A Day in the Life of a Mannequin by Ralph Barton, ca. 1930s

From the collection of Renaldo Barnette.

 

Nestlé Farine Lactée Poupées, 1920

 

Weatherbird Shoe cutouts, 1920

I love it when a new paper doll takes me down a research rabbit hole. 

Did you know the Weatherbird is the longest continuously running newspaper cartoon? It is the mascot of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

On February 11, 1901, the paper introduced a front-page feature called the "Weatherbird", a cartoon bird accompanying the daily weather forecast. "Weatherbird" is the oldest continuously published cartoon in the United States. Created by Harry B. Martin, who drew it through 1903, it has since been drawn by Oscar Chopin (1903–1910); S. Carlisle Martin (1910–1932); Amadee Wohlschlaeger (1932–1981); Albert Schweitzer, the first one to draw the Weatherbird in color (1981–1986); and Dan Martin (1986–present).^[21]

That means the illustrator of this advertising cut-out is S. Carlisle Martin. It's copyrighted 1920 Peters Branch International Shoe Co.

Here's more from Wikipedia:

Weatherbird brand shoes for children, using pictures of the Weatherbird in advertising, were offered starting in 1901 by the St. Louis-based Peters Shoe Company, later part of International Shoe which continued to base the brand's image on the Weatherbird until 1932^[13] (the brand itself continued at least through the 1950s).^[14]

Two of the original windows from the Peters Shoe Company factory, featuring pictures of the Weatherbird, adorn the Weatherbird Cafe in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch office.

A life-size Weatherbird costume is used by the Post-Dispatch for promotions such as meet-and-greets at local bars.

Take a look at these great Weatherbird shoes from the 1920s, for sale on Etsy!

 

 

Miss Minne Apolis vintage advertising paper doll for Spring

 

Miss Minne Apolis vintage advertising paper doll for Fall

Minneapolis Knitting Works ca. 1930s

 

Miss Minne Apolis vintage advertising paper doll

 

Minneapolis Knitting Works ca. 1930s

Beyer's Hectographen cutout ca. 1920

The German company known as Beyer's sold pens, ink and watercolors among other items; I would imagine it was a busy stationery story with a large inventory. After searching for more information online, I believe it was also a printing company that produced beautiful letterhead for companies. 

This wonderfully intricate advertising cutout when finished would show a young boy in sailor suit at his school desk. 

If you are a German reader and can translate more of the copy on this paper toy, I would love to know more.

Elsie Dinsmore paper doll, 1917

One of my wins in the Patti Fertel auction. This is an advertising paper doll featuring Elsie Dinsmore. Copyright: The DandyLine Co., Chicago, 1917.

You can read more about the fictional character of Elsie Dinsmore here. Her stories were very popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

"Wear dresses just like your doll's. You can buy them at Geo. H. Goudy, Beloit, Kansas." 

What a lovely way to pick out a wardrobe--with a paper doll modeling the latest fashions. I wonder how many other stores issued this paper doll to advertise the same dresses. 

 

Betsey Johnson paper dolls and fashion illustrations

Betsey Johnson's wonderful illustrations for the  Aug. 4, 1974 issue of the Los Angeles Times Home section. Her Alley Cat paper dolls were usually black and white in newspapers and magazines. This was a special assignment, however. 

Dot-to-Dot! Loved doing those as a kid. 

Her fabulous fashion illustrations.

She was a Mademoiselle guest editor! How I miss that magazine. 

Surely a Betsey self-portrait! Wonderful.

 

The Upright Citizens Brigade Theme Party, ca. 2017

 

The UCB was a favorite destination in the Before Times, and I'm sad that it didn't survive the pandemic. It was a cheap comedy date!  I found this advertising trade card at the theater one night, about four years ago, and was excited to see the paper doll motif, of course, even though none of the outfits were drawn to fit the actual dolls. It's still cute.

Amy Poehler and Matt Walsh may be able to reopen the UCB in NYC and LA, now that things are getting better.  But it sounds like a challenge.

Germea for Breakfast

 

"The true health food"

Mary Hartline

Mary Hartline and Super Circus, the show that made her a star, were a few years before my time.

Super Circus ran from 1949 to 1955. This paper doll was a Kellogg's cereal promotion. I wonder how many boxtops kids had to send in? It's a static cling doll, so no tabs on the outfit, just rub the outfit on the doll. The cling is still there.

You can read more here about Mary Hartline, who died in August.

 

At the Beach paper dolls

A lovely folder with two paper dolls, issued by the Grand Floridian Beach Resort at Walt Disney World in 1988.  The art is unsigned, but it is reminiscent of Tom Tierney and Theresa Borelli.

Edith, Dr. Miles Heart Cure paper doll

ca. 1880s

found at The Mill Antiques in Lafayette, NJ (Sussex County)

still available, for $150 (reduced from $295!)

Paper Doll, ca. 1890s, Dorney Furniture Co.

Compliments of the C.A. Dorney Furniture Co., Allentown, PA

Alley Cat by Betsey Johnson, Oct. 3, 1971

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

Very 2018.

The Printer, Lion Coffee ca. 1880s

The Maple Sisters bedroom, 1910-1911

The Maple Sisters and their furnishings were a Mapl-Flakes giveaway, if you bought two boxes of the cereal. Uncut sheets have gone for hundreds of dollars at auction. 

I'll be posting more pajama paper dolls here as we look forward to Morgantown. 

You can now download a digital copy of the registration form by clicking on the Morgantown image on the side of this page!

Rally Day paper doll, 1924

This has to be one of the cleverest paper dolls I've ever come across. 

It's an invitation to Rally Day, October 6, 1924. And it was its own mailer, with the outfit forming the back of the envelope.

Columbia Bicycles for Woman's Use, 1895

This advertising paper doll not only gives you the price of the bicycle, it advises women on the appropriate outfit to wear when riding, even naming the designer. The little hat evoking the helmet of the Greek god Hermes is a nice touch!