Little Doris Wilson’s aunt Georgia Goff sent her this Dolly Dingle paper doll, along with a hand-written poem.
Des Moines, Ia. Mch. 3, 1920 (or 1921) 1322 - 40 St. Doris' Dolly Dingle I Please accept Dolly Dingle Whom you may spank With her little shingle If she should show her spunk. II Her dresses too I give to you, pretty hats, & playthings. Yes, she has a cat. III I must explain So you can change Dresses on time Lest she whine. IV She wears green on Sun. And plays with her cat Would you believe it? Just look at that. V A pink little dress For morning wear. A sack of cookies? Why! that's her fare! VI She plays with her doll In the afternoon. Listen! and hear The bye-bye tune. VII Her Sailor Suit for any day When she wants to look At her story book, Or play in the sand Oh! isn't that grand? VIII Ah! her party dress Isn't it dainty? (I'm afraid she looks a little bit painty.) Why, she wears that When she dances with Jess. To Doris - From Aunt Georgina
The Dolly Dingle paper dolls were designed by Grace Drayton, who also illustrated children’s books, fashion pages, and magazine covers. The paper dolls appeared in the women’s magazine Pictorial Review. Considered as one of the first and most successful American female cartoonists, Grace Drayton created the Campbell Soup Kids.
Doris Laurayne Wilson, August 1921, Stuart, Iowa. Her dear Aunt Georgia died about a year later.
What a way to start my day! Charming, Joy. Absolutely charming! Xo! 🥰
Thanks, Vicki! More paper dolls on Thursday!
Love! 🥰
Adorable, Joy!
Wow, thanks, GP!
Little Doris must have been thrilled with her aunt’s present!
I’m glad Leora didn’t let her wear it out!
Thanks for the post, Joy. Learned something I didn’t know.
Thanks, Rich. I only know about it because Grandma Leora saved the paper doll and the letter with it.
Strangely, I seem to recall seeing them in my grandmothers old stuff (trunks, and etc). I was only 8 and have no clue what became of them.
Wow! I get to decide what to do with Dolly, but after Kate’s last visit (she’s 8, see my post in two days), she may end up with this one! Doris is her great grandmother!
A lovely piece of family history, Joy. Thanks.
Thanks, John!
Very creative. I must admit that I didn’t know much about paper dolls, but this post encouraged me to Google their history.
Research is the fun part for me as well!
Wonderful family history, Joy. It’s great reading that Doris Wilson’s aunt Georgia Goff sent her the Dolly Dingle paper doll, along with a nice poem.
Who knew it would be this much fun 100 years later? Thanks, Tim!
😊
This is wonderful, Joy, and evokes memories of playing with paper dolls in my childhood. Lovely!
Thank you, Lauren. More coming tomorrow!
paper dolls… big heart smiles here
Whee, Annette! More paper dolls tomorrow!
The simple things that amused children during that chapter in our country’s history left so much to their imaginations. Doris’s paper dolls (and Doris’s Dolly Dingle poem!) are wonderful mementos. Georgina must have been a fun aunt. 🙂
Doris sure loved the way she treated her. Georgia’s death not long after has been a puzzle. Here’s that story: https://joynealkidney.com/2023/09/08/georgia-laurayne-goff-brain-fever/
Such a sad story! Her obituary went into a lot of detail about her health challenges. Poor Georgia.
Grandma Leora’s only other sister was 10 years younger, so she really missed Georgia who was much closer her age.
Aw-her sister’s death must have been devastating. She suffered so much tragedy in her life.
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