Jane's Wardrobe

C. 1950s.

Josephine Baker notecard

The image of Baker is from a Columbia records release. Found in an East Village bookstore.

Sharlene Jones-Martin

Thanks to Brenda Givens for alerting us to Sharlene's wonderful jointed paper dolls. See more at:

www.sharlzndollz.blogspot.com/

Check out the harlequin and other male figures, all beautifully done.

Sounds like Jean Sullivan put on a great party in S.C. Looking forward to Jayne Keller's annual party in Pa. on Saturday--driving in Friday with Carol Carey.

A Birthday Wish

Another find from the local book and ephemera sale. Circa 1930s. Lovely colors.

On Your First Birthday

A sweet die-cut purchased yesterday at a local book and ephemera sale. "Bobby from Mama."

Little Rose by Charles Ventura

This ran in a little magazine called Bernice's Bambini, May 1981.

Roller Skaters, c. 1880s

Another scrap that I found in the same store as the Brownie cigar scrap. Someone enjoyed cutting up trade cards before pasting them in a scrapbook. Took me awhile to see these figures had roller skates on. Of course, now the fun is searching for the uncut trade card to find out more.

Cigar Store scrap

This scrap was a mystery to me for the longest time. I could make out that these were Brownie-type figures, and the back showed part of a cigar store's name. But the trade-card had been cut up and pasted in a scrapbook, so there wasn't much to go on. I think the word in the upper right hand corner is "Anticipation" -- like the old ketchup commercial that used the Carly Simon tune of the same name.

Then I found the image below, probably on eBay: "Realization." Now I see how a series of trade cards told a story that was fun for adults and children to collect. That's one big smoke for the Brownies to share.

Ayer's Sarsaparilla

C.1880s-1890s. Note the Lower East Side address for the druggist who stamped his information on this trade card.

Baby Joe, 1941

This cut-out was first of a Childrens Activities series; see last Monday's blog post for Baby Joe's sister, Mary Elizabeth.

A.S.T. Co. Black Tip for shoes

c. 1880s. Printed by Donaldson Bros., Five Points, NY.

J & P Coats puppies, 1887

Always nice to find one of these without glue and paper stuck on the back.

Reward of Merit, 1911

Grace Lily received this Reward of Merit from Miss Fleck on Nov. 7, 1911. There's an "M" and a "G" penciled in above each kitten's head -- perhaps Grace was thinking of herself and a best friend.

Trade booklet paper doll, c. 1880s

A student of fashion could probably date this more accurately; it's possible that it dates from earlier than the 1880s.

From a trade booklet advertising Peruvian Syrup/Anders Iodine. Most dolls of this style have no tabs, and slip over the head with back and front illustrated outfits. J.P. Dinsmore on Dey St. in New York City possible gave this away with his patent medicine.

Wardrobe Dolls

Jan, Debutante, by C and M Publishing Company. No date, but has that '50s vibe. Tabs hook into the doll, not around it, the better to keep clothes on (and to layer apparel, according to the package).

Little Women by Helen Page

A lovely set by a favorite artist. Published by Shackman, 1991. Be sure to see the current issue of Paperdoll Review for an article by Linda Deitchman and Marilyn Henry about all the versions of Little Women paper dolls that have been published over the years.

Mary Elizabeth, 1941

From Childrens Activities magazine, Feb. 1941. Maurieta Wellman.

New York Times paper doll

Today's SundayStyles section of the New York Times features this photo paper doll.

Susan Branch

Not a paper doll, but it sure could be! Looks like some of the clothes would fit. This is from Susan Branch's 2000 book, Girlfriends Forever--chock-full of her lovely watercolors and memories of family and friends. On this page Branch distilled some of the best from the '60s.

My Little Margie Cut-Out

March 1964, Charlton Comics.

More Boston Herald Lady

These two outfits from my collection date from 1895. Just 10 years later, the hats would balloon in size (think Fluffy Ruffles fashions of 1906). The bottom dress has some rippling from age and moisture.


A postcard from the golden age of the Boston Herald.


Images below captured from the web:

The Boston Herald Lady, 1896

I like to collect the Boston Herald Lady outfits not just because of the lovely fashions and artwork, but because they are relics from the days when newspapers were king of the hill, so to speak, and fiercely competitive for readers. I recently found the Boston Herald subscription receipt, featuring a nice engraving of the Herald headquarters.