The Bibliography of Doll Sources

Today is beautiful, sunny, and clear. It is crisp, the way only mid autumn and early spring can be crisp. I spied some jonquils here and there, and a few purple crocus. The orchid show and big Milan craft fair are this weekend. If I weren't involved so much with dolls, I'd be dealing with Orchids. But, I love them from afar. I couldn't begin to figure out how to care for them. Yet, they, too, have faces. And it is faces and figural lines that intrique me. For now, I'm happy with photographs, an orchid book here and there, and a gorgeous silk replica that fools a lot of people. Well, even that fits with doll collecting. Look at how many dolls play so closely with reality that when they are photographed, it is hard to tell if they are "real" or fake. I think many dollmakers had artist Duane Hansen and his superreal sculptures in mind as their muses when they began to create, but I digress.

If all works out, the bibliography will be ready for the QC bookfair. It is about 150 pages in length, with introductory material. For the most part, I am following MLA format and all works are listed in alphabetical order. Where I could not find a complete listing, I've given clues that one could Google or use as keywords to search The Internet. There are illustrations sprinkled throughout the book, largely taken by my husband, Dino Milani, who is, among other things, a fantastic photographer. I know, I'm shameless in my praixe.

There are some categories and subcategories, e.g., for magazines, coloring books, museums, bride dolls, cloth dolls, etc. I have included quite a few web pages, and some museums and businesses no longer in operation because they might be important in someone's research. I could have gone on, and am already thinking of a new, improved second volume or second edition.

This book has been in the works since 1993, and I know of nothing like it. I have included books about dolls and collecting, books and materials on all types of toys and games, ancient art, figurines, ritual figures and sculptures. There are primary works on history, art, and religion, biographyies, autobiographies, poems, paintings and plays. There are many website, though I doubt it is feasible to include all of those dealing with the subject. There are materials for making dolls and for paper dolls, for selling dolls, for women's studies and children's literature. The book covers all media including VCRs, DVDs, CDs, film, documentary, all genres of printed materials, etc.

In part, the entire work explores my theme questions, "What is a doll?" Sociologists and Anthropologists like to explore this definition, and doll collectors used to like to explore it. With any luck, a few more people will pick up on this blog, and will buy the book, which will be very reasonable. My hope is to promote research, and interest in the hobby which has enriched my life and broadened my horizons in so many ways. Till tomorrow! Happy collecting!