July 12, 2026, Meeting

The theme for the program was "Patriotic Dolls. It would be hard to find a more patriotic outfit than this sparkling red, white, and blue ensemble worn by this doll brought by David Craig. He told the club that the doll is by JAMIEshow USA and that she is wearing an outfit made earlier for the Gene doll line created Mel Odom.

Kathie Tovo shared several examples. This tiny trio of all-bisque dolls by the German firm of Hertwig and Company play vintage American flag party favors.

An antique bisque-headed doll with a composition body is decked out in red white and blue with her original matching box, but Kathie stated that the doll may be in fact be a representation of France.

However, there is no question that this paper cutout represents the all-American Miss Columbia.

Sharon Weintraub displayed this bisque Uncle Sam. He is actually a German naughty novelty known as a squirter; one time he had a rubber bulb on top of his top hat and when he was filled with water and the bulb squeezed, the water came out of the appropriate orifice.

This sweet boy in a sailor suit belongs to Sylvia McDonald. He is a reproduction of a character by Gebruder Heubach and was made by Jenell Howell. His outfit is based on an antique costume and was made by the Gabriella Doll Clothing Company.

She also shared this doll representing Betsy Ross by Madame Alexander.

Also natty in her nautical-themed outfit is this German bisque-headed doll on a ball-jointed body. She is Florodoro by Armand Marseille and belongs to Myrna Loesch.

Jenell shared this all-original doll made by Effanbee and designed by the American doll artist Dewees Cochran. 

Elaine Jackson brought this cloth doll, Miss Columbia. She is modeled after the Columbian cloth dolls manufactured by Emma Adams from 1891 to 1910 and was created by doll artist Connie Tognoli as a souvenir doll for the United Federation of Doll Clubs annual convention in 2000. Her straw hat was purchased by Elaine at a Native American reservation.

Nancy Countryman brought this supersized Barbie doll by Mattel in patriotic apparel.

 

Black History Month; Petite Pair of All Bisque Dolls

Continuing our club's virtual doll meeting commemorating Black History Month, today we present a pair of early-all bisque dolls in their original box and elaborate costumes. The 4.75-inch tall dolls have set brown glass eyes and swivel necks. They are barefoot and have molded gold bracelets and anklets. On the cover of their fragile box is written in pencil "Sadie Newell from Grace Bronen." Inside the cover, also in pencil, is "Robert Newell Kinnaird 7 years 27 of Aug" and "Given to Sara Newell when she was about 8 yrs old." Inside one of the sections in the box is written in pencil "From Grace to Sadie Newell Christmas 1889." 

The dolls' festive finery may indicate that they are prepared to participate in a cake walk. The dance originated on slave plantations in which enslaved men and women dressed in their best clothing danced in a procession. The winning couple was awarded a prize, typically a cake. In some cases, the dance was performed for the white slaveholder, who judged the contest, and white guests. However, according to some sources, the exaggerated steps and gestures of the cakewalkers were subtly mocking the highly-mannered dances of the white upper class. Following an exhibit at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial which featured Black dancers performing a version of the cakewalk, the dance became a feature in minstrel shows and music halls. The costumes were increasing colorful and elaborate, with men often attired in top hats, gaudy topcoats, and striped or patterned pants and the women donning fancy hats and gowns. The cakewalk was performed in 1889 at the Paris World's Fair, spreading the dance craze throughout Europe, where it was performed everywhere from the stages of Paris to the aristocratic ballrooms of England. The idioms "to take the cake" and "a piece of cake" may originate from the cakewalk.

 

Trick or Treat!

The witch thought that Hansel and Gretel would be her Halloween treats, but they tricked her! It is never a good idea to run out of candy on Halloween night when you live in a cottage made of cake, sugar, and gingerbread. . .  The witch is Hexe, a German character doll made by Simon and Halbig for Cuno and Otto Dressel, and her hissing cat is a German bisque toy with jointed legs.  Hansel and Gretel are German all-bisque dolls in their original crocheted costumes. 

 

Labor Day Week; Soldier Boys

Created by cartoonist Percy Crosby, Skippy was a popular comic strip that ran from 1923 to 1945. It focused on the everyday life and adventures of its eponymous hero, a young boy growing up in a city. The strip is considered the archetype and inspiration for many child-centered cartoons, including "Peanuts" by Charles Schulz. There was a novel, a radio show, and a 1931 movie starring Jackie Cooper based on the Skippy comic. Effanbee produced a 14-inch tall composition Skippy doll from 1923 through 1943 based on the comic strip character and serving as the boyfriend to Effanbee's popular Patsy doll. The Skippy doll wore a variety of outfits, including military uniforms. This Skippy belongs to member Sylvia McDonald. She recalls that her brother Larry received Skippy for Christmas in 1941 when Larry was almost one year old. That same Christmas Sylvia received an Ann Shirley doll and she and Larry spent many hours playing together with these dolls, whom they named after school teachers boarding at their home and that of their grandmother. Their mother sewed this military outfit to replace Skippy's missing original clothes and Larry gave Skippy to Sylvia in 1984 as a surprise because Larry wanted his childhood doll to go to “someone special." In 1997, the United States Post Office released a series of 17 stamps portraying "Classic American Dolls," which included Skippy wearing the original of this uniform.

This early aviator belongs to member Elaine Jackson and dates from the WWI era. He is composition and cloth and is stamped "Germany."

This unusual all-bisque doll wears a molded military uniform that appears to be inspired by those worn by the hussars (originally a Hungarian calvary division, but the name and uniform were adopted by light calvary throughout Europe) including the fur-edged pelisse draped over the left shoulder. He is 8 inches tall.