correct and a valuable part of our social heritage.

Together, with professional coachbuilder Jim Hawkins, skilled upholsterers (including her daughter Charlotte) and her own wonderful textiles, Maryrose continues to tirelessly piece together these once broken beauties and restore them to their former glory. This work could take years but it couldn't be in safer hands - All we need now are some exquisite dolls!

For more information, to view or purchase these wonderful vintage dolls prams - contact Maryrose direct on: crocosmia@hotmail.com