These little dolls are from the November 1920 Women’s Home Companion magazine. The illustrator was M. Emma Musselman. The first one is named Gladys, the second Madeline. Click here to see the complete page from the magazine.
Click on either image to see it larger.
I can find little biographical information about Musselman other than she was born in 1880 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and she lived in Philadelphia. She was considered one of the top fashion illustrators in the first few decades of the 20th century.
The image below is from book two of Mary Young's Paper Dolls and Their Artists, copyright 1977.
Look around enough online and you’ll find many stunning dolls and fashion illustrations done by Musselman. Now, it’s only my opinion, but I think she illustrated some of the most beautiful paper dolls ever created. I do wonder whatever became of her original art. I imagine it’s long gone. Heartbreaking.
Click here to see another illustration done my Musselman for the May 1913 Women’s Home Companion. Click the links below to see more paper dolls:
To see some vintage snapshots of little girls with their dolls visit my other site Tattered and Lost Photographs.
UPDATE: Reader Jan Hall has provided the following about M. Emma Musselman. Thanks Jan!
Mary Emma Musselman was the daughter of Benjamin Musselman and Anna Jane Herr. I have not found a death date for her. She was born 26th Jan 1880 in Lancaster PA. Her father was a clerk in an insurance office, and her only surviving brother was Benjamin Ovid Musselman, a reporter who was paralyzed early in life but continued his work from his home until his death in 1938. In the 1910 census, Mary Emma is living in Philadelphia on 10th st. with her widowed mother, and it's the first time she has "artist" noted as her occupation.There is no close connection to the Musselman apple family over in Adams county.The Musselman apple company was not in Lancaster co, was in Adams county.
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Don't know if there is a connection, but Musselman's Apple Sauce was made in Lancaster County, PA. A successful family would have had the money to send a daughter to art school or even Europe for study. There is a Musselman Library at Gettysburg College donated by the family foundation. If there is a relationship, her original works might be in the library archives.
ReplyDeleteI love these paper dolls. I used to play with paper dolls when I was young. Now I can't find any for my daughter. her work is beautiful. I love the bride.
ReplyDeleteFrom what research I did it seems there were a lot of Musselman's that settled in Lancaster. And she was involved in long showings of art both there and Philly, but nothing really definitive.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Musselman's Apple Butter. I grew up eating that. Used to be able to buy it here in California, but I haven't seen it in years.
Pretty wonderful, I adore the Musselman paper dolls.
ReplyDeleteMary Emma Musselman was the daughter of Benjamin Musselman and Anna Jane Herr. I have not found a death date for her. She was born 26th Jan 1880 in Lancaster PA. Her father was a clerk in an insurance office, and her only surviving brother was Benjamin Ovid Musselman, a reporter who was paralyzed early in life but continued his work from his home until his death in 1938. In the 1910 census, Mary Emma is living in Philadelphia on 10th st. with her widowed mother, and it's the first time she has "artist" noted as her occupation.There is no close connection to the Musselman apple family over in Adams county.
ReplyDeletePS The Musselman apple company was not in Lancaster co, was in Adams county.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jan! I'll add this to the copy.
ReplyDelete