The Literary Doll II

Here we are again. It is cool and a little overcast, but I see buds on my daffodils. I love to plant, and am eager to get my pots out. We've survived another hard week, and I'm looking forward to another blog. Remember, though; if I could spell, I'd be dangerous.

Here are a few more favorite books chosen from the 150+ pages of bibliography I compiled. I would like to do another blog with artists who used dolls, especially, Jarvis Rockwell, David Levinthal, Hans Belmer, and my favorite, Joseph Cornell. Here goes the list:

1. Any book by Lesley Gorden. She was an art student who wrote about dolls and doll collecting and who illustrated her books with her own watercolors and sketches. My friend Mary H. knew her, and visited her later in life when Lesley was living in a rest home. Even in later years, she occupied herself creating beautiful pictures from collages of dried flowers. The dolls described in her book were a veritable feast of variety for any doll lover. She talked about ancient dolls in museums, and many foreign dolls. It was in her books that I first read about the dressed Mexican fleas I'm trying so hard to find, and about the relationship between dolls and doll related objects like Cigar Store statues, ships' figureheads, scarecrows, even the old Little Midshipman that was the mascot for Holiday Inn. She is easy to read, and a good place for children interested in collecting to start. [With kid in mind, I recommend Shari Lewis' Things Kids Collect and any vintage issues of her magazine Doll Stars, published for children collectors in the late 80s].

2. Dolls, or Dolls and Puppets, by Max von Boehn, Dover. Orignally published 1927. For historians, there is simply no other book. Von Boehn, who like Carl Fox, was apparently a museum curator, leaves no stone unturned. There are chapters on ancient dolls, prehistoric figures, ritual and religious figures, doll shaped utensils, figurines, porcelains, toys, art objects, miniatures, etc. He talks of Santos, and even of a doll or human shaped bee hive! His section on mechanical dolls and automatons is excellent, as are his discussions of toy soldiers. In his book I first learned of The Venus of Willendorf, allegedly the first "doll" and oldest representation of the human figure and human artifact. Artists, doll lovers, teachers, collectors, and historians love his book. He has also written on 19th century manners and fashions. I would recommmend him to anyone interested in the subject.

3. Kay Desmonde, All Color Book of Dolls. This is a very pleasing book from a very knowledgeable dealer and collector with an enviable collection. The dolls are arranged skillfully in appropriate tableau with appropriate furniture. Again, young collectors would really enjoy the beautiful photographs, but so would an experienced collector. I used to like to Xerox the photos or sketch them, and make my own elaborate dolls and paper dolls from the pictures.

4. All books by Clara Hallard Fawcett. Fawcett, like Gordon, was an artist. She used her own sketches to illustrate her reference and pattern books. She knew the great collectors of the 40s, 50s, and 60s well, and reading books by her, Eleanor St. George, and Janet Pagter Johl is like reading the minutes of a happy neighborhood coffe klatch. Fawcett is knowledgeable about costume and dolls. Her patterns and designs work very well. I tried many when I was still in junior high and high school, yet they turned out well and were easy to follow. Her book Dolls: A New Guide for Collectors, features many rare dolls including a live sized Bru mannikin standing next to her owner's son. Fascinating stuff and a glimpse into a post-War, Utopia like world, that no longer exists in either innocence or experience.

That's all for today. I must run, but will continue with more books and materials tomorrow. As time progresses, I will include a few links and some book lists without so much commentary! I also have my own compiled guide for buying books which I will copy and paste in excerpts. Till we write again! A good day to all!