Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art Phone: (425) 455-1116 · PDF fileRosalie Whyel Museum of Doll...

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SMALL WONDERS PAGE ONE from the director from the director Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art 1116 - 108th Avenue NE Phone: (425) 455-1116 Fax: (425) 455-4793 Bellevue WA 98004 USA www.dollart.com [email protected] O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E R O S A L I E W H Y E L M U S E U M O F D O L L A R T Vol XVII, No 4 Fall 2008 Continued on Page 2... Continued on Page 2... Nancy Ann Abbott’s fondness for dolls, especially for sewing clothes for dolls, began in childhood but remained one of her greatest passions throughout her life. After attending the College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California, Nancy pursued an acting career, while also working as a dress designer for other actresses. She also loved to dress dolls as gifts for her actress friends, in outfits replicating the costumes worn in their movies. Nancy’s birth name was Rowena Haskin and while working as an actress, her stage name was Nancy Phipps. When So many collectors have said to me over the years “If I only lived closer to the Museum…” I agree with them and wish they did also. We just celebrated our 16th anniversary at the Museum in September and many who have longed to visit, even planned to visit over the years, have yet to come through our doors. As with anything in life, it is all about priorities and setting goals. Each year we put on our calendars the dates for events we know we will attend like the UFDC Annual Convention or Regional Conferences, doll shows, auctions, family reunions, vacations, medical checkups, school conferences, doll club meetings and on and on. These are all priorities in our busy, lives. Maybe this year, or 2009, is the year you should put on your calendar a date to visit the Doll Museum. So far you have missed over 40 changing exhibits not to mention temporary exhibits like the Schoenhut exhibit that is on display for the Schoenhut Convention that is meeting here now – their first time in the Northwest – a priority they “To Market, to Market, To buy a Fat Hen" "Pirate" Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls U.S. 1930s-40s Painted bisque The he he he he Little ittle ittle ittle ittle Doll with a oll with a oll with a oll with a oll with a Big ig ig ig ig Story: tory: tory: tory: tory: N N N N Nancy ancy ancy ancy ancy Ann nn nn nn nn Dolls olls olls olls olls October 25, 2008 – February 1, 2009 October 25, 2008 – February 1, 2009 October 25, 2008 – February 1, 2009 October 25, 2008 – February 1, 2009 October 25, 2008 – February 1, 2009 she decided to leave the acting world behind to open a book- lending shop in 1935, she changed her name to Nancy Ann Abbott. From her apartment in the evenings, Nancy continued to design and sew clothing for dolls, but now it was for the purpose of selling them. And sell, they did! In 1937 she created a partnership with Allan “Les” Rowland, and by 1942, their corporation (originally known as Nancy Ann Dressed Dolls) was realizing a million dollars in gross sales. In the "American Girl Series Colonial Dame" Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls U.S. 1930s-40s Painted bisque

Transcript of Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art Phone: (425) 455-1116 · PDF fileRosalie Whyel Museum of Doll...

Page 1: Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art Phone: (425) 455-1116 · PDF fileRosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art 1116 ... the gift we love best to share the ... MADAME ALEXANDER 10” Belle Encantress

SMALL WONDERS PAGE ONE

from the directorfrom the director

Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art1116 - 108th Avenue NE ❖ Phone: (425) 455-1116 ❖ Fax: (425) 455-4793Bellevue WA 98004 USAwww.dollart.com ❖ [email protected]

O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E R O S A L I E W H Y E L M U S E U M O F D O L L A R T

Vol XVII, No 4 Fall 2008

Continued on Page 2...Continued on Page 2...

Nancy Ann Abbott’s fondnessfor dolls, especially for sewingclothes for dolls, began inchildhood but remained one ofher greatest passionsthroughout her life. Afterattending the College of Artsand Crafts in Oakland,California, Nancy pursued anacting career, while also workingas a dress designer for otheractresses. She also loved todress dolls as gifts for heractress fr iends, in outfitsreplicating the costumes worn intheir movies.

Nancy’s bir th name wasRowena Haskin and whileworking as an actress, her stagename was Nancy Phipps. When

So many collectors have saidto me over the years “If I onlylived closer to the Museum…” Iagree with them and wish theydid also. We just celebrated our16th anniversary at the Museumin September and many whohave longed to visit, even plannedto visit over the years, have yet tocome through our doors. As withanything in life, it is all aboutpriorities and setting goals. Eachyear we put on our calendars thedates for events we know we willattend like the UFDC AnnualConvention or RegionalConferences, doll shows,auctions, family reunions,vacations, medical checkups,school conferences, doll clubmeetings and on and on. Theseare all priorities in our busy, lives.

Maybe this year, or 2009, isthe year you should put on yourcalendar a date to visit the DollMuseum. So far you have missedover 40 changing exhibits not tomention temporary exhibits likethe Schoenhut exhibit that is ondisplay for the SchoenhutConvention that is meeting herenow – their first time in theNorthwest – a priority they

“To Market, to Market, To buy a Fat Hen""Pirate"

Nancy Ann Storybook DollsU.S. 1930s-40s Painted bisque

TTTTThe he he he he LLLLLittle ittle ittle ittle ittle DDDDDoll with a oll with a oll with a oll with a oll with a BBBBBigigigigigSSSSStory:tory:tory:tory:tory: N N N N Nancy ancy ancy ancy ancy AAAAAnn nn nn nn nn DDDDDollsollsollsollsollsOctober 25, 2008 – February 1, 2009October 25, 2008 – February 1, 2009October 25, 2008 – February 1, 2009October 25, 2008 – February 1, 2009October 25, 2008 – February 1, 2009

she decided to leave the actingworld behind to open a book-lending shop in 1935, she

changed her name to NancyAnn Abbott. From her apartmentin the evenings, Nancycontinued to design and sewclothing for dolls, but now it wasfor the purpose of selling them.And sell, they did! In 1937 shecreated a partnership with Allan“Les” Rowland, and by 1942,their corporation (originallyknown as Nancy Ann DressedDolls) was realizing a milliondollars in gross sales. In the

"American Girl Series Colonial Dame"Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls

U.S. 1930s-40s Painted bisque

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SMALL WONDERS PAGE TWO

from the directorfrom the director...Continued From Page 1

...Continued FromPage 1

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1950s, topproduction ofthe dollsr e a c h e d12,000 per day.

Storybook dolls were one ofNancy Ann’s main doll lines.Marketed as “Wee Dolls for WeeCollectors,” they were inspiredby nursery rhymes and jingles.The bisque storybook dolls wereproduced from 1936 to 1948. By1943 there were as many as 125different characters created.Identifying a Storybook doll thatdoes not have her original wristtag or box can be difficult, asNancy often changed her dolls’outfits, using different materialsfrom year to year.

These sweet little dolls havesuch a big story to tell, andthanks to the research of ElainePardee and Jackie Robertson,via their Encyclopedia of BisqueNancy Ann Storybook Dolls(and stay tuned for volume II,available in December) as wellas Marjorie Miller’s book on the

decided on two years ago andput on their calendars.

With the dollar around theworld not doing so favorably andour economy needing a boost,perhaps spending our traveldollars in our own country wouldbe a good idea and the beautifulNorthwest couldn’t bring youmore to enjoy – mountains, water,city, country, culture, great foodand wine, and wonderful people.

Let us know if you are travelingthis way and we would be happyto give you some travel tips aboutour area and also, of course, thelatest news of our upcomingexhibits or doll shows in the area.And if you just decide to jumpon a plane or in your cartomorrow and head this way, weare open 360 days a year! Wehope to see you soon, and if youcan’t make it, you can alwaysreach us on the web or throughour emailed newsletter if yousubscribe – it’s free!

For those of you who livenearby and frequent the Museumand Rosie’s Too, we surely thankyou for your patronage andsupport. We work each day tobring you the best of the dollworld – memorable exhibits ofbroad interest, exciting inventoryin our stores, and up to dateinformation and research and allat affordable prices. We also tryto provide a clean and welcomingenvironment for your enjoymentand your guests’ as we know somany of you love to introduce

friends and family to your specialinterest in dolls, too.

Helping you identify yourdolls, connecting you withrestorers and repairers, if needed,providing space for your own lifeevents, or just a friendly doll chatis what we are all about. So---

The Best Things Come In TheLittlest Packages, they say. Andour holiday exhibit is all about“THE LITTLE DOLL WITHTHE BIG STORY: NANCYANN STORY BOOK DOLLS”.Many of us remember fondly thatsweet little face and chubby littlebody dressed to the nines in herfancy ribbons and lace. And oh,the polka dot boxes…whatnostalgia they evoke. And ourChristmas décor that goes up afterHalloween of course, will delightyou with our Nancy Ann theme.

What a perfect way to spend aday with a grandchild or bestfriend as we celebrate all thewinter holidays – Halloween,Thanksgiving, Christmas,Hanukkah, New Years, ANDValentine’s Day with little MissNancy Ann Story Book and allher friends.

Rosalie Whyel, Director

"Debbie" walker dollNancy Ann Storybook Dolls

U.S. Mid 1950s Hard plastic

"Annie at the Garden Gate Eating cherriesoff a plate" "Goldylocks & the baby bear"

Nancy Ann Storybook DollsU.S. 1930s-40s Painted bisque

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BABIREVES by Corolle $32.9512” Girl or Boy perfect for a newborn and upwith their soft bodies and adorable faces.

For the best selection of dolls for all agesincluding clothes galore, accessories,and trunks! Begin a tradition and givethe gift we love best to share theglorious feeling of receiving your veryown doll. The holidays are upon us,come and get your shopping doneearly- we even have easy parking! Orcall us to put together the perfectpresent for any occasion.

POUPETTE by Corolle12” Great for the adventurous toddler or olderin your life. Fun to carry and dress.Sweet Dressed Dolls $25 Outfits $15-18

LES CHERIES by Corolle13” All vinyl doll with brushable and stylablehair. She also has the cutest outfits for hoursof playtime fun!Dressed Dolls $30 Outfits $15-18

MADI the MAGICAL FAIRY12” Soft bodied mystical children with vinylhead and limbs. Great for the imagination!Dressed Dolls $49.99 Outfits $18-25

A Wonderful Variety byMADAME ALEXANDER

10” Belle Encantress $11010” Femme Fatal $1508” Grandma’s Favorite Cameo $808” The Little Princess $958” Wendy Visits Grandma $85Dressed Dolls $45 and up

GINNY by Vogue8” A tradition for over 80 years thishard plastic little cutie is a great dollto go anywhere for fun anytime!Basic Dolls $30 Outfits $20Dressed Dolls $40-65 CompleteTrunk $140

Why Get Your Dolls Anywhere Butat the Doll Museum?

MISS COROLLE by Corolle14” Have fun dressing me and styling my hair!

Dressed Dolls $54 Outfits $18-22

From the Museum Store...

EUROPEAN DOLL TOUR FINALEOur summer newsletter left us about to embark on yet another new

adventure – a visit to the yet unopened MUSEO DELLA BAMBOLA, thecollection of the lovely and vibrant Marie-Paule Vedrine Andolfatto inBologna, Italy. It is sad that the government has not allowed her to openher beautiful museum though it has been completed since May of 2007.There is hope it can open as the historical site that it resides in.

Marie-Paule and Marco Tosa, the Curator of the Borromeo Museum in Angera and consultant tothis museum met our group at the museum and provided a marvelous tour of the fabulous collection.Both speak English fluently so we were blessed despite our ignorance of the Italian language.

The collection is that perfect balance of German and French bisque antiques interspersed withgooglies and spectacular dolls in ethnic dress and modern artist dolls from world wide artists. Marie-Paule especially loves the child-size ones so it is as if the children of the world are visiting the antiquedolls. The museum is not large but the visual delights compensate for that and we never feltoverwhelmed – each doll had her own space for appreciation.

After ample time, we were invited downstairs to the coffee shop to imbibe in an afternoon coffeewith our hostess and host. Doll and museum chat abounded. It was hard to pull ourselves away from

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One of the many darling dolls of theMuseo Della Bambola, Bologna

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NEWS

ROSIE’S TOO APPRAISAL CLINIC! Saturday November 15th

During our open hours. Theseare complimentary, verbalappraisals, limit three dolls perperson please.

Rosie’s Too SaleSaturday 11 to 4November 22nd

Area Doll Show DatesANTIQUE DOLL & TOY

MARKET*Bellevue Inn Red Lion

Bellevue WASunday November 16, 2008

11am - 4pm

*Look for the Museum Sales Table

CROSSROADS DOLL, TEDDYBEAR & ANTIQUE SHOW & SALE

Nat’l Guard ArmoryPortland OR

Saturday February 14, 20098:30am - 4pm

CROSSROADS DOLL, TEDDYBEAR & MORE*

Puyallup FairgroundsPuyallup WA

Saturday March 41, 200910am - 4:30pm

Sunday March 15, 200010am - 4pm

NADDA*Nat’l Antique Doll Dealers Assoc

Embassy Suites LAXLos Angeles CA

Saturday April 4 &Sunday April 5, 2009

ROSIE’S TOO SALE*Rosie’s Too

Bellevue WASaturday November 22, 2008

11am - 4pm

our new found friend and this lovely new gem in the heart of Italy but Stressa and the BorromeoCastle called us. We boarded our bus for a wet drive north.

A few hours later we disembarked at our beautiful hotel on theshore of Lake Maggiore. It was like being home again, yet we oogledlike googlies at all the architecture of our art deco era hotel. Ofcourse, everyone had to see everyone else’s room – the colors, thefabrics, the paintings, the furniture, the balconies, the views – all soromantic.

Members of our last tour soon led the way to our favorite restaurantin town and our delightful waiter led us in a night of merrimentand real Italian pizza.

Morning saw us camera-happily riding around the lake to theenchanting Rocca Borromeo, the perfectly preserved Medieval Castleonce the property of the Visconti family of Verbano. It was purchased

by the Borromeo family in 1449 and within its walls is displayed the vast and rare collection of thePrincess Borromeo. Those of us who have visited prior are thrilled to realize even more improvementshave been made since our last trip. We are again provided an articulate, entertaining, andknowledgeable guide for the duration of our tour. With the collection, automata, videos, castle, andgardens, we realize a full morning still isn’t enough. But our last dayof shopping in Stressa awaits.

It is also our last night in Europe and we have a lovely farewelldinner planned at the Verbano Restaurant on the Isle de Borromeoin the middle of Lake Maggiore. A scenic boat ride around thegardens of Isola Bella –unfortunately our planned walking tour wasrained out- still provides temptation for a return trip. Long good-byes, many photographs, and a Heavenly atmosphere leave us allsentimental and resigned to stay in touch with new and old friendsand wonderful Italy. Ciao!

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Twin Bru, boy & girl, and an Automata“Pierrot & the Moon” by Vichy.

France c1880Photo by R Vada

The entire group on the last night of thisgreat European doll tour.

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SMALL WONDERS PAGE FIVE

We would like to thank the followingpeople for their generous

donations during the last quarter:

Welcome To Our New& Returning Members:

Avani and Maya Casey$10 Donation

Susan CullorEthnic doll collection

Alison B. DuxburyBed dolls, ethnic dolls, cloth dolls

Mei FutonakaKimekome doll and ball

L. Lee MaxwellDoll parts

Jan Miller1950s baby doll, clothing and blanket

Connie PearceEthnic doll collection

Kathy RauEthnic doll collection

K. RobertsMadame Alexander dolls dressed as bride and groom,

English guard, Irish outfit

Allan VennerTwo celluloid doll ornaments, one long baby slip

Lloyanne WallienWooden miniature spinning wheel

Jane WhiteAntique baby clothing, shoes, photographs

Emily Anderson Suzanne BlanchardMary Kay BrancheauVanetta Upshaw Cash Hap CrawfordKari DonaldsonFrances Ann EdmonstonMarilyn Ham-Kay Shirley HusbandEllen Jenkins Janet JohnsonVicki Johnson Mary KelloniemiDolores Laughlin Joe LeysathJudy Lofall Eva MaderMarsha Marquardt Yola ModenaAnn McClain Margaret PierceDiane Robbeloth Elise StokesOlga Tarassova Anne TyvandAurora Valentinetti Virginia VintonT.C. Vollum Judy Walsh

THANK YOU!Dawn Jarvis Lleana DavisonDawn Jarvis Lleana DavisonDawn Jarvis Lleana DavisonDawn Jarvis Lleana DavisonDawn Jarvis Lleana DavisonKathleen Genis Jackie ZorbistKathleen Genis Jackie ZorbistKathleen Genis Jackie ZorbistKathleen Genis Jackie ZorbistKathleen Genis Jackie Zorbist

Helen ShannonHelen ShannonHelen ShannonHelen ShannonHelen ShannonFor loaning your wonderful Schoenhut dollsand toys for our Exhibit. They were trulyenjoyed by all!

SHE’S BAAACK!Many of you alreadyknow that our oldestdaughter Roslyn hasreturned to theNorthwest, to getmarried, actually, to aformer Alaskanclassmate sincekindergarten, and nowa Northwesterner, also. We are delighted thatin addition to her continued horse career,she is back at work at the Museum, also.Roslyn was an original Museum employeewhen we first opened and had just graduatedfrom college. We are grateful also that sheno longer has the long commute – fromFlorida.

subject, Nancy AnnStorybook Dolls, and themany “wee” and not so “wee”collectors who lovingly caredfor these little dolls, we areable to bring that story to youin our Changing Gallery.Several of Nancy Ann’s otherdolls, including Muffy,

Debbie, Miss Nancy Ann,and Nancy Ann Style Showdolls, will also be coming outof their polka dot boxes tojoin in on the Christmasfestivities at the Museum.

Best holiday wishes to youand yours.

Jill Gorman, Curator

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SMALL WONDERS PAGE SIX

MAY 31 - OCTOBER 19 2008“Pale By Comparison:Untinted Bisque Dolls”Changing Gallery Exhibit

OCTOBER 25 2008 -FEBRUARY 1 2009

“The Little Doll with a BigStory: Nancy Ann Dolls”Changing Gallery Exhibit FEBRUARY 7 - MAY 24 2009

“Two Neighbor Ladies WhoMade Cloth Dolls;

Kruse & Scavini (Lenci)”Changing Gallery Exhibit

NOVEMBER 22 2008Rosie’s Too Sidewalk Sale

Saturday 11 to 4

DECEMBER 24 2008Christmas Eve Day

Museum OPENSpecial Hours 10am to 3pm

DECEMBER 25 2008Christmas Day

Museum CLOSED

DECEMBER 31 2008New Year’s Eve Day

Museum OPENSpecial Hours 10am to 3pm

JANUARY 1 2009New Year’s Day

Museum CLOSED

With the advent of the Schoenhut Collectorsin our midst, we had good reason to enjoy ourSchoenhuts even more, recently. TheConventioneers were a delightful group fromall over the country with interests in thewonderful dolls and toys that the Philadelphiatoy making company produced over its longhistory. It was fun to see our dolls throughtheir eyes. And we thank the local collectorswho shared their dolls and toys for thetemporary exhibit we staged.

We thought it a good time to Spotlight two of our dolls thatreside in the Ethnic Gallery on the Second Floorand one we have added alongside them. Manypeople do not realize that the two little Chinesebabies dressed so beautifully and authenticallyare wooden Schoenhut dolls and the only onesof their kind. Their skin tone is even varnisheda different color. They are both the 12 1/2”size, from c1918, and can also be seen in our publication The Rose Unfolds.Now joining them is another rare Schoenhut, a Filipino Girl. Many passed by

her on the search for Schoenhuts because her features arepainted so differently with high slanted eyebrows and atiny bow mouth. She is dressed in a typical early Filipinodress and head wrap and wonderful footwear.Next time you visit come up and take a second and firstnotice of these very special dolls, a tribute to the artistryand craftsmanship of Schoenhut.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE GALLERY

NOVEMBER 15 2008Doll Appraisal Clinic

at Rosie’s TooDuring Regular Hours, 11 to 4

NOVEMBER 27 2008Thanksgiving DayMuseum CLOSED

Schoenhut Family descendents, alongwith Rosalie, Shelley, and Evelyn,enjoying the rare Santa and Reindeercommissioned by WanamakersDepartment Store as a holiday display.

MUSEUM HOURS:Mon-Sat 10 to 5Sun 1 to 5

ROSIE’S TOO HOURS:221 106th Ave. NE Bellevue(425) 455-0363Thurs 11 to 8Sat 11 to 4Or by Appointment

1116 - 108th Avenue NEBellevue WA 98004 [email protected] 425.455.4793

Coming Events at the Museum