Dolores of Spain

Another image from one of my favorite sets, Dolls of Many Lands, 1932, Whitman. (Gretel of Holland ran in January.)

Nellie by Helen Page

One of my early posts showed Helene from this set: A Box of 10 Cutout dolls with Dresses. Jean Sullivan noted that this set is illustrated in Mary Young's Lowe/Whitman reference book on pages 14 and 82; Young's book states the boxed set was shown in the 1945 and 1947 catalogues.

There are no identifying marks are the individual doll pamphlets, so a beginner collector finding these without the box (and without the Young reference guide) would have no idea that this is the work of a beloved paper doll artist.

To find all references and images relating to Helen Page on the blog, simply enter her name in the search engine at the top of the page.

The Artists Gallery: Diana Eufrasio Vining

Many of you have seen Diana Eufrasio Vining's paper doll art in Doll Castle News, or on her own website (see link on the right side of this page). Her children are adorable, and "Megan" continues that tradition. I love Diana's greeting cards, and she is sure to have a number for sale during the convention, in addition to paper doll sheets.

Diana is helping Sylvia Kleindinst to organize the Artists Gallery this year, and came up with this lovely logo for the program.

Munsingwear, c. 1920

More fabulous images from the Sheryl Jaeger archive. Remember to click on each image to get a larger view and save to your own computer files.

The Artists Gallery: Kim Brecklein

I remember reading a wonderful essay by Kim Brecklein in Paper Doll Review a few years back, in which she described her childhood memories of playing with paper dolls. I searched for Kim's work and web site, to no avail -- she was on hiatus.

Lucky for us, she is back in a big way, and she will be attending the convention in August--yes, a mere 6 weeks away! Kim's paper doll books reflect an enormous amount of research; her detail is phenomenal.

There's a story behind each outfit in "Jazz Age Sisters," and the narrative Kim has constructed around Rorey and Arden is fascinating--in addition she provides a historical context with a timeline of the early 1920s that rounds out the whole presentation. This is one of three Brecklein works in my collection; I also have "Kitty Dale: 1959" and "The Way We Wore: 1969." If I were a school teacher, I would buy these in bulk to jumpstart a history lesson.

From Kim: "I'm planning to bring 4 books - one of them will be a new release at the convention."

Can't wait to see!

Two more workshops closed

Louise Leek informs me that the Sue Hoeltge and Ralph Hodgdon workshops are now closed, in addition to the Brenda Mattox and Carol Sullivan workshops.


Also: Don't forget to send in your Saturday meal selection. The choice is Roast Sirloin of Beef or Salmon in White Wine Dijon Sauce.

Can't find/misplaced your meal form? Send an e-mail to me with your selection.

The Artists Gallery: Anne K. Donze

Here's Eva by Anne K. Donze. She's one of the many contemporary artists whose paper dolls will be on display in the Artists Gallery and available for purchase in the Sales Room on Saturday.

From Anne:
"I will have approximately 5-6 dolls for sale. Some are in little folders, some are magnetic paper dolls, and one will be a two-page set."

I'm a fan of Anne's: I bought several of her little folder sets for Christmas gifts last year, and they were a big hit!

The Printer

I learned about printing early for a simple reason: my father was a printer at a newspaper, in the days before computers. When I was a child, during the summer I would accompany him to his workplace during the day (he always worked nights)to pick up his salary check (in the days before direct deposit). It was a lot for a child to take in: huge linotype machines, long tables and below them thin, long drawers filled with metal letters -- both now likely to be found at antique shops and flea markets--and the smell of ink. I had my name etched in a piece of hot metal on most visits, courtesy of the linotype operator. I loved finding this printer paper toy in the Occupations series produced by Lion Coffee in the 1890s.

No newspaper visit was complete without a trip to the basement where the paper actually ran off the presses--I'm reminded of it whenever I see a movie that shows churning presses in the background as a headline spins into focus! This printing press cut-out ran in the Boston Sunday Globe, August 16, 1896. You can see how proud the Globe was to have the cutting edge printing technology of the era.



This newspaper paper doll circa 1940s (a friend of Tillie the Toiler, perhaps?) looks remarkably like my father as a young man just starting out as a printer for the New York Times.

Happy Father's Day to you all.

Kate Castleton c. 1895

It's always fascinating to come across ephemera relating to a celebrity from an earlier time. We can only imagine how Kate Castleton captured the fancy of her adoring public.

Here are Sheryl Jaeger's notes on this lovely set:
The Idol of the Fun Loving Public Kate Castleton - a folder with set of three "books" each with two dolls to punch-out with costumes. Includes 5 ½” paper doll of the 19th-century actress and costumes from various roles. Published by Forbes c1895.

Liesel c. 1890s

Another rare beauty from the Sheryl Jaeger archive:
Liesel und Sein Schwesterchen – a German boxed set including a 9 ½” embossed die-cut paper doll with easel back with Tuck-style neck and two costumes and hats. Original set included two dolls. Model number 59208 and WH initials. c1890s.

Nouvelles Poupees a habiller c. 1910

More from the Sheryl Jaeger photo archive:

Nouvelle Poupees a habiller – A boxed set with cover litho depicting a young boy and girl in refined clothing and titled in both French and Dutch. Set contains 5 ½” and 6 ½” paper dolls with costumes and accessories.

Clothes are attached to a tab on the doll’s chest. Marked JSM NO. 122. c. 1910.

The Artists Gallery: Gregg Nystrom

Kay Francis, Lana Turner and Ann Miller up top; below, Rita Hayworth. I've featured Gregg's work a few months ago on this blog, and it's wonderful to see his latest paper dolls, which will be on display and for sale at the convention. His likenesses of the stars are excellent.

Dover Publications

Dover, which publishes Tom Tierney, Brenda Sneathen Mattox and other paper doll artists, is partly sponsoring our opening reception at the Embassy Suites in Piscataway, NJ on Wednesday, August 6. Let's hope Dover's participation becomes a convention tradition.

Please let Dover know you appreciate their involvement in the 2008 Paper Doll Convention -- the best way to do that is to go to the Dover web site and purchase a few items. Drop them a line of appreciation with your order.
http://store.doverpublications.com/

And while you're at it, let them know you hope they won't cutback on their paper dolls.

The Sue Shanahan doll is taken from a free sampler that Dover has posted on their web site. You can also sign up for regular samplers delivered to you e-mail.

The Artists Gallery: Pat Corte Rooney

The convention is one of the best places to see contemporary paper doll art. This year, the Artists Gallery, organized by Sylvia Kleindinst and Diana Eufrasio Vining, will be held on two evenings: during our Wednesday, August 6th opening reception at 7 p.m. and Thursday, August 7th at 7 p.m. Come view today's paper doll artists, and then look for their work in the sales room on Saturday.

Pat Corte Rooney, who will be in the gallery and sales room, has had her work published in the UFDC Doll News recently. Above: a paper doll she made based on an Edith Flack Ackley pattern.

If you are a paper doll artist who will be participating in the gallery, e-mail a jpeg of your work to me, and I'll post it on the blog.