Around the Clock with Peg and Dot

I only have Peg with her wardrobe and one outfit for Dot.  This set was published by Whitman 1943.  The doll is very tall.  I've been working on some of my paper doll artwork and may not post as consistently.  I am also scanning in bigger paper doll items and reading through my doll magazines for paper doll articles.

Christmas List and Paper dolls, a la 1890s

From Doll Reader December 1988/January 1989

Christmas List and Paper dolls, a la 1890s
by Barbra Combatalade
photos by Albert Combatade

  The smell of Thanksgiving turkey roasting is barely a memory when a certain tang in the air and the glint of shining ornaments suddenly sparkling on store display shelves warn that that day is approaching and it is time to make Christmas lists of what to give whom.
  If time could be turned back to the late 1890s, how wonderful would it be for a paper doll collector whose favorites are those quaint nostalgic ones printed then for advertizing varied products.  A much-wanted paper doll and just-the-right-gift could be obtained at the same time.
  What lovelier surprise could a fashionable young lady find under the tree than the model 42 Columbia Bicycle! Cycling was so popular, and with this particular model she could wear the zouave costume designed and worn by Miss Cayman, as shown in Illustration 1, one of a set of six, available for five two-cent stamps. The head and arms pass through a slot in the top of the fold-over costume.  Each 6in (15cm) doll is marked "Copyright 1895, Gast Litho. Co." on the front.  There is a detailed description of the costume on the inside and a statement of the set's purpose: "The set will be of great value in deciding the appropriate dress for use awheel at the same time delighting the hearts of all children who hands they may fall." Columbia Bicycles for woman's use are advertised on the back.
  A new Household Range for hard or soft coal or wood would be a most welcome kitchen addition for any homemaker who prides herself on her culinary skills, as discretely suggested by Raphael Tuck's Artistic series 102 seen in Illustration 2.  "Buy Household Ranges" is printed below the slit in the doll's hats and is not visable when the doll is costumed, appropriate tasteful for "publisher's to Her Majesty the Queen, U.S. patent Feb. 20, 1894."
  To keep the new stove black and brilliant, why not add a cake of modern stove polish, Enameline?  With three Enameline labels and three one-cent stamps one could get a complete set of six floral dolls: water lily, sweet pea, iris, tulip, morning glory and carnation, shown in Illustration 3.
  Any man of substance would welcome a subscription to the Boston Sunday Globe, with "the largest circulation in New England." With the August 11, 1895, issue is given a jolly humpty-dumptyish Forbes doll, seen in Illustration 4, which can be put togheter, again by following the numbers on the tabs.
  A little girl's heart's desire would be fulfilled with a French doll from Au Bon Marche in Paris, perhaps one in provincial costume like the charming mademoiselle show in its 5 1/2 inc (14cm) advertising paper doll and seen in Illustration 5 and 6.  An interesting three-dimensional effect is obtained by folding the vest down over the front, as shown.
  A special treat for children would be a dish of Ovens assorted crackers and cakes to place by the chimney in case Santa should wish to pause for refreshments.  Show in Illustration 7 is 1 of Ovens American Beauties, a 9in (23cm) blonde seen wither her envelope and one of her costumes, is as lovely ans any doll in Santa's sack.
  No parlor is complete without a piano or organ.  Music is so uplifting. Even Little Bo-Peep's sheep "Won't come home till the music's done", as goes the verse on paper doll from Estey Organ Co., seen in Illustration 8.  Everyone's talking about the new-fangled sewing machines.  The Wheeler and Wilcox has a good wheel guard that prevents oil splatter and tearing.  However, the Ladies' World for December 1892 warns against extravagant spending in an article as "vulgar and tawdry." The newest fad in entertaining is the button sewing parties, with prizes for the neatest and fastest lady or gentleman.  Surely an assortment of Barbour's Irish Flax, in business from 1784 to 1895, would not be a costly and amusing gift for a hostess.  For three two-cent stamps one could secure 12 dolls varied as a masquerade.
  The same article admonishes "do not waste money on people richer than yourself, but on those poorer," Christmas baskets for the needy might include New England Mincemeat (there are 16 dolls in its fairy's children series, all different); Friend's Oats (the Quaker miss is one of seven), Worcester Salt bags (Cuba is one of four united States possessions in 1898 represented in a set of 12 for just one coupon and three two-cent stamps); and Lion Coffee, so invigorating to mind and body, putting one in shape for the labors of the day.  The photographer, seen in Illustration 10, is one of the occupations of the time shown, with four parts each, in this set of Lion Coffee premiums.
  Gas-lit stores and carriages and fragrant trees alight with tiny tapers fade into flashing neon signs and crowded parking lots and a weary Santa in every shopping center
  Christmas is still the most wonderful time of the year!

Blondie 1945 set 993

Obviously, this is not a complete set.  I'm surprised how many Blondie sets there are!  This one is from 1945.  Whitman is the publishing company.

Paper Doll Potpourri (Doll World) article continued

This is a continuation of the article from Doll world 1979 as started in the previous post.  This article is by Lorraine Wood. The pages were posted last post and this post for reference.  If you would like more articles about paper dolls, please let me know.  I have a few magazine and books with articles about paper dolls.

Photo No. 2 shows an origami paper folded doll set done by Grace Battjes.  Mrs. Battjes hand painted the faces of "The Prince and the Princess" and added a special touch by making a decorated folder and backing to go with these dolls. A great deal of attention to detail and careful work went into the making of this set.

Photo No. 3 shows only the first page of three page set by Marianne Anderson. Mrs. Anderson is well-known for her fine black and white "original" sets and I am especially proud to have some of her handmade sets.  She not only has a marvelous sense of fantasy but her painting technique is sure and delicate.  The other tow pages of the set( not shown here) contain costumes for "Patty Pig" that include a pirate costume, a woodsman, a "Bo-Peep", a baker, and several others.  There is even a judge costume!

Photo No. 4 and 5 show the work of Loraine Neff.  Ms. Neff uses very light pencil lines to sketch out her work and then does all the remaining detail in watercolor.  Her "Just Hats" shown in Photo No. 5 is included to show paper dolls don't have to be completely conventional.  The hat wardrobe for the head and shoulders lady is unique and charming.

Before discussing the remaining five sets pictured, let me digress a moment.  How does a collector get his or her hands on a handmade set?  A lot of time and work goes into production a handmade set and it is not profitable for most artist to make them for sale.  One way to obtain a handmade set is through a trade.  The artists who do these sets are, of course, also collectors themselves.  The general trade arrangement is one handmade set for another handmade set.  That leaves a lot of people who can't paint or draw out in the cold!  There is one handmade artist, Helen Page, who does sell her work.  If you look at Photo no.7 showing the set "Penny" you will see that Mrs. Page does excellet work.  Any set of hers would be a fine addition to a paper doll collection.  (next line I decided to obit because it contains outdate information on obtain a list from Helen Page and includes an address)

Or... you could try making your own set for your own collection.  You don't have to be an artist. Photo No. 6 shows a Patin paper doll done by Marie McCoin.  Ms. McCoin used a pattern for this particular Pantin and used colored pencils to drawn in the face and hair.  The rest of the doll was constructed carefully by gluing.  Or look at Photo No.8 done by two teenage girls.  They cut out the body from a sewing pattern catalog, backed it with heavier paper and then proceeded to let their fashion conscious imaginations design clothes for the doll by plaice tracing paper over the body form and drawing the clothes to fit.  Once the clothes were designed they transferred them to heavier paper and colored them with colored pencils.  Sewing pattern catalogs have a wealth of fashions and body forms.  They can usually be purchased, after they are discontinued from a sewing store for  a nominal fees.

Photo No. 9 is a one of a kind handmade by Peggy Jo Rosamond, the artist who has done so many beautiful 'doll' paper doll books.  Mrs. Rosamond is a commercial artist and a doll and paper doll collector.  You may not be able to get one of her handmade but you can have the next best thing if you order her paper doll books. (again excluding address to order list from Peggy Jo Rosamond cause it is out of date)

Last, and probably least, is a handmade paper doll by the author of this column (who does not pretend to be an artist).  Making one's own paper dolls gives a special appreciation of what goes into the process. You will not on the "Oprhan Annie" set (Photo No. 10) that the hands of the doll are conveniently placed in such a position that they do not show.  Most artist have trouble with hands.  Even Queen Holden, one of the most well known of paper doll artist, admitted to have this problem. Trying to draw hands certainly enhances one's admiration for those who draw them well.  hiding the hands is a "dodge"!

Not pictured is the work of another paper doll creator who does something unual.  She mades "Fingerprint Paper dolls" (Mary Ellen Smith *address printed I will not post*) has a unique imaginaton and makes colorful and different handmade paper doll sets in the from of paper doll notes.  theres are all done individually but not necessarily limited in quantity.   Ms. Smith also sells a line of paper doll bookmarks and original paper doll rubber stamps.

If this column has inspired you to try you hand at a handmade paper doll of you own, I should like to add a few hints here.  When it comes to coloring handmades, the easiest medium to use is colored pencils.  Eagle brand Prismacolor pencils, which are oil based, are the best on the market and blend very nicely *still true today* Watercolors are also effective but more difficult to handle.  Keep you first figures simple so that they will be easy to dress and consider using decorative paper dresses rather then drawn dresses to make things even easier.
(last paragraph is omitted because it is out of date information with an address discussing trading of originals and handmade paper dolls)

Doll World 1979

cute bunny paper dolls by Carol Peters

Pat Stall

Grace Battjes, Marinanne Anderson, and Loraine Neff

Peggy Jo Rosamond and Lorraine Wood

 Here is a paper doll from Doll World 1979.  I also included a scan of  the paper doll article. Tomorrow (or the next day) I will transcribe the article text into this post.  The magazine is all black and white (except the cover)

Now for the article (which may be removed if requested... copyright belongs to Doll World and Lorraine Wood)


Paper Doll Potpourri by Lorraine Wood

Paper dolls seldom met with

In this column, I will be discussing rare paper dolls.  Rare, according to my dictionary, means :Very uncommon; seldom met with".  We all know about the antique rarities, the very old paper dolls that don't show up very often and therefore highly prized.  The paper doll rarities shown here and will discussed, however, are not that old.  In fact, they are contemporary.  They are completely handmade paper dolls created by modern day artists.  Many of them are one of a  kind and therefore qualify to be called the rarest of rare.

In a previous article i covered "original" paper dolls: the black and white renditions of modern artist.  These sets usually drawn and then reproduced.   The handmade paper doll sets, on the other had, is generally done completely by hand, in color, and is limited in edition or is one of a kind  They are not easy to come by and, if purchased, they are understandably more expensive then the black and white reproduced "original" sets.

Photo No.1 a modern paper doll drawn and painted by Pat Stall has a unique feature.  You will not in that the photograph that the doll has a brass fastener in the upper part of her hair. This enables one to swing her head from side to side and change the position of her eyes.  Mrs. Stall is an art teacher and painting is bright, beautifully shaded and most effective.

the article will be continued on the next post.

Haute Doll magazine Feb 2013

 Here is the paper doll from the February issue of Haute Doll.  The artist is Lisa Miller.  I always love paper dolls of dolls, especially fashion and ball joint dolls.  I've never owned a Poppy Parker doll because they are usually out of my doll budget and I think she has a masculine face.  There will be no post tomorrow and I may not post this weekend.

Big Big doll

Queen Holden's lovely paper doll called Big Big doll (not the best name).  The doll is heavy card stock and was hard to scan.  I only have a few outfits for her and a pair of shoes.  1943.  I love the adorable baby in her arms.  Her face is very pretty as well.

Doll Castle News

Here's a paper doll and doll pattern from Doll Castle News March/April 2013.  As with the last post, this may be taken down if requested, since it is a rather new issue and still under copyright.  This is another magazine I plan on sending my own paper doll designs to one day. 

Dolls Magazine July 2013

Lovely paper doll by Diane E Vining

sewing pattern

So for the last two or three months I've found the most current issue of Dolls Magazine donated at my library.  Personally I do not subscribe because I have mixed feelings about 'art dolls' and find many of them creepy.  I of course, love a magazine that includes a paper doll every month and even plan on submitting some of my own paper doll designs to Dolls magazine one day.  This post may be taken down if requested since it is the newest issue and under copyright. 

repositionable dress ups

Here's another sticker set from Provo Craft.  Not exactly the traditional paper doll, it has half bodies with different vehicles and some hats.  This set is missing one doll and a tractor but I bought it used. 

sticker dress-ups

So today I went to my local scrap booking store's yard sale.  They have one every year.  I picked up a few grab bag/blind bags of stickers and managed to pick out one that had a paper doll! (sticker doll).  Here's Repositional Dress-ups by Provo Craft.  I noticed it says 'Permanent in your scrapbook atter (instead of after) 30 minutes'.  Includes 8 full size dolls, outfits, wigs, shoes, and extra heads, hands, and arms along with a few accessories.  I will post another set by this company on my next post.

Here Comes the Bride

From 1971 Here comes the Bride set by Lowe.  There are a lot of sets from various years with the name Here comes the Bride (also a few with the name here's the bride)  This one has 5 dolls and 6 pages of clothing.  I love the prints used on some of the outfits.  Everything has a very groovy feel.