A new mystery to solve

Mackenzie Sanford writes:

I was wondering if you'd be able to help me find a certain paper doll book. I had it in the 90's when I was growing up and I loved it, but somehow no one in my family knows which book I'm talking about. I, perhaps falsely, remember the cover being a burgundy color. Inside, each page was a different room. The room I remember most distinctly was a conservatory. The book had paper people in what I think was Victorian-era clothing. The clothing wasn't removable but I believe the book came with little paper furniture pieces that were movable. In the back of the book was a pocket to store the people and pieces in (although my grandma didn't trust the pocket and kept all the pieces in a ziplock bag). This book was only two dimensional and not larger than your average children's book.

Does anyone recognize Mackenzie's book?

The Coke Crowd, Merrill Paper Dolls Original Art, 1946

Once again, original art from the Jean Woodcock collection.

And the early draft version...where the merry-go-round receded behind the snack bar, and bike riders were prominent on the back cover.

Paper Doll mysteries solved

Paper doll collectors from New York, Canada and Australia all helped identify these paper dolls from the collection of Cher Lewis' mom, by emailing me or leaving comments on this blog. I've cross-referenced with my own guide books to get extra info.

Janice Belcher in Ottawa, Canada, identified the boy and girl above as part of Emma McKean's "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" Saalfield #2485, 1945. Page 35 of Mary Young's guide to Saalfield, Lowe and Merrill (yellow cover).

Carol Carey identified this as "Mother and Daughter Dresses" by Dot and Peg Productions, 1943. Mary Young's book of 20th-century paper dolls has an excellent picture of an uncut set. It's subtitled "Made from paper cloth and designs for Peggy and Mother"(page 95).

Carol also identified the four dolls above as the "Seven and Seventeen" set by Merrill, #3441, 1945. Page 148 in Mary Young's yellow guide.

Sally from Australia identified the man and baby as belonging to "Family of Paper Dolls" by Saalfield (#2564), 1947, later redone as "Mother, Dad and Us Kids." Can be seen on page 49 of Mary Young's yellow guide.

The two dolls above are from "Betty Grable Cut-Out Dolls," published by Whitman in 1946 (#962), and can be found on page 104 of Jean Woodcock's excellent guide, "Paper Dolls of Famous Faces." 

Thank you everyone for your help!

Janie by Charlotte Byj, c. 1940s

Here is a sketch for a paper doll book that was never produced: "Janie," by Charlotte Byj. From the collection of the late Jean Woodcock, now owned by her son, Mark Woodcock. Not for sale! 

Teen Town, Merrill Paper Dolls Original Art, 1946

Paper doll collectors are familiar with these Merrill books. The late JeanWoodcock, a well-known collector and author of two guide books to celebrity paper dolls, had a lot of the old Merrill stock.

Her son Mark sent me these pictures of the original art via email. Here's what he said:

Hi Linda. I was in Alabama last week cleaning out my mother's house because I sold it. In the back of the closet I found a number of large manila envelopes with original sketches for Merrill books that were printed and several for books that were never produced. I've scanned three so far and I thought it might be something interesting for your blog. I scanned Coke Crown and Teen Town. There is also an alternate version of Teen Town I haven't scanned yet. I also scanned a mock up of a Charlotte Byj book that was never produced. There is some amazing stuff in there no one has ever seen. None of the sketches I found were ever shown at the Merrill Paper Doll Convention in Tulsa. In fact, a lot of them I have no memory of ever seeing myself.

And here is the alternate version of Teen Town, with "Swish Togs for Teens"!

More to come...

Paperdoll Review Issue 58

Another terrific issue! I just received my copy in the mail, and look forward to savoring articles about art deco (Judy Johnson & Marilyn Henry), stewardess paper dolls (Jane Alfano Rasor), and that weird Deerfield paper doll set that commemorates an 18th century Indian massacre (Tamara Gerard). I found the Deerfield set at the last convention, so I'm eager to learn more. And Faye Phillips has an article on the crepe paper magic of Martha Davis! Martha's creations are very much in demand, and sell out quickly.

One article could not wait: I devoured every word of David Wolfe on Doris Day, and his Behind the Scenes column about his Paper Studio Press paper dolls of the sunny star. Day, who just turned 90, sounds as delightful as her screen persona.  David had a second Day paper doll book published to coincide with her birthday this month. Great job, David!

The back cover is a lovely "Gatsby Style" paper doll by Eileen R. Miller. Click image below for more information about the issue and how to purchase it or click here to order online.

Fred Hopper by Kathy Lawrence

I was so pleased to find this in the gift shop of the Folk Art Museum. Fred Hopper of the Hopper Family Paper Dolls by Kathy Lawrence (daughter of Queen Holden). It was published by Shackman in 2011. There are three other dolls for purchase separately: a mother rabbit and two bunny children. Kathy's artwork is exquisite. 

Anniversary, 1944

My husband laughed when I showed him this card -- the golfer isn't facing the right way! Oh well. It's the thought that counts.

The 2014 Midwest Paper Doll Party

Peggy Ell sent along the following message via email:

Happy Spring Paper-Dollers!

It’s that time of year. Nancy Mershon and I will be hosting the paper doll party in Des Moines this year Saturday, May 3rd, and we hope YOU can come. It’s an informal format, with lots of opportunity to buy and sell paper dolls. We have a show and tell, a boxed lunch and a special favor for everyone that attends.

We hope to see you there!!!!!

Peggy Ell

The 2014 MIDWEST SPRING PAPER DOLL PARTY

When:  Saturday, May 3rd from 10:00 to 4:00

Where: Zion Lutheran Church

              4300 Beaver Ave

                 Des Moines, Iowa

Who:      Hostesses this year are Nancy Mershon and Peggy Ell

Why:    For fun, friendship, and paper dolling!

What to Bring: Paper dolls you want to sell (make sure your price and initials are on each item and that your name is on your box).

Our theme this year is: Children Around the World

If you would like to bring a foreign/traveling child paper doll to display and a paper doll for show and tell we would be delighted!

A donation of a PD item for the door prizes would be very much appreciated! If you are a paper doll artist (amateur or pro) and would like to donate an original paper doll as a souvenir, please bring one for everyone.  Email Peggy for a head count a week prior to the party.  

Cost will be $14 (to help with the cost of the room, lunch, decorations etc.) and is payable at the door.

We need an RSVP from everyone to order sandwiches and keep our mailing list current.

___I will be coming to the 2014 PD party on May 3rd

___I will not be coming to the 2014PD party on May 3rd

I would like a     ___ Turkey                  ___ Ham   

___Roast Beef   ___Veggie          Sandwich

                                                                                                           

___Please keep my name on the permanent invitation list.

___Please take my name off the permanent invitation list.

                               

Questions? Call Peggy Ell 319 752-7670 or E-Mail her at ell(at)mchsi(dot)com or Nancy Mershon at nmers44(at)iowatelecom(dot)net

Please respond by April 29th 

Directions to Zion Lutheran Church

Coming from the East on I-80: take I-35/I-80 until you get to exit 131 ( Merle Hay Rd) Take exit 131 and turn left (south) onto Merle Hay Rd.  Now continue with part B below.

 

Coming from the West on I-80: take I-35/I-80 until you get to exit 131 ( Merle Hay Rd.). Take exit 131 and turn right (south) onto Merle Hay Rd.  Now continue with part B.

Coming from the North on I-35:  take I-35/I-80 until you get to exit 131 (  Merle Hay Rd). Take exit 131 and turn left (south) onto Merle Hay Rd. Now continue with part B below.

Coming from the South on I-35: take I-35/I-80 until you get to exit 131 ( Merle Hay Rd). Take exit 131 and turn right (south) onto Merle Hay Rd. Now continue with part B below.

Part B    

Now Everybody: From exit 131, go three stop lights to Aurora Ave. (Bob Brown Chevrolet is on the right (west) and Dahls Foods is set back from the street on the left (east).  Turn left (east) onto Aurora Ave. Continue east until you get to Beaver Ave (one mile).  Go left (north) on Beaver Ave. one block. Zion Lutheran Church is @ 4300 Beaver Ave.

Area Hotels

All of these hotels are within the 1^st mile on Merle Hay Rd.

                  

Ramada

5000 Merle Hay Rd.   1-800272-6232    www.ramada.com

 Quality Inn

4995 Merle Hay Rd.   1-800-228-5151    dsmqualityinn@hotmail.com

Holiday Inn

4800 Merle Hay Rd.     1-800-465-4329    www.kinseth.com

Days Inn

4845 Merle Hay Rd.    1-800-32-746          www.daysinn.com

Econo Lodge

4755 Merle Hay Rd.     1-800553-2666       www.econolodge.com

A Special Tribute to Larry Bassin

Louise Leek is hosting a paper doll party that will celebrate the work of Larry Bassin. It will be Saturday, May 17 at the Methodist Church in Streetsboro, Ohio. There will be sales, raffles, show-and- tell, and a program presented by Larry himself. Attendees will also receive a souvenir paper doll by Larry. There's a Dress-A-Doll to design for, too, but make sure you get the invitation from Louise so that you have the right size. I scanned this doll in and the size may be off.

Click on each image for more information.

Nan C. Moorehead Sales List Update

UPDATE: A new list will be coming in June 2014. Meanwhile, Nan wanted to update and correct some typos in the list that I posted here in April:

This is a brief two-page update to the Jan. 2014 list; Nan hopes to have a new selection of vintage paper dolls to sell soon. Special on this list: original artwork by Sandy Vanderpool. 

Nan is also selling a few back issues of Golden Opportunities, must-haves for the serious collector of vintage and antique paper dolls. 

Above, featured on the back cover of issue #64 of G.O., a New Yorker cover from June 16, 1945. It's one of my favorites, all about the dawn of the post-war era. The New Yorker cover is also for sale for $15.

Don't forget: call Nan first before mailing your check to make sure the item is available.

Nan C. Moorehead, 523 Maple St., #204, Edmonds, WA 98020. Phone: (425) 778-1324

Morgantown Paper Doll Luncheon 2014

One of many gems in the sales room of the Morgantown Paper Doll Luncheon. 

Valerie Keller, Linda Hoerner and Jill Miller got in the spirit of the Mad Men theme by dressing up in 1960s- inspired outfits. Jill's leopard-print coat says it all! 

Mike and Bernie Bussacco had an inspired display for their Carol Heiss paper doll book.

Linda Hoerner and Louise Leek catch up. Louise is hosting a party honoring the artist Larry Bassin next month. More on that later.

Eileen "Rudy" Miller at her sales table. I snapped up her Barbra Streisand paper doll.

I love seeing the paper doll- inspired clothing that collectors wear to parties and conventions. That is Louise Leek's fun vest from the back.

It's always great to see paper doll chums again! I was busy selling raffles and managing the event, so I didn't have enough time to take more pictures (I did sneak away to make purchases, and will post those shortly).

Valerie Keller won the prize for best Dress-A-Doll outfit, and Margaret Brown won the binder filled with everyone's submissions.

The party was over too quickly, but we'll begin planning next year's event soon. Stay tuned for date and theme.