These Shirley Temple paper dolls date back to 1935. They're quite tattered and not a complete set. I purchased them as one item in a huge box I bought years ago on eBay that contained around 100+ vintage paper doll sets, some complete. Shirley was actually thrown in as a bonus.
The dolls, clothing, and accessories are all double-sided so Shirley looked sensational whether coming or going. There are at least another dozen or more outfits in the bag and lots of little accessories. One of these days I'll get all of it into an album just as I've done with all the other sets I purchased.
As you can see Shirley's been run through the mill more than once. She's bent and torn and one doll is missing a hand. That's okay. I say she's been personalized. You can still occasionally find these dolls on eBay. Complete sets in booklets go for several hundred dollars. Or you can do what I've done and buy some of the reproductions done by Dover. I've put links in the left column at Amazon.
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I still have mine from the early 50's. Gently played with as we did back then. Mine is about 12 inches high and came with a folder to store her in.
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteMy motherin-law passed away and in the junk the family was throwing out Ifound, Shirley four outits, a pair of shoes and one hat.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good find! Dumpster diving, so to speak, can provide some very interesting stuff. When an elderly woman died her relatives took all of her postcards from a trip to Europe in the early '50s and dumped them in the trash. As soon as they left I was dragging the stuff back out.
DeleteI agree with you on pintrest! I love Shirley Temple and have several outfits (used) and 2 dolls. I also have a very rare paper doll house that out with the original set of paper dolls. It has a stand to place her in with it. I will try and get a photo so you can see it! I know that you would like it!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds wonderful!
DeleteI had a Shirley Temple doll in the '30's. Who knows what happened to it? I can't imaginewe threw it out but who knows?
ReplyDeleteIt's probably one of those things to best not think about. I have so many things I was forced to give away to cousins and I've always regretted it.
DeleteI remember my best friend had the shirley with the plastic snaps to attach clothing. Hours of fun.
ReplyDelete