Fantastic Fashions by Alex Raymond, 1934

Was Dale Arden any relation to Jane Arden? Hmmm, maybe not.

Love the inclusion of the "Earth Costume," but 40 years after 

this paper doll appeared, you would be more likely 

to see the other two sexy outfits at a disco! 

 

Dianne Feinstein paper doll by Trina Robbins, 1989

 

Dianne Feinstein has been heroic and steadfast, from Mayor of San Francisco (1978-1988) to the U.S. Senate (1992--the present).  

She became mayor of S.F. after the assassination of Mayor George Moscone and City Supervisor and gay rights activist Harvey Milk. 

Did you know: Feinstein authored the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which expired in 2004. She introduced a new assault weapons bill in 2013 that failed to pass. 

Wishing her continued good health as she returns to the U.S. Senate.

Children's PlayMate, May 1942

 

There was a lot to worry about in May 1942 as the country got on a war footing. 

The paper in Children's PlayMate was more pulpy, as paper was saved for the war effort. But this beautiful Fern Bisel Peat cover showed a gentler world, still going 'round.

A colorful paper doll  by Peat graces the centerfold in the same issue.  

Jim Dandy by Norma Lu Meehan, 2014

This is the back cover of a limited edition paper doll book that Norma Lu Meehan created in 2014 as a tribute to her dear friend. Jim died April 21 at the age of 93, another great loss in the paper doll community. I have many of Jim's Couture paper doll books, beautifully rendered high fashion, illuminated in that special way he had of evoking light in his compositions. 

"Jim Dandy" was limited to 250 copies, but some copies may still be available at Paperdoll Review.

Here's a video of Jim talking about his life and career as a fashion illustrator.

 

David Wolfe 1941-2023

 

2015, Chattanooga. 

The paper doll community lost a wonderful friend and artist with the passing of David Wolfe on April 16.

David was the fashion forecaster par excellence, an astute observer of the fashion scene, past, present and future. He was widely quoted in the fashion press as well as in the style pages of the New York Times. Smart and witty, he kept the party moving--and he had great stories to tell about his storied life. David was a wonderful chronicler of his adventures in fashion illustration and forecasting, as you can see here. 

Be sure to explore all of the links to his writing and paper doll art at Paperdollywood.

When I organized my first convention with Sheryl Jaeger in 2008, I knew David Wolfe was the one to emcee the event. I heard him present at the 2007 convention in San Antonio, and he could command the room like no other. 

It wasn't long before he and his best friend, Jenny Taliadoros, organized two conventions, 2011 in Philadelphia, and 2015  in Chattanooga, Tenn.  At many conventions, collectors could find his original paper doll artwork in the silent auction--artwork he generously donated to help organizers cover the costs of the event--in addition to souvenirs that captured the actors and actresses that fueled his dreams as a boy growing up in Ohio. 

When Valerie Keller and I organized the 2017 convention in Philadelphia--with a Swinging '60s theme--he once again emceed and regaled us with stories of his time in London as a fashion illustrator.

With Sharry O'Hare at the 2017 convention in Philadelphia.

David with Ralph Hodgdon and Lorna Thomopoulus in Seattle, 2018.

In the Raffle Room.

This might be Chattanooga...

2008 Piscataway, NJ

The 2017 convention memory board of how we looked in the 1960s...rest in peace, David.

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. 

 

Little Dot's Uncles and Aunts, 1971

This 32-page issue of Little Dot was published in March 1971.

The cover art on Little Dot comic books is bright and lively...

just the thing for the month of March, which seems to go on forever! 

 

Notice the dollar signs in Uncles and Aunts...

I guess Little Dot and Richie Rich are related!

Is it April yet?

 

Winnie Winkle Fashion Film Cut-Out, 1936

 March 3, 1936

Don't forget to click on the image to see a larger size of this newspaper paper doll.

Good luck to dear Old Ireland postcard, ca. 1914

 

Another lovely card from Kwei-lin Lum, a consolation of sorts for having to cancel a long-awaited trip to Ireland last year.

This divided-back card is unused, so I'm guessing at the date, ca. 1914. It's marked St. Patrick series No. 4. (The other card I posted today was marked "St. Patrick series -2-")

St. Patrick's Day in the Morning, 1911

 Thank you Kwei-lin for sending me this card after I had to cancel my trip last year.

 I hope to get to Ireland one day...

Colleen of Ireland, 1932

 

From the 1932 box set, "Dolls of Many Lands." One of my favorite sets. 

I last posted Colleen 10 years ago. She's a honey.

FAQs about the 2023 Philadelphia Paper Doll Party

 

THE BASICS

Is this a regional event or the annual national convention?

It’s a regional event, historically a 1-day event in rural PA, but we moved it to an airport hotel, and this year we added activities on Friday afternoon in anticipation of more interest from out-of-state because there is no convention in 2023. But it won’t have all the bells and whistles of a big extravaganza like the conventions, just a few tinkles and some toots.

When does it start?

2pm Friday

When is it over?

4pm Saturday when salesroom closes
(there will be time for sellers to pack up after 4)

How much does the paper doll party cost?

• $125 for attendees, $100 for guests.
• After May 1, the fee for attendees goes up to $140.

What is a “guest”?

• Guests must be accompany a full attendee.
• Guests don’t get souvenirs but otherwise have access to the salesroom and all activities.
• Guests can join us for snacks on Friday evening, and lunch on Saturday.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

What’s happening Friday afternoon?

• Show & Share - attendees, you are all invited to share one special item from your collection – something rare, a favorite piece, a childhood

treasure, or something you made... whatever you want to share! Space is limited so please bring only one item or a set of items that doesn’t need to be spread out, so that we have room for everyone.
• Programs - tentatively planning on three 20-minute programs, topics TBD.

Could I give a presentation / program?

Possibly! We still have open slots, all submissions are welcome. We want proposals for something that you yourself would present, not just topic ideas.

What about Friday evening?

Dinner is on your own, but we are hosting a welcome reception with some light snacks, where you can dress up with our theme in mind (more on that further down). As always at Embassy Suites, the Manager’s Reception from 5:30pm—7pm provides two complimentary drinks.

What’s happening Saturday?

Sales sales sales! The salesroom opens at 9am, closes at noon for lunch, and re-opens at 1pm. After lunch there will also be raffle drawings and a silent auction, followed by freebies. The salesroom closes at 4pm. (Sellers will have time to pack up after that.)

When can I see the exact schedule?

We will make announcements as things develop, and provide a tentative schedule in our attendee packet, which will be sent to those who are registered, probably in March. The schedule is always subject to change, but our plans are not all that complicated so there shouldn’t be any major changes.

What’s for lunch?

Lunch will be a DIY sandwich buffet with salads, breads, assortment of meats and cheeses, condiments, chips, and a dessert of cookies and brownies

HOTEL

Can I still book a room at the hotel?

Reserving rooms at the hotel has been a shifting landscape. Call 1-800- 321-3232 to make a reservation, and if you have any issues contact Linda or Valerie.

How much are hotel rooms cost?

Our group rate is $179 per night, and applies to Wednesday May 24 through Monday May 29, and will be honored through 4/25/23. After that date you would have to book a room at whatever the standard rate is at that time.

Will hotel rooms for our group sell out?

It’s possible our room block will sell out and rooms would have to be reserved at the standard prices. The earlier you reserve a room, the better your chances!

What is the fee for parking at the hotel?

We have a discount parking rate of $10/day

Can I ship boxes to the hotel?

Yes, but there is a fee structure. Call the hotel for details: 215-365-4500.

Does the hotel offer free breakfast?

Yes! We were told there is no need for a breakfast ticket, so just show up and you’ll have access to a full breakfast buffet.

SALES ROOM

Is there a charge for sales tables?

No, but you must reserve in advance. Please fill out the registration form, where you will find a place to indicate that you want a table.

How long is a sales table?

6 feet

Can I reserve 2 sales tables?

It’s too early to know how many sellers will attend or how many tables will be requested, so at this time we are allowing one table per person, with a wait list for a 2nd table. Please fill out the registration form, where you will find a place to add your name to the wait list for a 2nd table if it becomes available.

What will be for sale in the sales room?

Everything from rare antiques to current paper dolls; greeting card paper dolls to boxed sets; paper dolls sold by the artists who made them to current artists’ paper dolls published by Paperdoll Review (Jenny Taliadoros will be there with back issues of Paper Doll Review magazine!). There might even be some hand-made doll clothing, greeting cards, coloring books and other items on offer, but mostly it will be paper dolls galore: just about any kind of paper doll you can think of!

RAFFLES & FREEBIES

Will there be raffle items?

Yes yes yes! This is an important feature of the event because raffle ticket sales help us cover our expenses. We also plan a silent auction with original artwork and rarer paper doll items.

How does the raffle work?

• Donated paper dolls and pd-related items will be on display throughout the day in the salesroom, and raffle tickets will be on sale.• You buy some tickets, you write your name on the back, and put your tickets in the paper bags of the items you hope to win.

• Drawing: Toward the end of the day on Saturday, in the salesroom, raffle tickets will be drawn and winners will get their prizes to take home with them.

What is the process if I want to donate something for the raffle?

• Send a description of your raffle items to Linda Ocasio in advance so she can make labels (this is a laborious process and it really helps us to do as much of it in advance as possible).
• We ask that you bring raffle items with you rather than shipping to us. We’ll have limited space in our cars.

• Shipping to the hotel is an option, but there is a fee - call the hotel for more info: 215-365-4500

What about freebies?

After the raffle drawing is completed, we will set out the freebie items (also donated), and when we are done setting them up, everyone can look through the piles and take what they want.

What is the process if I want to put something in freebies?

Bring your freebie items with you! No need to tell us in advance.

ROOM SALES

Will there be room sales Friday night?

Yes. We will have a sign-up sheet that is posted with room numbers.

Will there be room sales on Thursday night or Saturday night?

It is a possibility, but is not part of our official schedule. We may or may not be able to distribute a list, it very well could be word-of-mouth only.

SOUVENIRS

What will be included in the souvenirs?

TBD, we will make an official announcement when we get that all figured out. As it stands now, we have 4 artists lined up: Jayne Keller, Kwei-lin Lum, Renaldo Barnette and Mary Lacro-Sienkiewicz.

Can people who can't make it order souvenirs?

TBD, we will make an announcement when we decide on that.

DRESSING UP

Will there be theme-related dress-up?

Dress-up is Friday evening, but only if you want to.

How do I dress up for the theme?

Anything goes! Whatever you can think of relating to space, sci-fi or futuristic fashion. Shiny silver, spacesuits, steampunk, or other obvious choices are great. Mod counts, that was forward-looking. Or just wear fancy duds and say that is how people will dress in the future, it’s pretty open-ended. 

Did we miss a question you have? Just ask!

Jane Arden's Wardrobe, "Seal Lips--Save Ships," 1943

February 28, 1943

 

The Queen of Hearts, 1914

A Fletcher postcard, copyright 1914 by J. Alan Fletcher, had extensive staining (not water) but I was able to clean it up using Paint Pad Lite.

 Before cleaning up:

To My Valentine, ca. 1907

A simple Valentine postcard to Master Jack in Brookline, Mass., ca. 1907.

 

Register Now for the 2023 Philadelphia Paper Doll Party!

Jane Fonda as Barbarella

Click on Gumby in the side column of this page to download the registration form!

Once you fill the form out, you can send it along with your check to Valerie Keller, or click on the PayPal button right below Gumby.

Children's Playmate January 1943

Kimnaloo, A Little Eskimo Girl

 

Liberty Speaks, 1943