tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80563751944631498312024-03-13T14:45:42.704-05:00Ebony-Essence of Dolls in BlackThis blog features articles on black doll makers, collectors, and others who value black dolls and appreciate their continued creation.Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-69218553869429268152022-07-23T00:00:00.010-05:002022-07-23T01:46:03.691-05:00An Interview With Myla Perkins Part 1 of 3<div style="text-align: center;"><b>An Interview With Myla Perkins</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Trailblazing Black-Doll Enthusiast, Doll Historian, and Author</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">by Debbie Behan Garrett</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZqVh6k063OMyHOO-2Uy88i89BHWJZFqbVQ97XdIA5eW4ZGzpDNMirvCibk5FuNg_u5vg-l3T85-kzSRVW2pHjSWgpjv1pnbvA2skKYRDGyBC24HD9jNziTp2ZNgCyX0NWuk7KTcpaeio6PjNa_BRUMmUt14pMUxRw7fgNxQNfMsX1s4Y3iyw7M3auQ/s1024/Myla%20Perkins%201990s.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="738" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZqVh6k063OMyHOO-2Uy88i89BHWJZFqbVQ97XdIA5eW4ZGzpDNMirvCibk5FuNg_u5vg-l3T85-kzSRVW2pHjSWgpjv1pnbvA2skKYRDGyBC24HD9jNziTp2ZNgCyX0NWuk7KTcpaeio6PjNa_BRUMmUt14pMUxRw7fgNxQNfMsX1s4Y3iyw7M3auQ/s320/Myla%20Perkins%201990s.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myla Perkins, circa 1990</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The author of </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide 1820 to 1991</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> (</span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Black Dolls</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">) and </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide Book II</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> (</span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Black Dolls Book II</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">) granted this exclusive interview. Myla Perkins’ books continue to offer a wealth of information on antique, vintage, and modern Black dolls made from 1820 through the early 1990s. Her journey to become one of America’s most prominent and respected Black-doll enthusiasts, historians, and authors is explored in this in-depth interview.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla Perkins spent
decades collecting and researching dolls, but her love of dolls dates back to
her childhood. She had always liked dolls as a little girl. Born in Pueblo,
Colorado in 1939, her family moved to Detroit, Michigan when she was seven after her
parents sold the Colorado home and its contents. Her father moved to Detroit
first. Six months later, the rest of the family followed. Before the mother and
her daughters joined the girls’ father, Myla’s mother allowed them to only
bring one thing on the two-day train trip. Myla brought her last doll, and her
sister brought her doll. Both dolls were White. This was in the early 1940s,
and Myla, like many Black children during that era, did not know Black dolls
existed. Myla’s love of dolls began when her mother allowed them to bring their
dolls to Detroit. She also recognized the importance of dolls at that time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">After the family
moved to Detroit, young Myla still had that doll. For Christmas, she and her
sister received many toys, but the dolls remained the most important gifts because of that one doll she brought from Colorado. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">During her teen
years, Myla's mother tried to persuade her to give her dolls to her younger
cousins. She allowed her mother to give some away, but she kept the one she
brought from Colorado hidden in her closet with the last doll she received at
age 11. The dolls remained hidden until she married. After marrying, Myla’s
mother still did not know she had those two dolls. She would have made her give
them away if she had known. Myla explained, “I graduated from college at 21 in
June and got married in July (we met in college). My husband laughed when I
unpacked. Astounded, he asked, ‘What are these dolls?’’’ Two years later, after
their first daughter was born, Myla gave her two childhood dolls to her
daughter. She displayed the dolls that began her daughter’s collection on
shelves in the infant's nursery. Myla began buying dolls for her daughter to
add to the others. “I’ve always been interested in genealogy, by the time she
was three or four, I thought<i>, she has my dolls from my childhood, and she
has her dolls. I want her to have a doll from the period of my mother’s
childhood, the 1920s</i>.”<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GP7NsaGNugAW6d-bh9EgeRioZ2alwsJPhuA68Z78T6qDILtcCVxcGthY8ibSYPi8GwBBrO8TH9yTjKeHdovv6tq1OUcuWNTApzhkVoDOdTmzQbT1k88TbesDZEYtpw46EYKvBqOLmSuLI9A2SA2p0Yzh5vg6RxNbGGirjHIEnCA45W4uw97FWpsSzw/s1024/Simon%20&%20Halbig%20circa%201900%20Sugar%20'n%20Spice%20Doll%20Museum%20note%20card.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="792" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GP7NsaGNugAW6d-bh9EgeRioZ2alwsJPhuA68Z78T6qDILtcCVxcGthY8ibSYPi8GwBBrO8TH9yTjKeHdovv6tq1OUcuWNTApzhkVoDOdTmzQbT1k88TbesDZEYtpw46EYKvBqOLmSuLI9A2SA2p0Yzh5vg6RxNbGGirjHIEnCA45W4uw97FWpsSzw/s320/Simon%20&%20Halbig%20circa%201900%20Sugar%20'n%20Spice%20Doll%20Museum%20note%20card.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">A bisque doll made in Germany, circa 1900 by Simon &
Halbig #1358 is featured on a Sugar ‘n Spice Doll Museum note card. (Myla referred to her doll collection as the Sugar 'n Spice Doll Museum.)<o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla began going
to antique shops to find antique dolls from the 1920s for her daughter. The
first ones she saw and purchased were White. Later during a search, she
stumbled upon a Black Simon & Halbig doll in a shop. When she found that
doll, all of a sudden something snapped. Myla realized she was not buying
dolls for her daughter anymore; she was actually buying them for herself. That
was a turnaround in her thinking.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">In her first <i>Black
Dolls</i> book, Myla wrote, “#1358, the most desired of the Simon & Halbigs
because of its Negroid features, came in various shades from deep black to
light brown in a size range from 15” tall to 34” tall…”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">During the late
1960s, she became more involved with antique dolls, and she met doll
artist/doll dealer Betty Formaz, who later discovered Leo Moss dolls. By this
time, Myla had stopped buying antique White dolls in favor of antique Black
dolls. Later, she joined the United Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC), an
organization that unites and organizes doll collectors around the world ("About UFDC").<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla shared the
following experience about joining UFDC:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“In the 1960s,
UFDC in Detroit did not allow Black members. Betty Formaz was a member along
with two or three of her other customers. She and the other members told UFDC, ‘Either
you let Myla in, or we are all withdrawing our membership.’ So, [Betty Formaz]
put herself on the line for me. There were about two or three others who did
the same thing. So, UFDC did let me in and they were very nice, very gracious.
The other women who threatened to withdraw their membership if UFDC did not
allow me to join were part of our nucleus group.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnzmheDID7UB3EwRRWNfSCHe_Une1-Onuwo-1_zMzHP46dvPdXwNELml0_n_gVKORrN8HV8JVibUj6JwFKZyxLWzMT3dH1zo8fjn29LjbevrKuD0CY2qO6t4rPgjFhHezS1IGY0NqY1oVRezQNWLB2KMsg88ZYDdHIL3hbZ52Jv4SvqKS0K_Xz0rzjg/s1022/Dolls%20Made%20By%20Leo%20Moss%201800s-early%201900s%20Sugar%20'n%20Spice%20Doll%20Museum.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnzmheDID7UB3EwRRWNfSCHe_Une1-Onuwo-1_zMzHP46dvPdXwNELml0_n_gVKORrN8HV8JVibUj6JwFKZyxLWzMT3dH1zo8fjn29LjbevrKuD0CY2qO6t4rPgjFhHezS1IGY0NqY1oVRezQNWLB2KMsg88ZYDdHIL3hbZ52Jv4SvqKS0K_Xz0rzjg/s320/Dolls%20Made%20By%20Leo%20Moss%201800s-early%201900s%20Sugar%20'n%20Spice%20Doll%20Museum.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This group photograph of paper mâché dolls by Leo Moss from the 1800s and early 1900s is from the cover of a Sugar ‘n Spice Doll Museum note card.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">According to Myla,
Betty later discovered the Moss family in Macon, Georgia, and brought some Leo
Moss dolls back to Detroit. After her first trip to Georgia, Betty returned
with only five or six Moss dolls because that is all the family would allow her
to bring back. Because the dolls were Black, Betty let Myla, her only Black
customer, choose her favorite. Myla chose Mina, the doll in the Moss group
photo above seated on the right, above the seated boy. The rest of the nucleus group
purchased the other initial Moss dolls from Betty.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Perkins has
delighted in meeting several wonderful doll collectors, artists, and others who
were deeply involved in the doll community. While attending her first UFDC National
Convention in 1973 in Louisville, Kentucky from August 1<sup>st</sup> through
August 5<sup>th</sup>, she met the late <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ_TF0bd2bY/Wpx9j5sfgMI/AAAAAAAAULI/FL9yrcoABgckJR5jGRfiV_tUcUCh_Q_kQCLcBGAs/s1600/P1010672.JPG" target="_blank">Lenon Holder Hoyte</a>. Mrs. Hoyte founded
Aunt Len's Doll and Toy Museum in Harlem, New York. Before 1973, Hoyte had been
the only Black person to attend UFDC national conventions. Hoyte and Perkins
were happy to see one another the first year Myla attended. Myla recalled Hoyte
asking her what she brought for the UFDC doll competition. “A doll from the
turn of the century,” was Myla’s reply. Because she respected Hoyte, Myla took
her to her room to see the doll after Hoyte asked to see it. When Hoyte looked
at Mina, the Leo Moss doll, she voiced her displeasure stating that the doll
was disgraceful! More unpleasant comments from Hoyte about Mina followed with an attempt to talk Myla out of entering the doll in competition. Second thoughts about entering the doll ensued before Myla discussed the situation with her husband by phone, who said, “She didn’t buy your plane
ticket there. She is not paying for your hotel. Do what you want to do in your
heart.” When Myla went down to enter Mina in the competition, she said, “Who
did I see standing in line… Lenon looked at me [saw the doll] and asked, ‘<i>You’re
still doing that</i>?’” Fortunately, for the doll community, Myla followed her
heart and did just that.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfc-55hx7RuYNu8Ni-0sckZoUCueAsZnkAShuHMH8f0RBLpH0sm8R3r7znZm7Wc63dcmd9jN7g9kjtud4z7KvvTIKJKv7jBDJ0OJVd9xuGWwSD7KU1GLK6WavU3GDlsf9V3sWAfUYsBCygY4jgcWKHfwLXMLM7s9IaLXL0UKlGYRcrvDoMEewhSRO6g/s950/Mina%20by%20Leo%20Moss,%20Myla%20Perkins'%20first%20Leo%20Moss%20Doll.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="950" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfc-55hx7RuYNu8Ni-0sckZoUCueAsZnkAShuHMH8f0RBLpH0sm8R3r7znZm7Wc63dcmd9jN7g9kjtud4z7KvvTIKJKv7jBDJ0OJVd9xuGWwSD7KU1GLK6WavU3GDlsf9V3sWAfUYsBCygY4jgcWKHfwLXMLM7s9IaLXL0UKlGYRcrvDoMEewhSRO6g/s320/Mina%20by%20Leo%20Moss,%20Myla%20Perkins'%20first%20Leo%20Moss%20Doll.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">Mina was photographed at the UFDC 24<sup>th</sup> National
Convention in August 1973 after winning 1<sup>st</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> place
ribbons.<o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Mina introduced Leo
Moss dolls to the doll community after being entered in the baby doll category
and winning a 1<sup>st</sup> place ribbon. After Mina placed first in the baby
doll category, Myla said, “Lenon Hoyte was the first person in my room wanting
to know where I got Mina, how did I get it, and how could she get something
like it.” Myla documented Mina's UFDC convention wins in <i>Black Dolls</i> and indicated that Mina "was
the first Leo Moss doll to win a ribbon in national competition" where "there were over 1,800 dolls" competing. During the interview, Myla shared that no other Black dolls were in competition at the convention that year. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">After Mina won 1<sup>st</sup>
place in the baby doll category and 4<sup>th</sup> best doll in the show, UFDC became interested in the doll and asked for more
information about it. Myla shared a booklet she wrote about Leo Moss dolls with UFDC that was published in the<i> Doll News</i> issue that followed the convention (possibly the
September 1973 issue). In 1973, <i>Doll News</i> was published monthly. It is
now a quarterly publication.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Continue reading <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2022/07/an-interview-with-myla-perkins-part-2.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><p></p>Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-78039909286551832192022-07-23T00:00:00.009-05:002022-07-23T01:45:28.665-05:00An Interview With Myla Perkins Part 2 of 3<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggz72PgxSWtGGpxJNaUv8NquSU9DherSphTssWWDTcliLlNja7OlIas_LK6h9FXcIf1-ehoNf2-uPemtkbxMbkdbfLd-TYNhISBcgCCks4Jo_uYgstiLq7g9kYGqWgikV60NWKaM6DqfjmaTujyX4bLAeOhR5xR5_R74tu1EI6C9iSmGxgY7KcLjiSjw/s1024/Myla%20Perkins%20holds%20Mina.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggz72PgxSWtGGpxJNaUv8NquSU9DherSphTssWWDTcliLlNja7OlIas_LK6h9FXcIf1-ehoNf2-uPemtkbxMbkdbfLd-TYNhISBcgCCks4Jo_uYgstiLq7g9kYGqWgikV60NWKaM6DqfjmaTujyX4bLAeOhR5xR5_R74tu1EI6C9iSmGxgY7KcLjiSjw/s320/Myla%20Perkins%20holds%20Mina.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In
an undated photograph, with dolls in the background and foreground, Myla stands
holding Mina.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Continued from <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2022/07/an-interview-with-myla-perkins-part-1.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">During her UFDC membership, Myla attended every national and regional convention that followed the 1973 convention. For several years, Black UFDC conventioneers only included Myla Perkins and Lenon Hoyte. Perkins always took a Moss doll and a Moss doll always won 1st place. The only time one of her Moss dolls did not win 1st place was when someone else entered a Moss doll and the other doll placed first. The year that happened, her doll, a smaller Moss doll, won 2nd place. It did not matter to Myla that her doll placed second because another Moss doll still placed first. Nineteenth-century dolls made by a Black man described as a handyman from Macon, Georgia continue to intrigue and fascinate the doll community today. Myla eventually owned several.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_-Q3NoRJuUl_DGa119hZ-GibrE0PwPjY-yVVM5s93LuHxN1wlYsmn3Ga5oGBSi3ANV6oRQJYiMMZbk85Ea2yelhu_1oD3EdtD51jQePWHlrWjP_74DRrfHbWcTy2Rox_n3n7Gbx77feBSOZIxIE5xwR9B5jHtrObPq_4j1FcuQC-65zBf-PT6hi1sQ/s1024/Myla%20Perkins%20and%20Leo%20Moss%20dolls.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_-Q3NoRJuUl_DGa119hZ-GibrE0PwPjY-yVVM5s93LuHxN1wlYsmn3Ga5oGBSi3ANV6oRQJYiMMZbk85Ea2yelhu_1oD3EdtD51jQePWHlrWjP_74DRrfHbWcTy2Rox_n3n7Gbx77feBSOZIxIE5xwR9B5jHtrObPq_4j1FcuQC-65zBf-PT6hi1sQ/s320/Myla%20Perkins%20and%20Leo%20Moss%20dolls.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla is seen in another undated photograph with Leo Moss dolls,
Mina, Bobo, and Pansy.<o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla’s love for antique dolls continued. Once she realized there were Black dolls made during her childhood, she became interested in those. Upon learning that Myla collected dolls, one of her aunts, who was also born in Colorado, told Myla she had a Black doll in the 1930s that was ordered in a beauty shop. During that time, beauty shops offered brochures for ordering Black dolls. Myla could not recall which doll her aunt owned, but she knows it is documented in one of her books. After learning about her aunt’s doll, Myla began looking for other Black dolls from the 1930s, ‘40s, or ‘50s. By this time, she was obsessed with Black dolls—who they were made for, why they were made, and where they were distributed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr70pJ3l8UC-vSrs6NS_QEDF_806_smUp_82Dd1Nry7v1vOl5XA6FFa5BjhHyt9PLXckcuxe3nojQ095_SVYmLvhPiBgN7TktpgEpa4vBkyChgDXCGrqP60EkptKdIYYpbqElsUDik0Yn7y1lgVuDeB5eh0jqZrw48nzKvUHjUgOkMfjfVbCjVAso_A/s1024/Mabel%20Parchman%20poses%20with%20her%20doll%20from%20the%20National%20Negro%20Doll%20Company%20(Nashville%20Globe,%2011%20April%201913)..jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZr70pJ3l8UC-vSrs6NS_QEDF_806_smUp_82Dd1Nry7v1vOl5XA6FFa5BjhHyt9PLXckcuxe3nojQ095_SVYmLvhPiBgN7TktpgEpa4vBkyChgDXCGrqP60EkptKdIYYpbqElsUDik0Yn7y1lgVuDeB5eh0jqZrw48nzKvUHjUgOkMfjfVbCjVAso_A/s320/Mabel%20Parchman%20poses%20with%20her%20doll%20from%20the%20National%20Negro%20Doll%20Company%20(Nashville%20Globe,%2011%20April%201913)..jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lucky girl named Mabel Parchman posed with her doll from R. H. Boyd’s National Negro Doll Company in a photograph published in the <i>Nashville Globe </i>on April 11, 1913. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Myla’s vast doll collection included antique dolls by <a href="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/d_GUsniS0TWlQmXPwQiijw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY1NjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2020-02/066a3430-54c7-11ea-91df-4920eb37f9d2" target="_blank">R. H. Boyd’s</a> National Negro Doll Company, which Mr. Boyd founded in 1911 after recognizing the need for respectable Black dolls for his children and others. The former enslaved man's <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">story fascinated Myla. “Boyd’s eyes were open wide,” she said. During her doll research, at one point she spoke with one of Boyd’s daughters, but the daughter was not receptive to Myla and did not want to talk to her. “Some of us get a little off track,” Myla said. According to Myla, the daughter almost tried to deny that Boyd’s early 1900s dolls existed, but Myla asserted that his dolls were in </span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The Crisis</i><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> magazine, as illustrated in the next image, and she could not deny what her father did. Several people closed doors in Myla’s face. “People are still doing it,” she said. “There are some people who still believe White folk’s ice is colder,” she added. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">"<i>The Crisis </i>magazine
is the official publication of the NAACP. It was created in 1910 by renowned
historian, civil rights activist, sociologist, and NAACP co-founder W. E. B. Du
Bois (<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“History of the Crisis”)</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAF9WZCxUDpuefTzDhedNRVTV0BeN7TXlRMedaGaZlQkdvvZlqX9i755yPPTkjnEjxTFNlSoMMP9cBmab92RI62_CqFrv0QmK-M9XRCpTnORU1pCKbRH_WlXWSLOWv0okXXzYA9_ydlOb14QIg9Q3frWEOVmDkdz17rP1zWiFZ39_JksnjD0t44jOPg/s973/National%20Negro%20Doll%20Company%20ad%20from%20The%20Crisis,%201911.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="973" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAF9WZCxUDpuefTzDhedNRVTV0BeN7TXlRMedaGaZlQkdvvZlqX9i755yPPTkjnEjxTFNlSoMMP9cBmab92RI62_CqFrv0QmK-M9XRCpTnORU1pCKbRH_WlXWSLOWv0okXXzYA9_ydlOb14QIg9Q3frWEOVmDkdz17rP1zWiFZ39_JksnjD0t44jOPg/s320/National%20Negro%20Doll%20Company%20ad%20from%20The%20Crisis,%201911.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In <i>Black
Dolls Book II</i>, Myla included this National Negro Doll Company ad that was
placed in <i>The Crisis</i> in November 1911.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">During the years Myla collected dolls and purchased dolls for her children, she witnessed a slight improvement in the availability of modern Black dolls. In the 1960s, finding Black dolls in stores for her first daughter, who was born in 1962, was difficult. To combat this issue, Myla met with buyers for large department stores and put a lot of pressure on them because they did not carry Black dolls. By the mid-1970s, she did not experience as much difficulty finding Black dolls for her second daughter who was born in 1969. Black dolls were not as limited by then, but the scarcity remained. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYy4pxbXw4ek7woAHHrTXUrLtkprdhBGez_DGeQuy_F3YqPJ5sazpDS8-XvuC7lgFRZAEs68lcx3S7nT6Jm4wetdRbyobrNyTXkIxv9wdhC6F7P9CeHnjnQEFJU6Dfij0GS7khFW8MCoV0maxjknFjCE1hsVgUpYLkv5tfFmIeCTknMAbhCuQ0mMZ9w/s1024/Myla's%20daughter's%20Baby%20Alive%20by%20Kenner%201973.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYy4pxbXw4ek7woAHHrTXUrLtkprdhBGez_DGeQuy_F3YqPJ5sazpDS8-XvuC7lgFRZAEs68lcx3S7nT6Jm4wetdRbyobrNyTXkIxv9wdhC6F7P9CeHnjnQEFJU6Dfij0GS7khFW8MCoV0maxjknFjCE1hsVgUpYLkv5tfFmIeCTknMAbhCuQ0mMZ9w/s320/Myla's%20daughter's%20Baby%20Alive%20by%20Kenner%201973.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla’s daughter’s Baby Alive by Kenner, 1973, is featured in <i>Black
Dolls</i> <i>Book II</i>.<o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“I remember when she was four, she wanted Baby Alive. I looked all over ahead of time and couldn’t find the Black Baby Alive. So, I wrote her a note addressed to Santa stating that by the time her birthday came in June, Santa would be able to find her Baby Alive. I had to play games with my kids,” Myla shared. When Cabbage Patch dolls first came out in the early 1980s, Myla said the dolls were in Detroit, but Black versions were the first ones to sell out. She had to rush to get Black Cabbage Patch dolls because the demand exceeded the supply. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Perkins’ enthusiasm over Black dolls prompted her to actually begin writing the first <i>Black Dolls</i> book during the 1970s. The original manuscript included all the dolls made by 1975. Her husband photographed the antique dolls. One of her good friends, Susan Manos, had written a Barbie book published by Schroeder Publishing Company, and they also wanted to publish Myla’s book. By 1975, Myla was busy with family and work life as a teacher and co-owner of Sugar ‘n Spice day care center and private elementary school. She had four children who were born within seven years and life was hectic. Schroeder published another book on Black dolls around the same time, <i>Collector’s Encyclopedia of Black Dolls </i>by Patiki Gibbs. So, when that book was released, Myla reasoned, “There’s already a book on Black dolls, and I just let that go. Everything just sat in boxes.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jfdiVGBFU3-8q9HD_4WY3aCKmXKfqXQp749IwsEcfe9ubKfwCrR-J3YWs_3RaPU0fdhiabT_9rDoxybbTXPihu8ZAv6S5PJXYsTEk17LC02MEnK6VL7RScwmZ0XoyciSiOfQOIp3BAoF_6MygjfOmV5J5TtNhLQd6Opcwg5jUrA0bDUdfIkykFC2kg/s1025/Black%20Dolls%20books%201%20and%202%20by%20Myla%20Perkins.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1025" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jfdiVGBFU3-8q9HD_4WY3aCKmXKfqXQp749IwsEcfe9ubKfwCrR-J3YWs_3RaPU0fdhiabT_9rDoxybbTXPihu8ZAv6S5PJXYsTEk17LC02MEnK6VL7RScwmZ0XoyciSiOfQOIp3BAoF_6MygjfOmV5J5TtNhLQd6Opcwg5jUrA0bDUdfIkykFC2kg/w400-h259/Black%20Dolls%20books%201%20and%202%20by%20Myla%20Perkins.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Published in 1991 and 1995, respectively, <i>Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide 1820-1991 and Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide Book II </i>are must-have resources for collectors of Black dolls and anyone with the slightest interest in them.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">By 1987, Myla’s youngest child had graduated high school and had gone to college. She and her husband were empty nesters for the first time. In 1988 or 1989, she thought about her unpublished book and contacted the publisher. “They remembered me, still wanted me to write the book, and asked me to please send the information,” Myla recalled. At that point, she updated the manuscript with newer dolls from the 1980s and 1990s. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> After writing and publishing her first book, in 1994, Perkins founded Motor City Doll Club (MCDC)—Detroit’s first Black-doll club. MCDC achieved charter membership in UFDC in 1995. Myla is no longer an MCDC or UFDC member. When she left the doll world, she closed that chapter of her life completely.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">If she had the
opportunity to restart her collecting/doll historian journey and do anything
differently, she said would not. She enjoyed collecting, enjoyed the friends
she met along the way, and she remembered talking to me during the late 1990s
after the late Patricia Tyson (former owner of Cultural Accents in Detroit) encouraged me to call Myla. At that time, Myla was selling some of
her dolls. Among a few others, I purchased some career-inspiring dolls called Wanna-Be created by
the corporation of the same name. Dolls
in the series included male and female pilots, doctors, teachers, executives,
firefighters, soldiers, a male football player, and a female cheerleader. <o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDOKDaZYmtPBppeOjO-YNyOK_OZJ87mII3EClDCiMAWlJ4Cg_5P4H6ySAmGDtbrMpCrOIa9GbfPeCuItogCQYziDGvbXCoSODsb5reQoZhMoCcJMoQN8w9Z4Fn8cBuNSgOju7jkvuNYb9Y376XE4ItlBs5b7plT6hqWdCF8OKLPS3_ofLYhoCjF4pjw/s911/Wannabe%20x%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="767" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDOKDaZYmtPBppeOjO-YNyOK_OZJ87mII3EClDCiMAWlJ4Cg_5P4H6ySAmGDtbrMpCrOIa9GbfPeCuItogCQYziDGvbXCoSODsb5reQoZhMoCcJMoQN8w9Z4Fn8cBuNSgOju7jkvuNYb9Y376XE4ItlBs5b7plT6hqWdCF8OKLPS3_ofLYhoCjF4pjw/s320/Wannabe%20x%204.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">During the mid-1990s, I purchased Wanna-Be males from Myla that represent an executive, a doctor, a football player, and one female that represents a pilot.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Continue reading <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2022/07/an-interview-with-myla-perkins-part-3.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p>Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-14628954568043239982022-07-23T00:00:00.008-05:002022-07-23T01:45:00.831-05:00An Interview With Myla Perkins Part 3 of 3<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHHGfs9tJU3osQOesUI8hxqT7XXM6wGbJgRf4zDqcMvnzCTJv2_Uzs4o7-CScwwVkONBxXYZgDiSzWc0QvjIdWl3XcGsvtpPdgmvK_Uao7ZFk5LRCkCZmestkMWlaYSo1A7dAnoHwLHV-dWzCp6oH1CbrqUVw0dZ3OvCAYo3FIX7IWUy2tBxVhz2UbQ/s850/Myla%20Perkins%20with%20the%20other%20members%20of%20the%20Quilting%20Six.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHHGfs9tJU3osQOesUI8hxqT7XXM6wGbJgRf4zDqcMvnzCTJv2_Uzs4o7-CScwwVkONBxXYZgDiSzWc0QvjIdWl3XcGsvtpPdgmvK_Uao7ZFk5LRCkCZmestkMWlaYSo1A7dAnoHwLHV-dWzCp6oH1CbrqUVw0dZ3OvCAYo3FIX7IWUy2tBxVhz2UbQ/w400-h320/Myla%20Perkins%20with%20the%20other%20members%20of%20the%20Quilting%20Six.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">In a photograph courtesy of Michigan State University
Museum, Myla Perkins and her sister, standing on the far right, are seen with
the other members of The Quilting Six.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Continued from <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2022/07/an-interview-with-myla-perkins-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">For Myla,
collecting slowed down due to an issue many veteran collectors face, the lack
of display space. Her interest in dolls was also fading. She liked the dolls
she had, but she did not want to add any more. By 1992, God had blessed her
with two more living dolls—her first two granddaughters. Five more granddaughters
and a grandson followed. She also now has two great-granddaughters. As a
result, Myla became increasingly focused on her family. “I have a
second hobby. I quilt, and quilting takes up as much time as doll collecting,” </span>Myla shared.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">While quilting
also requires time, it became more gratifying than doll collecting. It allows Myla to use the sewing skills she learned as a child and honed over the years. Two
years before her oldest child went to college, Myla’s friends told her about
care packages they sent to their college children. Myla admitted, "I have
done a lot of things, but I never really loved cooking. I decided I would not
cook food, pack it up and mail it because it would not be good when it left
Detroit, and it would not be good when it got to where it was going." She
decided to make a quilt so when her daughter’s roommate received care packages,
“she could wrap herself in a quilt I made and cry because she did not get a care
package.” Her then high school daughter encouraged Myla to start working on the
quilt so it would be ready before she went to college. She realized she really
liked quilting and has continued to quilt since the mid-1970s. A quilt of doll
dresses made approximately 20 years ago is her only doll-related quilt.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupfT4egYxoGhFgI3tJk_6MWo1Wt_CL_3qlKM19_zbUkAHo9JpUcuYWqAZ8gqsaV5QxlWaAhUQdH4qOsDL11YabAWekHAD9IiL1mQjtipTmfYl4NshzsMXiNydSakB5yjKvZdajJAXnpR5fzSxgITb-F_C4isMNntb-qh2zpeqeHNfnCIJMABDvDzMVg/s1024/Underground%20Railroad%20by%20Myla%20Perkins%20courtesy%20of%20Michigan%20State%20University%20Museum.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1024" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupfT4egYxoGhFgI3tJk_6MWo1Wt_CL_3qlKM19_zbUkAHo9JpUcuYWqAZ8gqsaV5QxlWaAhUQdH4qOsDL11YabAWekHAD9IiL1mQjtipTmfYl4NshzsMXiNydSakB5yjKvZdajJAXnpR5fzSxgITb-F_C4isMNntb-qh2zpeqeHNfnCIJMABDvDzMVg/s320/Underground%20Railroad%20by%20Myla%20Perkins%20courtesy%20of%20Michigan%20State%20University%20Museum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Underground Railroad" by Myla Perkins</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla and a group of sorority sisters and friends formed The Quilting Six. The six members are featured in a photograph on the Quilt Index website, “an open access, digital repository of thousands of images, stories and information about quilts and their makers” (Overview). Photographs and details of two quilts Myla made, “Underground Railroad” from 1984 and “Bridal Wreath” from 1985 are included in her Quilt Index profile.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">As Myla’s focus
shifted away from collecting, she focused on selling the dolls. Her Leo Moss dolls were the last dolls she
parted with and doing so was not difficult at all for her. The dolls had been
on display at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in
Detroit before she gave her entire doll collection to her oldest
daughter to sell. At that point, Myla had a decision to make regarding the dolls—either
she would give the dolls to a museum or she would allow her daughter to sell
them. Her final decision was based on knowing too many people who gave things
to museums and the museums kept them in storage in basements. Either rodents
got them, bugs got them, or humidity destroyed them. Myla shared that she
curated a doll collection for a museum that kept the collection in their
basement and never did display it. She did not want any of this to happen to
her dolls. Furthermore, she did not want the collection improperly disposed of as
has happened to many other collectors’ dolls. She wanted people to enjoy them.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd1dpfaUYFmXUbaEPW_gb7SCSNNIkzlzeLbSufvLxNdvdo5pfCgDsktwHC_pCGRzSLZhknBkWNJBgWUW8ZHs9NjKo1b5fz22r6mCpzq_3G5UZ-Nee68SjyT2Eq48orHS3z0sPNoDWeQvb-lRWCzEFAYWHsPcrus6G9N0mmWFXCQR4rqK2eLpaUQ1IVQ/s1024/Myla%20Perkins'%20dolls.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFd1dpfaUYFmXUbaEPW_gb7SCSNNIkzlzeLbSufvLxNdvdo5pfCgDsktwHC_pCGRzSLZhknBkWNJBgWUW8ZHs9NjKo1b5fz22r6mCpzq_3G5UZ-Nee68SjyT2Eq48orHS3z0sPNoDWeQvb-lRWCzEFAYWHsPcrus6G9N0mmWFXCQR4rqK2eLpaUQ1IVQ/w400-h300/Myla%20Perkins'%20dolls.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myla's impressive collection was displayed in her home in special cabinets.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla added, “When
something is past its time, I am willing to let it go and move on. A lot of
people were surprised that I even sold them. My husband and I had lived in our
home for 41 years where we raised our four children. That’s where I collected
all my dolls. My husband had special cabinets built for them. When I moved from
that house 13 years ago, selling the house to my son, I left the dolls there.
I took what I wanted. I didn’t have room for them. My son was alright [about
the dolls being there] since he grew up with them.” Eventually, Myla decided to
move the dolls all out, sell them, and move on.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">After receiving the
Moss dolls back from the Wright Museum and several other antique Black dolls, Myla
gave her daughter a list of national auction houses to contact. Her daughter chose
Theriault’s. Theriault’s took all the Moss dolls, a total of 13, and some of
the other antique dolls to auction. On March 17, 2018, Myla’s Moss dolls and
other antique dolls were auctioned by Theriault’s in the quite successful “Tears
for Mina” auction.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6H_F4-Wb40tCEeq9Vh-Oz1WvoFH_SwA36_lypD5Kg5gYJtZFO8DsEcHVURvRoHIZfTQcbwW7u9hUc5JHMDDTagtoMvsQzmkvLRr5RUAa93awejgSFqDBmSuebioM9Hd-tfO1oLak8rmTtz7ZF36X130yQLv_r9qOTPOJoh7JhNB__4HUleR0gIaOyw/s1024/U-Shab-Ti_Tutanahamen_1923%20Averill%20Manufacturing%20Co.%20from%20Black%20Dolls%20Book%20II,%20page%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="357" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6H_F4-Wb40tCEeq9Vh-Oz1WvoFH_SwA36_lypD5Kg5gYJtZFO8DsEcHVURvRoHIZfTQcbwW7u9hUc5JHMDDTagtoMvsQzmkvLRr5RUAa93awejgSFqDBmSuebioM9Hd-tfO1oLak8rmTtz7ZF36X130yQLv_r9qOTPOJoh7JhNB__4HUleR0gIaOyw/w140-h400/U-Shab-Ti_Tutanahamen_1923%20Averill%20Manufacturing%20Co.%20from%20Black%20Dolls%20Book%20II,%20page%2015.jpg" width="140" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A
doll that represents King Tut by Averill Manufacturing Co. is seen in a photograph from <i>Black Dolls Book II</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">One doll that Myla
regrets giving her daughter to sell is the King Tut (U-Shab-Ti” Tutankhamen) doll
by Averill Manufacturing Co. made in 1923. “It was totally original and was
made the year they discovered his tomb,” Myla shared. Tutankhamen, more
commonly referred to as King Tut or Boy King, was the King of ancient Egypt
from about 1347 to 1339 B.C. He was only eight or nine years old when he became
king.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">In answering
interview questions about the late doll artist, <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K0ozIS8sJTU/WrfewmS5bRI/AAAAAAAAUfI/T4aPtgwRc9wA39K5Np663Pa6fMtIcXFkACLcBGAs/s1600/I.%2BRoberta%2BBell%2Bwith%2Bhistorical%2Bdolls%2B1%2BEbony%2BMagazine%2BMarch%2B1972.JPG" target="_blank">I. Roberta Bell</a>, who was the
first African American member of the National Institute of Doll Artists, Myla
described her as a lovely person. She owned several of Ms. Bell’s dolls made in
the likeness of historical African Americans. “Bell’s work and Hoyte’s museum
enriched the doll community in different ways,” Myla related. We discussed
<a href="https://virtualblackdollmuseum.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/why-do-you-have-black-dolls-1.jpg" target="_blank">Barbara Whiteman’s</a> annual Memorial Day weekend Philadelphia Doll Shows that
were held from the late 1980s until 2012. Myla recalled how grand the early
shows were with workshops, lectures, Black doll artists, and many activities
for collectors to enjoy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla’s advice to
novice collectors is to take care of the dolls they collect, and "don’t try to redo
them." She feels that changing the dolls in any way diminishes their value. “You
can refurbish antique cars and they maintain their value, but I don’t think you
should do that to dolls.” She also encourages collectors to share their dolls
with museums and with others in the community through displays and exhibitions.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK9mQMtSaLS69SBa7cyMZ4ekL3YoBbz30hIUJP1_WjfkgUSqdbZO04N6mKL0gi_w561k-wSgtm1-3ScYTr3fz7IotocJtTQPlESQ7Gr8-VlvILcDtrEEia5RAy1O7EAxrQM0uI58Cf_11sKLbu6M9weZ23_3IqM9lI4IT4y71uYolYS1FrXXJC1cJNA/s1024/Myla%20Perkins.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK9mQMtSaLS69SBa7cyMZ4ekL3YoBbz30hIUJP1_WjfkgUSqdbZO04N6mKL0gi_w561k-wSgtm1-3ScYTr3fz7IotocJtTQPlESQ7Gr8-VlvILcDtrEEia5RAy1O7EAxrQM0uI58Cf_11sKLbu6M9weZ23_3IqM9lI4IT4y71uYolYS1FrXXJC1cJNA/w300-h400/Myla%20Perkins.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myla Perkins today</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla ended the
interview by affirming, “I don’t mind you sharing my age. I’m 83 and feel
blessed to still be here and healthy.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">The doll community
is also blessed because Myla Perkins shared her dolls and doll research in the
form of booklets, books, exhibitions, and community and media appearances. She founded Detroit’s first Black-doll club,
became Detroit’s first UFDC Black member, and introduced Leo Moss dolls to the
doll community with the doll, Mina. For me, her first book opened up the world of Black-doll
collecting. <i>Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide 1820-1991</i> was
my collector's bible for at least a decade. I still reference it frequently.
Before reading Myla’s first book, I had no idea as many delightful Black dolls existed
during my childhood. Myla’s books also taught me the importance of doll
research, documenting a collection, and the importance of sharing my research
with the global doll community.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Myla Perkins, on
behalf of the doll community, thank <i>you</i>!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><u>References</u><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">“About UFDC.” <i>UFDC</i>, United
Federation of Doll Clubs, Inc., </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>www.ufdc.org/about-ufdc. <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Accessed 12 July
2022.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">“History of the Crisis.” A Record
of the Darker Races, NAACP.org, </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>naacp.org/find-resources/history-<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">explained/history-crisis. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Accessed 19 July 2024. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“Overview.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">“Myla Perkins Quilt Maker.” <i>Quilt
Index</i>, Quilt Index, </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>quiltindex.org/view/?type=artists&kid=12-51-<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">51. Accessed 15
July 2022.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">“Overview.” <i>Quilt Index</i>,
Quilt Index, quiltindex.org/about/welcome. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Accessed 15 July 2022.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Perkins,
Myla. <i>Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide 1820 to 1991</i>.
Paducah, Kentucky, Collector Books a division of Schroeder Publishing Co.,
Inc., 1991.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Perkins,
Myla. <i>Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide Book II</i>. Paducah,
Kentucky, Collector Books a division of Schroeder Publishing Co., Inc., 1993.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: -48px;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: -48px;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><u>Video</u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: -48px;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://youtu.be/BJgMoN-Cwog" target="_blank">Tears for Mina</a> (March 8, 2018, a preview</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> of Leo Moss dolls from Myla Perkins' collection auctioned by Theriault's on March 17-18, 2018)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: -48px;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-80725703283427709362021-02-03T19:28:00.001-06:002021-02-03T19:28:12.507-06:00Dolls in Black Editor-in-Chief Interviewed by In the Doll World<p> </p>
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Debbie Behan Garrett helps us celebrate on our YouTube Channel for our 1st Annual World of Black Dolls...</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld/">In The Doll World</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/inthedollworld/posts/1676638879198385">Wednesday, February 3, 2021</a></blockquote></div>Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-43968651444837512562021-02-02T09:48:00.002-06:002021-02-02T09:49:44.191-06:00DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum™<br />
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<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/virtualblackdollmuseum/posts/356042908808500" data-show-text="true" data-width="500"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/virtualblackdollmuseum/posts/356042908808500" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><p>In October 2020, DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum™ was founded as an online source of curated antique, vintage,... </p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/virtualblackdollmuseum/">Dee Bee Gee's Virtual Black Doll Museum</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/virtualblackdollmuseum/posts/356042908808500">Tuesday, February 2, 2021</a></blockquote></div>Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-80338822595834989602020-09-21T00:00:00.006-05:002021-07-06T08:43:39.657-05:00Guest Post: Through the Eyes of a Leo Moss Collector: Bev’s Story<p> <b><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">Through the Eyes of a Leo Moss Collector: Bev’s Story </span></b></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kX0yHHsk2bE/X15Ak0YJgtI/AAAAAAAAke8/WNqsPGT4bk4u9m2ojJLSRQo6jg-M5-jcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Maggie%2Bside_%2B%2528002%2529.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="509" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kX0yHHsk2bE/X15Ak0YJgtI/AAAAAAAAke8/WNqsPGT4bk4u9m2ojJLSRQo6jg-M5-jcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Maggie%2Bside_%2B%2528002%2529.jpeg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">An 11-inch doll by Leo Moss</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">By Beverly W. Flowers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">I have focused my doll collection on vintage and antique black dolls by developing a strategic plan that required daily hunting for these rare and valuable dolls. I never imagined I would be asked to guest blog on <i>Black Doll Collecting</i> by Debbie Behan Garrett as a collector with a Leo Moss doll. The offer should not have surprised me. Debbie has supported and encouraged me throughout the years. She has promoted black doll collectors and artists in her books, articles, websites, the We Love Black Dolls Anew Facebook group, and through her <i>Black Doll Collecting</i> and <i>Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black</i> blogs. We owe so much to her dedication and I thank God that Debbie never gave up her daily sharing of doll information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">My Doll Collecting Journey<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">I started collecting dolls over 30 years ago to honor Maggie Pearl, my mother. Mom supplemented my Christmas gifts by making clothes for my Barbies. I did not appreciate her labor of love until she died from breast cancer at 42-years young. Reality sunk in when I realized the only things I owned were doll clothes and a $150 car.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">I began collecting black Barbies because I thought they were lovely and shared Mom’s classic beauty. Eventually, my three jobs could not feed my lay-a-way habit. So, I started an entrepreneurial business in 1988 called Exquisite Showcases. I had magnificent glass display cases with exotic woods, which I varnished, and then were hand-assembled by an artist. I planned to sell them at doll shows even though I had never been to a doll show. I just thought everyone needed display cases for antique dolls but not one case sold. I believed a beautiful black antique doll would highlight my special display cases. However, the shows only had white dolls and dealers assured me that I could neither afford nor find an antique black doll.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;"> Eventually, I repeated this to my future husband, Bill, that doll dealers said I would never see or own a good black doll. He found it offensive that I would allow anyone to create a ridiculous barrier to my dreams. Bill’s life theory still is based on the philosophy that everything is possible if you are prepared and have the will.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">In 1997, Bill handed me a piece of paper with strange words, “eBay.com.” He suggested selling my Barbie dolls and investing in dolls that stood the test of time and had the potential to gain even more value. He could not wrap his head around mass-produced collectibles as a stable investment. Bill reassured me that selling dolls would allow me to buy antique dolls that would hold their value and could be displayed in my cases. His idea ignored two significant facts. I did not have a computer, and I was not going to sell my Barbies. My brother Mike, who had accompanied me in those painful sell-less display case days, happily gave me his computer. Bill sealed the deal with a promise that when we married, every dollar I made selling anything would go to buying old dolls. The money would never be used to solve household financial stresses. Thus, selling Barbies would allow me to transform my modern collection into a unique ensemble of vintage dolls that represented my mother’s spirit and the life of people of color. I was sold on selling.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Leo Moss Dolls</span></i><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EL7AeGXxr7g/X15A4-WbaxI/AAAAAAAAkfE/y2ZV6IgpDZs_Lg73LjtyzQbbFNhUyXI_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s924/Leo%2BMoss%2BSelf%2BPortrait%2B-%2BPinterest.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EL7AeGXxr7g/X15A4-WbaxI/AAAAAAAAkfE/y2ZV6IgpDZs_Lg73LjtyzQbbFNhUyXI_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Leo%2BMoss%2BSelf%2BPortrait%2B-%2BPinterest.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Leo Moss portrait doll</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span><span> </span><span> </span>I forget what year, but eventually, the Mr. Leo Moss doll was offered on eBay. However, I was not sure about bidding five thousand dollars on him. I would have to strip my collection down to the bones to come up with the money. Also, my doll notes were scattered, and I had no idea which magazine had pictures of him. I could dig up the money with a massive doll sell-off but not the confidence. I had a tremendous buyer’s remorse when the doll sold.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">I vowed that I would never again freeze because of a lack of knowledge. I would become an expert in all the dolls I wanted to collect seriously. I cut and pasted every article and advertisement with Leo Moss dolls in all the available sources into a computer log. I also went through all the doll magazines from the late 1970s to track Leo Moss dolls as they moved from auctions to collectors and back again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">I noticed that auction houses frequently used the tag “attributed” to Leo Moss dolls, leaving doubt about authenticity. I wondered how experts in identifying artist reproduction of Bru dolls could not confirm a Moss considering that Betty Formaz and Rubin Quintano were the primary artists working in Leo Moss’s style, and their work was distinguishable from real Mosses.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">I believe the root of the confusion on the authenticity of Leo Moss dolls can be found by examining articles written about the dolls. Steva Roark Allgood wrote an article entitled “To Leo with Love” in the Fall 1987 <i>Doll News </i>magazine. Steva found that Moss created dolls for children and not as art. The bodies were awkward and poorly proportioned. More importantly, Steva concluded most Moss dolls are unmarked. Myla Perkins adds to dealer uncertainty by noting in her book, <i>Black Dolls: An Identification and Value Guide 1820-1991, </i>that Formaz had bought heads without bodies (see plate 29 in Myla's book).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">Therefore, I can reason that unmarked heads and inappropriate bodies or “new” bodies on old heads resulted in uncertainty about the authenticity of Moss dolls. Dealers hate uncertainty and were already suspicious about all these recently discovered Moss dolls entering the market from a single source, Betty Formaz. Dealers may have chattered that Betty, being a doll artist, made the Leo Moss dolls. Again, Betty’s dolls and Rubin’s dolls are distinguishable from Leo Moss dolls from an artistic point of view and the material used. She sold the dolls almost immediately after purchasing them, and I do not know of any existing Moss molds. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">Dealers that never handled a real Leo Moss may have inadvertently bought <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--cMFF1v0T0M/ViAPRrQfqoI/AAAAAAAALrA/yDq5CVC6xLA/s1600/formazfour.jpg" target="_blank">Betty Formaz</a> and <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UK84jCVvACM/XFIQpsfET7I/AAAAAAAAZYw/X6NSTocmcdcpg7bjoZWyEGVyt6fAGoUtwCLcBGAs/s1600/Rubin%2BQuintano%2BFive_1.jpg" target="_blank">Rubin Quintano</a> dolls and passed them into the market as authentic Leo Moss dolls. Thus, the major factor that contributed to the use of the term “attributed” may have been the sellers' need to skirt any liability to buyers. The few experts on the dolls cautioned auction houses that they were selling reproduction dolls. Even Myla, who may have owned the most extensive collection of Leo Moss dolls, warned about Moss reproductions in her first book <i>Black Dolls. </i>However, Myla in her second book writes on page 33, “see page 417, plate 1654 for an excellent example of a new Moss look-alike.” Here she points the reader to an artist doll by Rubin Quintano done in the Moss style and not a deliberate fake by a con artist.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFLu0TVCYFs/X15No3YjLjI/AAAAAAAAkgE/fMSKlwkZyPQqxk6wrq8hpOSZAPvvmUuzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1019/Leo_Moss-Type_Doll_Cecily_full.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFLu0TVCYFs/X15No3YjLjI/AAAAAAAAkgE/fMSKlwkZyPQqxk6wrq8hpOSZAPvvmUuzACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Leo_Moss-Type_Doll_Cecily_full.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Prior to becoming part of Debbie Garrett's doll collection, Cecily by Rubin Quintano ca.1992, a 22-inch Moss-style doll, was featured on page 417 in Myla Perkins' second Black Dolls book.</span></i><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span> </span><span> </span>I reasoned if dealers were confused, there must be confused collectors that thought they had a Formaz or Quintano when they had a Moss doll.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">My strategy was to find unmarked and unappreciated Moss dolls being sold because of the confusion caused by the uncertainty of handmade artist dolls. The dolls are dark; thus, it is difficult to see the differences between artist dolls and real Moss dolls in low-quality pictures. I have tried to take an accurate count, but I may have double-counted some dolls because of a change in clothing or the angle of the new photo. Myla said there are 50 known Moss dolls.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">I decided to hunt for even more Moss dolls that may be in auctions, flea markets, or antique shops. But first, I would have to be an expert in Leo Moss dolls without owning one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">I had to find someone willing to show me a real Moss doll. I would have to ask dealers again, but by this time I knew my way around a doll room. A few years later, I stumbled upon someone who owned Leo Moss dolls and was willing to share knowledge. I was introduced to the word “handle.” She allowed me to feel the weight, see the coloring, hair patterns, marking, breastplates, and bodies of these rare dolls. She allowed me to do the same with the dolls created in the Leo Moss style. I was taught how to differentiate between a real Leo Moss and a replica style. I was one of the few people in the world that had handled one, and it was intoxicating.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">Two Opportunities of a Lifetime<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a name="_Hlk50734726"></a></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9kZJtpN5xI/X15ExqQyFhI/AAAAAAAAkfQ/VWQJV8tKTosVg_4PQU9Bxg9lKbUWWhPYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s768/Iseeme.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="768" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9kZJtpN5xI/X15ExqQyFhI/AAAAAAAAkfQ/VWQJV8tKTosVg_4PQU9Bxg9lKbUWWhPYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Iseeme.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan, the "I See Me: Reflections in Black Dolls Exhibition ran from September 20, 2016, through June 25, 2017.</span><br /></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0.5in;">I believe it was June of 2017 when I stumbled on a Facebook page advertising an upcoming exhibit of the largest collection of Leo Moss dolls. What an opportunity! I could compare variations of eyes, skin smoothness, colorings, and hair patterns. I could tell by the pictures that the dolls were from Myla's books. We had a week to fly to Detroit to the "I see me: Reflections in Black Dolls" exhibit sponsored by the Motor City Doll Club at the Charles Wright Museum.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">An emotional tidal wave rolled over me in the exhibit room as I spread out years of notes and pages from Myla’s books and Debbie’s articles. Everything about that exhibit blew my mind. I absorbed every feature like a sponge, but until then, I did not know that Myla owned them. I had counted her dolls in my total, but I had been waiting years for some of Myla’s dolls to appear in circulation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">My day begins by brushing my teeth and checking my doll searches for Moss dolls, and a few others. In March of 2019, I opened my eBay searches to see an auction for a “Vintage Leo Moss Doll Buy it now $200.” The seller was paid before I read the full description. I then read the full description over and over again while waiting for a word from the seller. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">When the doll did arrive, the seller included a handwritten note:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 76.5pt 8pt 1in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">“Thank you for your purchase. I enclosed a newspaper clipping on the doll. I was lucky as a child to see this exhibit in Detroit. I believe in the 70’s? I bought this from a woman in Royal Oak, Michigan who repaired dolls then. Glad to hear that the doll is going to a new place. I’m slowly selling my collection. I have no children to pass the collection on to.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 76.5pt;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">Her Name is Maggie Pearl</span></i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09qw9WOzK1c/X15GXR7l7DI/AAAAAAAAkfg/sxVLX0L6uB4TG7l0O-9F6u4PWHd6ZtjVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Bev%2527s%2BLeo%2BMoss%2B1_copyright.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="613" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09qw9WOzK1c/X15GXR7l7DI/AAAAAAAAkfg/sxVLX0L6uB4TG7l0O-9F6u4PWHd6ZtjVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bev%2527s%2BLeo%2BMoss%2B1_copyright.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Named after Beverly's mother, Maggie Pearl is an unmarked 1800s doll by Leo Moss.</span><br /></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">Maggie Pearl is an unmarked 1800’s head with glass eyes. She is 11 inches tall with molded hair and painted lips. She has a replaced body. Her neck socket is professionally stuffed to hold the head.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0.5in;">Authenticating Maggie Pearl required finding a small Leo Moss doll that was made during the same period in Leo Moss’s artist life. I needed to find a doll with the same bumpy complexion, dimples, and youthful look. Myla Perkin’s first book showed a similar doll, see </span><i style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0.5in;">Black Dolls</i><span style="font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0.5in;">, book one, plate 25:</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 49.5pt 8pt 1in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;"> “Tiny baby, 10” tall. This is the smallest of the Leo Moss dolls to have been purchased from the Moss family. It has a papier-mache head and bent leg jointed baby body. Head has inset tiny glass eyes, molded hair. Doll was made in the late 1800s and is unmarked.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">However, Maggie Pearl was not a baby. I needed to find a toddler or adult.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Oz3TFnB7_Y/X15JNZrqqLI/AAAAAAAAkfs/whqzEPAClyoLqzI5zoJYBYigOfwNIxbeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1100/70140331_2_x.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="654" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Oz3TFnB7_Y/X15JNZrqqLI/AAAAAAAAkfs/whqzEPAClyoLqzI5zoJYBYigOfwNIxbeACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/70140331_2_x.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">"Tiny Black Paper Mache Boy by Leo Moss" in a photograph courtesy of Frasher's Doll Auctions is the doll Beverly used to authenticate Maggie Pearl as a Leo Moss doll.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>I found a doll from Frasher’s Doll Auctions, Lot 158, that was presented as a young boy.</span><span> </span><span>The catalog description read:</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 1in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">“TINY BLACK PAPER MACHE BOY BY LEO MOSS. Marks: None. 8 1/2”. Black paper mache head and body, tightly curled sculpted hair, boyish-like fashion, prominent brown inset glass eyes, closed mouth, impressed dimples, jointed shoulders, and hips, wears original cotton overalls. Commentary: Very unusual example of early work by Leo Moss. One of the smallest sizes known to exist. Very good condition.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TZ5tLB4rLEs/X15YQZnxbPI/AAAAAAAAkgU/5N6M9MgBtxE4r7S9TUgDwzEwRF_OWfiMgCPcBGAYYCw/s1024/maggie%2Bneck%2B%2528002%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TZ5tLB4rLEs/X15YQZnxbPI/AAAAAAAAkgU/5N6M9MgBtxE4r7S9TUgDwzEwRF_OWfiMgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/maggie%2Bneck%2B%2528002%2529.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-indent: 48px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">The back of Maggie Pearl's head, neck, and upper back are illustrated in this photo</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I confidently concluded that Maggie is an early 1800’s head because Steva noted in the previously referenced </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">Doll News</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> article that the “later dolls have a very smooth finish that resembles porcelain.” Maggie’s face is not smooth. I also know her body was professionally replaced by examining the neck socket. The seller said she had the doll for years and bought her from a doll doctor in Detroit. Hopefully, a reader knows the complete story behind Maggie Pearl and can fill in the missing pieces of Maggie’s Journey to me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TG3C21HP-2Y/X15GJpQQb6I/AAAAAAAAkfk/svQU885ldckVyNOaVJexAY-0p_-wIK7sQCPcBGAYYCw/s1024/Bev%2527s%2BLeo%2BMoss%2B2_copyright.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="875" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TG3C21HP-2Y/X15GJpQQb6I/AAAAAAAAkfk/svQU885ldckVyNOaVJexAY-0p_-wIK7sQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/Bev%2527s%2BLeo%2BMoss%2B2_copyright.png" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Maggie Pearl is seen in a close-up that illustrates the details of her sculpted face and hair.</span><br /></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">Now, Maggie Pearl is displayed in the very same mahogany framed glass case that experts told me would never hold an antique black doll. She is the result of a plan to see and learn as much as possible about the works of her artist. See the pictures and be amazed at a never published (until now) Leo Moss doll. Please, no flash photography (I always wanted to say that). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LdUYgl9feCY/X15Laz62nrI/AAAAAAAAkf4/HQWUqDQHus0JLfkhhwoY_2YjIy14RGpqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Maggie%2Band%2Bbarbie_%2B%2528002%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LdUYgl9feCY/X15Laz62nrI/AAAAAAAAkf4/HQWUqDQHus0JLfkhhwoY_2YjIy14RGpqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Maggie%2Band%2Bbarbie_%2B%2528002%2529.jpeg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">Maggie Pearl is posed with the 40th Anniversary Barbie to illustrate the doll's diminutive height when compared with other Leo Moss dolls.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">References:</span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide 1820-1991</span></i><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"> by Myla Perkins<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Black Dolls an Identification and Value Guide: Book II</span></i><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"> by Myla Perkins<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">Frasher’s Doll Auction (<a href="https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/70140331_158-tiny-black-paper-mache-boy-by-leo-moss-marks">Tiny Black Paper Mache Boy</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">“To Leo with Love,” <i>Doll News</i>, Fall 1987 by Steva Roark Allgood</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 17.12px;">******</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you so much, Beverly, for sharing the doll-collecting journey that led to acquiring the perfect Leo Moss doll for an exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime price! I am sure the readers of this blog enjoyed your story as much as I have enjoyed it. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This post can also be read on my <a href="https://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/2020/09/guest-post-through-eyes-of-leo-moss.html" target="_blank">Black Doll Collecting </a>blog.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For more information about Beverly and to follow her blogs on Black Memorabilia, Black Art, and Black Dolls, visit her website, <a href="https://antiqueblackdolls.com/" target="_blank">Antique Black Dolls and Things</a>.</span></p>Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-57020968313728264102020-04-16T00:00:00.000-05:002020-04-16T00:00:02.241-05:00In the Doll World Podcast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There is an exciting new podcast devoted to those who live "<a href="https://www.inthedollworld.com/" target="_blank">In the Doll World</a>" -- artists, collectors, and other doll enthusiasts. Hosted by Georgette Taylor (co-founder of Big Beautiful Dolls, Inc.) and Tammy (teej) Fisher (owner of Curiositeej Dolls & Collectibles), <b><i>In the Doll World</i></b> offers a series of informative podcast interviews for your listening pleasure.<br />
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-18693662213423555882019-04-01T12:38:00.001-05:002019-04-01T12:38:13.820-05:00Bébé Bain's Discoveries Part 1 of 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In September 2016, I was asked to write an article on black bathing babies. The article incorporated information on both black and white dolls designed for water play using Corolle's Bébé Bain Graceful to explore past and present dolls of this type. The abridged and otherwise edited article was published in the 2017 UFDC Convention Souvenir Journal, <i>Une Journée de la Poupée</i>. Because of the extensive research involved on my part and my desire for the entire article to be published and read, the unabridged version, with a modified title and full credit to all who graciously submitted photos and information is published here in four parts. Photo credits and references are included at the end of part four.<br />
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Bébé Bain Graceful Discovers Other Bathing Babies</div>
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by Debbie Behan Garrett</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bébé Bain Graceful</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> by Corolle is eager to learn about other bathing babies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Upon her arrival to become part of her adult’s extensive, vintage-to-modern black-doll collection, <i>Bébé Bain Graceful</i> (also known as, <i>Bath Baby Graceful</i>, shortened to Bébé by her adult), wanted to know how many other dolls designed for bathing preceded her to the collection. Her adult regretfully informed her there were very few others like her in her new home but offered to provide information about other bathing dolls, past and present. With the use of Internet searches, doll reference books, merchants’ catalogs, and vintage advertisements, Bébé’s knowledge about other bathing dolls was enriched.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Bébé can be hung to dry after her bath is illustrated in this image. The writing reads, <i>Specifically designed for bathtime fun! Its soft body is so light it floats in the tub and cries when bathtime is over.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Bebé, by Corolle of France, was designed for children 18 months and older as a 12-inch vinyl doll with cloth body. Before she took her trip down bathing-doll memory lane, Bébé shared information about herself, “I was born in 2015. My rubber duck and I are ideal for bath time play. I can float and my sewn-in hanging tab allows me to dry quickly after each bath. I am a favorite playtime mate out of the tub, too.” (This description and the notation that Bébé was manufactured for and imported into the US by Mattel are actually from the doll’s box.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Before their research began, Bébé’s adult explained to her that little girls have always loved caring for their dolls and imagining how much their dolls love bathing. The little learner’s excitement intensified. She was happy to know how much children, many of whom have witnessed younger siblings being fed, dressed, diapered, and bathed, enjoy performing these tasks with their dolls. <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The little doll student’s introduction to bathing dolls began with dolls from the 1920s to contemporary dolls manufactured specifically for bathing and others made of water-safe mediums. She learned that many of the earliest “bathing” dolls, or dolls that were described as washable, were made of mediums that today are known for their inability to withstand moisture, such as composition and bisque. Bébé was delighted to learn that rubber and vinyl dolls were better suited for water immersion in bathinettes and tubs with their included accessories of soaps, sponges, washcloths, and bath toys. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Manufacturers of bath soaps such as Ivory, Johnson’s, Lifebuoy, Palmolive, and Pearl, along with makers of other skin care products, for example, Kleenex and Q-tips, often teamed up with doll manufacturers to produce mini versions of their products to include with bathing dolls. In addition to bathing dolls, Bébé learned about bath toys and accessories that promoted good grooming habits in children. With her excitement escalated further, she prepared herself for a wealth of learning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The next three paragraphs outline additional facts Bébé’s adult explained to her, which should be noted by readers of this article as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">White dolls of any kind have always been more plentiful than dolls that represent other ethnic groups. It was not until the 1970s that doll companies became more inclusive in their product lines. Exclusion created a scarcity of black dolls of all types including bathing dolls. When a black version was available, this article notes it. No mention of a doll’s ethnicity in the absence of an associated photograph indicates the doll was white. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">With a couple of exceptions, the chronological order of manufacture is followed. When a doll’s years of production lapse over the next featured doll’s market introduction, and when bathing dolls by Horsman are explored, the chronology is interrupted.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><b>1920s</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">In 1923, <i>Dolly and Outfit of 23 Pieces</i> provided imaginative doll play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Many dolls were available by mail order through catalogs from Sears, Roebuck and Company (SR&C); J. C. Penney, and Montgomery Ward among others. Some dolls were store exclusives. In many cases, these merchants omitted the names of the dolls’ actual manufacturers and frequently replaced the dolls’ original names with similar names or adjectives to describe the dolls. This was done in the SR&C catalog for 1923 with a doll described as <i>Dolly and Outfit of 23 Pieces</i>, a repeat from their 1922 catalog where the doll was described as <i>23 Pieces in Her Outfit</i>. This 7-inch composition doll with bisque head came with everything for imaginative doll play along with a cardboard box for storage. Pretend bathing could be done with the towel and imitation soap that were included in its 23 pieces. This doll was reoffered in the company’s 1924 and 1925 catalogs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">After making note of the doll from 1923, Bébé’s introduction to other bathing dolls continued with dolls from the 1930s through 1940s and there were several.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1931<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ideal’s new <i>Tickle-Toes</i> of 1931 was more loveable than prior versions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">“The wonder baby that looks and feels so real,” the “new <i>Tickle-Toes</i>” was described in the <i>1931 SR&C Catalog</i> as being “more lovable than before!” Made by Ideal, which was not mentioned in the catalog, her soft rubber arms and legs added to her realism. While her body was made of cloth, the catalog illustrates the child’s ability to wash <i>Tickle-Toes’</i> head, arms, and legs. Available in five sizes: 14-1/2, 16-1/2, 19-1/2, 21-1/2, and 23-1/2 inches, <i>Tickle-Toes</i> dolls were priced from $3.95 up to $6.95. <i>Tickle-Toes</i> was also available in 1929 and 1930 and reappeared in this merchant’s 1932 catalog, again available in five different sizes. In the 1934 catalog, the only available sizes were 15-1/2, 18, and 20 inches.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Babs, Sue, Jane, and Nan</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> had washable bodies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In 1931, Horsman’s </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Latest Big Doll Success</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> (although made of composition) included four dolls: 12-inch </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Babs</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, 14-inch </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Sue</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, 17-inch </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Jane</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, and 20-inch </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Nan</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. Described in the SR&C catalog of 1931 as having washable bodies, which was written on their gift boxes, the dolls could sit alone, hold many poses, tilt and turn their heads, and move their arms and legs. </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Babs’</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> and </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Sue’s</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> catalog descriptions do not mention bathing, but Jane’s description indicates her “body can be washed.” “Nan can be bathed,” is part of the largest doll’s description. How well their composition held up after their little mommies washed and bathed them is unknown, but their popularity continued through 1932 when they reappeared in the catalog for that year. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Baby Darling</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (1931), Just Loads of Fun doll, and a soft unbreakable doll (1932) were available through Sears, Roebuck & Company by mail order.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Baby Darling</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, a nude 8-inch rubber doll with a </span>one-piece<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> body, was advertised for fifty-nine cents in the </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">1931 SR&C Catalog </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">without accessories. The description (“Made of flesh colored rubber. As soft to touch as a baby’s arm—unbreakable and light. Will stand, wash and float…”) is a testament to the doll’s ability to be bathed by a child and/or its usefulness as a bath toy. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1932 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In 1932, offered by SR&C by mail order, described as “Just Loads of Fun,” an 11-1/2-inch composition baby doll priced at one dollar, was presented in an oval-shaped cardboard box with cover and handle. Accessories included everything a child needed to dress, feed, and bathe the doll: “pillow, blanket, lace-trimmed dress, bonnet, rubber pants, stomacher, sponge, soap, and nursery bottle.” <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Under the description, “Soft Unbreakable Dolls,” a 10-inch baby doll with all rubber body made of “newly developed sanitary ‘Health-Gard’ rubber” was advertised in the <i>1932 SR&C Catalog</i>. Its rubber construct gave it the ability to be “ducked in tub without injury.” Parents had few worries about water damaging these dolls as their children derived many hours of delightful play bathing them.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Honeysuckle</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">, <i>Ducky</i>, <i>Dusky</i>, and <i>Dolly and Her Bath</i> were perfect 1930s bathing babies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Ideal’s </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Honeysuckle</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> with “Truflesh rubber body, arms and legs” was advertised in the </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">1932 SR&C Catalog. </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Available in four sizes: 10-1/2-, 12-, 14-, and 16-inches tall, the ad touts, “Children love to wash her soft, smooth and rosy rubber body, arms and legs that feel like a baby’s own.” Squeezing her legs activated her squeaking sound. The doll’s composition head probably prevented complete submersion. </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Honeysuckle</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> returned in the </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">1933 SR&C Catalog</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> along with Ideal’s </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Ducky</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Available in the same sizes as <i>Honeysuckle</i>, <i>Ducky</i> had rubber body, arms, and legs, and as the 1932 ad illustrates, could be bathed like a baby. Reappearing in the 1934 catalog, <i>Honeysuckle</i> was advertised with new “rolling eyes” and was all rubber. <i>Ducky</i> was all rubber by this year, too, available along with “A Colored Baby,” <i>Dusky</i>. Offered only in the 11-inch size, <i>Dusky’s</i> price was only one dollar. “Dressed in a diaper, she’s all rubber, head to toe, so you can bathe her as often as you please,” read <i>Dusky’s</i> description. It is possible that <i>Dusky</i> is one of the first black dolls advertised as a bathing doll that could be fully submerged in water.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Advertised in the </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">1934 SR&C Catalog</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> on the same page with </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Honeysuckle</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Ducky</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, and </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Dusky</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> was a “Dolly and her Bath Outfit!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">She brings her own bathinette with her and a sponge, tiny washcloth and soap!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Just fill it with water and put her in; she’s rubber up to her hard-to-break composition head.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This doll was 10-1/2 inches tall.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Included were a vest, slip, lace-trimmed dress, and bonnet.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Honeysuckle</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> and <i>Ducky</i> remained popular for several years. A variety of versions appeared in the 1935-1938 SR&C catalogs. In <i>Collector’s Guide to Ideal Dolls Identification and Value Guide</i> (Collector Books, 1994) Judith Izen describes <i>Honeysuckle Baby</i>, a 12-inch drink and wet doll with hard plastic head, rubber body, arms, and legs, which was made from 1949-1950. A “Negro” version was also available. Bathing accessories were not mentioned, but because of <i>Honeysuckle Baby’s</i> rubber body, arms, and legs, little mamas certainly enjoyed bathing this doll, too. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Continued <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2019/04/bebe-bains-discoveries-part-2-of-4.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-70186737432618514692019-04-01T12:37:00.003-05:002023-10-21T12:17:30.133-05:00Bébé Bain's Discoveries Part 2 of 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Continued from <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2019/04/bebe-bains-discoveries-part-1-of-4.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A doll with a dressing stand and a 6-inch “Dolly Outfit” doll were available in 1932 and 1933, respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Described as one of the “Extra Good Dolls at Sears…” in the 1932 catalog, was a nameless doll and dressing stand. The stand folded and had pockets for storing sponge, soap, and washcloth. This 12-1/2-inch composition doll had “tilting head and painted features.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1933<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">“Dolly Outfit” was the <i>1933</i> <i>SR&C Catalog’s</i> description of a 6-inch all-rubber doll that cost only thirty-nine cents. Available by mail order only, accessories of a hot water bottle, real nursing bottle, soap, dish, sponge, washcloth, mat, and rattle were included. <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This unnamed baby from 1933 could be bathed in her bathinette.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">For only a dollar, an 11-inch rubber doll with composition head and painted eyes included a bathinette and layette. “You can Actually Bathe Her in Her Bathinette!” read the caption. For sixty-seven extra cents, a version with moving eyes could be ordered from the <i>1933 SR&C Catalog</i>. A sponge, tiny washcloth, and soap were included.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Dy-Dee Louise</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> is shown in her own bathinette.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Effanbee’s <i>Dy-Dee Baby</i> was one of the most popular bathing dolls with drink-wet feature in the U. S. Introduced in 1933, the doll’s hard rubber head and rubber body made it perfect for bathing. The rubber parts were made in Akron, Ohio by the Miller Rubber Company, Inc. In 1933, <i>Dy-Dee</i> family members included <i>Dy-Dee Wee</i> at only 9 inches, <i>Dy-Dee-Ette</i> at 11 inches, <i>Dy-Dee-Kin</i> at 13 inches, <i>Dy-Dee Baby</i> at 15 inches, and <i>Dy-Dee Lou</i> at 20 inches. A variety of <i>Dy-Dee</i> dolls remained on the market throughout the 1930s and several decades that followed. Bathinettes were available and their layettes included extra clothes, soap, washcloths, cotton swabs, and other baby care items. <i>Dy-Dee Baby Paper Doll Book</i>, 1938, by Queen Holden included the <i>Dy-Dee Baby</i> paper doll, bathinette, and layette. <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Dy Dee Educational Doll</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> was used as a baby care teaching aid during the 1970s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">From 1971-1976, Effanbee manufactured both white and black versions of <i>Dy Dee Educational Doll</i>, which was used in prenatal education, child care centers, and by the Red Cross. This 21-inch, water-tight all-vinyl baby with molded hair and lifelike ears with ear canal openings, could drink from a bottle and be spoon fed. In addition to ear canal openings, a hole with plug in the left buttocks was used in training healthcare personnel in the administration of immunizations and other infant injections. The ear canal openings aided in simulating ear examinations. In the hands of little mommies, these dolls could be bathed and cared for like a real baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Among other things, thus far, Bébé learned bathinettes, like <i>Dy-Dee’s</i> were an important part of pretend-mommy role play for little girls. <i>Dy-Dee’s</i> bathinette with its ability to hold water for bathing the doll and a scale for weighing it afforded children a fun experience of mimicking the bath care their mothers’ provided younger siblings as they cultivated their own nurturing skills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1935 <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">American Character’s <i>Wee-Wee</i> was a <i>1935 Sears Roebuck & Company Catalog</i> exclusive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="background: yellow; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> In 1935, “the new ‘Wee-Wee’ rubber baby” by American Character was a <i>1935 SR&C Catalog </i>exclusive. For the price of ninety-eight cents, this all-rubber drink and wet baby arrived through mail order wearing only a diaper. Because the ad read, “water won’t hurt her,” using their own accessories, little girls were able to bathe, towel dry, and re-diaper her as often as they liked. <i>Wee-Wee</i> was American Character’s answer to Effanbee’s <i>Dy-Dee</i>, which led to a court case between the two companies that Effanbee won. American Character later renamed their doll <i>Bottletot</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1937-1938</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Water would not harm a “Big Values” doll or American Character’s <i>Bottletot</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">A caption from<i> 1937 SR&C Catalog</i> reads, “Bathe, powder, and dress… water won’t harm them. They are so lifelike, made of washable, pure rubber.” This described American Character’s <i>Bottletot</i> and a “big values,” forty-nine cent, unnamed 10-1/2-inch rubber baby that could “have a bath,” turn its head, and cry. Priced higher at ninety-five cents, <i>Bottletot</i> could “wet [her] diapers” and cry for a bottle. Both dolls’ rubber exteriors were “washable, soft, pink flesh-like.”<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In the </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">1938 SR&C Catalog</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, 11-inch </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Bottletot</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> reappeared, sold alone for ninety-five cents, and </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Bottletot</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> with </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Roll-o-Bath</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> was available to order for $2.49. “She loves her bath so much, we built her own bathinette.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">” Described as “wood frame with rubberized cloth tub that could be drained off,” the bathinette</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> had two pockets and a fold-over canvas top. The layette included lacy dress, bonnet, bootees, stomach band, diaper, bottle, nipple, and safety pins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Ideal’s popular 1937 <i>Betsy Wetsy</i> came with a wooden trunk, bathinette, and layette. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The 1937 </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Betsy Wetsy</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, first introduced in 1934, is described in Izen’s first Ideal reference book as composed of hard rubber for the head and soft rubber for the body. This drink-wet baby came with a wooden trunk, bathinette</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, and layette. In 1938 </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Betsy Wetsy</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> was manufactured with layette and suitcase for storing doll and layette. Layettes included soap and other bathing accessories. According to </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Toys and American Culture: an Encyclopedia </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">by Sharon M. Scott (Greenwood, 2009), “Betsy Wetsy was one of the first dolls produced with both light and dark skin.” While illustrations from merchants’ catalogs of light-skinned</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> versions are readily available from the 1930s, none are available of dolls with dark skin from that decade or the next. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Black <i>Betsy Wetsy</i> (1956) appears on page 56 of <i>Black Dolls a Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">It is unclear when the first dark-skinned </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Betsy Wetsy</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> was manufactured; however, Bébé’s adult showed her a photo of a 1956 black </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Betsy Wetsy</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> on page 56 in the book </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Black</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Dolls a Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. She also viewed online photos of other 1950s black </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Betsy Wetsy</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> dolls that are currently part of adult collections.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Additional <i>Betsy Wetsy</i> Dolls<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Sears offered four sizes of <i>Betsy Wetsy</i> in their 1961 catalog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">1961 Sears Wishbook</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> advertised four vinyl </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Betsy Wetsy</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> dolls in three different sizes, three of which came with bathing accessories of Ivory soap, tissues, washcloths, and powder puffs. Three versions had rooted Saran hair, blonde or brunette; two sizes had molded hair. Sizes were 13, 17, and 23 inches. All three sizes could be ordered with layette and plastic molded tub or with layette only. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pixie-size <i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-indent: -24px;">Betsy Wetsy</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.3333px; text-indent: -24px;"> came with a bathtub for bathing in 1968.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In 1968, a 9-inch </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Betsy Wetsy</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, available through the </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Sears Wishbook</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, was described as a “pixie size doll as cute as a button… drinks and wets and cries real tears.” Made of huggable, soft vinyl, this </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Betsy Wetsy</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> came with a bathtub for bathing. Her rooted hair could be washed and combed. A high chair and playpen were included. Soap and other bathing accessories were not. Other sizes with bathing accessories were also available in the </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">1968 Sears Wishbook</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Betsy Wetsy</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> dolls remained popular through the 1980s, providing over 50 years of bathing doll fun!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1947<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Happi-Time</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> baby dolls by Ideal could drink and wet and take a sponge bath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><i>Happi-Time</i> baby by Ideal, advertised on the opposite page of dolls by Madame Alexander, was offered in the 1947 Sears catalog in 11-1/2-, 13-, and 15-inch sizes dressed in a diaper with a nursing bottle accessory; or as a 14- 15-, or 16-inch doll dressed in a rayon sun suit of assorted colors, advertised as, “Drinks and wets… can be sponged.” Also available that year was an 11-1/2-inch <i>Happi-Time</i> doll with personalized, functional folding bath and layette that included everything for baby care. Various sizes and versions of <i>Happi-Time</i> appeared in <i>Sears Christmas Wishbooks</i> for the years 1950, 1952-1954, and 1961.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1949<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Circa 1949, <i>Amosandra</i> ad from Wards catalog features the doll with a separately-sold layette.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><i>Bébé</i> sat quietly on her adult’s lap as an online article was read to her about Sun Rubber Company’s doll, <i>Amosandra</i>. Excerpts from the article (written by her adult in 2005 for <i>The Black Doll-E-Zine</i>) note that the Sunday, February 20, 1949, radio broadcast of the <i>Amos ‘n’ Andy</i> show sponsored by Rinso White and Lifebuoy soap, announced the birth of Amos and wife, Ruby’s, second daughter, Amosandra. Of the many commercial items created as a result of this show, a 9-inch rubber doll, licensed by Columbia Broadcasting System, named after the new baby, was manufactured by Sun Rubber Company of Barberton, California. The doll was designed by Ruth E. Newton, who was well known for her children’s books and illustrations. Introduced at Toy Fair, <i>Amosandra</i> could be purchased boxed alone or in a gift set that included the doll wearing a white flannel diaper, nursing bottle, soap and soap dish, teething ring, hot water bottle, bell rattle, and birth certificate. Both versions of the doll were advertised in a circa 1949-1950 Montgomery Ward catalog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Bébé</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> enjoyed learning about bathing dolls made during the 1920s through 1940s and was eager to know about more contemporary dolls from the 1950s through the present.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Continued <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2019/04/bebe-bains-discoveries-part-3-of-4.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-42864080007216176332019-04-01T12:36:00.005-05:002023-10-21T12:19:19.722-05:00Bébé Bain's Discoveries Part 4 of 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Continued from <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2019/04/bebe-bains-discoveries-part-3-of-4.html" target="_blank">Part 3</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1967</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Available from 1967-1968, Ideal’s <i>Tubsy </i>and her bathtub was a battery-operated doll that could be bathed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">On the market in 1967-1968, Ideal’s <i>Tubsy</i> came with a bathtub. The battery-operated doll splashed when placed in water up to her tummy, which certainly caused loads of giggles to erupt from the little bathing mommies. Before they could giggle at her splashing action, two D batteries had to be placed in the doll’s battery compartment. <i>Tubsy</i> was available to order through the <i>1968 Sears Wishbook</i> as <i>Playtime Tubsy</i>. This time she splashed in her bath or hit at her jingling mobile when she was placed supine underneath it. Her plastic bathtub converted to a bassinet by adding a plastic top and a cotton skirt. Accessories included a kimono and diaper. Two D batteries were also required for the bathtub.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1968</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In 1968, <i>Bath Tub Baby</i> had her own tub and layette while <i>Baby Posie</i> had her own nursery carrying case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The 18-inch all-vinyl <i>Bath Tub Baby</i> in the <i>1968</i> <i>Sears Wishbook</i> had her own tub, several-piece layette, soap, hooded bath towel, and sponge.<b> </b>This baby could be bathed squeaky clean and her rooted blonde hair shampooed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Baby Posie</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> (seen in the above image) with nursery carrying case was a Sears exclusive through the 1968 <i>Wishbook</i>. This 9-inch doll with rooted hair had a completely posable and washable soft vinyl body. Dressed in flower shift and matching panties, her portable nursery included a plastic playpen, bathtub, and shower cap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1970s<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Rub-A-Dub Dolly</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> and her tugboat shower provided loads of bathing-doll fun from 1974-1978. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Described as being completely watertight with the ability to float, <i>Rub-A-Dub Dolly</i> came in a tugboat shower (1974-1978) as an all-vinyl doll with jointed arms and legs. Available in white and black versions, she certainly must have been a fun bathing doll. In 1979, the tugboat shower was sold separately. Both versions (without the tugboat) are featured in a 1974 Montgomery Ward catalog along with separately-sold diaper bag and toilety sets for complete pretend baby care. <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A different <i>Bath Tub Baby</i> offered by Sears in 1976 was perfect for bathing and pampering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Advertised in a 1976 Sears catalog, a 17-inch doll described as <i>Bath Tub Baby</i>, which differs from the doll of the same name in the 1968 catalog, was perfect for bathing and pampering. Dressed in a white terry cloth towel, accessories included a yellow plastic bathtub with layette of robe, dress, sunsuit, booties, diaper, soap, sponge, and powder puff.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Woolworth-exclusive doll made by Uneeda, circa 1970s, <i>Little Sweetums</i>, was the perfect size for the youngest little mamas to bathe.</td></tr>
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Little Sweetums</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">and Her Layette</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> was a Woolworth-exclusive doll, circa 1970s</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. Presented in a pink blanket, this approximately 7-inch all-vinyl doll’s layette included two yellow heart-shaped sponges and a yellow washcloth, marking her suitable for bathing.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MORE BATHING DOLLS BY HORSMAN DOLLS 1950s-1980s<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">From the 1950s well into the 1980s, the Horsman Doll Company manufactured several vinyl dolls in a variety of sizes designed for bathing and many that were suitable for bathing. Several of these are featured in <i>Horsman Dolls 1950 through 1970</i> by Patikii Gibbs as well as in Sears and other merchants’ catalogs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In 1955, <i>Perma Nurser Bottle Baby</i>, available in three different sizes, 13, 15 and 21 inches, came with unbreakable <i>Perma Bottle</i> with a nipple, large baby blanket, and/or washcloth, soap, safety pins, and sponge. Horsman also offered <i>Perma Nurser Bottle Baby</i> with layette in 1955 with bathing accessories of washcloth and soap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In 1956, the 15-inch <i>Pram Baby</i> was ready for bathing and later storing in a snap-lock suitcase with a handle. Soap, sponge, safety pins, clothes pins, wire hangers, diapers, and changes of clothing were included.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Cry Baby</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">, available in 13- and 15-inch sizes, featured in Horsman’s 1957-1958 catalogs, came with wardrobe, nursing bottle with nipple, pacifier, clothespins, soap, sponge, safety pins, and washcloth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Also in 1957-1958, <i>Pajama Baby</i> with wardrobe, a 13-inch doll, included soap, sponge, washcloth, three clothespins, three safety pins, three wire hangers, and a snap-lock suitcase with handle available in two different sizes. That same year, <i>Baby-Bath Ruthie</i> with a nursing bottle, polyethylene tub, washcloth, soap, sponge, three clothespins, and three safety pins, was ready for a nice warm bath.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bébé enjoyed “leafing” through the pages of a Horsman doll reference book where she discovered several <i>Softee</i> bathing dolls and other bath-suitable dolls by Horsman.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In 1959, Ivory soap was included with <i>Softee</i> with wardrobe, <i>Softee Baby</i> with wardrobe, <i>Softee Baby</i> with layette, <i>Softee Baby</i> with molded hair, and <i>Softee Tears</i>. <i>Softee Baby</i> was offered with molded hair or rooted hair. A snap-lock suitcase was included with <i>Softee</i> with wardrobe, <i>Softee Baby</i> with rooted hair, and <i>Softee Tears</i>. For this year, as Bébé and her adult noted, a black <i>Softee Baby</i> as a dressed doll with a bottle without bathing accessories was available.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">From the 1961 catalog, Horsman’s <i>Tynie Baby with layette</i> included Ivory soap and washcloths. <i>Baby Buttercup</i>, a doll available in black or white in 12-, 15-, 18- and 22-inch sizes had accessories that included three powder puffs with bowl and sponge for bathing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Drinkee Baby</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">, available in black or white, was among the company’s 1967 bathing doll-offerings. A rubber ducky, sponge, brush, and mirror attached to a gold heart-shaped card along with extra clothes and a bottle provided little ones with a baby to care for and keep clean. Both versions had rooted hair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Lil Softee</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> with wardrobe as a white doll with layette and sponge for bathing, and in black, as a dressed doll only, were offered in 1968. Also in 1968, little caregivers could provide <i>Teensie Baby</i> and <i>Mini Thirstee Baby</i> with a full bath with the sponge these dolls’ accessories included. In this same year, <i>Mini Thirstee Baby</i>, available in black or white, came with layette, nursing bottle, blanket, sponge, comb, and brush. In 1968, <i>Thirstee Baby</i>, <i>Mini Thirstee Baby</i> and <i>Mini Thirstee Strutter</i> with layette were drink-wet babies available in black or white with layettes that included sponges for bathing and other baby-care accessories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The 6-inch <i>Mini Thirstee Baby</i> with and without layette and <i>Mini Thirstee Strutter</i> were reissued in 1969 and 1970 without an indication that black versions were available. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In 1970, a 9-inch <i>Teensie Baby</i> was available as a black or white dressed doll with accessories of rattle, sponge for bathing, and nursing bottle for the doll’s drink-wet feature. <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Tub ‘n Shower Baby </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">was an ultimate bath baby in 1975 and 1976.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The 12-inch doll with tub and shower advertised in a 1975 and 1976 Sears catalog as <i>Tub ‘n Shower Baby</i> appears to be a Horsman <i>Softee</i>. Accessories, according to the catalog, included “pink plastic tub and shower, spray nozzle, water pump, soap, sponge, and bottle.”<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Baby Softskin </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">with layette was offered in a 1979 Montgomery Ward catalog.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Advertised by Montgomery Ward in 1979, <i>Baby Sofskin</i> with layette appears to be a Horsman doll. Layette for this 14-inch dimpled-knee doll included “pajamas, jacket, diaper, nursery tray, soap, bib, washcloth, sponge, and bottle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1990s<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">La Newborn Moments</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> by Berenguer (1998), a 17-inch baby with <i>For-Keeps</i> Shampoo and <i>For-Keeps Baby Powder</i> was ready for bathing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berenguer’s <i>La Newborn </i>is another life-size baby from 1998 that little ones could bathe.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Before her exploration of bathing dolls concluded, Bébé learned about two additional contemporary dolls. During the late 1990s through early 2000s, doll manufacturers such as Berenguer produced anatomically correct dolls. These dolls, with lifelike facial features and soft vinyl exteriors, were advertised by the manufacturer as water resistant. </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">La Newborn Moments</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> is a 17-inch baby by Berenguer/J. C. Toys Group, Inc. from 1998. The doll’s box illustrates a real baby being bathed. </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">La Newborn</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, another 17-inch all-vinyl baby from 1998 by the same company, was another lifelike doll ready for bathing. Both dolls included bottles labeled </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">For-Keeps</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Shampoo and </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">For-Keeps</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Baby powder. Manufactured to encourage little ones to actually bathe or pretend to bathe</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">,</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> powder, and shampoo the dolls’ molded hair, these dolls and others like them were also used by reborn doll artists to refashion into more lifelike dolls for adult collectors. The addition of facial screening, blushing, rooted hair, manicures and pedicures, weighted bodies, and other enhancements provided the desired realism. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">DOLL BATHING ACCESSORIES, BATH TOYS, AND ITEMS PAST AND PRESENT<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A doll layette for 10-1/2 to 20-inch dolls could be ordered through a 1932 Sears<i> </i>catalog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In the <i>1932 SR&C Catalog</i>, for baby dolls 10-1/2 to 20-inches, a doll layette only cost forty-nine cents and included “a dainty lace-trimmed dress, underwear, diaper, shirt, washcloth, soap, and sponge.”<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Girls could pamper themselves with <i>Miss Merry’s Beauty Bath Make Believe Cosmetics</i>, circa 1960s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Dolly’s Guest Closet</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">, 1960s, encouraged a child’s personal hygiene. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Miss Merry’s Beauty Bath Make Believe Cosmetics</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, especially developed and tested for young children, circa 1960 by Merry Manufacturing Company, included shampoo, soap, bubble bath, cologne, sponge, play bath powder, and a powder muff. </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Dolly’s Guest Closet</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> (same manufacturer, circa 1960s</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, encouraged a child’s personal hygiene. This set included a hot water bottle, pillow, brush, cup (to rinse mouth after brushing teeth) and a mini plastic Samsonite suitcase. Other sets by this manufacturer included </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Miss Merry’s Powder ‘N Perfume</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> and </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Mister Merry’s Slick Shave</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In 1961, Sears offered a battery-operated spray bath for bathing dolls and shampooing their hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">1961 Sears Wishbook</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> advertised a battery-operated spray bath that could be used to bathe dolls and shampoo their hair. It had a battery-driven motor. Its water recirculation feature eliminated the need for a faucet attachment. Three D batteries were required to operate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Bathing doll accessories through catalogs of Wards (1973) and J. C. Penney (1974), respectively, included a folding doll bath and baby care set.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">A folding doll bath and a baby care set were advertised in a 1973 Montgomery Ward and a 1974 J. C. Penney catalog, respectively. The folding doll bath, which could be used for bathing dolls or as a nursing table, could hold water and had a storage pocket for sponge, soap, and washcloth. The bathing accessories in the baby care set included a doll-size bar of Ivory soap, bath toy, talc, brush, and washcloths. <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The traditional rubber duck inspired these individually-sold rubber ducks dressed as professionals and the 10-piece set of colorful floating bath toys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Found on the website, Aliexpress, a choice of individually-sold rubber ducks with painted-on clothes, representing a variety of professions, adds a new twist to this old-time favorite bath toy. Choices include police officer, fireman, doctor, cowboy, sheriff, among others. Children can aspire to become any one of these professions as they bathe. Also found on Aliexpress, a 10-piece set of colorful floating bath toys is a modern staple for children’s bathing fun. Made of PVC, these are molded after different aquatic creatures.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Today’s girls can enjoy giving their American Girl dolls a pretend bath with the American Girl <i>Bubble Bathtub</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Owners of American Girl’s popular 18-inch dolls can enjoy pretend bathing and allowing the dolls to unwind in the <i>Bubble Bathtub for Dolls</i>. The website description indicates the set includes a “claw-foot bathtub with turning faucet knobs and an adjustable showerhead, pink plastic bubbles to fill the tub, pretend soap that fits in the soap dish, a bottle of faux shampoo to ‘wash’ [the doll’s] hair, a terry bath mat for the bathroom floor, and an embroidered washcloth and hand towel” for ‘drying’ off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Bébé<i> </i>experienced great pleasure throughout her discovery of other bathing dolls and bath toys. She remains thrilled to be among past and present dolls fashioned as a fun way to develop a child’s ability to care for and nurture others. She better understands her role in developing and promoting a young child’s personal, social and emotional development through teaching both boys and girls the importance of hygienic habits and dressing practices for themselves and others. Her only wishes are that more dolls like her were available today and that more children were interested in playing with them. Bébé’s adult made one final note: When a child learns to care for and tend to the needs of others, such mannerisms follow them into adulthood, resulting in lifelong empathy and acceptance of others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Photo Credits:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Aliexpress seller, Jackson Yuan (modern floating bath toys)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">American Girl Customer Service and Susan Jevens, Associate Manager, Public Relations American Girl (American Girl Doll and bathtub)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Doll enthusiast, Dawn Spears (Woolworth-exclusive Little Sweetums and Her Layette by Uneeda)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">eBay seller, Ddranerustysworkshop (J. C. Penny, Sears, and Ward catalog ads)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">eBay seller, Gdawg (Sears ad for Bathtub Baby and Horsman Tub 'n Shower Dolly ad)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Etsy.com seller, Missy Scordino of Vintage Nona (Miss Merry's children's bath and hygiene accessories)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Mattel Customer Service and Corolle Dolls (graciously supplied Bébé Bain Graceful's stock images and the actual doll).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">RubyLane.com shop owner, Kate Eaton of Dollyology Vintage Dolls & Antiques/Collectibles (Dy-Dee Louise and black versions of American Character Tiny Tears)</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Book and Website References:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Adams, Margaret (edited by). <i>Collectible Dolls and Accessories of the Twenties and Thirties from</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><i> Sears, </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Roebuck and Co. Catalogs</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">. (New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1986).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Axe, John. <i>Effanbee a Collector's Encyclopedia 1949-Present</i>. (Cumberland, MD: Hobby House</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> Press, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Inc. 1983)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Gibbs, Patikii. <i>Horsman Dolls 1950 through 1970</i>. (Paducah, Kentucky: Collector Books, 1985).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Holland, Thomas W. (edited by). <i>Doll and Teddy Bear Catalog Pages from the Legendary Sears</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><i> Christmas</i></span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Wishbooks of the 1950’s and 1960’s</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; text-indent: 0.5in;">. (Sherman Oaks, California: Windmill Press,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; text-indent: 0.5in;"> 1997).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Izen, Judith. <i>Collectors Guide to Ideal Dolls Identification & Value Guide.</i> (Paducah, Kentucky:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> Collector </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Books, 1994).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Ranson, Anna. “Baby Doll Washing and Caring Activity.” <i>The Imagination Tree</i>, June 15, 2015.</span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> [http://theimaginationtree.com/2015/06/baby-doll-washing-and-caring-toddler-activity.html]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Scott, Sharon M. <i>Toys and American Culture: an Encyclopedia</i>. (Santa Barbara, California:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> Greenwood, 2010).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Smith, Patricia R. </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Effanbee Dolls That Touch Your Heart</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. (Paducah, Kentucky: Collector Books,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> 1983.)</span><br />
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-15421503345503796662019-04-01T12:36:00.004-05:002023-10-21T12:18:08.859-05:00Bébé Bain's Discoveries Part 3 of 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Continued from <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2019/04/bebe-bains-discoveries-part-2-of-4.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1950-PRESENT<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The <i>1950 Sears Wishbook</i> offered a 13-inch <i>Tiny Tears </i>by American Character. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">A new 13-inch version of <i>Tiny Tears</i> by American Character, offered through the <i>1950 Sears Wishbook</i>, had molded hair, wept, slept, blew bubbles, drank, and wet. Made of rubber, her layette included a sheer organdy dress and bonnet, cotton slip, diaper, bootees, Palmolive soap, towel, sponge, bottle, bubble pipe, pacifier, and cleansing tissues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">More Tiny Tears Dolls<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Two versions of an 11-1/2-inch <i>Tiny Tears</i> with layette and carrying case were available through <i>Sears Wishbook</i> catalog mail order in 1951. The deluxe version had tousled fur wig. The other had molded hair. Layette items included a sheer cotton dress, bonnet, cotton slip, diaper, "bootees," soap, washcloth, sponge, bottle, bubble pipe, Kleenex, cardboard case with handle. The tousled hair version was reoffered in the 1952 and 1953 <i>Sears Wishbooks</i> with Palmolive soap among the bathing accessories. In 1954, a curly fur wig version of <i>Tiny Tears</i> in sizes 11-1/2, 13-1/2 and 16 inches was available along with a 13-1/2- and a 16-inch molded hair version. All sizes remained perfect for bathing with soap and other bathing and dressing accessories included. In 1956, <i>Tiny Tears</i> returned after a year of absence in the <i>Sears Wishbook</i> wearing a white romper with pink trim with the doll’s name embroidered on the front. The 1956 version was available as an 11-1/2-inch doll with rooted hair with accessories, layette, and cardboard case, similar to previous years; also a 20-inch version with playroom equipment, and an 11-1/2-inch version with molded hair, which included a <i>Ding Dong School </i>Bath, was available in 1956. Bathtub could hold water and had a drain, hose, and shut off. A fold-away vinyl table was included with this version, and her layette included the same items as prior years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Shown in the <i>1968 Sears Wishbook</i>, <i>Tiny </i>Tears (now manufactured by Ideal Toy Co.) was available in three different sizes: 9, 12 and 17 inches, each with washable hair and washable vinyl bodies. Among other accessories in their layettes, a blowpipe was included with each. The 9-inch version came with a sponge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Rare <i>Baby Tears</i> with caracul wig is seen complete with layette.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Baby Tears </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">with molded hair has complete layette and carrying case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The rarest of them all, <i>Baby Tears</i>, manufactured for one year only in 1956, was American Character’s black version of <i>Tiny Tears</i>. The doll was available with molded hair or with caracul wig. According to RubyLane.com seller, Kate Eaton of Dollyology Vintage Dolls & Antiques/Collectibles, the American Character sales catalog description for <i>Baby Tears</i> read: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">“A colored baby doll who cries real wet tears, drinks her bottle, wets her diaper. Her skin is velvet-soft and her head is plastic—fully jointed body. After she is bathed and you wash her tousle hair; you can change her clothes. Her layette, packaged in a trunk, consists of a cotton dress, panties, bonnet, shoes and socks, bathrobe and full set of accessories: bottle and nipple, Kleenex, diaper, pins, sponge, soap, bubble pipe, pacifier and instruction booklet. Baby Tears is wearing an embossed cotton romper."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Ideal’s <i>Baby Coos</i>, on the market for several years in several sizes, could be bathed, powdered, and dressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Bébé</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> was taken back to the year 1950 to learn about, </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Baby Coos</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> by Ideal. This doll, available in 14-, 18-, 22, and 30-inch sizes, made sounds like a real baby. With molded hair and sleep eyes, these dolls could also be bathed, powdered, and dressed. A new version with mohair wig came with a complete layette with three powder puffs, soap, and carrying case for 1950. Little ones could also give </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Baby Coos</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> a bath then powder and dress. The 30-inch doll is shown as a boy in 1950. The 14-inch doll was also available in the 1952 catalog in addition to the 30-inch, life-size version. In 1953, bathing was the biggest feature of 14-inch </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Magic Skin Baby Coos</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">, with a head </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">made of plastic and body of magic rubber. Her bathing accessories included a miniature </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">bar of Pearl soap and a washcloth. Among the many other accessories and clothes, in 1955, a molded hair </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Baby Coos</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> came with a layette that included a bar of Lifebuoy soap for sponge bathing. </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Baby Coos</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> was also available in 1959 in the Sears catalog.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1954<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">A 14-inch special purchase layette baby that cooed (and looks very similar to <i>Baby Coos</i> with mohair wig offered in the <i>1950 Sears Wishbook </i>seen on the lower right in the above image), had Saran wig and came with Johnson’s baby soap for bathing. Magic skin body allowed little ones to sponge the baby clean. Other accessories included sheer cotton dress, bonnet, slip, diaper, shoes and socks, print cotton nightie, washcloth, three powder puffs, two safety pins, and six wooden clothespins, all for only $7.95 by catalog order from the <i>Sears Wishbook</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Tod-L-Tot</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> and <i>So-Wee</i> by Sun Rubber “loved” bathing and being splashed in water.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Other dolls by the Sun Rubber Company that “loved to bathe and splash in water” were available in black and white versions. Standing 10 inches with a one-piece</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> body and jointed head, the squeezable </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Tod-L-Tot</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> was not bothered by submersion in a warm bath. </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">So-Wee</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> loved bathing, too. Also 10 inches with bent baby legs, designed by Ruth Newton for Sun Rubber, </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">So-Wee</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> was perfect as a bath companion or for the littlest mamas to bathe her squeaky clean. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1956<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Babee-Bee</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> with layette (1956) and carrying case was a <i>Dy-Dee</i> lookalike.</span></td></tr>
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Babee-Bee</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> with layette and carrying case, dressed in a cotton kimono, had molded hair. A </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Dy-Dee</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> lookalike, she came with steel weighing scales, soap, plastic nursing bottle, teething ring, bubble pipe, Q-tips, Kleenex, and a carrying case in assorted colors. An extra dress and knit bootees were also included with </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Babee-Bee</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1958</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Drink-wet bathing babies were advertised in the <i>1958 Sears Wishbook</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Drink and wet babies were featured in the <i>1958 Sears Wishbook</i>. Some were promoted as bathing babies and included soap and other accessories for bathing. “A contented baby in her playpen” described as 13-1/2 inches and all vinyl had her own washtub in addition to layette and other accessories. “A 13-inch soft vinyl baby with her own scale, layette, and ‘hat box’ carrying case” could drink, wet, coo, and blow bubbles. Dressed in flannel kimono and panties, the 13-inch doll’s layette included a “dress, bootees, soap, bottle, teether, bubble pipe, Q-tips, Kleenex and baby scale.” She also had a “colorful carrying case of fiberboard with plastic handle.” The catalog description read: “Here is an outfit that will give a little ‘mother’ hours of enjoyment… has everything a baby needs.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Budget-priced drink and wet babies suitable for bathing advertised on the same page as the above dolls in 1958 included a 10-1/2-inch baby with rooted hair dressed in a kimono and a 10-inch black baby (described as “colored”) with molded hair, dressed in a diaper. The rooted hair doll came with more accessories, which included a wood-framed bathinette, Ivory soap, towel, baby powder, glass baby bottle, and extra diaper shirt. The black baby’s accessories included a diaper, bottle, bib, bottle brush, spoon, funnel, teething ring, and bubble blower. Not shown in the catalog, a white version identical to the black baby could also be ordered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">During the 1950s-1960s squeeze Toys by Edward Mobley served as dolls or bathing toys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Squeeze toys by the Edward Mobley Company, manufactured by Arrow Rubber and Plastics Corp., available in light and dark complexions, could serve as dolls and bathing toys. These were popular during the 1950s and well into the 1960s. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In 1958, a 16-piece bath set cost $1.95 when ordered through the <i>Sears Wishbook</i>. It included a “pretty drink and wet doll with sleeping eyes” with “polyethylene bath set.” Accessories were a bassinet, baby bath, and diaper pail with cover, cotton flannel doll blanket, and plastic vanity tray with carrying handle to hold hair comb, rattle, a bar of soap, and six clothespins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1959</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A variety of bathing babies, including <i>Baby Coos</i> and <i>Betsy Wetsy</i> were featured in the <i>1959 Sears Wishbook</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Sears reoffered the 13-1/2-inch “contented baby with playpen” along with Ideal’s <i>Baby </i>Coos, <i>Betsy Wetsy</i>, the budget-priced baby from the year prior, and a different, larger 12-1/2-inch black baby that included more accessories in 1959. A bottle, sponge toy, extra diaper, towel, Colgate soap, and three powder puffs were included with the black doll. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">1961</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Drink-Wet baby (1961) with layette (available in black or white) included terry towel, sponge, and soap for bathing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Available in white or black (described as “colored” in 1961), a 16-inch drink-wet baby sold for $3.88 through the <i>Sears Wishbook</i>. “Cuddly, baby-faced doll, [made of] vinyl with jointed arms and legs, sleeping eyes” had sprayed hair. Dressed in a cotton fleece robe with hood, diaper, knit bootees, it came with an extra cotton print dress with matching diaper. The layette included a blanket, terry towel, sponge, soap, three powder puffs, and plastic nursing bottle. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Bathing accessories of soap, fish-shaped sponges, and washcloths completed this 1961 unnamed baby’s layette.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">In 1961, also through the <i>Sears Wishbook</i>, a several-piece layette was included with an 8-inch unnamed drink-wet vinyl baby, available as a white doll only. Lots of bathing fun was to be had with this one with its bathing accessories of soap, fish-shaped sponges, and washcloths. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Continued <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2019/04/bebe-bains-discoveries-part-4-of-4.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-2257567422338539832018-10-29T00:00:00.000-05:002018-11-14T13:40:29.848-06:00Dr. Lisa's Fresh Dolls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Lisa is shown with her Positively Perfect and Fresh Dolls.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A line of multicultural fashion dolls was released in August 2017. Made for the play market, the dolls appeal to adult doll collectors as well. The appeal is attributed to the dolls’ “fresh” look: authentically-beautiful ethnic features, hairstyles from curly to straight, articulated and fuller-figured bodies, customized skin tones, more ethnically centered fashions, extra clothing, accessory packs, and competitive pricing. They are the Fresh Dolls!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Several months ago, <b>Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black </b></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">was privileged with an exclusive interview of Dr. Lisa Williams, the creator of Fresh Dolls. Dr. Lisa is also<span style="color: #181717;"> CEO and Founder of World of EPI</span>. We discussed her inspiration for the dolls, their attributes, Dr. Lisa’s message to parents and collectors, where to purchase Fresh Dolls, and Dr. Lisa's upcoming November 2018 speaking engagement. Originally interviewed for <i>Black Dolls Matter Magazine</i>, this never-published interview includes additional exciting information that was not available at the time of our original discussion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Who is Dr. Lisa?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In short, Dr. Lisa is a phenomenal woman! To be more specific and to quote her biography, “Dr. Lisa <span class="s1">is internationally recognized as an academic trailblazer, founder of a multi-million dollar company, an award-winning speaker and author. Through hard work and perseverance, Dr. Lisa attained unprecedented success by becoming the first female professor to receive a multi-million dollar endowed chair, the first African American professor to earn tenure at Penn State University, and the first African American to receive a doctorate in Logistics from The Ohio State University.</span></span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">At the height of her career, Dr. Lisa did the unthinkable when she left the academic life to blaze a new trail as an entrepreneur.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In 2003, she founded the World of Entertainment, Publishing and Inspiration (World of EPI), LLC. EPI is the classic Cinderella story. Dr. Lisa grew the company from negative revenues into a multi-million dollar powerhouse.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">EPI is now a leading multi-cultural toy manufacturing and design firm with a global supply chain that crisscrosses the world from the US to China and other worldwide destinations.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">EPI is an industry innovator having created both the Positively Perfect and Fresh Dolls Collections.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The doll collections represent African American, Latina, Middle Eastern, and Caucasian.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They are sold in Walmart, Target, [formerly at] Toys R Us, Meijer, Kohl's, Walgreens and international markets such as the United Kingdom, Dubai, Australia, France, South America, Canada, etc.”</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The Fresh Inspiration<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Lisa’s inspiration to create Fresh Dolls was multipronged. As a college professor, she recognized young women in her classroom had self-esteem issues. These women withdrew from classroom participation and would not answer questions or otherwise speak in class. These same women, however, would visit Dr. Lisa’s office after hours and know the answers to classroom questions. When asked about their lack of classroom participation, their responses were, “There are so many people,” or “I don’t want to talk in class.” It was then that Dr. Lisa realized these young women had low self-esteem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Later on, Dr. Lisa wrote a spiritually-based leadership book entitled<i>, Leading Beyond Excellence. </i>That book went into Walmart and a line of uplifting children’s books followed. In these books, every child is represented by African American, Caucasian, Latino, and Asian characters. Most importantly, Dr. Lisa’s children’s books illustrate a realistic view of family and society with mothers, fathers, and grandparents woven into the stories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">With a well-established business relationship with Walmart and books that sold well there, the multinational retailing corporation asked Dr. Lisa to create a line of dolls representing the characters from the books. Dr. Lisa answered, “No,” to Walmart’s request for a doll line not once, not twice, but three times! After the third time, she recalled, “I was sitting on my sofa watching an episode of Anderson Cooper. He had Soledad O’Brien on the show. They were doing an updated doll study. Of course, the original doll study [conducted during the 1940s by psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark] was sad when it said that these African American children did not identify with the African American doll. They thought they were unattractive. [In 2010,] they replicated this study and I’m watching the show and thought, <i>it’s going to be different</i>. <i>We have an African American president, a beautiful First Lady</i>, <i>and their gorgeous children. There are celebrities on the covers of magazines; obviously, this is going to be different.</i> Sadly, it wasn’t. It really affects me because there was one beautiful dark skinned child – a beautiful chocolate child – and they asked her why she didn’t choose the African American doll, and she said because her skin is nasty like mine and she literally touched her own hand. That breaks my heart. You have a little girl who thinks she’s not attractive at 6 or 8. What happens to her when she grows into a teenager or young adult? What may be the opportunities she is limiting herself because she doesn’t know the truth about her beauty and intelligence? So that was my inspiration. A little girl I have never met. Not only was she my inspiration that day, but every day. Every day I get up to do this line of dolls, I remember her in my mind and in my heart because I want to do a doll line that is worthy of her. She is the driving force.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Lisa reiterated, “So the inspiration for this line is a little girl who is beautiful with deep chocolate skin, a little girl who does not have positive images in dolls and is not clear about her beauty. She is not clear about her intelligence. I am hoping that these dolls, that every doll we do actually, is one piece of the parenting toolkit. Obviously, dolls are not going to solve all the problems, but they are going to play with these dolls. They are going to see their beauty reflected back in this line, and they’re going to say, ‘Oh, I’m beautiful. I’m smart. I’m intelligent.’” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As Dr. Lisa’s reflection on the little girl in CNN’s updated doll study continued, she thought about the young women in her classroom who had not yet found their voices and recalled her personal experience growing up as a girl not recognizing her own intelligence and beauty. She emphasized, “I create a line of dolls with an amazing team so we can start to correct that false thinking that black is not beautiful, that brown is not beautiful, that curly hair is not gorgeous; we want to stop that erroneous way of thinking and actually show them the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp1plKgfoSw/W9SWuvYec6I/AAAAAAAAYAU/eurqyf0rGWE2YV87As_pPNmqOzuaYKAsACLcBGAs/s1600/TheFreshDollsLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="397" height="232" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp1plKgfoSw/W9SWuvYec6I/AAAAAAAAYAU/eurqyf0rGWE2YV87As_pPNmqOzuaYKAsACLcBGAs/s320/TheFreshDollsLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span> <b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">About Fresh Dolls</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Fresh Dolls are 12-inch vinyl fashion dolls with rooted hair and poseable bodies with articulation that extends to the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Geared toward children ages 4 and up, they have more realistic body proportions than traditional fashion dolls to include thicker waists, wider hips, and rounder bottoms. As Dr. Lisa further described, “They are definitely not your mother’s fashion dolls. Their facial features are beautifully authentic. They have fuller lips, higher cheekbones, brown eyes, and beautiful noses. They are very much representative of girls of color. Not only are their bodies and facial features more representative, but the skin tones are, too. We focused a lot of detail on getting the skin tones perfect. The skin tones are custom blended and unique. The hairstyles are different. We have a doll with braids, a doll with an Afro, a doll with Afro puffs.” During her description of the dolls, Dr. Lisa continued, “They give girls an opportunity to play and dream. I want play to be an inspirational part of a child’s life so that they start to think about what they want to be. I was a college professor. When I was playing with dolls, I was playing dolls dreaming to be a teacher, so it did influence me. That’s why we have the dolls with more articulation.” Fresh Dolls can be posed as girls play and dream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Lisa and her team have worked tirelessly for many years to perfect Fresh Dolls which, “didn’t just come around in six months,” she said. “We started on this line about four years ago. That’s how long it has taken to perfect it because we were doing something totally new. We didn’t have a basis to use. We started from scratch. There is no doll that has a body like our doll, with skin tones like our doll, or hairstyles, features, even the packaging, even the name. We wanted the dolls to represent a fresh approach to dolls, a fresh approach to respect and love of multicultural.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Fresh Dolls started out with an African American doll and what the company refers to as blended or multicultural dolls. They range from a doll with a rich brown complexion to variations of medium and light complexions. The original dolls (Wave 1) include <i>Mia</i>, <i>Tamra</i>, and <i>Lynette</i>, which sold as single-pack dolls. <i>Indigo</i>, <i>Gabrielle</i>, and <i>Jacqueline</i> sold as deluxe sets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wave 1 from L-R: Deluxe dolls Jacqueline, Gabrielle, and Indigo pose beautifully with single-pack dolls Lynette, Mia, and Tamra.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><b>About Wave 1</b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Mia</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> describes herself as being “extra” and “a true Diva-nista.” She wears a huge Afro hairstyle. Per her bio, the name “Mimi” suits her much better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Indigo,</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> who prefers her name shortened to “Indi,” has beautiful, long black microbraids. She is into Afropunk dressing, which is mixing African culture with her own alternative styles. She also loves to shop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tamra</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">’<i>s</i> friends call her “Tam.” She loves high fashion and mixing colors and prints. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jacqueline</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> will not answer to anything except “Jax,” so don’t try her. This light-complexioned doll with honey blonde hair enjoys shopping and modifying clothes to make a fashion statement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Lynette</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> or “Lynn” for short has a short stature and a deep brown complexion. With her hair pulled up into one Afro puff, she exudes confidence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Then there is <i>Gabrielle</i> or “Gabby,” who loves all shades of purple with sparkly accents. She talks a lot because, as she asserts, she has something to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Row, L-R: Mia, Aleyna, Aria, Froggy Fresh, and Lynette<br />
Back Row, L-R: Fresh Squad Fellas Malik, Daniel, and Anthony</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><b>Soon-to-be ReleasedWave 2</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Aria and Aleyna join Mia and Lynette in Wave 2, which also includes the Deluxe Fresh Squad Fellas Malik, Daniel, and Anthony. Named for guys in Dr. Lisa’s family, the fellas have extra points of articulation and real rooted hair, something that is not often found in playscale male dolls. Dr. Lisa has also partnered with vlogger, My Froggy Stuff, to create a special edition Froggy Fresh portrait doll of the woman who shares her do-it-yourself creative genius with the doll-collecting community. In addition to the aforementioned ethnically correct attributes and poseability, the Fresh Dolls’ unique personalities and the addition of the fellas places this line of dolls in a class of their own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Because Dr. Lisa wants parents of every child who wants a doll to be able to afford it, Fresh Dolls are competitively priced. Their basic doll, also fully articulated, comes with beautiful clothes and is priced at $16. The deluxe doll retails for $28, is also fully articulated, beautifully dressed and has an extra outfit with accessories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Not Just Dolls<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The Fresh Dolls line includes separately-sold fashions described as “elegance with an edge.” The fashions are very respectable clothes with an ethnic flavor, “some will have an ethnic print skirt or have ethnic leggings. They are traditional clothes that have a little something that sets the fashions apart. Because the bodies are more representative, our clothes will not fit the traditional fashion doll bodies; therefore, we had to create a fashion doll clothing line,” Dr. Lisa added. The Fresh Packs retail for $8 each.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Being a teacher/professor in her former life, Dr. Lisa loves books and would like to include books about the dolls in the future. She would also love to include items such as comforters, towel sets, and pajamas for little girls. She explained, “I want a little girl to be able to wake up in her own personal sanctuary where when she gets up, she sees her pajamas and slippers. She looks at her comforter. She looks over at her doll collection. She goes to take her shower and there is her shower curtain, her little toothbrush, her towels; she is surrounded in a peaceful, loving cocoon where she is seeing beautiful, positive images reflected at her. That is our dream. That is what drives us every day, every moment of the day: <i>How do we create dolls and things that are honoring and loving of our little girls? </i> We get up every morning doing this for the little girls. We have gone through multiple iterations and changes to perfect the dolls to honor and show girls their true beauty. The gratitude that I look forward to is seeing little girls’ faces light up when they see the dolls.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Dr. Lisa’s Message to Parents and Collectors<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“To parents, we want you to know we hear you and we are doing everything in our power to give you more tools in your toolkit to be amazing parents. I think that our children are incredibly special. They’re beautiful, they’re bright, and we are trying to provide toys and dolls that reflect that back to them. Just like the parents that are telling them ‘you’re beautiful; you’re smart,’ and I know parents do that, they can now say, ‘You’re beautiful. You’re smart, and see this little doll, Fresh, she reflects you. She has your cheeks. She has your lips. She has your hair. See how pretty the doll is? That’s how pretty you are.’ That’s what we’re trying to do, and as I said, that’s what drives us every morning to go back to creating these dolls. The journey has not been easy, but the driving force has been these little girls and being able to support their parents in raising them. That continues to drive us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“To collectors, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the love and all the support that you give us. My team and I wake up every morning with the joy in our hearts of providing products that will make you and your children proud, happy and joyful. To see that you are responding in kind love and appreciation really makes our day. I am again just overjoyed... We deeply appreciate you and want you to continue to tell us what you like.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Where to Buy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The dearth of dolls of color is a global issue that Dr. Lisa has made steps to correct. Her first line of dolls, Positively Perfect, has gone global because the need is not just here in the US. Although the US is where Dr. Lisa’s heart is, because those are the girls she sees, she realizes multicultural dolls are desired and sought after worldwide. “Positively Perfect may be the first company to take multicultural dolls to the international market,” she reflected, and Fresh Dolls are soon to follow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Parents and collectors can shop either in person or online to buy Fresh Dolls and accessories at Walmart and Target’s physical and online stores. Look for Fresh Dolls also on Amazon.com and at the Fresh Dolls website where some products are sold exclusively. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">If the dolls are not seen on the shelves of local stores, Dr. Lisa urges shoppers to inform store managers of their desire to see them there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">For more information about Fresh Dolls, visit their website: </span><a href="https://www.thefreshdolls.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">https://www.thefreshdolls.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">. Follow their official </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheFreshDolls/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> page, and follow Fresh Dolls on </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_fresh_dolls/?hl=en" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Instagram</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">. The </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1588627634506347/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Fresh Dolls Collectors Club</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> on Facebook is a social media gathering of fans of Fresh Dolls where photos of dolls from collectors around the globe are showcased and discussed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><b>Dr. Lisa's Upcoming Speaking Engagement</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">If you will be in the Oakland, California area on November 10, 2018, Dr. Lisa will be the guest speaker at American Black Beauty Doll Artists’ Annual Festival of Black Dolls. The festival will take place at the African American Museum & Library at Oakland, 659 14th St., Oakland, CA. Show time is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information about this event, navigate </span><a href="https://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/2018/09/american-black-beauty-doll-artists.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">extends our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Lisa for taking time away from her busy schedule to grant us this in-depth interview. We appreciate her outstanding global market contributions of inclusive, multicultural doll lines for all age groups (to include the adult collector) that reflect beauty back to children during play. Special thanks </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">to Mark Ruffin of </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/blackdollsmatterteaparty/" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">Black Dolls Matter ®Tea Party</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> who made this interview a possibility. </span></div>
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-43674141095040770812018-04-04T14:32:00.001-05:002018-04-04T14:32:59.041-05:00Life Began for Her at 65, I. Roberta Bell Part 1 of 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I. Roberta Bell is shown with 8 of the dolls from her Famous Black Americans series (in later years referred to as African American Heritage Dolls). The dolls shown are from L-R: Harriet Tubman, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, Dr. George Washington Carver, Crispus Attucks, W. C. Handy, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Sojourner Truth. Mrs. Bell holds Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable in this photo that appeared in the May 1972 issue of <i>Ebony</i> magazine.</td></tr>
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<b>Life Began for Her at 65, I. Roberta Bell, Educator, Doll Maker, Black Historian<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Ida Roberta Bell (1904-1992)</b> was an African American educator and doll artist, well known for using hand sculpted dolls fashioned after famous African American leaders to teach Black history to her elementary students during the 1960s. Prior to using dolls in Chicago classrooms with a goal to hold the students’ interest in learning about historical African Americans, Bell made her first dolls in the early forties using papier mache, oven hardening clay, and cloth. Using McCall’s patterns, she also made and sold many rag dolls during World War II.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of Bell's first African American Heritage doll, Dr. George Washington Carver. Each of I. Roberta Bell's dolls included a biography hang tag. Carver's tag reads,<br />
Dr. George Washington Carver<br />
1864 - 1943<br />
Often known as the "Saviour of Southern Agriculture", he discovered hundreds of different products from the sweet potato, the peanut, and the soybean. Born a slave, the gentle, amiable, and almost self-effacing scientist, won worldwide renown for his discoveries. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bell's portrait doll, Dr. George Washington Carver is shown in full view. <i>Photo courtesy of eBay seller, Your Favorite Doll.</i></td></tr>
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In 1970, I. Roberta Bell became the first African American elected to the National Institute of American Doll Artists as a result of her first African American Heritage doll created in the likeness of scientist Dr. George Washington Carver. “My High school principal had graduated from Tuskegee Institute and he was a friend of Dr. Carver's. He brought him to our high school twice—back in the twenties. I had a chance to shake his hand, and that’s why I started with him.” [1] The Carver doll, in her words “helped Black history come alive for the class… It was then I decided to make dolls with a serious purpose.” [2] “I want every Black American to be aware of his heritage and be proud of it. I want every White American to know it.” [3]<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cloth label, sewn to the leg, contains the doll's name and the artist's name: Dr. George Washington Carver, by "Bertabel," (I. Roberta Bell). <i>Photo courtesy of B. W. Flowers.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white;">Most of Mrs. Bell's dolls contain a cloth label sewn to the leg that contains the name of the doll, her name, and "Bertabel." Some, if not all, will be marked with her name incised on the back of the breastplate. Each originally had a hang tag that most often included a brief biography.</span></div>
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The daughter of a teacher and an artist-sculptor, Bell was born in Nashville, Tennessee and moved with her family to Kansas City where she received her formal education. During childhood, she was surrounded by art and Black history. She began earnestly collecting dolls during the 1940s and eventually had a doll room devoted to her collection which was called Bertabel’s Doll Museum. Having acquired a large collection of both Black and white dolls before becoming a full-time doll artist, Bell’s love for dolls was lifelong. She was also a member of the United Federation of Doll Clubs. </div>
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Bell’s mother was Katie Frierson Bell, a graduate of Peabody Teacher’s College who worked as a substitute teacher. Her father, Robert Eugene Bell, was a strong influence on her artistic endeavors. In a September 1971 <i>Chicago Daily News </i>article, the artist stated, “When I was a little girl growing up in Kansas City, most Black children only had white dolls to play with, but my father who was an artist and sculptor, thought I should have dolls I could identify with. He removed the heads of my pink-cheeked dolls and replaced them with brown bisque heads and hands he fired in his own kiln.” [4]<o:p></o:p></div>
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A graduate of the University of Kansas, Bell became an educator, teaching third and fourth-grade students. She retired from Chicago public schools in 1969. After receiving a master’s degree from Northwestern University in Vocational Guidance, she worked as a counselor with the Chicago Department of Welfare before returning to teaching. [5] After ending her teaching career, she became an administrative director of branches of the YWCA in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Omaha, Nebraska.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Bell is shown in a classroom of students eager to answer questions about the Harriet Tubman doll she holds. This photo was scanned from the May1972 issue of <i>Ebony</i> magazine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look at Bell's Harriet Tubman, the doll she holds in the above classroom-setting photograph, illustrates the doll's well-defined facial features. <i>Photo courtesy of B. W. Flowers.</i></td></tr>
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Post-retirement, Bell became a full-time doll maker depicting African Americans who “played an important role in the growth, culture and history of America.” [6] These dolls were part of Bell’s series, Famous Black Americans and sold initially for an average cost of $60. As the popularity of her doll art grew, Bell also became a lecturer on Black history using her dolls in schools, libraries, YWCAs, and girls’ clubs. Additionally, she and her dolls made local television appearances. She was featured in the May 1972 issue of <i>Ebony</i> magazine. That exposure led to many more requests for exhibits and lectures.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The process of sculpting, creating a mold<br />
firing the mold, then painting, adding hair<br />
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Keeping the tradition of doll making alive that her father inspired, Bell “took intensive workshop classes in the art of handling clay, feature painting and mold making.” [7] Independent study and experimentation were also used to develop Bell’s doll making expertise. Porcelain became her preferred medium and she began modeling original dolls from plaster of Paris. Once the molds cured, a process which took several weeks, she used porcelain clay slip to make her dolls. “It is the only clay I have found which fires a beautiful brown color.” [8] The <i>Ebony</i> magazine article illustrates and describes the process Bell used to make her dolls (see a scan of several photos from the article on the left). </div>
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In an interview with Mrs. Bell by Gilbert A. Williams, Ph.D., published in the March-April 1981 issue of <i>Black Heritage</i>, Bell indicates her husband, Solon C. Bell, often assisted her in doll making and accompanied her on her many lectures. [9]<br />
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Continue reading <span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2018/04/life-began-for-her-at-65-i-roberta-bell_4.html" target="_blank">here</a></span>.</div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left;">Gilbert A. Williams, Ph.D., “Making Black Dolls Come to Life: An Interview with Mrs. I. Roberta Bell,” <i>Black Heritage</i> Vol. 20, No. 4, March-April 1981, page 75.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left;">Anne Gilbert, “Doll Collector Now Making Own,” <i>Chicago Daily News</i>, September 4, 1971.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left;">Frank B. Jones, “Doll Emissaries of Black History a Study of an Artist and Her Dolls,” college paper submitted April 6, 1976.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left;">Anne Gilbert article.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left;">Public Library of Springfield Illinois, <i>Lincoln Library Bulletin</i>, February 1974, “Famous Black Lives.”<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left;">Ibid</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left;">Ibid</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left;">Anne Gilbert article. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left;">Gilbert A. Williams, Ph.D., interview with Mrs. I. Roberta Bell.</li>
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-27074537014231547022018-04-04T14:31:00.001-05:002018-04-04T14:39:13.426-05:00Life Began for Her at 65, I. Roberta Bell Part 2 of 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Bertabel African American Heritage Dolls series are L-R, Harriet Tubman, Rev. Richard Allen, Sojourner Truth, Dr. George Washington Carver, and Frederick Douglass. (This image is a scan from a Philadelphia Doll Museum postcard.)</td></tr>
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<i>Continued from<span style="background-color: white;"> <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2018/04/life-began-for-her-at-65-i-roberta-bell_56.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a></span></i></div>
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A total of 26 dolls are included in Bell’s Famous Black Americans series (in later years referred to as African American Heritage Dolls). In addition to the Dr. George Washington Carver doll, the Heritage dolls are fashioned in the likeness of such greats as Rev. Richard Allen, founder of the first national Black church in the United States, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1816. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">L-R: Mary McLeod Bethune doll is shown in full view with another image of her bio hang tag and clenched hand. (<i>Clench-hand photo courtesy of Your Favorite Doll.</i>)</span><br />
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Bell's second doll is a portrait of educator, Mary McLeod Bethune, whom Bell also had an opportunity to meet. As Bell expressed when interviewed by Gilbert A. Williams, Ph.D. for <i>Black Heritage</i> (1981), “If you read some of her biographies, you’ll find that she took a tour of Europe in the company of some doctors and their wives. Well, my aunt and uncle were in that group. My uncle was a doctor and knew Mrs. Bethune. She visited them. One time Mrs. Bethune even stayed next door to me. My mother had a friend, a beautician, who was rooming with us. That night, Mrs. Bethune rang our doorbell. She always talked with her hands clenched, that’s why I made her hands clenched on the doll. She said, ‘I understand you have a beautician in the house. Then I’d like my hair touched up.’ And I often say that she had her hair done in my home.” </div>
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Harold Washington, the first Black mayor of Chicago, is the last doll in Bell’s African American Heritage series. </div>
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Most Heritage dolls stand 18 inches tall and are marked “Bertabel.” While the heads and hands are porcelain, they have sawdust-filled bodies. Extensive research was involved before making each doll and its period-appropriate clothing. According to Bell, “Unless I have read enough to know a person and believe in that person, I cannot make a doll.” [10]<br />
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The first six pages of "Doll Emissaries of Black History, a Study of an Artist and Her Dolls," by Frank B. Jones, April 6, 1976, are part of the Ida Roberta Bell Papers at the Chicago History Museum. Jones' paper was submitted to Professor Warren E. Roberts, who taught at Indiana University Bloomington from 1949 to 1994. Professor Roberts was one of the founders of the American study of folklife and material culture.<br />
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In his paper, Jones describes meeting Bell through his mother who had become friends with the artist after they met at a dentist’s office. Jones writes, “My mother’s enthusiasm about Mrs. Bell [was] passed on to me in these words: ‘I met a talker just like me. We had the best time. She was so interesting. She makes Black history dolls. I want you to meet her.’ Though a spark of my mother’s excitement caught on to me, I was rather conservative in terms of what I was expecting. I anticipated seeing a few dolls and having a fairly pleasant, albeit brief, talk with my mother’s new friend. My mother, brother, and best friend went with me to visit Mrs. Bell. Though I was curious about Mrs. Bell and her work, I was in a hurry, having made other plans for places to go and things to do. Thanks to Mrs. Bell my plans were changed and happily so.”</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Bell is shown in this undated image that arrived with a doll purchased<br />
by the author of this post.</td></tr>
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So intrigued and fascinated by her work and the woman, Jones made several return visits to Bell’s home to interview her for his paper which focused on: 1) the artist as craftsman, educator, and collector; 2) the formation of the artist—training and influences; 3) the materials and techniques of Mrs. Bell’s dollmaking; and 4) the motivation, function and application of the work. Jones described Bell as “a warm, vibrant woman, excited about her work, deservedly so, [who passed] this excitement on to anyone around her… a woman of great patience.” [11] </div>
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It is unfortunate that the entire results of Jones’ study of Mrs. Bell and her work are not included in the museum’s documentation of her work. From the portion that is available, it is certain that Mrs. Bell was passionate about her work and willing to share and discuss her love for doll making with anyone who would listen. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also from the Bertabel African American Heritage doll series is Ashanti Queen Mother.</td></tr>
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<b>Where the Dolls Are<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Complete sets of 26 Heritage series dolls were donated to museums throughout the United States. At the time research was done for this article, the Philadelphia Doll Museum owned one set of 26 dolls and the University of Arkansas Museum owned another. According to Gloria Young, anthropology instructor, University of Arkansas self-paced online courses, and curator of their 2012 exhibit of Bertabel’s dolls, their Heritage set was<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span>“acquired as a gift from the Geuther Doll Museum in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in 1986 when that museum closed. Although we have 26 dolls, we may not have exactly the same collection as other museums and/or people have. These dolls were probably obtained by the Geuthers before Roberta Bell made the doll of Harold Washington… so we don't have that one. Instead, the 26th doll is the Ashanti Queen Mother.”</div>
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Continue reading <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2018/04/life-began-for-her-at-65-i-roberta-bell.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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10. Jones paper.<br />
11. Jones paper.<br />
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-2059930093618720782018-04-04T14:30:00.000-05:002018-04-04T14:40:13.130-05:00Life Began for Her at 65, I. Roberta Bell Part 3 of 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bell's African American Heritage doll series includes L-R, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and W. C. Handy. <i>Photo courtesy of B. W. Flowers</i></td></tr>
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<b><br /></b> <b>Life Began for Her at 65, I. Roberta Bell, Educator, Doll Maker, Black Historian</b></div>
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<i>Continued from <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2018/04/life-began-for-her-at-65-i-roberta-bell_4.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a></span></i><br />
<i><br /></i> In 1982, Mrs. Grace Meier of Paris, Illinois, donated her set of 26 Heritage dolls to her alma mater, Eastern Illinois University. [12] The dolls remain a sub-collection of the Tarble Arts Center Folk Arts Collections.<br />
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Some of the Heritage dolls are also in the hands of fortunate doll enthusiasts and today can be purchased only on the secondary market from those willing to part with them.<br />
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A catalog of Bell's dolls made from 1969 through 1974 appears in <i>The American Doll Artist Volume II</i> by Helen Bullard on pages 181-182. [13] Each doll has a parenthetical number which possibly indicates that doll's edition size.<br />
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<b>Catalog of Bell's Dolls, 1969-1974:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>1969</b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
George Washington Carver. (78) In lab apron. Eminent scientist known as the “Savior of<br />
Southern Agriculture” and the “Peanut Wizard.”</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Mary McLeod Bethune. (82) Famous educator, humanitarian, and advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Harriet Tubman. (60) Known as “The Moses of her People,” she led over three-hundred slaves to freedom during nineteen journeys to the South.</blockquote>
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Sojourner Truth. (58) Abolitionist-suffragette. Born in slavery and when freed, felt it her duty to “sojourn up and down the land and tell the truth about the evils of slavery.” Changed her name from Isabella Baumfree to “Sojourner Truth.”</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Paul Laurence Dunbar. (25) Known as “The Poet of the People,” he wrote both in conventional English and in the various Negro dialects.</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>1971</b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Jean Baptiste Point [du] Sable. (14) First citizen of Chicago, Illinois. A wealthy trapper and fur trader, he married a Potawatomi Indian.<br />
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W. C. Handy. (20) “The Father of the Blues.” Famous for “St. Louis Blues,” “Memphis Blues,” and “Beale Street Blues.” Wrote many oratorios and serious music as well.<br />
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Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. (15) The first open heart surgeon. The Chicago Tribune in 1893 carried this headline about him, “SEWED UP HIS HEART.” Founder of Provident Hospital and Nurses’ School. </blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>1972</b></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Frederick Douglass. (12) Abolitionist-orator, newspaper editor, United States Recorder of Deeds, and Minister to Haiti for the United States.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Anna Murray Douglass. (10) Wife of Frederick Douglass, she aided him financially and with moral support, in his escape from slavery.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Solon C. Bell. (12) Labor leader. Founder of the first union among dining car employees on the Union Pacific Railroad in the 1930s.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Asanti Queen Mother. (8) Representing queen from Ashanti (Ghana), a section of Africa from which most of the African slaves came. She could easily have been the ancestor of any contemporary Black American. Costumed with much gold jewelry and gold trim.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Matthew Henson. (10) Accompanied Admiral Peary in expeditions designed to discover the North Pole. When the pole was reached, on April 6, 1908, Peary handed the United States flag to Henson, who placed it at the pole. They were the first to reach the North Pole.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Amos Fortune. (9) Born a prince in Africa, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in America. According to the epitaph on his tombstone in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, “purchased liberty, professed Christianity, lived reputably, and died hopefully, Nov. 17, 1801, at the age of ninety-one.”</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>1973</b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
George Glenn. (12) Black cowboy who rode the Chisholm Trail from Abilene, Kansas, to San Antonio, Texas.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
James Beckwourth. One of the famous “mountain men.” Explorer, guide, and teller of all tales. He is credited with putting Reno, Nevada, on the map by discovering the lowest point across the Sierra Nevada mountains. It became a favorite route settlers used to get to the Northwest. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Oliver Lewis. (8) A black jockey who rode Aristides to win the first Kentucky Derby in 1875. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dr. W.E.B. DuBois. (5) One of the greatest scholars of all time; he received a Ph.D. from <br />
Harvard University, studied at the University of Berlin, became one of the founders of the NAACP, and has been listed in Who’s Who In America since its first publication.<br />
<br />
<b>1974</b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Prince Hall. (5) A black pioneer abolitionist in Massachusetts, a minister in the Methodist church, he organized the first black Masons, and was a member of the Continental Army. He influenced the Massachusetts State Legislature to provide free school facilities to all.<br />
<br />
Benjamin Banneker. (5) Mathematical wizard and inventor. He published an almanac in 1791, made the first clock wholly made in America, and helped to survey and layout the streets of Washington, D.C. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Elizabeth Keckley. (10) Dressmaker, friend, and confidante to Mary Todd Lincoln. </blockquote>
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<b><br /></b> <b>Other Bertalbel's Dolls</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQifecvnYuw/Wrk9uEAaPeI/AAAAAAAAUjs/V23LJ3itcSASl4owF_6KlLnJrkY2z3IsQCLcBGAs/s1600/P1010986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="845" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQifecvnYuw/Wrk9uEAaPeI/AAAAAAAAUjs/V23LJ3itcSASl4owF_6KlLnJrkY2z3IsQCLcBGAs/s320/P1010986.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom Du Jos was inspired by the main character in the book of the same name by Erick Berry.</td></tr>
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In addition to the Heritage series, one-of-a-kind dolls have been attributed to Mrs. Bell. It is unknown how many one-of-a-kind dolls she made; however, one is known that was fashioned after the character in the book, <i>Mom Du Jos the Story of a Little Black Doll </i>by Erick Berry (Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., 1931.) Using the description provided by the author of this title, I. Roberta Bell, sculpted the doll’s head and hands which were fired in a dark brown porcelain and attached to a sawdust-filled brown cloth body.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This close-up image illustrates the facial scarification.</td></tr>
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Mom Du Jos represents a member of the Haussa tribe of Northern Nigeria and bears the traditional cheek scarification of the Haussas. The doll’s handwritten hang tag indicates it is an exclusive original doll with its original fez made by Bell on October 3, 1980. Missing its fez, the doll now wears a white turban. The clothing was made by Falcon Garth. Read more about Mom Du Jos and see additional images <a href="http://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/2015/01/mom-du-jos-story-of-little-black-doll.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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An elderly Pedlar doll quite possibly is a one-of-a-kind Bertabel doll. This doll stands 15 inches with porcelain head, lower arms/hands; light brown cloth body, hands, and feet. She carries a basketful of wares which contains a toy truck, white Victorian-style porcelain doll, plastic hammer, and utensils. A sleeping man wearing a sombrero, plastic car, false teeth, pan and skillet, and three pairs of plastic scissors hang from the sides of the basket. The hang tag indicates the artist made this doll in April 1986 at age 82.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copy of an envelop that held a Dr. George Washington Carver paper doll by "Bertabel's Dolls," ©1971</td></tr>
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In addition to three-dimensional dolls, at least one known paper doll of Bell’s Dr. George Washington Carver doll exists. With a copyright of 1971, the front of the trifold paper doll sheet reads, “This paper doll is made from a photograph of the portrait doll of Dr. George Washington Carver, created by I. Roberta Bell, artist, member of the National Institute of American Doll Artists.”<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Washington Carver paper doll by Bertabel Dolls is printed on trifold paper.</td></tr>
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The paper doll text includes a brief biography of Dr. Carver and a note to the child that reads, “As you play with this paper doll, try to discover as much as you can about this great, famous black American. Your teacher and school librarian can help you. Above the copyright is a note to “watch for other paper dolls of Famous Black Americans by I. Roberta Bell, doll artist. [14] The Carver paper doll is a copy of an original that Bell sent to a woman in Mokena, Illinois along with a handwritten note dated, December 9, 1972, that reads:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dear Hilda,<br />
Please accept these as a gift from me. I’m sorry not to have answered sooner.<br />
<br />
Love & Merry Xmas!<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Roberta</blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along with the above George Washington Carver paper doll, this handwritten note was mailed by Mrs. Bell to someone named Hilda on December 9, 1972.</td></tr>
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During the 1981 interview with <i>Black Heritage</i>, Bell was asked if she would have liked to have been a doll artist her entire life. She answered, “Yes and no. I don’t regret anything that I have done. I feel that all of these things were stepping stones to what I am now doing. I feel that I am a much better person. I feel that I am able to lecture and relate to young people, because of my teaching and social work experience. God has a plan for everybody, and although I had hoped to and wished all of my life to be an artist, I feel that God was not ready for me to do it. I feel that the time is right now. There is an emphasis on Black history now. For once, I feel that I did the right thing at the right time. Often I say that life began for me at sixty-five.” [15]<br />
<br />
Ida Roberta Bell died in 1992. Her work and memory live on through her dolls and other artwork. She remains ever present in those whose lives she enriched as an educator, in others who knew and loved her, and through the I. Roberta Bell Minority Scholarship offered through Eastern Illinois University to eligible incoming, freshmen. [16]</div>
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12. <a href="http://tarbleartscenter.org/search?query=i.+roberta+bell&query_type=keyword&record_types%5B%5D=Item&record_types%5B%5D=File&record_types%5B%5D=Collection&record_types%5B%5D=Exhibit&record_types%5B%5D=ExhibitPage&record_types%5B%5D=SimplePagesPage&submit_search=Search" target="_blank">I. Roberta Bell Sub-Collection at Tarble Arts Center Eastern Illinois University</a> (Most of the<br />
thumbnail images of Mrs. Bell's dolls at this site can be enlarged.)<br />
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13. Helen Bullard, <i>The American Doll Artist, Volume II</i>, pages 181-183 (Athena Publishing</div>
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Company, 1975).<br />
14. Dr. George Washington Carver paper doll and a handwritten note to recipient courtesy of Ms.</div>
<div>
Bettie Ativie</div>
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15. Gilbert A. Williams, Ph.D., interview with Mrs. I. Roberta Bell.<br />
16. <a href="https://eiu.academicworks.com/opportunities/1939" target="_blank">[https://eiu.academicworks.com/opportunities/1939]</a> I. Roberta Bell Minority Scholarship.</div>
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-34155922827969083712018-03-22T03:30:00.000-05:002018-04-04T14:28:40.144-05:00Creations by Ba'ucham<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In a question and answer session, Ra'chel Ba'ucham, who creates dolls under the brand, Creations by Ba'ucham, shares her artist profile with the readers of <b><i>Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black</i></b>.<br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b> <b><i>How long have you been making dolls and what inspired you to begin making them?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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I have been making dolls for about 3 years in my spare time, while I worked as a full-time nurse. What inspired me was a dream that I had that God had gifted me with the gift of doll making, even though at that time I had never made a doll in my life.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first crocheted boy doll by Creations by Ba'ucham, Roger, is shown with the artist's second crocheted girl, whose name is Ariana.</td></tr>
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<b><i>What is your favorite medium or favorite media, if more than one and why?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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I love working with all mediums, from fabric, clay, seeds, beads, shells and even sticks. I up-cycle some dolls from simple things like empty coffee creamer containers, really any medium that calls out to me to be re-invented.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Do you have your own personal style or trademark that sets your dolls apart from other dolls made from the medium/media that you use?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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Each doll that I craft is unique in that they are truly one of a kind. Each doll is authenticated with a unique marking known only to myself and one other person. Each doll is further supported by copyright documentation registered in the Library of Congress, assuring each doll owner that they are in possession of an authentic doll crafted by me, the artist and designer. Each doll receives a Certificate of Authenticity and there is only one like each doll in the whole world. No patterns are used in the crafting of my dolls, no matter what medium that is used.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cloth doll has a few identifying marks.</td></tr>
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<b><i>Do your dolls direct your path during the creation process in determining their final appearance?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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Yes, and only another doll maker would understand that each doll has a personality all unique to them. They will advise me as to how they want to be presented. They advise me in every step of their creative journey from hairstyle, facial expression, clothing, accessories, and name.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same cloth doll as before shows off her nape-of-neck and lower-back tattoos.</td></tr>
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<b><i>Do you want collectors to gain a sense of realism from your dolls, or are your dolls abstract characters?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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Yes, realism. Each doll is an extension on me, and expresses the multifaceted layers of my own personality, from the little girl to the mature woman that I am, and the whole width and depth of uncharted territory in-between the two facets.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernard's face is needle sculpted and he has dimples.</td></tr>
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<b><i>Describe your latest doll creation and the inspiration.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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My latest creation is a little boy doll. His name is Bernard. He operates in the personality of a two-year-old child and my inspiration was influenced by a dear friend of mine whose name is Bernard. My friend is 61 years old, but at times the little boy in him surfaces and thus his mini-me was crafted.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lovely cloth doll with handpainted facial features represents a Delta Sigma Theta soror.</td></tr>
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<b><i>Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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I am still fresh on this journey but would offer that everyone reach deep within themselves and craft from their soul. There are a lot of doll makers but so are there many hamburger restaurants – each one offers the community a different take on the same medium. So don't be intimidated. There is enough of God, His gifts, and His love to fill everyone's cup in this world, and there would still be overage. Be your true authentic self, and explore your own unique flavor and believe that you are in possession of that unique one-of-a-kind spice that the world needs to experience.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A cute blonde girl with blue eyes wears a pretty white crocheted dress and sky blue leggings with crocheted shoes to match.<br />
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<b><i>What is the average price of your dolls? </i></b></div>
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The prices vary. They mostly range from $80 to $155 depending on the complexity to make them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daeja is a huggable 18-inch freehand crocheted baby.</td></tr>
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<b><i>How can you be reached?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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Creations by Ba'ucham<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ra'chel Ba'ucham Artist/Designer<o:p></o:p></div>
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E-mail: <a href="mailto:unekleyme1010@gmail.com" target="_blank">unekleyme1010@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CreationsbyBaucham/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/CreationsbyBaucham/</a><br />
Etsy: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsByBaucham" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsByBaucham</a><br />
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<b><i>Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black </i></b>extends a heartfelt thanks to Ra'chel for taking the time to share her artist profile and the images of her one-of-a-kind, handcrafted doll designs. Visit the <i><b><a href="http://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/2018/03/coco-creations-by-baucham.html" target="_blank">Black Doll Collecting</a></b> </i>blog to see a detailed review of one of Ra'chel's freehand crocheted dolls. </div>
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-64387445069269354752018-03-06T03:53:00.001-06:002018-03-06T17:02:04.274-06:00Lenon Holder Hoyte - Educator, Philantropist, Doll Museum Founder - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Lenon Holder Hoyte</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">July 4, 1905 – August 1, 1999<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Educator, Philanthropist, Doll Museum Founder and Curator<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.8px;">(Photo scanned from Sotheby's catalog: </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The Collection of Lenon Holder Hoyte.</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.8px;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Born on Independence Day in 1905, Lenon Holder Hoyte, an educator and philanthropist, was founder and curator of Aunt Len’s Doll and Toy Museum. The museum was housed in the three-story Harlem, New York brownstone that she shared with her pharmacist husband, Lewis P. Hoyte. The couple had no children, but Hoyte often referred to her dolls as her babies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Sotheby's 6644 auction catalog of "Aunt Len's" dolls, December 16, 1994, are items 491 and 407. Described as "Martha Chase Black Painted Cloth Doll, <i>American, late 19th century</i>, stockinette face and body," is a 26-inch doll formerly owned by Aunt Len. Item 410, "Martha Chase 'Little Nell' Painted Fabric Doll, <i>American, circa 1930</i>, with blue eyes, applied ears, and brown hair" is a 15-1/2-inch doll from Aunt Len's Doll and Toy Museum.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">As a collector of black dolls, I am always fascinated by others who share my passion. While Aunt Len’s collection was not restricted to black dolls, her museum included several. Throughout my years of collecting, I have heard the name Lenon Hoyte or Aunt Len mentioned by other collectors or by those closely connected to the doll community. These people often inquired whether I 1) knew Hoyte or 2) visited her museum. My answer has always been “no” because I began collecting a few years prior to Aunt Len’s demise and was not aware of her or the museum until after her passing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">For the benefit of others who are not aware of Ms. Hoyte’s contribution to the doll community, I felt compelled to create this compilation of information about her. The information herein was gleaned from various Internet sources, to include two biographies, periodicals, and Ms. Hoyte’s <i>L.A. Times</i> and <i>New York Times</i> obituaries. Doll images were scanned from a Sotheby’s catalog of over 400 dolls from the Aunt Len’s Doll and Toy Museum. The ultimate goal is to document the most pertinent information about Hoyte’s life as a collector to familiarize others with this remarkable woman.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> <b>Personal Information</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Born Lenon Holder on July 4, 1905, in New York City; daughter of Moses Emanuel and Rose Pari (Best) Holder; married Lewis P. Hoyte on September 1, 1938; died on August 1, 1999, in New York City.<br />
<b>Education: </b>New York Teachers Training School, 1930; City College of New York (CCNY), BS, 1937; Teaching Certificate in Special Education, 1940, Columbia University; doctoral equivalent, 1959, CCNY. <br />
<b>Religion: </b>Episcopalian.<br />
<b>Memberships/Affiliations: </b><br />Harlem Hospital, secretary to the lay advisory board; National Doll and Toy Collectors Club; Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, 1st Basileus, 1953; St. [Philips] Episcopal Church, Upper 2 Society; United Federation of Doll Clubs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Early Life, Education, Teaching Career<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> Hoyte was the oldest of five children of Rose Pari (Best) and Moses Emanuel Holder. After attending the New York Teachers Training School, she began teaching in New York City public schools in 1930, where she remained until her retirement in 1970. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from CCNY in 1937. She earned her teaching certificate in special education from Columbia University in 1940.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Lenon Hoyte remained a student as well as an educator for much of her career. She studied art at CCNY, at Columbia University, and with private teachers. In 1959 Hoyte earned her Ph.D. equivalent from CCNY. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Hoyte often used dolls in the classroom as teaching aids (Photo scanned from Sotheby's catalog: <i>The Collection of Lenon Holder Hoyte.</i>)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Between 1940 and 1950 Hoyte taught mentally disabled children. Between 1950 and 1970 she taught art, crafts, puppetry, and doll making. She was a lecturer at the Museum of Natural History and the workshop coordinator for the Workshop Center for Open Education at CCNY. After 41 years in her profession, Hoyte retired from teaching art at Junior High School 149 in the Bronx. Her decision to retire was explained in <i>The New York Times</i> obituary by William H. Honan, who quoted Hoyte as saying, "When they started killing teachers, I got out."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Life's Work<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> <span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">After 40 years as an art and special education teacher in New York City public schools, Lenon Hoyte--commonly known as Aunt Len--founded Aunt Len's Doll and Toy Museum in her Harlem home. It was one of the nation's largest private collections of dolls and related toys and became one of New York City's most popular specialty museums during its years of operation between 1970 and 1994.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Continue reading <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2018/03/part-2-lenon-holder-hoyte-educator.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span> </span>
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-31236791366125053952018-03-06T03:52:00.002-06:002021-04-18T15:32:49.702-05:00Part 2: Lenon Holder Hoyte - Educator, Philantropist, Doll Museum Founder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Len, seated with a large cloth doll. (Photo scanned from Sotheby's catalog: <i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The Collection of Lenon Holder Hoyte.</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">)</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Continued from <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2018/03/lenon-holder-hoyte-educator.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a></b></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Founding the Doll Museum</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">In 1962 Hoyte was asked to organize a doll show as a fundraiser for Harlem Hospital. Following her husband's death, Hoyte's new-found passion occupied her retirement years. She traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean, visiting doll shows and collecting dolls and accessories from flea markets, garage sales, and antique stores. Hoyte referred to all of her dolls as her "babies," from the rarest antiques to well-used dolls with broken arms.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">The year that they married, the Hoytes had bought a three-story brownstone at 6 Hamilton Terrace between Convent and St. Nicholas Avenues in Harlem. In the 1960s they turned over a part of their home to Aunt Len's Doll and Toy Museum. The public spaces consisted of narrow passageways winding through the ground floor and basement of the building. From 1970 until 1994, Lenon Hoyte served as the museum's full-time executive director, president, curator, and tour guide.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Aunt Len's Doll and Toy Museum officially opened in 1974, with irregular hours several times per week. Admission fees never exceeded two dollars for adults and 50 cents for children. At one time the museum held between 5,000 and 6,000 dolls. Eventually, it outgrew its space and Hoyte began to store her most valuable dolls in a rental across the street.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sotheby's auction item 357 (left) is a 21-1/2-inch Simon & Halbig bisque character doll, German, circa 1890. Item 236 (right) is an early Jumeau, 15-1/2-inch pressed bisque doll, French, circa 1885. (Photo scanned from Sotheby's catalog: <i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The Collection of Lenon Holder Hoyte.</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Attracted Collectors from Around the World</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">In general, Hoyte's collection was organized historically. However, sometimes exhibits occupied glass cabinets with particular themes. The dolls ranged in size from one or two inches up to two to three feet. There were fine nineteenth-century French dolls made of bisque, an unglazed ceramic. There were rare, antique porcelain dolls and United States presidents and first ladies. There were numerous versions of Shirley Temple dolls, Barbie dolls, Betsy Wetsy dolls, and Cabbage Patch dolls.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Offered in the 1994 Sotheby's auction, a Leo Moss doll, item 332, described as an 18-inch composition head black doll; and item 331, described as a 19-inch black plaster shoulder head artist doll by Magge Head, 1952.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hoyte's collection included extremely rare black dolls from the nineteenth century. Among them were rag dolls made by slaves from scraps of fabric, muslin, and feed bags. A pair of papier-mâche´ dolls named Lillian and Leo had been made by Leo Moss, a nineteenth-century black handyman from Atlanta. Lillian and Leo had tears running down their cheeks. Legend claimed that after separating from his wife and children, Moss only made sad dolls. According to Hoyte's obituary in the Los Angeles Times, she once told reporters that these black dolls represented "the beginning of our heritage."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sotheby's auction item 84, described as "Rare J. D. Kestner Bisque Interchangeable Head Doll in Original Box, <i>German, circa 1910</i>, heads incised 174, 184, 178 and 185."</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hoyte had dolls from Africa, France, Germany, Russia, and the Philippines. One of her favorites was a baby doll with wide eyes and long eyelashes, carved out of mahogany in 1977 by a California artist named Patty Hale. The museum also included dollhouses, doll clothing and costumes, stuffed animals, and tin toys. Harlem children, as well as collectors from around the world, delighted in Aunt Len's museum.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Len provides details about the dolls to young museum visitors. (Photo scanned from Sotheby's catalog: <i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The Collection of Lenon Holder Hoyte.</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">)</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Doll Designs, Affiliations, Awards<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hoyte continued to design her own original dolls, for which she was awarded numerous blue ribbons. In 1983 her dolls were exhibited at several special art showings. Hoyte wrote a column, "Our Museum," for <i>Doll News</i> and continued to teach doll-making and produce doll shows. Proceeds from her doll shows were donated to St. Philip's Episcopal Church, of which she was a lifelong member.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">In addition to her church and doll clubs, Hoyte was a member of Beta Epsilon and served as secretary and president of the Hamilton Terrace Block Association. She received numerous awards throughout her career, including a 1980 Self Help Neighborhood Award, a service award from the United Federation of Doll Clubs, Inc.; Kappa Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, Outstanding Contributor to Black Culture, 1981; Harlem YWCA, Cecelie Cabiness Saunders Award, 1982; Brooklyn Teachers Humanitarian Award, 1983; a Building Brick Award from the New York Urban League in 1985; an Educator of the Year Award in 1988 from the City University of New York; and in 1990, the Mayoral Award of Honor for Art and Culture from New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Tragedy, Museum Closing<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">In 1990 Hoyte's home and museum were broken into and at least nine dolls – including a priceless two-foot-tall English king – were stolen. Hoyte was broken-hearted. As indicated in her <i>New York Times</i> obituary, she said at the time, "People any more don't let you live. You struggle to keep something up for joy and beauty, and you find yourself having to watch for thieves. It's not right." Soon after the break-in, four of the dolls – replicas of Benjamin Franklin, George and Martha Washington, and Abraham Lincoln – were returned to Hoyte's front room, broken but repairable. As stated in her obituary, she responded, "I don't ask questions about how. I'm just happy to have them back."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sotheby's auction item 266, described as a 17-inch "Bru Black 'Circle Dot' Pressed Bisque Head Bebe doll, <i>French, circa 1880</i>" (see the color image next).</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same doll, shown immediately above, realized $18,000 in the Sotheby's auction. (Photos scanned from Sotheby's catalog: <i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The Collection of Lenon Holder Hoyte.</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">As Hoyte aged, she was no longer able to care for the museum. She closed its doors in the early 1990s and began to dismantle her collection. Thousands of Hoyte's dolls were sold to dealers and private collectors around the world. In 1994, 700 of her finest antique dolls were auctioned at Sotheby's. Prices ranged from $200 for a pair of German all-bisque dolls to "a black Bru pressed-bisque-head bebe doll," valued at $18,000 (as noted in her <i>NY Times</i> obituary). Hoyte died at the age of 94, on August 1, 1999, in a New York hospital.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Continue reading <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2018/03/part-3-lenon-holder-hoyte-educator.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-3954139028332508322018-03-06T03:51:00.001-06:002021-04-18T15:30:54.650-05:00Part 3: Lenon Holder Hoyte - Educator, Philantropist, Doll Museum Founder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sotheby's 1994 auction item 176, scanned from the sale 6644 catalog, is described as 23-inch "Pressed Bisque Steiner Bebe Doll,<i> French, circa 1890s</i>."</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />Continued from <a href="https://dollsinblack.blogspot.com/2018/03/part-2-lenon-holder-hoyte-educator.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a></span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Posthumous Recognition<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">In 2002 Alva Rogers' <i>The Doll Plays</i> premiered at the Actor's Express in Atlanta, Georgia. A tribute to Lenon Hoyte, the play depicted Hoyte on her deathbed, with dolls acting out her life, as well as presenting their own histories as toys and collectibles. A fancy French doll described her feelings as a discarded toy and a Grace Kelly doll recalled her transition from Hollywood glamour girl to Princess Grace of Monaco.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hoyte Biographies written by Betty Kaplan Gubert and Margaret Alic<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ms. Hoyte’s biography, written by Betty Kaplan Gubert, is included on pages 275-276 in <i>American National Biography: Supplement 2.</i> The various biographies in this supplement, written by a host of different authors, were compiled by John Garrity and edited by Mark C. Carnes. Hoyte’s biography by Gubert provides a more detailed account of her life as a collector and doll museum founder. Much of the information written by Margaret Alic in a separately found online biography of Hoyte is the same as Gubert’s, which I have edited out to avoid repetition. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">“The oldest child of Moses Holder, a carpenter, and Rose Holder, who sewed hats for infants for a Manhattan department store,” Hoyte attended public schools and lived a comfortable life. “Ironically,” Gubert writes, “the doll collector to be and her sister were forbidden to play with dolls when the younger girl, after chewing on the hands of her dolls, contracted lead poisoning. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hoyte was “always a collector,” wrote Gubert. As an adult, “she began filling her home with antiques, ‘cutting her teeth’ with 1,500 china pitchers… She also collected china, cut glass, samplers, and richly carved furniture.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Church and Community Involvement Led to Doll Collecting and the Museum<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">She was deeply involved in her church and community. She taught Sunday school at her church, “directed a girls’ club and served on the church’s board for housing for the elderly.” Her philanthropic endeavors included fundraisers to purchase an organ for the church. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hoyte’s 1962 doll exhibition to benefit the mental health clinic at Harlem “was a success financially, and it changed [her] life. For the next three decades, she collected dolls and their paraphernalia so earnestly that her collection became internationally known. At first, Hoyte acquired her history of each doll and as a teacher, she saw that the dolls stimulated children’s curiosity about the past and provided a genuine interest in history.” (Gubert cites <i>Encore</i>, 6 Dec 1976).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Besides the dolls, Hoyte collected dollhouses, doll carriages, tea sets, stoves, toy schoolrooms, books, toy pianos, and other musical instruments. She retired from teaching in 1970. That year, using the name her students gave her, she incorporated her collection as Aunt Len’s Doll and Toy Museum, on display in the basement of her home. Visitors came by appointment only, and the entrance fees remained low for maximum accessibility. With about 2,000 dolls, museum space was tight. But collectors find room, and twenty years later the dolls possibly numbered 6,000 (<i>New York Times</i>, 9 Sept. 1999).”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A Closer Look At the Museum<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">“The museum was divided into five sections. The Americana Room contained handmade cloth black dolls of the antebellum South, numerous Shirley Temples, and others of American manufacture. The Schoenhut Room was devoted to the works of the renowned nineteenth-century doll maker and his Humpty-Dumpty Circus of forty animals and figures. The Collector’s Room housed the rarest dolls by master doll makers, such as Leon Casimir Bru, Emile Jumeau, and Jules Nicholas Steiner, that ranged in size from miniature to over three feet. The Dollhouse Pavilion, with an electrified dollhouse, and International Dolls completed the museum. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Four black cloth dolls were included in the 1994 Sotheby's auction: a stitched-face black cloth doll, two male fabric dolls, and a black stockinette doll, item numbers 430, 428, and 429, respectively. (Photo scanned from the Sotheby's Sale 6644 catalog.)</div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Hoyte regarded cloth dolls as her specialty, and at one time she planned to write a book about them but never did. Highlights of the collection included wax-molded Nicholas and Alexandra of Russia in ermine and vermilion robes, an Edison talking doll, a doll of the Queen Anne period, an 1880 black Bru bisque head bébé in pink silk, and [the] two ‘crying babies’ of papier-mâché made by Leo Moss [Lillian and Leo]… The large number of black dolls was remarkable for its range over time, place, and medium. The doll dressed in silk tells one story, while the doll fashioned out of a small whisk broom and a nut tells another. Collecting works of beauty, rarity, and craftsmanship, Hoyte also tried to keep the collection current and included Barbie, Ken, and Muhammad Ali. A double doll of Flip Wilson and Geraldine [Shindana] was on the shelves along with the Three Stooges and W. C. Fields. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Sotheby's 1994 auction items 293, 292, 290, and 289 are German bisque dolls by Simon & Halbig circa 1889-1910. (Photo scanned from the Sotheby's Sale 6644 catalog.)</div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Dolls from the collection won many awards in annual competitions. During Black History Week in 1975 (changed to a month-long celebration in 1976), Hoyte showed twenty-four dolls at the American Museum of Natural History. The exhibition, <i>Historical Black Dolls</i>, remained on display for six months. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Auction items 371 from the Sotheby's 1994 auction included a "Pair of Composition [20-inch] Shoulder Head Black Dolls, 1920s with ethnic features, two female dolls, one with composed expression, hair piled up on head; other with broadly smiling mouth, topknot of hair both with fabric bodies, attenuated limbs, raffia skirts, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets." Item 372, described by Sotheby's as "Amberg 'Oo-Gug-Luk' Composition Head Black Doll and a Composition Wood Warrior Doll... circa 1915, bearing original sewn-on label describing it as a 'Zulu Lucky Doll' originated and designed by J. W. Long; and a warrior toy with broad grin, painted eyes, necklace, and raffia skirt..." (Photo scanned from Sotheby's Sale 6644 catalog.)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">“As the collection quickly grew in objects and popularity, Hoyte realized her one-woman operation would have to change. She began to envision a much larger and permanent space so it could be a tool for education, a place where both children and adults could develop their ideas of the past. She also wanted her home to remain as well: ‘I want the house to stay as it is, to be used to foster love. There have been so many beautiful antique homes in Harlem, and so many collections, broken up. It ought to be left’ (<i>Encore</i>, 5 Dec. 1976). But for museum accreditation, the New York State Council on the Arts awarded Hoyte a small grant that enabled her to hire a part-time assistant. With the help from the Community Service Society, Hoyte received a matching grant of $9,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts in the early 1980s.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">“In 1990 New York City mayor Edward Koch presented the Mayoral Award of Honor for Art and Culture to Hoyte. Her home was burglarized soon after, and nine dolls were stolen. Later four of them—George Washington, Martha Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Benjamin Franklin—reappeared in the front parlor. She asked no questions, but some few years later she closed the museum because she was no longer able to run it. Hoyte sold thousands of her dolls before she put the rest up for auction at Sotheby’s in New York. The auction on 16 December 1994 realized $742,854.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Gubert cites the following sources for her biography on Lenon Holder Hoyte:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sotheby’s catalog, <i>The Collection of Lenon Holder Hoyte Exhibited as “Aunt Len’s Doll and Toy Museum” (1994)</i>,<i> </i>contains an article from <i>Dolls</i>, Sept.-Oct. 1985 (Joseph Kelleher, “Her Home is Her Museum”), and two autobiographical sketches of Hoyte, although they are short on dates. Copious photographs and detailed descriptions reveal the scope of the collection. Other articles with helpful information include Ernest Swiggett, “Aunt Len’s Doll and Toy Museum,” <i>Unique NY,</i> Sept. 1975, pp. 19 ff.; Sandy Satterwhite, “Aunt Len’s Fabulous Children,” <i>Encore</i>, 6 Dec. 1976, p. 36; Frank Hercules, “To Live in Harlem,” <i>National Geographic, </i>Feb. 1977, pp. 178-207; Anna Quindlen, “About New York,” <i>New York Times</i>, 13 May 1981; Carol Schatz, “Hoyte, Lady with Love for Dolls,” <i>New York Amsterdam News</i>, 16 Apr. 1983; and Jane Lusaka, “Aunt Len’s Doll and Toy Museum: Collector Lenon H. Hoyte Creates a Lasting Legacy,” <i>Orator</i>, Winter 1993, pp. 3-4. An obituary is in the <i>New York Times</i>, 9 Sept. 1999.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">Gubert's biography of Lenon Holder Hoyt can be read in full <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=wZczV8ZxgL4C&lpg=PA276&ots=73dLwhNfil&dq=lenon%20hoyte&pg=PA275#v=onepage&q=lenon%20hoyte&f=true" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Additional Resources:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://biography.jrank.org/pages/2522/Hoyte-Lenon.html" target="_blank"><i>Lenon Hoyte Biography </i>by Margaret Alic</a> -- Alic cites the following:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><u>Periodicals:</u><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Atlanta Journal and Constitution, January 11, 2002.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Los Angeles Times, September 11, 1999, p. A18.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>New York Times, January 2, 1989, p. A16; September 9, 1999, p. C22.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Newsday (Long Island, NY), May 28, 1991, p. 25</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i><br /></i></span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">On-line:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"Toys in the Attic," Creative Loafing Atlanta, December 2004</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Contemporary Black Biography, by the Gale Group, Inc.</i></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>The Collection of Lenon Holder Hoyte Exhibited as "Aunt Len's Toy and Doll Museum" </i><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xlenon+holder+hoyte.TRS0&_nkw=lenon+holder+hoyte&_sacat=0" target="_blank">Sotheby's auction catalog</a> from December 16, 1994, often shows up on eBay. It contains 491 black and white images of dolls from Aunt Len's Doll and Toy Museum. </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span> Lenon Holder Hoyte wrote a 44-page book sometime during the 1970s which features a few dolls from her collection. It is entitled, <i>Selected Dolls: From the Collector's Room, Aunt Len's Doll and Toy Museum, 6 Hamilton Terrace, New York, N.Y.</i> At the time this article was published, holders of Ms. Hoyte’s book included the University of Virginia Library and The Strong Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play in Rochester, NY.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", times, serif; font-size: 15px;">"All a doll needs to make it a collectors' item is a past." Lenon Holder Hoyte</span></div>
Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-58403396774551964272017-12-30T00:00:00.000-06:002017-12-30T00:01:06.689-06:00Why Tosh Fomby Creates Black Dolls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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With her permission, Tosh Fomby's article, "Why I Create Black Dolls, Part I," is shared below. This post serves as an introduction to her doll art as well as an introduction to the Black Dolls, Black Makers WordPress platform she created for "dollmakers of the Diaspora to share their art and adoration of crafting cloth dolls." The link to the forum follows her interesting article, which details the reason she creates black dolls.</div>
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<i>Why I Create Black Dolls, Part I</i><br />
<i>by Tosh Fomby</i><br />
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<i>Like writers, artists have to find their voice. It essentially becomes our brand in which audiences identify. As a mixed media painter, I accomplished that. After exploring every media, I found none were better or worse than the other, as long as what I was using told the story best. And the way I translated best was through mixed media; paper, acrylics, patch n’ paint, beads and buttons. I never knew that would come in the way of dollmaking years later.</i></div>
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<img alt="me2" class=" wp-image-84 alignright" data-attachment-id="84" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="me2" data-large-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/me2.jpg?w=223&h=349?w=960" data-medium-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/me2.jpg?w=223&h=349?w=300" data-orig-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/me2.jpg?w=223&h=349" data-orig-size="960,960" data-permalink="https://blackdollsblackmakers.wordpress.com/2017/12/17/why-i-create-black-dolls-part-i/me2/" height="349" src="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/me2.jpg?w=223&h=349" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: inline; float: right; font-size: 16px; height: 223px; margin: 16px 0px 16px 16px; max-width: 680px; outline: rgb(119, 119, 119) solid 1px;" width="223" /></div>
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<i>After brief pursuit of my MFA, I discovered <a href="http://www.yinkashonibarembe.com/biography/" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Yinka Shonibare</a> in a doll magazine. His work was intriguing and I couldn’t stop thinking about those bold fabrics on the life-size figures he built but more than that, there was a message.</i></div>
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<i>While I create dolls for play and some home décor pieces, my voice is evolving and immersed in the social movement of the 1960s. To tell you how art inspires art, I was watching a morning news show, where a photographer was exhibiting images he’d taken of The Black Panther Party during that time. He documented them and those visuals speak to a time that’s a relevant part of African American history. I want to tell stories of our consciousness through a different media, particularly referencing women of color. They were instrumental to the movement but they had no voice.</i></div>
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<img alt="brave24" class=" wp-image-86 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="86" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4.5","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS REBEL T5","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1511956091","copyright":"","focal_length":"21","iso":"800","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="brave24" data-large-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/brave24.jpg?w=623&h=947?w=576" data-medium-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/brave24.jpg?w=623&h=947?w=200" data-orig-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/brave24.jpg?w=623&h=947" data-orig-size="576,864" data-permalink="https://blackdollsblackmakers.wordpress.com/2017/12/17/why-i-create-black-dolls-part-i/brave24/" height="947" src="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/brave24.jpg?w=623&h=947" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="623" /><i>This particular doll is called Brave and part of The Heritage Collection. It was inspired by the social movement of the 60s and into the 70s, where fashion is concerned. The collection was also inspired by Maasai women; their tall stature, long jeweled necks and the strength they also bring to their culture. It’s my tribute to these women of very different worlds and my growth in understanding how we have emerged and become empowered with the consciousness and spirit of who we are authentically.</i></div>
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<i>I have a thing for 70s fashion; the flare-legged slacks, crotchet vests, big hooped earrings, colors, fabrics, etc. To reflect on fashion at that time, it all seemed flashy, hip and downright cool to me. I’m very conservative in dress but I can imagine I would’ve been dressed to the nines had I been old enough for that kind of flash.</i></div>
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<i>Each doll is accompanied with the chair she’s sitting on. With that and the story behind the collection, they become more than dolls. They become sculpted mixed media pieces that speak to a time and place of yesterday and where we are currently; how we need to see ourselves.</i></div>
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<i>The recurring theme in this collection is strength, which is reiterated in the name of each doll. The chair, in context of the doll sitting on it can connote different meanings. I’ll let the viewer arrive at their own conclusion based on what I’ve already stated.</i><img alt="ClothDoll1970s3" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-85" data-attachment-id="85" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS REBEL T5","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1502021335","copyright":"","focal_length":"27","iso":"500","shutter_speed":"0.025","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="ClothDoll1970s3" data-large-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/clothdoll1970s3.jpg?w=1000?w=683" data-medium-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/clothdoll1970s3.jpg?w=1000?w=200" data-orig-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/clothdoll1970s3.jpg?w=1000" data-orig-size="1296,1944" data-permalink="https://blackdollsblackmakers.wordpress.com/2017/12/17/why-i-create-black-dolls-part-i/clothdoll1970s3/" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" src="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/clothdoll1970s3.jpg?w=1000" srcset="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/clothdoll1970s3.jpg?w=1000 1000w, https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/clothdoll1970s3.jpg?w=100 100w, https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/clothdoll1970s3.jpg?w=200 200w, https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/clothdoll1970s3.jpg?w=768 768w, https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/clothdoll1970s3.jpg?w=683 683w, https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/clothdoll1970s3.jpg 1296w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" /></div>
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<i>Pride is what I call the image above. For people who were disenfranchised and made to feel less than, African American people had to raise their esteem and away from what was put in front of them as standards of beauty. Black women arrived at a new consciousness, which has evolved over time, sometimes toward extreme means that says little about dignity or pride but screams ‘Look at me.’ Media platforms have changed and we’ve conformed to giving up pride for something quite the opposite in some respects. </i></div>
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<img alt="Rebel123" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-87" data-attachment-id="87" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS REBEL T5","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1507380949","copyright":"","focal_length":"18","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.008","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Rebel123" data-large-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/rebel123.jpg?w=1000?w=683" data-medium-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/rebel123.jpg?w=1000?w=200" data-orig-file="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/rebel123.jpg?w=1000" data-orig-size="1080,1620" data-permalink="https://blackdollsblackmakers.wordpress.com/2017/12/17/why-i-create-black-dolls-part-i/rebel123/" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" src="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/rebel123.jpg?w=1000" srcset="https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/rebel123.jpg?w=1000 1000w, https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/rebel123.jpg?w=100 100w, https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/rebel123.jpg?w=200 200w, https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/rebel123.jpg?w=768 768w, https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/rebel123.jpg?w=683 683w, https://blackdollsblackmakers.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/rebel123.jpg 1080w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" /></div>
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<i>And here is Rebel. During her construction, I was strictly thinking Black Panther Party after watching Sunday’s CBS Morning Show photo exhibit on TV. There are additional paraphernalia to add with the dolls, like books, Rebel’s black leather jacket and Brave’s matching yellow jacket to complete their ensemble. If you have ever seen the photograph of <a href="http://www.vashtie.com/blog/culture-memory-huey-p-newton/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;">Huey P. Newton</a> sitting on the wicker chair and armed with weaponry in each hand, that image inspired Rebel.</i></div>
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<i>I suppose you could say these are fine art pieces and their design is vastly different from the heirloom collection I have for young children. I’m equally in love with creating both styles. I created narratives in my mixed media pieces and that’s what I want to carry forward with my dolls as well.</i></div>
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<i>To see more work created by Tosh Fomby , visit <a href="http://www.lovetotsypresents.com/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;">Love Totsy Presents</a> and <a href="https://studiotosh.com/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit;">StudioTosh</a>.</i><br />
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<i>__________</i></div>
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Tosh Fomby's forum, <a href="https://blackdollsblackmakers.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Black Dolls, Black Makers</a> includes this and several other articles by Fomby and other cloth doll crafters of the Diaspora. If you are interested in joining the forum and contributing articles about the black dolls you make, contact Tosh through the contact link <a href="https://blackdollsblackmakers.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">at the forum</a>. </div>
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-73261881409157411102017-10-02T00:00:00.000-05:002017-10-02T04:59:08.992-05:00TWISSI HANDMADE DOLLS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Stacie Johnson, founder and creator of Twissi Handmade Dolls</div>
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<b>Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black (EEoDiB)</b> is honored to share the
profile of doll artist, Stacie Johnson, the ultra-talented woman behind Twissi
Handmade Dolls (<b>THD</b>). By reading her
answers to a series of interview questions, readers will learn the inspiration
behind her one-of-a-kind dolls and delight in their beauty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dEUQzbptPY/WdAb6oZxIJI/AAAAAAAASBU/k4KJHgjrYoYrq2q44P2mTjR-VX3CXOtYACLcBGAs/s1600/Bag%2BStorage%2BDolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="945" height="520" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dEUQzbptPY/WdAb6oZxIJI/AAAAAAAASBU/k4KJHgjrYoYrq2q44P2mTjR-VX3CXOtYACLcBGAs/s640/Bag%2BStorage%2BDolls.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade Cloth-Dress Bag Doll: Underneath their full-length dresses is a storage compartment.</td></tr>
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<b><br />EEoDiB:</b> What inspired you to
become a dollmaker and how long have you been making dolls?</div>
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<b>THD:</b>
I began making dolls by accident. I love painting faces. I
used to paint faces from fashion magazines. I did not like painting faces for
custom orders. I then began to paint figures on furniture which I enjoyed
tremendously. When I was an Army soldier, I received orders to go to
Kuwait in 2004. My job was simple, so I finished work early. I had
time on my hands, so I craved to find a way to be creative. I could not
paint furniture while living in a tent. Where would I find wood furniture in a
desert? One day, I called my neighbor who was watching my home while I was
away. I told her I had no way to create on this tour. My friend
sent me small gourds to decorate for Christmas ornaments. Once the tiny
pumpkins arrived, I saw faces! I then started painting faces. For the
body of the doll, I used the stuffing of my pillow and the fabric of my
pillowcase. Next, I ordered fabric and sewing accessories online.
The rest is history.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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<b>EEoDiB:</b> Please share the
meaning of Twissi and why it was chosen as the name for your doll art.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD: </b>When I was a little
girl, my dad called me Twissi. I wiggled
when I walked as a child. I was very
close to my father. Even though he is not here anymore, he is a part of my
dollmaking business.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fSIPpKXG20/WdAcbNt2xxI/AAAAAAAASBc/-TRpVFzeVHIsjPXplLBAaOP8Bw-bhvgSwCLcBGAs/s1600/Victorian%2Bstyle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="567" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fSIPpKXG20/WdAcbNt2xxI/AAAAAAAASBc/-TRpVFzeVHIsjPXplLBAaOP8Bw-bhvgSwCLcBGAs/s400/Victorian%2Bstyle.JPG" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely doll in a three-tiered dress</td></tr>
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<b>EEoDIB:</b>
Was there any particular reason you chose cloth as the main medium?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD: </b> I chose cloth as a medium
because it is like painting on a canvas. I can add details or take away
details easily with paint.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVrhkhuXCCA/WdAcqXEqU_I/AAAAAAAASBg/ywSlEl2b5QsdNuLWXDeAF97EC5RhYQO-ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVrhkhuXCCA/WdAcqXEqU_I/AAAAAAAASBg/ywSlEl2b5QsdNuLWXDeAF97EC5RhYQO-ACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF1395.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="284" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
Glass beads were used to adorn the shoes of the previously shown doll.</div>
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<b>EEoDiB:</b> What other materials are used to make your
dolls?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD: </b>I love to
use glass beads and durable 100 percent cotton fabrics. I use recycled fabrics
from old or worn out garments. Oils are my preferable paint.</div>
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<b>EEoDiIB:</b> Are your dolls made to look like people you
know or people you have met, if not, what inspires their faces?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD: </b>The faces of my dolls are from my
imagination. I have painted one doll from a Pinterest photo. I
wanted to challenge myself to see if I could still capture a likeness from a
photo and I still have it. Sometimes when I finish the faces, the doll reminds
me of someone I work with.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6wnaw7pJswo/WdAc-VYNrsI/AAAAAAAASBk/dPqZIDIjWaoS6dXDgmTMDwhd4bQAeO1rwCLcBGAs/s1600/Egyptian-inspired%2Bdoll%2Bwith%2Bclassic%2Bbob%2Bcut%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="708" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6wnaw7pJswo/WdAc-VYNrsI/AAAAAAAASBk/dPqZIDIjWaoS6dXDgmTMDwhd4bQAeO1rwCLcBGAs/s400/Egyptian-inspired%2Bdoll%2Bwith%2Bclassic%2Bbob%2Bcut%2B2.JPG" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">23-inch Egyptian-inspired doll with classic bob cut hairstyle and jewel-embellished dress</td></tr>
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<b>EEoDiB:</b> Do you name your dolls or is the naming left
up to the buyer?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD: </b>The buyers can name the dolls. The only
dolls I name are the Egyptian dolls because they are from history. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Qtd8-ubd44/WdAerd6HtcI/AAAAAAAASB4/FWLXWXY6ydgFpuM08Wf35cS-_8vVX4b_gCLcBGAs/s1600/Egyptian-inspired%2Bdoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="983" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Qtd8-ubd44/WdAerd6HtcI/AAAAAAAASB4/FWLXWXY6ydgFpuM08Wf35cS-_8vVX4b_gCLcBGAs/s320/Egyptian-inspired%2Bdoll.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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This doll is Queen Tiye, the mother of King Tut. I decided to make a doll of Queen Tiye
because she made a status for herself outside from being married to
royalty. Her husband looks to her for
advice on important issues in politics.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>EEoDiB:</b> What sizes are your smallest and largest
dolls and what is the average height of your dolls?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD: </b>The smallest
doll is 18 inches; the tallest is 39 inches, and the average height is 26
inches.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-snbPaVOW8Xg/WdAdMYPXsII/AAAAAAAASBo/IV7pXbkbfa41FEy4YgOwkwdNy3jQvhMyQCLcBGAs/s1600/Doll%2Bon%2Bcone-shaped%2Bstand%2Bwithout%2Blegs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="733" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-snbPaVOW8Xg/WdAdMYPXsII/AAAAAAAASBo/IV7pXbkbfa41FEy4YgOwkwdNy3jQvhMyQCLcBGAs/s400/Doll%2Bon%2Bcone-shaped%2Bstand%2Bwithout%2Blegs.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">This doll is supported by a cone-shaped stand underneath the tulle of her skirt.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIrm9XwAu4A/WdAd9FACHbI/AAAAAAAASBw/uD77RzgxkrQsy9eANptVor8FpMXlC3xQwCLcBGAs/s1600/Doll%2Bon%2Bstand%2Bwithout%2Blegs%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIrm9XwAu4A/WdAd9FACHbI/AAAAAAAASBw/uD77RzgxkrQsy9eANptVor8FpMXlC3xQwCLcBGAs/s320/Doll%2Bon%2Bstand%2Bwithout%2Blegs%2B2.JPG" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For a better view of her face, the doll with cone-shaped stand is shown from another angle.</td></tr>
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<b>EEoDiB:</b> Would you ever
consider making smaller dolls, around 10 to 16 inches tall?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD: </b>If a customer requests
a custom order of a doll between 10 to 16 inches, I would be happy to make a
doll that size.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>EEoDiB:</b> So you do make custom dolls.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD:</b> Yes, I make custom dolls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfNWeyyLmEU/WdAhtcKA_GI/AAAAAAAASCY/DnYjLmdVOgM6yo9rE-EkCPQp55lr_uxdgCLcBGAs/s1600/Half%2BBallerina%2Bcombined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1024" height="235" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zfNWeyyLmEU/WdAhtcKA_GI/AAAAAAAASCY/DnYjLmdVOgM6yo9rE-EkCPQp55lr_uxdgCLcBGAs/s320/Half%2BBallerina%2Bcombined.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This half fairy, half ballerina is 27 inches tall.</td></tr>
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<b>EEoDiB:</b> What is the price range of your dolls? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD: </b>The price ranges from 60 to 170 dollars.<br />
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<b>EEoDiB:</b> Where are your dolls sold? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD:</b> My dolls are sold in my Twissi Handmade Dolls shop on Etsy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NrPnyL7vui4/WdAfxEcXHWI/AAAAAAAASCA/SjwbgRTSz-M--LJ1yuT0-MXIug58T3SMQCLcBGAs/s1600/Fairy1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NrPnyL7vui4/WdAfxEcXHWI/AAAAAAAASCA/SjwbgRTSz-M--LJ1yuT0-MXIug58T3SMQCLcBGAs/s320/Fairy1.JPG" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely water fairy has colorful costume and face</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4pUDx04_fk/WdAf4W5LSzI/AAAAAAAASCE/enTHuUpzA_cXOvvFzNPR1ydlOjvugWsBwCLcBGAs/s1600/Fairy%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="943" height="325" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4pUDx04_fk/WdAf4W5LSzI/AAAAAAAASCE/enTHuUpzA_cXOvvFzNPR1ydlOjvugWsBwCLcBGAs/s400/Fairy%2B2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of water fairy</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>EEoDiB:</b> Do you see yourself making dolls long into
the future or is this just a steppingstone to other things?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD:</b> I see myself always making dolls. I
have other creations with my love for painting faces. I have made pillows
and a backpack with faces. For now, it is all about dolls. I am so very much
inspired by Ancient Egyptian women and I want to make more dolls to show my
love for the history.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EcnwW9rewt4/WdAzGW4eKcI/AAAAAAAASDA/tn2Ahkau33scWZwT4HwzDPsqtScIh77SgCLcBGAs/s1600/Goddess%2BSerget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="488" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EcnwW9rewt4/WdAzGW4eKcI/AAAAAAAASDA/tn2Ahkau33scWZwT4HwzDPsqtScIh77SgCLcBGAs/s400/Goddess%2BSerget.jpg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
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This doll is Goddess Serqet, an Egyptian Goddess
who has many great inscriptions like the Goddess of Marriage, Goddess of
Nature, Goddess of Medicine and the Goddess of Magic. The title that interests me the most is the
Goddess of Protection. Serqet is often
depicted with a scorpion on her head and an ankh in her left hand. She could
save lives when a person was bitten by a poisonous scorpion. The most dangerous
type of scorpions can be found in North Africa. She healed with medicinal
herbs. This makes Serqet a very important goddess. A gold statue of Serqet was found inside King
Tut's tomb. She was also called the
Goddess that Gives Breath.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>EEoDiB:</b> Please share any additional information about
your doll artistry that you’d like readers to know.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>THD:</b> I am currently working
on a website that will feature a video about my dolls. I wish to tell the
story of why I chose to make each doll. Dolls are more than a pretty
figure to look at. Dolls can inspire confidence and aid in learning about
a culture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>EEoDiB:</b> How can potential customers reach you?<br />
<br />
<b>THD:</b> I can be reached by
email, on Facebook, and as mentioned on Etsy at the links provided below:</div>
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<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:twissidolls55@gmail.com" target="_blank">twissidolls55@gmail.com</a> <br />
<br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Twissijo/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/Twissijo/</a><br />
<br />
Etsy: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Twissi" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/shop/Twissi</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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Thank you, Stacie, for sharing your artist profile with the
readers of EEoDiB. Readers, please
browse Stacie’s Etsy shop, like her on Facebook, and/or email her for
additional details about her dolls. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-56884303111381064632017-07-10T00:00:00.000-05:002017-07-10T00:00:03.983-05:00Black Dolls by Svetlana Lukina<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5SN4I4utoC0/WWD1MzBQT_I/AAAAAAAAQ6U/xvK3QLTHmMwljCXX2Qp5J781FdQVPDx7QCLcBGAs/s1600/Boy%2Band%2BGirl%2Bby%2BSvetlana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="715" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5SN4I4utoC0/WWD1MzBQT_I/AAAAAAAAQ6U/xvK3QLTHmMwljCXX2Qp5J781FdQVPDx7QCLcBGAs/s400/Boy%2Band%2BGirl%2Bby%2BSvetlana.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boy and girl dolls by Svetlana Lukina were inspired by the works of nineteenth century doll artists,<br />
Ella Smith and Martha Chase </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Russian doll artist, Svetlana Lukina’s
doll making is inspired by nineteenth century dollmaker, Izannah F.
Walker. Some of her dolls have been inspired by other nineteenth century
dollmakers, such as Martha Chase, Ella Smith, and others from that period. Having recently donated her first two black dolls to the
National Black Doll Museum of History and Culture, Svetlana agreed to share her
inspiration for making that pair with the readers of <i>Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black</i>.
She also shared information about her most recently made black doll.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N37ydemT0AY/WWD1wKNQxyI/AAAAAAAAQ6c/_68qtrKn7dIwo0mn9PnPVr3yyhcz4GtKACLcBGAs/s1600/Alabama%2BBaby%2Band%2BMartha%2BChase%2BDoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="498" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N37ydemT0AY/WWD1wKNQxyI/AAAAAAAAQ6c/_68qtrKn7dIwo0mn9PnPVr3yyhcz4GtKACLcBGAs/s320/Alabama%2BBaby%2Band%2BMartha%2BChase%2BDoll.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">US postage stamp, released in 1997, features dolls by Ella Smith and Martha Chase. Ella Smith designed the cloth Alabama Baby doll
with molded and painted features. These
dolls were originally named "The Alabama Indestructible Doll" and
were made from 1900-1925. The second
doll was created by Martha Chase and is an all-cloth doll made between
1890-1925.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“I have been a fan of the early
American dolls for many years. I was inspired by the black dolls of
Martha Chase and Ella Smith, whose dolls are depicted on the US postage stamp. I
made a girl with a red apron and a boy in a sailor's suit. I love these
dolls. They are my first black dolls made to sell. Unfortunately, these children could not find
a home for a long time. After learning about the National Black Doll
Museum, I wrote a letter to the director. I’m glad to know about such museum,
because I’m sure every nation must know its history, culture, and traditions. I
am happy my dolls now live in the American museum. Of course, I
would like to sell my dolls, but I'm very pleased they will be seen by many
people! It is an honor, very exciting, and I appreciate the
exposure." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2WOnuzC5WQ/WWD2lsWIAeI/AAAAAAAAQ6k/PLr4AqZKkCUqBBDifFPpgeYcLmGzz6UiwCLcBGAs/s1600/Black%2BGirl%2B2%2Bby%2BSvetlana2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="699" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2WOnuzC5WQ/WWD2lsWIAeI/AAAAAAAAQ6k/PLr4AqZKkCUqBBDifFPpgeYcLmGzz6UiwCLcBGAs/s320/Black%2BGirl%2B2%2Bby%2BSvetlana2.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before traveling to America, Svetlana's Martha Chase-inspired girl sat quietly in her chair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“My dolls range from 17-20 inches. I
use natural fabrics (cotton, linen, silk). I make the body of the dolls from
fabric. They are stuffed, gessoed, and painted. The heads are made of
paper-clay, papier-mâché or gypsum (it depends on the kind of doll, because I
try to repeat traditional old technology). My Izannah Walker
dolls’ heads are made only of textiles (layers of silk knitting and
cotton fabric)."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IAAesAuyZ1Y/WWD3F-DFteI/AAAAAAAAQ6o/DUJfQXf8jssmjJGjt8C_Yngis8-oOBKWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Black%2BBoy%2Bby%2BSvetlana1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IAAesAuyZ1Y/WWD3F-DFteI/AAAAAAAAQ6o/DUJfQXf8jssmjJGjt8C_Yngis8-oOBKWQCLcBGAs/s400/Black%2BBoy%2Bby%2BSvetlana1.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although he traveled from Russia to America by airplane, Svetlana's Alabama Baby-inspired boy<br />
remained ready for a nautical adventure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“At first I was a student of Dixie
Redmond (2012). Later in 2013, I was a student of Paula Walton and
bought lessons from her. The technology of the head is the know-how of Paula
Walton. First I must make a sculpture of a head of plasticine (wax) or
plastic. The mold is removed from gypsum. Then I lay the fabric (cotton
and silk) in the mold. For each doll, I
make personal clothing patterns. The
dolls’ clothing can be removed and washed." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ho_sQ_R-xjE/WWD3k4AIDrI/AAAAAAAAQ6s/CVn_VbcDyF8GPWXSZ4w9UAeFglLG2ti5QCLcBGAs/s1600/Black%2BGirl%2Bby%2BSvetlana3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="684" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ho_sQ_R-xjE/WWD3k4AIDrI/AAAAAAAAQ6s/CVn_VbcDyF8GPWXSZ4w9UAeFglLG2ti5QCLcBGAs/s400/Black%2BGirl%2Bby%2BSvetlana3.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each doll receives great attention to detail in keeping with traditional dollmaking styles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“I have a textile and art education and
try to make my dolls qualitatively and professionally. Time spent on each
doll is very extensive, between 90-100 hours of pure time. Therefore,
such dolls cannot be inexpensive. They are made for the adult collector.
My dolls are all different. No two
are the same.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Svetlana’s New Black Girl</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oriJyu_gY5Q/WWD4CEU0E6I/AAAAAAAAQ6w/7aJUCHESwh0SWvbrHp0J9r_eWXbOr-E3QCLcBGAs/s1600/Doll%2Bby%2BSvetlana%2BLukina4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oriJyu_gY5Q/WWD4CEU0E6I/AAAAAAAAQ6w/7aJUCHESwh0SWvbrHp0J9r_eWXbOr-E3QCLcBGAs/s400/Doll%2Bby%2BSvetlana%2BLukina4.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sweet girl is approximately 18-inches tall. She wears a colorful lined dress with sash, matching head wrap, pantaloons, beaded necklace and anklet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“After my first two black dolls were
sent to the National Black Doll Museum of History and Culture, I wanted to make
more. My newest sweet black doll is about 17-18 inches, also
made of fabric and paper clay. Inspiration for this doll came from dolls
of Martha Chase. It was very difficult to find the fabric for the dress,
but I found it! </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The hair is made of natural sheepskin. She is currently available in my Etsy shop." </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IVkMnbRgJw/WWD4eSUd6rI/AAAAAAAAQ64/--ULIHo5PnsABowAgOSae6Ar4MaK5CtcACLcBGAs/s1600/Doll%2Bby%2BSvetlana%2BLukina5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IVkMnbRgJw/WWD4eSUd6rI/AAAAAAAAQ64/--ULIHo5PnsABowAgOSae6Ar4MaK5CtcACLcBGAs/s320/Doll%2Bby%2BSvetlana%2BLukina5.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newest girl poses without her head wrap to illustrate the texture of her natural sheepskin hair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Where to Buy</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“I sell my dolls on Etsy. <b>The first reader of this post to purchase an in-stock doll from my Etsy store will receive a 50% discount.</b> I
also make dolls by request, but the sale to the first blog reader only extends to dolls already made and shown on Etsy. I can be reached by email, through my blog, or on
Facebook. I take into account the wishes of my customers and I am always happy to customize dolls for them."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Etsy Shop: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/IzannahRU" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/shop/IzannahRU</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blog: <a href="http://izannahdolls.blogspot.ru/" target="_blank">http://izannahdolls.blogspot.ru</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Email: <a href="mailto:izannahru@gmail.com" target="_blank">izannahru@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009250081285" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009250081285</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Additional Links: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://izannahwalker.com/about-me/" target="_blank">Paula Walton’sAbout Me page</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.northdixiedesigns.com/2012/01/dixie-redmonds-folk-art-dolls.html" target="_blank">DixieRedmond</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://nbdmhc.org/" target="_blank">National Black Doll Museum of History and Culture</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-23631645046788174222017-06-16T03:30:00.000-05:002017-06-16T08:53:28.378-05:00M'simbi Dolls Teach Cultural Identity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SO5vZgexpaE/WUF4HCieKAI/AAAAAAAAQl8/I22_rVqdlSs-8nAiccRiPLGNIQ3odDnIACLcBGAs/s1600/Kondwani_Limpo_Luyando.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1024" height="238" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SO5vZgexpaE/WUF4HCieKAI/AAAAAAAAQl8/I22_rVqdlSs-8nAiccRiPLGNIQ3odDnIACLcBGAs/s320/Kondwani_Limpo_Luyando.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kondwani, Limpo, and Luyando are three of the five 18-inch <i>Naturally Beautiful</i> M'simbi Dolls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">M'simbi Dolls (<b>MD</b>) is a Zambia-based manufacturer of <i>Naturally Beautiful</i> 18-inch dolls. </span>Ebony-Essence
of Dolls in Black (<b>EEoDiB</b>)<b> </b>had the great pleasure of interviewing the founder. Interview results and photos of
the current doll line are shared below:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">What
does M’simbi mean?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">M'simbi
means "girl" in a language called Nsenga in Zambia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
What inspired the creation of M’simbi Dolls?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A8z31-1eWrE/WUF3QAj5yAI/AAAAAAAAQl0/5WrQpwT9of8EcmyThjcM8iNPeZjlkC-CwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="834" height="294" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A8z31-1eWrE/WUF3QAj5yAI/AAAAAAAAQl0/5WrQpwT9of8EcmyThjcM8iNPeZjlkC-CwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Young Co-founder, Lindiwe; and her mother, Mainga, the Founder of M'simbi Dolls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
M’simbi is an inspiration of my 6-year-old daughter, Lindiwe. She went
through a phase were she didn’t like the way she looked and wanted long silky
hair and lighter skin. It’s really a story about me wanting to desperately show
my daughter that black is beautiful and that she did not have to look like her
friends of a different race to feel beautiful; hence, the tagline <i>Naturally Beautiful</i>. That was how M'simbi Dolls was established
last year. My husband, Wilson, and I along with a friend of ours, Dr. Cheswa
Vwalika, brought to life the dream of a Zambian toy company. My daughter,
Lindiwe, is a co-founder of the company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">How
long has this line of dolls been available?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
The dolls have been available in Zambia since November 2016. The sale of
dolls was officially launched in May 2017. We currently have a range of five
dolls namely Luyando, which means Love; Kondwani, which means Happiness; Towela, which means Beautiful;
Mapalo, which means blessings; and Limpo, which means blessings. We plan to expand to
include smaller doll sizes. Many other products by M’simbi are also in the
pipeline.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; padding: 6px; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvTRZrKoOB8/WUF4NzsoFvI/AAAAAAAAQmA/yxtxQ7ZevzwMoTqjoladADlYyZlMR-XiwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG-20170613-WA0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="546" height="301" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvTRZrKoOB8/WUF4NzsoFvI/AAAAAAAAQmA/yxtxQ7ZevzwMoTqjoladADlYyZlMR-XiwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG-20170613-WA0071.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
L-R, Front-Back: Luyando, Kondwani, Towela, Mapalo, and Limpo</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Please
describe the dolls’ attributes: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Height: 18 inch/ 45cm doll <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Weight: 1 kg with packaging; (each box is personalized with a doll's name).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Material: Full body vinyl. Lays and sits
down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Hair: Manual implantation, can wash
and dress up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Eyes: Open<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Skin
color: Chocolate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Safety
Certificates: CE En71 F963 ISO 1824<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Five
Dolls: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Luyando, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Kondwani, Towela,
Mapalo, and Limpo </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Disclaimer: Recommended for children 4 years and older<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">What
sets M’simbi dolls apart from other dolls made for the target market?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36chcQeO5MY/WUF9TtePvdI/AAAAAAAAQmQ/TXPDKsY2b30ouEWUsA_kIGO1dmKkPhsJgCLcBGAs/s1600/700_5311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1024" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36chcQeO5MY/WUF9TtePvdI/AAAAAAAAQmQ/TXPDKsY2b30ouEWUsA_kIGO1dmKkPhsJgCLcBGAs/s320/700_5311.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M'Simbi Dolls help teach cultural identity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; text-align: left;">
M'simbi Dolls teaches against internalised colourism, which is defined
as feeling inferior and not embracing one’s natural features. We teach cultural
identity because we believe that no one should feel inferior because of the
colour of their skin or texture of their hair. Each M'simbi doll bears an
affirmation tag to encourage girls to speak positively about themselves and to
realise their innate potential. In short M’simbi not only affirms black beauty
but aims at teaching that beauty is in the colour of your skin and that doesn’t
need to change.</span></div>
</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Do
your dolls meet child safety guidelines?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
Yes. We have safety certificates: CE En71 F963 ISO 1824 and have a disclaimer
that the dolls are recommended for children 4 years and older.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">How
can M’simbi Dolls be purchased and at what price?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
M’simbi Dolls can be purchased in Zambia and its neighboring countries
from a number of existing retailers who are engaged as distributors. Further,
M’simbi has an online store at www.msimbidolls.com/shop and is developing an Etsy
shop at www.etsy.com/shop/msimbi. The dolls retail at USD 34. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Do
you sell the dolls globally? If so, how much is shipping to the US?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
Yes, the dolls are sold globally through the website store. <o:p></o:p></span>Shipping to America is USD 29 using EMS, which takes around 7-10 days.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Do
you sell the dolls wholesale? If so, how
should retailers contact you about the possibility of purchasing wholesale and
selling your dolls? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
M’simbi has established a simple distributor recruitment procedure. In an
effort to empower a number of local small retailers and businesses, M’simbi
sells a minimum of 10 dolls at a wholesale price to distributors. Interested
distributors can contact M’simbi through the website, Facebook or Instagram
pages [see links below]. Potential distributors from any part of the world are
most welcome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Please
provide your contact information:
website, email, address, phone, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
Website: <a href="http://www.msimbidolls.com/" target="_blank">www.msimbidolls.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Email: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><a href="mailto:info@msimbidolls.com" target="_blank">info@msimbidolls.com</a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/msimbidolls/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">https://www.facebook.com/msimbidolls/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/msimbidolls/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/msimbidolls/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Phone
No.: +260 955 805 626<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Office Location:
Plot 22788, Leopards Hill Road, Ibex Hill Lusaka Zambia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">EEoDiB: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Please
share any additional details potential customers should know about M’simbi
Dolls.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I_BS-qhqOOo/WUF8xXdFFPI/AAAAAAAAQmI/Hnxe6nsC4MsVygc0PmBLF_K5Gb6JmHY9ACLcBGAs/s1600/700_4884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="928" height="264" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I_BS-qhqOOo/WUF8xXdFFPI/AAAAAAAAQmI/Hnxe6nsC4MsVygc0PmBLF_K5Gb6JmHY9ACLcBGAs/s320/700_4884.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A future CEO poses with a M'Simbi Doll.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">MD:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
M’simbi is a brand that stands to empower young children, especially
girls. M’simbi, aside from establishing a clothing line (matching doll and
girl), is currently working on empowering stories for children in line with its
tag lines of natural beauty and the empowering vision of dreaming, believing achieving and in turn inspiring others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">*~*~*~*~*~*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">For
additional information about M’simbi Dolls, please use one of their contact links provided above. To purchase one
of the dolls, visit the website store.
To see one of the actual dolls, read the post devoted to Mapalo <a href="http://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/2017/06/mapalo-blessings-from-zambia.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-41455277424673906412017-02-28T10:00:00.000-06:002017-02-28T10:36:20.906-06:00Melanites Celebrating Brown Boyhood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7z_Br6D_Fmg/WLIZBFrLOHI/AAAAAAAAPds/pt9_MJSde18Z1AoS5aky42eGFYpOgWAYQCLcB/s1600/Melanites%2BLogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7z_Br6D_Fmg/WLIZBFrLOHI/AAAAAAAAPds/pt9_MJSde18Z1AoS5aky42eGFYpOgWAYQCLcB/s320/Melanites%2BLogo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aALYidATKD8/WLTUdAnmzeI/AAAAAAAAPnY/EFxb4kZpgg8WEUh6E2Bs1oGs-8EA2XXLgCLcB/s1600/Founder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aALYidATKD8/WLTUdAnmzeI/AAAAAAAAPnY/EFxb4kZpgg8WEUh6E2Bs1oGs-8EA2XXLgCLcB/s320/Founder.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black</b> had the opportunity to interview Jennifer
Pierre, founder of Melanites, "Action Pals: that celebrate “brown boyhood.” The interview transcript follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<b>EEoDiB: What
inspired the creation of Melanites?<br />
</b><br />
<b>Jennifer:</b> I’m brown, and as a young girl I enjoyed
playing with dolls. Yet growing up, it was next to impossible to find toys that
looked like me. Many years later, the industry is finally starting to
understand that we all don’t have blonde hair and blue eyes as seen by industry
giants’ recent roll out of diverse dolls. But for the 7 million boys of color
under the age of ten, not much has changed. This is where Melanites comes in. Melanites designs diverse toys, storybooks,
and games that celebrate brown boyhood. Our mission is to inspire children of
color to dream big, stand tall, and live out their childhood.<br />
<br />
Summer 2015, I was a mentor and volunteer at my local community center. After
months of working with the kids in the program, I started to notice that many
of the boys were not expressing their full potential and dreamed within a
bubble. The messaging they received on a daily basis from various factors like
TV and media did not provide positive affirmations about different
possibilities for their future. I founded Melanites to celebrate them and
change the internalized beliefs they were absorbing. My goal is to remind them
that they can be whoever they wish, regardless of what society maps out for
them.<br />
<br />
Our society is a beautiful mix of different ethnicities, cultures, and
personalities. Unfortunately, when a consumer ventures into toy stores or
searches online, there aren’t many positive, educational, and diverse options
available. Melanites is revolutionizing what it means to have toys and products
for boys. We are challenging social norms about gender and diversity.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehAEpxAWwCE/WLIgPTDhgOI/AAAAAAAAPec/KWSVHbywiPQU0LK2Xvng0FmJH9wu7Sb-QCLcB/s1600/Jaylen3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehAEpxAWwCE/WLIgPTDhgOI/AAAAAAAAPec/KWSVHbywiPQU0LK2Xvng0FmJH9wu7Sb-QCLcB/s320/Jaylen3.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melanites are articulated and can stand on their own.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<b>EEoDiB: Please describe the features:<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></b><o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>Jennifer:</b><br />
Height<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Approximately
16 inches tall<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Material from which they are made<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Full
vinyl body<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are they jointed (if so where)?<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Articulated
in the neck, shoulders, elbow, wrists, hips and knees.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sturdiness of construct - will they withstand boy play?<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Yes!
We have spent months testing our action dolls in after school programs,
playgrounds, and living rooms.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yc6NMnjp0pk/WLIa_iYGYOI/AAAAAAAAPeQ/YpYtx8hHD70dCozSkAX0TRaO79Z5k1PYQCPcB/s1600/Jaylen4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yc6NMnjp0pk/WLIa_iYGYOI/AAAAAAAAPeQ/YpYtx8hHD70dCozSkAX0TRaO79Z5k1PYQCPcB/s320/Jaylen4.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Is the hair molded or rooted with synthetic fibers?<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Intent
on creating a holistic play experience, Melanites decided to have textured
wig hair.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
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Are the eyes inset or painted?<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Inset
eyes<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1kTNtHeiPY/WLWm1vdI9EI/AAAAAAAAPno/2ipbVry7WuwTRAq1Zu36dqyB35D6mQ2GQCLcB/s1600/Jaylen1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1kTNtHeiPY/WLWm1vdI9EI/AAAAAAAAPno/2ipbVry7WuwTRAq1Zu36dqyB35D6mQ2GQCLcB/s320/Jaylen1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
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<br />
<b>EEoDiB: What sets Melanites apart
from other toys made for the target market; do you believe they are a first
of their kind?<br />
</b><br />
<b>Jennifer:</b> Melanites is the only company currently in
the market tackling gender stereotypes and diversity simultaneously. We are
developing products that provide a space for the millions of children of color
in the country who do not currently see themselves represented. Moving beyond
just dolls, our future roll out of storybooks and apps will create an entire
ecosystem that celebrates who they are.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c3cjFcMVgQ4/WLIakHhFMoI/AAAAAAAAPeE/Z_m5F7y7fNsXmZDUO4JawO9XabkV8p7QgCEw/s1600/Jaylen2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c3cjFcMVgQ4/WLIakHhFMoI/AAAAAAAAPeE/Z_m5F7y7fNsXmZDUO4JawO9XabkV8p7QgCEw/s320/Jaylen2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Uo72xPcKSQ/WLIbVdSZg8I/AAAAAAAAPeI/e9PAZyKygzk56WYDAP3QviTHGE_vEDlDwCEw/s1600/Melanites%2BCrew.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Uo72xPcKSQ/WLIbVdSZg8I/AAAAAAAAPeI/e9PAZyKygzk56WYDAP3QviTHGE_vEDlDwCEw/s320/Melanites%2BCrew.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual image of "Action Pal" Jaylen above design mage of entire Melanites crew.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Our launching toy product, Jaylen, is the new “Action Pal” that combines the
emotional appeal of a doll with the novelty of an action figure. Intent on
celebrating the diversity of our multicultural society, each Pal comes in
diverse skin tones, facial features, and hair types. What makes Melanites
especially unique is our development of characters and personalities behind the
Action Pals. Our Action Pals are based on four characters who are nine-year-old
boys with different personalities. They represent the “Thinker, Doer, Maker,
and Performer” in all of us. Our accompanying storybooks and games follow the
crew as they go on different adventures that highlight S.T.E.M. and the
importance of staying true to yourself.<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>EEoDiB: How can
Melanites be purchased or preordered?<br />
</b><br />
<b>Jennifer:</b> Melanites can be pre-ordered starting
February 28th through our crowdfunding link hosted by Indiegogo. We will be
launching our first action doll Jaylen and potentially through stretch goals,
our first storybook <i>Jaylen and the High
Five Machine</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Contact information, website, email, crowd-funding link</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Email:
<a href="mailto:Jennifer@BrownBoyhood.com">Jennifer@BrownBoyhood.com</a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Website:
<a href="http://www.brownboyhood.com/" target="_blank">www.BrownBoyhood.com</a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Social
Media: <o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/brownboyhood" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/brownboyhood</a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/brownboyhood" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/brownboyhood</a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/brownboyhood" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/brownboyhood</a><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal">Crowdfunding Link: <a href="https://igg.me/at/melanites" target="_blank">https://igg.me/at/melanites</a> <o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
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~*~*~*~*~*~<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing the inspiration for Melanites,
details about the "Action Pals," and the preordering information through the crowdfunding link provided above and <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/at/melanites" target="_blank">here</a>. <i>Ebony-Essence of Dolls in Black </i>wishes you much success getting the Melanites crew into the
hands of little people as well as adult collectors, who will be inspired by
owning them. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056375194463149831.post-84027167013975713202017-01-31T18:01:00.000-06:002017-01-31T18:01:56.402-06:00Four Little Girls by Starkey's Daughter Cloth Dolls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaeVLfVVKhw/WJEIwBSI3EI/AAAAAAAAPNk/tc5YjS9DNzkXP3TMP_gq8VTf3DwM1NqKACLcB/s1600/Four%2BLittle%2BGirls%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaeVLfVVKhw/WJEIwBSI3EI/AAAAAAAAPNk/tc5YjS9DNzkXP3TMP_gq8VTf3DwM1NqKACLcB/s320/Four%2BLittle%2BGirls%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pressed felt faces of dolls that were in the making by Rachel McCullough Sherrod of Starkey's Daughter Cloth Dolls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Rachel McCullough Sherrod of Starkey’s Daughter Cloth Dolls has
been making dolls off and on for decades but seriously began dollmaking in 2012
after her retirement. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Among others, she enjoys making childlike dolls of historical significance. Her most recent
dolls are a set of four, a tribute to the four little girls who tragically lost
their lives during the September 15, 1963, bombing of the 16<sup>th</sup>
Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. According to Rachel, the idea to make this
set was suggested to her by a seasoned, experienced, and well-respected doll
collector. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GkG3AA797Q/WJEJIwIFa6I/AAAAAAAAPNo/eQmfAbGTKsoKjFEB-EatIes22L0VAopEQCLcB/s1600/Four%2BLittle%2BGirls%2BCompleted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GkG3AA797Q/WJEJIwIFa6I/AAAAAAAAPNo/eQmfAbGTKsoKjFEB-EatIes22L0VAopEQCLcB/s320/Four%2BLittle%2BGirls%2BCompleted.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Four Little Girls: Carol Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins, and Cynthia Wesley are beautifully represented in doll form.</td></tr>
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As shown above, the completed dolls represent Denise McNair, whose full name was Carol
Denise McNair (age 11); Carole Robertson (age 14), Addie Mae Collins (age 14),
and Cynthia Wesley (age 14). Their pressed felt
faces are individually sculpted, and their bodies are made of cloth. With the exception of Denise, each doll
stands 20 inches tall. Denise, described as petite, was
the youngest of the girls. The Denise doll stands 16 inches.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4In7L-VcJRQ/WJERMSCH3rI/AAAAAAAAPN8/30rUxjFs7qo3L-Koi50utOMju93rYov4gCLcB/s1600/Denise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4In7L-VcJRQ/WJERMSCH3rI/AAAAAAAAPN8/30rUxjFs7qo3L-Koi50utOMju93rYov4gCLcB/s320/Denise.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol Denise McNair's sweet expression is captured in doll form.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KrgRUnzDhG4/WJEXOQ920bI/AAAAAAAAPOs/M2498T2BuQU1nIroQo-QILq0B-KkDHPsgCLcB/s1600/Four%2BLittle%2BGirls%2BCarol%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KrgRUnzDhG4/WJEXOQ920bI/AAAAAAAAPOs/M2498T2BuQU1nIroQo-QILq0B-KkDHPsgCLcB/s320/Four%2BLittle%2BGirls%2BCarol%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carole Robertson's closed-mouth, wide smile is artistically reproduced.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AsD4cYz1Wj4/WJERWXGM1-I/AAAAAAAAPOU/seEXPrSF6MsPGdu30RD-jVSQNwVozX5tgCEw/s1600/Addie%2BMae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AsD4cYz1Wj4/WJERWXGM1-I/AAAAAAAAPOU/seEXPrSF6MsPGdu30RD-jVSQNwVozX5tgCEw/s320/Addie%2BMae.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The bespectacled Addie Mae Collins doll has a large red ribbon in her hair.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3ZcQSBuV-U/WJEXVbYAoVI/AAAAAAAAPOw/YcKE-6q-AA0X-9ZLIGUaRk6Ido2cHoZfACLcB/s1600/Cynthia%2Bwith%2BDoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3ZcQSBuV-U/WJEXVbYAoVI/AAAAAAAAPOw/YcKE-6q-AA0X-9ZLIGUaRk6Ido2cHoZfACLcB/s320/Cynthia%2Bwith%2BDoll.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cynthia Wesley's sweet smile and bright eyes are nicely duplicated in the Cynthia doll.</td></tr>
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Currently only one set of the Four Little Girls dolls exists. Rachel has not determined if additional
sets will be made.</div>
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On February 5, 2017, the Four Little Girls dolls will be on
display at a viewing of the award-winning documentary, <i>Why
Do You Have Black Dolls? </i> Rachel will
host this event, which includes two viewings of the documentary at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. EST. The flyer below
contains full details.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<img height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9geFNi_0Y5Y/WHvkRK1OiAI/AAAAAAAAPI4/KjC4Fn18MGYiruOuumvs0_VnVy-C_TaIQCLcB/s400/Why%2BDo%2BYou%2BHave%2BBlack%2BDolls%2B-%2BRachel.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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For more information about these and other dolls made by
Rachel of Starkey’s Daughter Cloth dolls, please contact her by <a href="mailto:ladivaray@bellsouth.net" target="_blank">email</a> or by
visiting her <a href="https://www.starkeysdaughterclothdolls.com/index.php?route=product/manufacturer/info&manufacturer_id=12" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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Read more about the tragic deaths of Carol Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins, and Cynthia Wesley at the first two links below. The third link redirects to the <i>Why Do You Have Black Dolls? </i>website.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Street_Baptist_Church_bombing" target="_blank">16th Street Baptist Church Bombing</a><br />
<a href="http://www.msnbc.com/politicsnation/four-little-girls-birmingham-remembered" target="_blank">Four Little Girls of Birmingham Remembered</a><br />
<a href="http://whydoyouhaveblackdolls.com/" target="_blank">Why Do You Have Black Dolls?</a></div>
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Black Doll Enthusiasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07534871309015210903noreply@blogger.com7