November 7, 2021, Meeting

The theme for the November meeting was dolls dressed in fall colors. 

Member Jenell Howell brought her all-original Sasha, made in Germany in the 1970s.

The 1953 Ginny in her pineapple print dress was purchased by member Sylvia McDonald when she was in high school. The Muffy belongs to member Myrna Loesch and dates from 1955.

Myrna also brought this reproduction doll made by former member Mary McKenzie. Another member, Jan Irsfeld, embellished her outfit.

This somber child is by artist Helen Kish and belongs to Sylvia,

Another artist doll, this one created by Sylvia Natterer. Sylvia McDonald added the teddy bear because it matched the doll's original dress.

This doll is entitled "The Frog Prince" and was created by Maggie Iacona. The doll holds a pillow with a fabric frog. Jenell said that this doll was an early attempt by the artist to created a ball-jointed felt doll. 

This quartet belongs to member Elaine Jackson. The two pilgrims have already been featured on our blog. They represent John Alden and Priscilla Mullins and were created circa 1950 by Helen Walker of Just Folks Doll House of Staunton, Virginia.  The cloth doll was made in the 1950s from a pattern created by writer and doll artist Edith Flack Ackley.

 

This Hitty is cast of resin by artist Sara Cole and was dressed by Elaine in a vintage child's handkerchief. 

Fall also means Thanksgiving with its images of Pilgrims and Native Americans.

The taller doll belongs to member Sharon Weintraub. By Gebruder Heubach, she is a portrait of "Princess Angeline." Born Kikisoblu in 1820, she was the eldest daughter of Chief Seattle, leader of the west coast Suquamish and Duwamish peoples.  In 1855, when the Duwamish Indians were forced to leave their land for reservations, she insisted on remaining in Seattle, living in a small cabin and supporting herself by doing laundry and selling handwoven baskets. 

This Ginny dressed as a Native American dates from 1952-1953 and belongs to Jenell.

 

Speak for Yourself, John

But as he warmed and glowed, in his simple and eloquent

language,

Quite forgetful of self, and full of the praise of his rival,

Archly the maiden smiled, and, with eyes overrunning with

laughter,

Said, in a tremulous voice, "Why don't you speak for yourself,

John?" 

The Courtship of Miles Standish, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Continuing the Thanksgiving theme, these 14-inch tall cloth dolls with molded mask faces represent John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, two famous pilgrims.  From member Elaine Jackson's collection, they are circa 1950 and are from Just Folks Doll House by Helen Walker of Staunton, Virginia.  John Alden and Priscilla Mullins were married in the Plymouth Colony.  However, this pair is best known from The Courtship of Miles Standish, an epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.   

The poem involves the friendship between Captain Miles Standish and John and their love for the lovely Priscilla.  Miles, described in the poem as a blunt fearless soldier and a man of words and not actions, is too shy to propose to Priscilla and asks his handsome young friend, John, to do so in his stead.  However, following John's presentation of Miles' proposal, Priscilla responds, "Why don't you speak for yourself, John?" Longfellow was a descendant of John and Priscilla and his poem was based on family legend.