DOLLS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
~~BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE BLACK DOLLS!~~
by Debbie Garrett

"Doll are a representation of people. They depict how we see ourselves and how others see us, thereby conveying the values of a society.

"Because many of the first manufactured Black dolls were not a fair representatation of Black people as a whole, many Black collectors do not welcome them into their collections... but we cannot deny their existence. [Admittedly, some antique/early dolls] are reminders of past painful experiences endured by those who struggled to survive and grasp at a tolerable life. When these dolls are ignored, the past that they represent is also ignored. We cannot deny the existence of the predecessors of today's Black dolls, however painful their reminders... The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls, page 6, Debbie Garrett.

We at Black Doll-E-Zine felt it most appropriate to allow our readers to reflect on a few Black dolls of the past by shining the spotlight on the following Beautiful, Antique, Black Dolls:

Pictured on the left is a 12-inch, circa 1884, Arthur Schoenau doll, made in Germany. This lovely doll has a bisque head, composition body, and glass eyes. It is marked: AS 3/0.

The dolls pictured on the right are antique papier-maché, servant dolls. They were made in Germany, circa 1890s. The maid stands 9 inches tall and the chef stands 7-1/2-inches. Neither of the servant dolls contain manufacturer's marks.

Pictured on the left is a brown girl (Patsy-type), made of composition, circa 1945. This doll stands 15-inches tall and has molded hair and painted eyes.

Pictured on the right is Topsy, made by Horsman in 1914. This doll stands 16 inches tall and has a composition head with painted features. The arms and legs are also composition. The body is filled with sawdust.

Pictured on the left is a Unis 301, 16-inch, French doll manufactured by Unis of France. The doll has a composition head and jointed body with glass eyes. Circa 1916-1926.

Pictured on the right is a popular handmade, 16-1/2-inch tall, cotton-stuffed doll, "Little Brown Koko." The doll originated from the Little Brown Koko storybook series by Blanche Seale Hunt, circa 1940s-1950s. "Little Brown Koko" stands 16-1/2-inches tall. Patterns were made available for "Little Brown Koko" and his dog "Shoog" via magazine advertisements and other publications during this time period. Today, reproductions of these patterns can be acquired via online auction sites.

The cloth cuties pictured here are described as:

Seated on the far left and far right: A 10-inch boy and girl pair made of stiff cotton cloth with embroidery detail. Circa 1930-1940.

Top Left: This large, 24-inch Golliwog, is a Chad Valley Black Golli. It is all original, circa 1950's

Left Center: A smaller, early handmade Golliwog has black satin face and body. Eyes are made of felt and hair is made of stiff horsehair. This Golli wears original clothing, circa 1938-1940.

Center Right: Big, handmade cloth girl (light clothing), stands approximately 22-inches, has cloth face and body and yarn hair. Circa 1935-1940

Bottom Right: A 16-inch, handmade, handsome farmboy. Its body and face are stiff, black, cotton cloth. Hair is made of yarn with stitched eyes. Circa early 1900s.

Left, Seated on Floor: This handmade, smaller cloth doll is made of yarn and stuffed with cotton. Circa 1950s.