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.