Children's literature paper doll collection, approximately 1860s-1920s

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Summary

Abstract:
A collection of handmade paper dolls, a photograph, and two leaves of paper dating from approximately the 1860s to the 1920s, presumably created by a Miss Edith Thompson of England. A verso of one of the two leaves is dated 1923, but the date of the original writing on recto is unknown. The dolls were created in approximately the 1860s, and were modeled after friends, family, and children's literary characters from the 1840s to 1860s.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Children's literature paper doll collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of handmade paper dolls, a photograph, and two leaves of paper dating from approximately the 1860s to the 1920s. The collection was stored in a wooden box containing thirty-four paper dolls of human characters, seven paper dolls of various animals, and fourteen wooden stands for the dolls.

On the verso of two billheads addressed to Miss Edith Thompson of England is a handwritten reflection on which literary characters, friends, and family members the dolls depict. Thompson is presumably both the author and the creator of the dolls. Her writing includes personal anecdotes and characteristics regarding their creation. Many of her descriptions of the dolls mention references to characters from children's poetry and literature published from the 1840s to 1860s; she references rabbits and cats from Otto Spekter's Picture Fables, 1858; "Eunice" from Mrs. Barbauld's Hymns in Prose, 1864; "Daisy" from a Wordsworth poem, and more.

Also included is a black-and-white photograph measuring 2 x 4 inches of two women's backs as they walk towards an arched path; of unknown origin.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Eclectibles, May 2023.
Processing information:

Processed by Mari Khasmanyan in March 2024.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Children's literature paper doll collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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