Countdown to World Doll Day; Friendly Folks

by Kellogg.

 Dolls throughout history have served many roles, from children's toys to religious or ritualist figures. More recently, they have played a new part--advertising. The 1890s saw the first commercial advertising dolls, printed cloth mascots for products such as cereal, flour, and pancake mix. This cute quintet from member Michele Thelen's collection was issued by the Kellogg Company to promote its breakfast cereals. Each is just 2.5 inches tall and simply constructed out of wood and cloth. They include Tony the Tiger (Frosted Flakes), Ogg the Caveman (Cocoa Crispies) and Snap, Crackle, and Pop (Rice Crispies).

Underneath they carry a 1972 copyright by Kellogg.

This little advertising ambassadors were called "Friendly Folks."  The set of five figures was yours for two Kellogg cereal box tops and $2.00. Friendly Folks were promoted as both "fun to play with" and "conversation pieces to decorate your room or den."

Countdown to World Doll Day; Kokeshi Dolls

We continue our countdown to World Doll Day with the kokeshi dolls of Japan. These wooden folk dolls originated near the end of the Edo era (1603-1868) in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan, renown for its onsen (hot spring spas). Woodworkers began carving these wooden dolls on lathes to sell to visitors at the onsen. Although the dolls from different regions had their own characteristics, they all shared the same minimalist style of round heads, limbless bodies, and simple colorful decorations. They are typically carved from cherry, dogwood, and maple. Some were created out of one piece of wood, while others had heads that wobbled or turned. The dolls were popular souvenirs and children's toys. At the end of WWII, other regions of Japan began producing their own versions of kokeshi dolls for collectors and the growing tourist trade. Known as "creative" kokeshi dolls, they come in a wide range of styles, often with more detailed decoration and added wooden hair and accessories, representing everything from traditional samurai warriors to contemporary cartoon characters. This charming collection of kokeshi dolls is from member Michele Thelen. They range from 2.5 to 5.5 inches.

This family of kokeshi dolls belongs to member Sharon Weintraub. They were given to her when she first started collecting dolls by family friend who had received them as a gift from her Japanese pen pal in the late 1940s. Each doll contains a tiny bell. The larger dolls are 2.75 inches tall.

This is another gift to Sharon by a friend who taught English in Japan in the 1970s and received this doll as a parting present from her students. The doll is 9 inches high.

This cute kitty kokeshi is "maneki neko" (beckoning cat).  Known as the "lucky cat" or "welcoming cat," the maneki neko is supposed to bring good fortune into a home or business. The oval medallion around his neck represents a koban, a gold coin used during the Edo period. This mini-maneki is only 2.25 inches tall. 

However, hidden underneath are two even smaller kokeshi dolls, each a mere half an inch tall.

Countdown to World Doll Day

June 12th is World Doll Day. World Doll Day was established in 1986 by doll collector and artist Mildred Seeley. To celebrate its 35th anniversary, some club members will be sharing special dolls. This cherubic child was purchased by member Sylvia McDonald's daughter, Shelley, and is posing with Sylvia's beautiful blooming orchids. She is Mareike, issued by the Gotz Company in 2002 and designed by doll artist Joke Grobben of the Netherlands. The doll is modeled after a member of Grobben's family and portrays a little girl about three years of age. She has the soft hair of a toddler and is fashionably dressed in her pleated smock, cropped pants, and animal-print shoes. Mareike holds her cuddly soft toy and, like many young children, carries it with her everywhere.