1860 · United States
United States, 1860. Fine. The head appears to be from one of the S & J Fuller toybooks.. A charming paper doll depicting the character Gertrude Flint from "The Lamplighter" by Maria Susanna Cummins, together with six overlays showing her in different circumstances: as "A School Girl"; "Nan Grant's Dependent"; "Mr. Armory's Daughter"; "Miss Emily's Friend"; "With the Kitten the Lamplighter Gave Her"; and "The Lamplighter's Adopted Daughter". While the doll itself (2" by 1") is chromolithographed, each overlay appears to be handmade using pen and ink wash/watercolor. The largest measures 6.25" by 5.5".
Done after a scarcely found printed paper doll set of the same era. Cummins' novel was written at the height of Sentimental fiction's popularity, and tells the story of a young orphan rescued from her poor circumstances by a lamplighter. The novel was mentioned in the same letter Hawthorne made his famous quip that "America is now wholly given over to a [damned] mob of scribbling women." The novel was popular, and adapted for the stage and into a silent film. (Inventory #: 280807)
Done after a scarcely found printed paper doll set of the same era. Cummins' novel was written at the height of Sentimental fiction's popularity, and tells the story of a young orphan rescued from her poor circumstances by a lamplighter. The novel was mentioned in the same letter Hawthorne made his famous quip that "America is now wholly given over to a [damned] mob of scribbling women." The novel was popular, and adapted for the stage and into a silent film. (Inventory #: 280807)