News from The Doll Works
Back issues of Antique Doll Collector magazine may be ordered through their web site: antiquedollcollector.com
| Christmas Mischief | |
| December, 2011, Antique Doll Collector Magazine by Judith Armitstead. What fun! A little mischievous teddy bear climbs to the top of the Christmas tree creating havoc and anxiety for his little Heubach toddler companions. The article features an early, small German feather tree full of tiny glass ornaments, a cunning little Schucco teddy bear and numerous Heubach immobile toddlers, each one with a unique pose and anxious expression. The pictures have been stunningly and cleverly incoporated into Christmas bulbs creating a unique background to this article. | |
| The Legacy of Margaret Woodbury Strong | |
| May, 2011, Antique Doll Collector Magazine--by Judith Armitstead. The article is introduced with the life of Margaret Woodbury Strong, who collected antique dolls, dollhouses, and toys for many years. Upon her death, she bequeathed most of her resources for a museum to house her collections. In 1982, The Strong Museum was opened and, since then, has gone through many changes. Today, the museum is called The National Museum of Play at The Strong and has many interactive educational and play exhibits and includes a large portion of Mrs. Strong's vast collections of antique dolls and dollhouses. | |
| Doll Furniture and Toys of the Early Hingham Craftsmen Part III | |
| Antique Doll Collector Magazine,August, 2010, by Judith Armitstead. Part III concludes the 3-part series on the work and history of the Hingham, Massachusetts, doll furniture and toy craftsmen featuring the work of Loring H. Cushing, George W. Fearing and Marita Otis Lincoln. The article features descriptions and color photographs of their work accompanied by accessories, early dolls and teddy bears and a discussion of the Hingham Historical Society collections. Each part in the 3-part series discussed and illustrated examples from different craftsmen who lived in Hingham during the mid to late 1800's. This and the other issues may be ordered through the web site, www.antiquedollcollector.com. | |
| Doll Furniture and Toys of the Early Hingham Craftsmen Part II | |
| Antique Doll Collector, June 2010. By Judith Armitstead. Part II continues the examination of the history and work of early craftsmen of Hingham, Massachusetts. Featured are Samuel Hersey, his brother Edmund, their uncle Cotton Hersey, William B. Luce, and several lesser known craftsmen. Pictured in the article are rare, signed miniature bedroom sets, chairs, cradle, and rocking chair by Samuel Hersey, a signed miniature blue painted firkin by Cotton Hersey and a William B. Luce doll mirror. | |
| Doll Furniture and Toys of the Early Hingham Craftsmen Part I | |
| Antique Doll Collector, May, 2010. By Judith Armitstead. This article is the first in a 3-part series chronicling the history and work of early wooden doll furniture and toy craftsmen of Hingham, Massachusetts, beginning in the mid-1800's. Part I features the work of William S. Tower, his brother Charles, and their nephew Ezra Wilder. Pictured are numerous rare, signed pieces including miniature wash tubs, dresser, wash stand, chairs, table, and highboy. | |
| The Preeminent Artwork of Tynietoy Part II | |
| September, 2009 issue of Antique Doll Collector. Part II of this series further delves into the extensive hand-painted artwork applied to the products of the firm of Tynietoy including screens, hanging pictures, and furniture. Original documentation of Tynietoy artwork and catalog pages are provided as further evidence of this company's artistic works. Also included are comparisons to other companies' artwork including Lynnfield Furniture and Roger Williams Furniture. The September, 2009, issue of Antique Doll Collector can be ordered from their web site, www.antiquedollcollector.com. | |
| The Preeminent Artwork of Tynietoy Part I | |
| The July, 2009, issue of Antique Doll Collector magazine presents Part I of "The Preeminent Artwork of Tynietoy" by Judith Armitstead examining the added hand-painted decorations to a large number of Tynietoy products. The article further explores the history of the Tynietoy firm and illustrates original archival artwork on paper, portions of original Tynietoy catalogs illustrating artwork and Tynietoy furniture and accessories which have vibrant and colorful hand-painted artwork. The July, 2009, issue of Antique Doll Collector may be ordered from www.antiquedollcollector.com | |
| Miniatures and Baseball--What A Fun Combination! | |
| If you love miniatures, baseball and history, then this is the book for you: "Baseball's Greatest Hit, The Story of Take Me Out to the Ball Game" by Andy Strasberg, Bob Thompson & Tim Wiles in 2006. The lyrics to the song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" was written by Jack Norworth, who was also an avid miniaturist. Pictured on page 135 and 136 are portions of my collection which were originally from the Jack Norworth collection. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase some of Mr. Norworth's items from John Blauer--well known for his Maynard Manor, documented in numerous miniataure magazines over the years. These included a miniature skull given to Mr. Norworth from John Barrymore who played Hamlet and tiny liquor bottles given to him by W. C. Fields. Also pictured from my collection are tiny sheet music of Shine on Harvest Moon, words also by Jack Norworth, tiny check book with Jack Norworth's signature and numerous other items. I also provided 1944 ads from Hobbies Magazine which show Mr. Norworth's advertisements for selling and buying miniatures. This book was published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the song played at every baseball game, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and affiliated with The Baseball Hall of Fame. | |
| Tynietoy's Elusive Cloth Dollhouse Dolls | |
| April, 2008, Antique Doll Collector. "Tynietoy's Elusive Cloth Dollhouse Dolls" by Judith Armitstead illustrates with large precise pictures and describes the little known bendable, cloth dollhouse dolls in one-inch scale. The article reveals the previously undocumented fact that Marion Winter was the creator of these artistically hand-painted and hand-made dollhouse dolls from the second quarter of the 1900's. Documentation from early Tynietoy catalogs is also presented. Copies of the April, 2008, issue may be ordered from Antique Doll Collector at www.antiquedollcollector.com. |
More News
Judith Izen has been a doll historian, researcher, author and our friend for many years. In addition to her popular books listed on our home page, Ms. Izen's articles have appeared in many magazines. Ms. Izen's article in the July, 2004, issue of Contemporary Doll Collector, "Dolls We Love -- The 1958--1963 Vinyl Shirley Temple Dolls" features several classic Shirley Temple outfits from our collection. Also see the July 2004 issue of Antique Doll Collector for her article on "Composition Dolls of Child and Teen Stars" which pictures Baby Sandy from our collection.
If you would like to know more about Ms. Izen's books, please click here.