Elinor, c. 1915-1917

An exquisite German paper doll, circa 1915-1917.

And below, information from Garth Lax about specialty museums in the convention city of Philadelphia. Martha Raively has some wonderful tips, plus she's requested a special display at the Philadelphia Free Library, see:



2011 INTERNATIONAL PAPER DOLL CONVENTION

 

                                     LET FREEDOM RING !

 

                                                Email # 12

 

                                    SPECIALTY MUSEUMS

 

In addition to the Art Museums that we reviewed in Emails 5 and 6, there are

several Specialty Museums that may interest you. Let's take a look.

 

PHILADELPHIA FREE LIBRARY

Martha Raively, a Philadelphia native, has pointed out some wonderful and

very rare paper doll holdings in the Rare Book Department of the Free Library

of Philadelphia.

 

What would you say to a rare 1817 Cinderella, published in the US after the

J&B Fuller origination in England?

 

How about Lucinda the Orphan, another very rare US version of the original

Fuller Toy Book?

 

Like to see Little Henry, the famous 1810 Fuller Toy Book? It's here.

 

What about a Little Fanny, the famed 1810 Fuller Toy Book - - one of the

first two published. And for an even more rare treat, take a look at the

manuscript of Little Fanny, complete with hand-watercolored costumes.

 

Even The Little Colonel Doll Book of 1910. Where else are you going to see

that one ??

 

Martha even has arranged for Cinderella to be on display August 15-22 in a

glass case in the Rare Book Department lobby on the third floor, and is working

on getting even more out on display.

 

If you have interest in a particular one, and think that it might not be among those

on display, you may telephone the Library at (215) 686 5416 to ask them to have

it out for you to view. Give them about a week's notice.

 

Here are the call numbers:

Lucinda the Orphan - - Call Number is RBD\\CB\\1817\\L963T

Cinderella - - \RBD\\CB\\1815\\C49O3\\

Little Fanny and Manuscript - - \\RBD\\CB\\E\\1810\\H629O\\FACSIM.\\

Little Henry - - \\RBD\\CB\\E\\1810\\H629A\\

Little Colonel Doll Book - - J NON-FICTION MC-W,S,D.

 

To make a visit even better, they're featuring a Beatrix Potter exhibition during

the Convention week. Since this Library has the most extensive Beatrix Potter

collection outside England, you fans of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, and

the Little Red Hen are in for a rare treat !

 

The big Central Library, a historic Beaux-Arts building, is at 1901 Vine Street,

just off Logan Circle. It's about four blocks south of the big Philadelphia Museum

of Art that we described in Email #5, about two blocks from the Rodin Museum

(also Email #5), and about one block from the Franklin Institute (which we

describe below). There's parking along the streets, a large public parking lot

directly behind the Library, and a parking garage on 20th Street.

 

When you see Martha Raively at the Convention, be sure to thank her for getting

this special venue arranged for you.

 

Let me mention some nice dining places mentioned by Martha.

The Rose Tattoo at 19th and Callowhill St., is diagonally across the street from

the east corner of the back of the Library parking lot. Housed in a 100 year old

Victorian building, it serves Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am - 3 pm. They serve

American Continental cuisine, with Soups, salads, excellent sandwiches, and

innovative and fine Lunch entrees. The average Lunch Entree would be about

$12 US. Don't miss their signature dessert - - a chocolate macadamia nut

brownie, served warm and topped with white chocolate, caramel, and vanilla

ice cream!

 

Just down the street a block, at 1804 Callowhill Street, is Sabrina's Cafe.

Open 8 am - 10 pm, Sabrina's features excellent sandwiches (including

vegetarian fare) as well as Brunch specials that range from Eggs Benedict

to stuffed French Toast to a Brisket Sandwich. You won't leave hungry, and the

prices are reasonable.

 

Other eating spots are King of Tandoor Indian and Doma Japanese, between

the Rose Tattoo and Sabrina's; a Starbucks across Callowhill from the Library

parking lot; and along Hamilton Street (the second street beyond the back of the

parking lot), in a little mall between 30th and 21st Streets, is an excellent
Chinese Restaurant called Long's.

 

PHILADELPHIA DOLL MUSEUM

Located at 2253 North Broad Street along the Avenue of the Arts, the Museum

specializes in the rare black dolls, and has over 300 black dolls in its collection.

The collection includes African, European, American Folk Art dolls, the renowned

Roberta Bell Doll Collection, American and internationally manufactured dolls

and more.

Open Thursday-Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM, and Sunday 12 PM - 4 PM.

Admission is $4 US for Adults and $3 US for Seniors.

 

MUMMERS MUSEUM

If, annually, you watch the Parades on New Years Day in the U.S., and have had

a chance to view some of the Philadelphia Parade, you've seen the Mummers

marching. With their fabulous themed costumes, their precision marching, and

their lively banjo music, the Mummers are not only a hit, but a high point of every

parade in which they participate.

 

And, by golly, they have a Museum at 1100 South 2nd Street in Philadelphia.

With its rainbow-like front at the corner of 2nd Street and Washington Avenue,

you can't miss it. Inside, you'll be able to view, close-up, many of the colorful,

detailed, and imaginative costumes that have thrilled parade-viewers for years!

In addition, they have a gift shop that features dolls in Mummer costumes.

 

Open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9:30  - 4:30. Thursday 9:30- 9:30.

Admission is $3.50 for Adults; $2.50 for Seniors (show AARP card).

 

THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE

The Franklin Museum is really a Science Museum, and of great interest to kids

or grandkids, or for that matter to inquisitive, science-loving adults of any age.

 

It has an Observatory with a Zeiss reflecting telescope that will let you get a

close look at the sun, a liquid air show, a show that reveals the science behind

fireworks, an exploration of Ben Franklin's inventions and ideas, an examination

of how a Segway works, and on and on.

 

For an extra fee ($5), you can take an out-of-this-world journey on a 4-D full

motion simulator with all sorts of special effects.

 

For an extra fee ($5), you can enter a flight simulator and "fly" a 2-seat T-33

jet trainer (the same simulator that has trained countless jet pilots).

 

Finally (my favorite), for an extra $3, you can ride the sky bike. You'll be 28 feet

above the ground, pedaling a 2-wheel bike along a 60 foot long, 1 inch diameter

cable! Not to worry, though. Hanging down from the bicycle is a 250 pound

weight that shifts the center of gravity to a point beneath the cable, so you

can't tip over and fall.

 

And when you're through, you can get a job with the Circus !

 

The Museum also has an IMAX Theater with incredible films. Those playing

currently are Legends of Flight , Arabia, and Forces of Nature.

 

The Franklin Institute is at 20th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The

parking garage entrance is located behind the building at the intersection of

21st Street and Winter Street. Oversize vehicles will not fit into the garage.

The height limit is 6'3" (1.9 m). Bring your parking ticket to the Box Office for

validation in order to receive reduced rates. (Regular rates for parking are

$20 US for 2 - 12 hours. The Reduced rate for Museum visitors is $12 US for

up to 5 hours.)

 

The Museum is open 9:30 AM - 5 PM every day.

Admission is $15.50 US for Adults; $14.50 for Seniors (62 and over).

Admission plus Theater would be $4.00 to $5.50 additional.

IMAX Theater-only would be $9.00 US.

 

CONVENTION INFORMATION

 

FREEBIE TABLE

 

Yes, the popular Freebie Table will be at Philadelphia !!

 

When it's opened at the Convention, you'll want to be there to go through the

goodies and spirit away your favorites.

 

Those who would like to donate items to the Freebie Table, just bring them to

the Convention, and give them to Sondra Leeds. There's no need to tell Sondra

what you're bringing.

 

RAFFLE (HELPERS)

 

In addition to the Silent Auction, Philadelphia will have the traditional raffle for

the wonderful items that are called "Helpers".

 

Those who would like to donate items to the Helpers Raffle may just bring

them to the Convention and give them to Sondra Leeds (yes, Sondra's

in charge of the raffle as well).

 

However, David Wolfe is keeping track of what's coming, so please email

David at david@paperdollywood.com and tell him what you're bringing.

  

We'll be back in two weeks with even more places to see (or sea).

 

- - Garth

        2011 INTERNATIONAL PAPER DOLL CONVENTION

                               August 17 - 21, 2011

                  Embassy Suites - Philadelphia Airport

                               9000 Bartram Avenue

                            Philadelphia,  PA  19153

                                                   

******************************************************************************

                          CONVENTION REGISTRATION

 

NAME__________________________________________________

 

ADDRESS_______________________________________________

 

CITY_______________________STATE_______ ZIP/PC__________

 

EMAIL_____________________________________

 

PHONE____________________________________

 

Registration:  $295.00 USD 

 

Absentee Registration:  $155.00 USD

  (Absentee Registrations are limited in number.)

 

Guest Registration (Meals, Reception Party) $150.00

  GUEST NAME:__________________________________________

 

Make Checks payable to:  2011 Paper Doll Convention

 

____ Check/money order enclosed

 

____ Credit Card #____________________________Exp.Date______

        (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx accepted)

        (charge will appear on statement as "Paperdoll Review")

 

Mail to:

 

David Wolfe

P.O. Box 2279

New Preston,  CT  06777

**********************************************************************************