Member Elaine Jackson did a program on the scarce and unusual composition dolls by the Raleigh Doll Company, founded by Jessie McCutcheon Raleigh in 1916. The Raleigh dolls were only produced until 1920, when the factory was sold to the Pollyanna Doll Company. Elaine described Raleigh was an entrepreneur and her first successful venture was a statuette called "The Good Fairy." She hired others to design the statue, which was extremely popular and was produced in a variety of materials. Raleigh started her doll company shortly thereafter with the intent of creating dolls with faces and bodies that resembled real children. She had a special composition formulated for her dolls and used a unique system of spring joints. The dolls are quite heavy for their size and their realistically modeled feet and legs prevent them from standing on their own.
Elaine explained that the dolls' faces were painted by students from the Chicago Art Institute. She said that the special composition commissioned by Raleigh appears to be more resistant to crazing than that used in other composition dolls. Most Raleigh dolls have molded hair.; this little girl has molded hair under her wig.
Elaine told the club that the dolls come in a variety of sizes and with several different body types. The dolls are not marked, but their unique faces make them stand out.
Member Myrna Loesch displayed this beautiful bride doll dressed by the very talented Jan Irsfeld. The silk gown was copied from a fashion plate and is fully lined. The doll is a reproduction of a French fashion and was made by former member Mary McKenzie.
Another doll shared by Myrna, "Butch," a composition doll first produced by Madame Alexander in 1936.
Member Elaine McNally displayed examples of the cloth reproduction Izannah Walker that she makes and markets. Elaine told the club that someday she hopes to own an authentic antique Walker doll.
