Paper dolls anyone?
In my last post, I shared a photo of my mom's paper dollhouse, displayed on my china cabinet among my Christmas decorations. I revisited an old blog post featuring pictures of my beloved little treasures. Since I don't have the time to go through them again right now, I thought I would repost those images. They are very precious to me.
I have all the stages of Shirley Temple paper dolls. They were my favorite because I really enjoyed the old reruns of her movies. I still love Shirley Temple - she was such a cutie.
I had the chance to meet Shirley Temple Black during her 1967 political campaign in San Mateo County. She was running for Congress against all men. She lost. I remember my excitement as I approached her at the mall and hugged her spontaneously, marveling at how she had become such an accomplished woman. She graciously shared some campaign buttons with me, and her kindness made a lasting impression. She spent some time talking with me and answering my silly questions. It was truly a memorable encounter!
Later, she served as Ambassador to Ghana.
My mom took extra care of her paper dolls, likely because she was poor and had so little.
While these paper dolls may not hold any value for collectors, since only uncut ones in pristine condition are of interest, they have been gently played with, loved, and hold much value to my heart. My mom gave them to me when I showed an interest in paper dolls as a child.
Does anyone remember Betsy McCall?
When my mom passed them to me, it was love at first sight. Even at eight years old, I recognized that they were special keepsakes. I had grown tired of dolls early on; I was never a big fan of Barbie dolls, but I always loved paper dolls.
Once I started playing with these paper dolls, the others just didn't hold the same appeal.
There are boy paper dolls, and baby paper dolls;
BIG ones and little tiny ones.
A Dolly Madison paper doll.
Some of these were from the late 1930s
Raggedy Ann and those Kewpie paper dolls always looked a bit creepy to me. They date back to the early 1900s and may have belonged to my grandmother, as they are ancient and have a different texture from my mom's.
I have a collection of military women from diverse branches in their elegantly tailored dress uniforms, practical work attire, and stylish weekend outfits. They genuinely look fantastic!
I hope you enjoyed my vast collection of paper dolls.
Thanks, Mom!
Did you have any of these paper dolls?
Have you kept any from your childhood?
My gram used to LOVE watching Temple. She was such a cutie and that's a great story about meeting and hugging her. Love that she was kind to you. Very fun about your paper towels.
ReplyDeleteShe was a nice lady. It sure was a memorable event for me.
Delete❤️
DeleteThese are so amazing! I love that your mom saved them and passed them down. They are real treasures.
ReplyDeleteI played with paper dolls a little bit, but didn't have sets like this. I do remember the Betsy McCall paper dolls in the magazine.
I keep meaning to have a few of them framed - I just haven't made the time to investigate that. It would be hard to choose which ones!
DeleteShirley Temple was definitely an American treasure, Debby. What a great memory you have of actually meeting her in person! I can't believe that paper doll collection has managed to last through the years - such a treasure of memories they hold for you. Funny, but I was never a girl who wanted to play with dolls, but I sure love stuffed animals. I have a collection today that proves it and the memories they hold for me are priceless.
ReplyDeleteI liked stuffed animals, too and had so many on my bed I hardly had room for me!
DeleteI played with paper dolls, but I didn't save them. I remember Betsy McCall's dolls. I loved Shirley Temple. You are blessed to have these.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful my mom saved these.
DeleteYES!!!! I had the Shirley Temple ones. Paper dolls were my favorite! I would spend hours cutting and dressing them up. I especially loved the ones that came in big folders with pockets to store the dolls and their clothes. I also had the Lucy & Desi ones. And I had some baby ones with cribs and such, but I cannot remember their names. Maybe Sugar & Spice?
ReplyDeleteOh it sounds like you had a wonderful collection. They were fun to play with and didn't take up a bunch of room
DeleteWhat a lovely and priceless collection. I used to enjoy playing with paper dolls.
ReplyDeleteThey were fun. Something so simple!
Deletethese are amazing and I have never seen any of these at all. I had a lot of paper dolls, but mine were the really cheap ones, and I love them. Did not know these existed. I always loved Betsy McCall and McCall Magazine because that is my maiden name.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing these. to me they are invaluable
Back in the,day, these were cheap ones, too. But they made things better back then. Probably more like cardboard paper dolls.
DeleteI used to watch Shirley Temple movies with my mom when I was little. I always thought she was so cute and talented. I had a lot of paper dolls when I was little but sadly did not keep any and I'm sure I did not take care of them as well as your mother and you have. These are so cute.
ReplyDeleteI figured back then, if I was going to be allowed to keep such a treasure, I'd better handle them with care. I'm glad I did.
DeleteI absolutely loved paper dolls and played with mine by the hour. I made some of my own and created clothes for them too. Sadly I didn't keep those. I do have a collection that I have saved. Maybe its fodder for another post.
ReplyDeleteI loved Betsy McCall and couldn't wait for my mom to be finished with the magazine so I could cut her out and play.
Wonderful memories
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Sue
I'd love to see your paper dolls you created.
DeleteI remember these dolls, there were oh so cute
ReplyDeleteYeah I love getting them out and going through them. But this post I just used from the old post from a few years ago.
DeleteI've never seen anything like those vintage and Kewpie paper dolls ... what treasures, especially how they've been so carefully preserved.
ReplyDeleteMeeting Shirley Temple in person, wow. What a thrill.
Yeah when I think back, if I had run up to her to hug her in this day, I'd probably be detained. Different world back then.
DeleteI never liked dolls myself, but did enjoy the paper dolls myself. I do not know what happened to them though. You have a mighty fine collection. Love them. Janice
ReplyDeleteI liked baby dolls for a time but I eventually lost interest. I preferred playing with the boys because they were more fun and cute! (I was terribly boy crazy)
DeleteOh yes, I remember playing with paper dolls. My gramma gave them to me. Don't have any of them now though. I remember Betsy McCall.
ReplyDeleteYou have an amazing collection.
I like Shirley Temple too! How nice that you got to meet her.
Thanks to my mom who gave me hers, and it taught me how to take care of my possessions.
DeleteThese are amazing and such special treasures.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thanks, Jan
DeleteI was never a big paper doll fan, like you playing with the boys was much more fun. Give me a tree to climb or a creek to wade in and find tadpoles back then.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
oh.my.gosh.....these are priceless. You have so many paper dolls, and they really are in good condition after all these years. How neat that you met Shirley Temple. I like the baby paper dolls, and that Raggedy Ann is too cute. Nel used to have a Raggedy Ann doll her grandma made for her. Yes, the Kewpie dolls' faces are a little strange. To answer your question.....No, I didn't have paper dolls growing up. I actually didn't have a lot of toys or dolls, but I did play with my neighbor's Barbie's. She had a whole mess of them. Then, I was introduced to Trolls, and after that I was hooked. I enjoyed your paper doll post, Debby.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Oh I remember the original troll dolls - they were cute. I gave all my dolls to my sister. She was the ultra girly girl.
Delete**I did buy Nel and Jess a few paper dolls when they were little. They are just so creative and cute.
ReplyDeleteThis was so fun Debby. I did not have paper dolls, so this was a fun post to learn from. I also did not know any of the information about Shirley Temple.
ReplyDeleteThey are truly beautiful. What a treasure.
ReplyDeleteGod bless. Happy Christmas to you and yours.
I had some paper dolls, but I preferred my baby dolls. I was also a Tom Boy and had more fun playing outside with the boys on the block.
ReplyDeleteI played with paper dolls a lot when I was a child but lost interest in the when I got a Barbie doll. I loved them and still have two of them! I love your collection, and I can see how much you treasure it!
ReplyDeleteMy older daughter love(d)s paper dolls, so I gave her all the ones I had collected as a child and I think there are some from my mom, too. I will have to ask her.
ReplyDeleteAnd now my granddaughter LOVES paper dolls!
I did enjoy seeing your paper towels. That's an amazing collection.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is quite a collection of paper dolls! I would think they are valuable because they are so old and still in such great shape! Amazing!!! Yes, my sister and I used to play with paper dolls, especially I remember Betsy McCall and looking forward to the new magazine each month to get more outfits for Betsy! We had some movie star dolls too, but I don't remember exactly who now. I wish we still had some of them, but they disappeared long ago. I do have a "collectors" paper doll, a replica of "The Steiner Doll", which was a popular doll from Germany many years ago. I will have to get it out and show it sometime. Maybe after Christmas...
ReplyDeleteThis was fascinating! Thank you for sharing them with us.
What a lovely post. I enjoyed reading it and seeing the dolls.
ReplyDeleteI loved paper dolls. I had several sets that you could buy in a booklet and punch out all the outfits. My grandmother would cut out the pages of the Betsy McCall paper dolls and save them for me when I visited. I also had some that I made myself. I love drawing and coloring clothes for them. I gave them all away to a younger neighbor when I outgrew them .
ReplyDeleteMy mom had a box of hers that she kept and would let me get out and play with when I was a kid. Your blogs makes me wonder if they are still packed away somewhere now. My folks moved from the house I grew up from and now mom has dementia so no asking her if they are still around.