Trying to date these adorable early 20th century paper dolls was no easy task. The Bookseller, Newsdealer and Stationer, Vol.53 from Excelsior Publishing House, 1920, attributes them to The Norse Company as part of their "Something to Do" set published "to ward off mischief of the little hands". It goes on to describe the paper dolls as "four fascinating paper doll books included...Pretty Dolls to Dress, My Little Dears to Dress, Dorothy and Ruth Dolls to Dress, and Betty and Jack Dolls to Dress by Mary Nye Marshall. Each stiff front and back cover provides an adorable doll while pages between are given over to wardrobes that are up to date in every particular."
[the above pictures and values are from
20th Century Paper Dolls Identification and Values, (2006)]
20th Century Paper Dolls Identification and Values, (2006)]
In 1917 The Platt and Nourse Company emerged from the Platt and Peck Company and published a paper doll book titled 'Dollies to Dress Like Father and Mother' which included my two dolls found in 'My Little Dears to Dress'.
In 1920 Mr. Platt left the company and joined with Arnold Munk to form the Platt and Munk Publishing company which eventually bought The Norse Company. In the late 1960s Platt and Munk Company Inc. became a division of Questor Education Products; some of their original paper dolls have been reprinted as part of the Child Guidance Division of Questor.
Ok, enough delving into the history of this particular set of paper dolls. Time to have a look at the lovely fashions of the early 19th century!
This is Jane.
This is Tommy.
My set includes only 3 items of clothing for Tommy...
perhaps there were more originally.
Jane has three lovely dresses and one evening coat.
And each item of clothing is marked on the tabs
when it was meant to be worn.
I've enlarged the next two items to show you the difference in printing from later paper dolls. Although the quality of the paper is good, the actual color printing is the same as used in newspaper comics.
"My Little Dears to Dress" on parade!
Several other articles of clothing were included
with this set that do not fit the doll provided,
but seem to be from the same era of fashion design.
And all the tabs are marked PAT. APPD FOR. (patent applied for)
And each item of clothing is marked on the tabs
when it was meant to be worn.
I've enlarged the next two items to show you the difference in printing from later paper dolls. Although the quality of the paper is good, the actual color printing is the same as used in newspaper comics.
"My Little Dears to Dress" on parade!
Several other articles of clothing were included
with this set that do not fit the doll provided,
but seem to be from the same era of fashion design.
And all the tabs are marked PAT. APPD FOR. (patent applied for)
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