A Happy New Year

Merry Christmas to a Sweet Girl, ca. 1960

A Barker Card, Barker, Cincinnati

Less than a week away! How'd that happen?

Lovely image found online

Using vintage scraps in greeting cards

I found these cute cards at a store called Tuesday Morning, and thought I could glue on some scraps to break up the pattern...so I did! It was a happy coincidence that I had a batch of scraps that blended nicely with the color scheme of the cards. 

I'm not sure if the scraps are from a paper doll set or not...they do resemble the lovely artwork in the margins of a baby paper doll book. If anyone recognizes them, let me know.

Remembering Sandy Vanderpool

John and Sandy Vanderpool at the 2012 convention in Dayton, Ohio.

The paper doll community lost Sandy Vanderpool, a wonderful friend and artist, on Nov. 28. 

Jenny Taliadoros said it best:

Sandy's life force was so big it's impossible for any one person to sum it up. So I think we all should pay tribute to Sandy in the next issue of OPDAG. I would love to get your testimonials, thoughts, memories, etc., whether a brief sentence or several paragraphs. You're welcome to email me directly at info@opdag.com or send a Facebook message. 

Be sure to get your message to Jenny before Dec. 15.

Phyllis, from Little Mother, 1940, Whitman

Thank you Marie Rosales for identifying Phyllis!

Glamour, December 1943

Little Sister Jean, Child Life, Nov. 1943 paper doll

Child Life, November 1943

Tea time ca. 1920s, Germany

Vote and the choice is yours, ca. 1980s

This postcard was a find at the old St. Marks bookstore in the 1980s. Bleak and cynical.

I'm fascinated with political ephemera that speaks to the fears of the time.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of that kind of ephemera around these days, but it lives mostly online.

Fortunately for us, Democracy and Decency are on the ballot today. Vote.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa

Halloween Bridge Tally

Save the Date: May 4, 2019 is the next Morgantown PA Paper Doll Luncheon

Our theme: the 1940s

Alley Cat by Betsey Johnson, Oct. 3, 1971

The Sierra Club. Chunky boots. Mixed patterns. 1971? 

Very 2018.

My Style Mode puffy plastic dolls

I don't usually go for these types of modern puffy or bubble doll stickers, but I thought the two-layer packaging was very cool. The top layer fits perfectly over the bottom layer, so you can see how one outfit looks on the dolls. I found them at a store called Modern State, 112 East 86th Street in Manhattan which had all kinds of toys, dolls and Halloween props and costumes.

The reverse is mostly in Chinese, but click here to go to the Shanle site listed as the distributor--the link should take you to these bubble stickers. The item number is SL-QY05

Or call Modern State at (212) 831-8010 and see if they ship anywhere.

Puerto Rico Pavilion, 1939 World's Fair

The title of this unused postcard says it all: "Souvenir From Puerto Rico, U.S.A., Your $200,000,000 Market"-- the self-sufficiency of the island was not as important as its identification as a market for mainland goods. 

The reverse of the card describes the Puerto Rico Pavilion at the New York World's Fair featuring "alluring displays" of the commercial importance "of this American stronghold of the Caribbean--an island filled with scenic beauty and charm and possessing a climate unsurpassed the year around."

A year after Hurricane Maria, the island is still struggling to recover.

Check out Unidos, a project of the Hispanic Federation, which was founded by Luis Miranda, Jr., a longtime political activist (and the father of Lin-Manuel Miranda).

La Intendencia, San Juan, Puerto Rico ca. 1920s

La Intendencia, formerly the Spanish colonial exchequer, a fine example of 19th century Puerto Rican architecture, now houses Puerto Rico's State Department.

No postcard markings on back and so small (about 4 x 2.5 inches), I think it was a booklet of souvenir images, meant to be posted in a scrapbook or photo album, not mailed. The number 12 in upper right hand corner indicates it was part of a larger set of images.

One year after Hurricane Maria, the island is still struggling; the infrastructure is still fragile and blackouts frequently occur. The Hispanic Federation is one of the best conduits for sending aid to the island. Find out how you can help here.

When Millie was a Model by Renaldo Barnette

Little Miss Up-To-Date, 1918

I was happy to make this purchase recently from the collection of Tamara Gerard.
American Colortype, 1918.

Marilines en la escuela recortable

The Printer, Lion Coffee ca. 1880s

Fashion Cut-Outs, Whitman 1945

Ethel, one of four lovely dolls in the set, each measuring 12 inches. 

The clothing is flocked, a nice touch. 

Here are some images found on Pinterest and Picasa: 

Tiny Tots by Hilda Miloche, Whitman 1958

These sweet dolls seem to know summer is coming to an end...let's go out and play!

Cantinflas

Google honors Cantinflas on what would have been his 107th birthday.

Read more here: Cantinflas

Browsing antiques

Solvang and Arroyo Grande in California offered wonderful opportunities for browsing all kinds of antiques. 

Seattle Convention: Tamara’s Jane Arden

This is wonderfully creative way to display cut pieces from a paper doll set. 

Seattle Convention: More artist-made books by Tamara