Paper dolls for play or collecting captured most girls’ interest for almost 200 years. Unfortunately, today only a few ladies indulge in their collections or add to them on occasion.
Paper dolls or literature pertaining to them are now collected by both men and women, usually as a hobby rather than for play entertainment.
Early examples. About the mid-1700s, Pantins, paper dolls from Paris were actually made for older children or even adults. They were cut from printed sheets and attached to each other by fine thread, and had movable parts.
About 1800, the Protean Figure was issued in London, about the same time the Toy Book Doll was published, also from London. This remained in publication until around 1830.
This series was not like the paper dolls known to all interested collectors – instead of costumes being transferred to the human figure subject, the “head” was removed and placed onto costume after costume.
One factor of paper dolls that lures collectors is their variety: individuals can seek an appealing personality, a specific time period and its evolution, dress evolvement or perhaps the enjoyment of paper dolls.
Care and preservation is a natural factor of any paper material, and paper dolls are often more delicate than most similar items, particularly where the wrists and ankles are printed.
Another form of damage is that some youngsters may have added paint crayon or lipstick to a desired portion of the paper doll. To repair a tear, adhesive paper was often applied by owners, but not on the front and not in abundance. Never use scotch tape, whether it is “invisible” type or not.
Supply and demand and condition certainly affects price of paper doll collectibles. A choice paper doll type is the old comic strip issues i.e. Tillie the Toiler or Blondie. Due to the very low quality of news stock, this paper type deteriorates rapidly, therefore the paper dolls of the 1930s and ’40s are very rare.
Another form of desirable paper dolls are the types representing commercial advertisements such as Campbell Soup Kids. Dover publications issue excellent mediumweight paper dolls in book form. This also creates a secure and safe storage medium.
The best way for collectors to retain the mint condition of the contents is without disturbing the book in any way.
Fort Ancient hosts Shawnee drum group
A rare display of eastern and western culture will be featured at the April 27 event.
LEBANON, Ohio – A rare display of eastern and western culture will be featured April 27 at the Ohio Historical Society’s Fort Ancient State Memorial, near Lebanon in Warren County.
Unity: East and West Reunified will present the Mekoce Shawnee Family Drum from Wilmington and the Drepung Gomang Monastery Monks from India in a program that features drumming, dance and chanting.
Activities and performances are scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. at the site. Admission is $5 for adults and $1.25 for children 6-12. Admission includes access to the Fort Ancient Museum, featuring displays and interpretation of Ohio’s prehistoric Indian culture, use of picnic grounds and extensive hiking trails. Native American dancers are welcome.
About the groups. The Mekoce Family Drum is centered in Wilmington, Ohio. The drum group is also associated with the Lower Eastern Mekoce Shawnee Tribe of Ohio.
The group has performed at the Six Nations Reserve in New Credit, Ontario, Canada and has also been invited to participate in a gathering at Cherokee, North Carolina. They have been participants at the annual Fort Ancient Celebration in June for several years.
The Drepung Gomang Monastery Monks are affiliated with the Drepung Monastic University, founded in 1416.
The Tibetan cultural pageant features harmonic overtone chanting of traditional prayers, accompanied by horns, flutes, bells, and drums. Hand gestures and other offerings accompany the mystical rituals and multiphonic singing, (each monk chants a chord of three notes). Richly costumed dances, including masked animals, will be performed.
Fort Ancient is located 7 miles southeast of Lebanon, in Warren County on state Route 350. Exit Interstate 71 at Wilmington Road (Exit 36) and take Middleboro Road south to state Route 350. Turn right and follow signs to the entrance to the site at 6123 State Route 350.
For more information, contact Fort Ancient State Memorial site manager Jack Blosser at 513-932-4421 or toll-free at 800-283-8904.
