GB2160113A - A set of nested dolls - Google Patents

Abstract

A set of nested dolls comprises a number of dolls each bearing the likeness of a publicly known figure. The dolls are arranged to form a progression of figures. In one example the dolls are arranged to depict the sequence of successive Soviet leaders.

Description

SPECIFICATION A set of nested dolls This invention relates to a set of nested dolls.

Nested dolls are commonly known as "Russian Dolls" and in their conventional form they comprise a series of dolls, usually of wood, which are of identical appearance to each other but of different size. Each doll in the series is split into two portions, with the exception of the smallest doll which is in one piece, and the dolls fit one within another for storage.

According to the present invention there is provided a set of nested dolls in which at least one doll differs from the others and bears a likeness of a publicly-known figure.

Preferably each doll in the set bears a likeness of a respective publicly-known figure, and most preferably the likenesses form a progression of figures.

For example the dolls in a set may bear the likenesses of successive political leaders of a country.

The largest doll may depict an early leader, with each smaller doll depicting his or her successors in sequence; thus the dolls may represent Soviet leaders, United States Presidents, British Prime Ministers or the like.

Alternatively the dolls may depict, for example, members of the Royal Family or other celebrities such as television personalities, sports teams or historical figures.

In an especially effective form of the dolls of this invention the smallest doll may represent a future member of the series depicted by the other dolls.

In such a way a novel contest can be arranged, by providing sets of dolls depicting series of figures, each set being identical with the exception of the smallest doll in each set; the smallest dolls then depict possible figures for completing the series at some time in the future.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only.

Twelve sets of nested dolls are produced, each set consisting of seven dolls of decreasing size.

Each doll in the set fits within the next largest, by means of each doll except the smallest being split so as to be openable to receive the smaller dolls.

The dolls are made of wood and in the form of human figures.

The six largest dolls in each set have faces painted on them depicting the last six Soviet leaders. The largest doll represents Lenin, the next largest Stalin, then Krushchev, then Brezhnev, then Andropov, then Chernenko. These six are the same in each set. The smallest doll takes various forms, so that different sets have different small dolls, each of which depicts a current member of the Soviet Politburo, e.g. Garbachov, Aliyer, Ustinov, Gromeyko, etc. As there are twelve Politburo members there are twelve different small dolls.

The dolls may be sold with the object of a customer accumulating a full series of twelve alternatives, or with a prize offered for holders of a set which includes the small doll depicting the actual Soviet leader next appointed after Chernenko.

Other alternatives are to provide a similar set with the smallest doll having a blank face, thereby demonstrating the notion of "who is next?"; to provide identical sets with the smallest doll always depicting the most likely Politburo member to succeed Chernenko (e.g. Garbachov) thereby providing an interesting prediction of the succession; or to provide only six dolls in each set, with the smallest representing Chernenko, so that the sets are purely factual and reflect the full progression of Soviet leadership to date.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A set of nested dolls in which at least one doll differs from the others and bears a likeness of a publicly known figure.

2. A set of nested dolls as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each doll in the set bears a likeness of a respective publicly known figure.

3. A set of nested dolls as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the likenesses form a progression of figures.

4. A set of nested dolls as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the likenesses are successive political leaders of a country.

5. A set of nested dolls as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the largest doll depicts an early leader with each smaller doll depicting his or her successors in sequence.

6. A set of nested dolls as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the smallest doll bears the likeness of a potential future member of the series depicted by the other dolls.

7. A set of nested dolls substantially as hereinbefore described.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A set of nested dolls This invention relates to a set of nested dolls. Nested dolls are commonly known as "Russian Dolls" and in their conventional form they comprise a series of dolls, usually of wood, which are of identical appearance to each other but of different size. Each doll in the series is split into two portions, with the exception of the smallest doll which is in one piece, and the dolls fit one within another for storage. According to the present invention there is provided a set of nested dolls in which at least one doll differs from the others and bears a likeness of a publicly-known figure. Preferably each doll in the set bears a likeness of a respective publicly-known figure, and most preferably the likenesses form a progression of figures. For example the dolls in a set may bear the likenesses of successive political leaders of a country. The largest doll may depict an early leader, with each smaller doll depicting his or her successors in sequence; thus the dolls may represent Soviet leaders, United States Presidents, British Prime Ministers or the like. Alternatively the dolls may depict, for example, members of the Royal Family or other celebrities such as television personalities, sports teams or historical figures. In an especially effective form of the dolls of this invention the smallest doll may represent a future member of the series depicted by the other dolls. In such a way a novel contest can be arranged, by providing sets of dolls depicting series of figures, each set being identical with the exception of the smallest doll in each set; the smallest dolls then depict possible figures for completing the series at some time in the future. An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only. Twelve sets of nested dolls are produced, each set consisting of seven dolls of decreasing size. Each doll in the set fits within the next largest, by means of each doll except the smallest being split so as to be openable to receive the smaller dolls. The dolls are made of wood and in the form of human figures. The six largest dolls in each set have faces painted on them depicting the last six Soviet leaders. The largest doll represents Lenin, the next largest Stalin, then Krushchev, then Brezhnev, then Andropov, then Chernenko. These six are the same in each set. The smallest doll takes various forms, so that different sets have different small dolls, each of which depicts a current member of the Soviet Politburo, e.g. Garbachov, Aliyer, Ustinov, Gromeyko, etc. As there are twelve Politburo members there are twelve different small dolls. The dolls may be sold with the object of a customer accumulating a full series of twelve alternatives, or with a prize offered for holders of a set which includes the small doll depicting the actual Soviet leader next appointed after Chernenko. Other alternatives are to provide a similar set with the smallest doll having a blank face, thereby demonstrating the notion of "who is next?"; to provide identical sets with the smallest doll always depicting the most likely Politburo member to succeed Chernenko (e.g. Garbachov) thereby providing an interesting prediction of the succession; or to provide only six dolls in each set, with the smallest representing Chernenko, so that the sets are purely factual and reflect the full progression of Soviet leadership to date. Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. A set of nested dolls in which at least one doll differs from the others and bears a likeness of a publicly known figure.

2. A set of nested dolls as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each doll in the set bears a likeness of a respective publicly known figure.

3. A set of nested dolls as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the likenesses form a progression of figures.

4. A set of nested dolls as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the likenesses are successive political leaders of a country.

5. A set of nested dolls as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the largest doll depicts an early leader with each smaller doll depicting his or her successors in sequence.

6. A set of nested dolls as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the smallest doll bears the likeness of a potential future member of the series depicted by the other dolls.

7. A set of nested dolls substantially as hereinbefore described.