An exceptional seamstress and designer, Jennie Adler Graves opened the Ye Olde Vogue Doll Shoppe in 1922. She began by creating outfits and trousseaus for "Just Me," a wistful googly-eyed character doll by the German maker Armand Marseille. The dolls ranged from 8 to 11 inches. This 9-inch tall toddler is an example of the Just Me, and although she has her original dress, shoes, and socks, they are not from Grave's talented fingers.
In 1948, Graves introduced an 8-inch hard plastic doll. The doll was so popular that Graves designed her own version, christening her creation "Ginny," after her own daughter, Virginia. Ginny and her extensive wardrobe were a huge hit and inspired a new generation of 8-inch tall play dolls. This trio of early Ginny dolls, plus Ginny's canine companion, Sparky, belong to member Jenell Howell. The company Graves started is still in existence today as the Vogue Doll Company and is still making a version of Ginny.
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