Celebrating 75 Years of Paper Dolls

Thourougly researched, thoroughly enjoyable!

March 18, 2016  By Literary Hub
0


Dover Publications, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, takes paper dolls seriously, as should you.  From ancient Japanese origami dolls to the more recent French paper puppets of the 18th century, paper dolls have been a source of entertainment, and, more recently, fine art, for a long time. In the 1920’s, major book publishers in the US began producing paper dolls and their huge following began. These early paper dolls―primarily focusing on celebrities and movie stars―were not only found in coloring books, but in advertisements, magazines, and newspapers across the nation. Dover Publications, which was founded in the midst of World War II, has been influential in revolutionizing the paperback book market and has had a illustrious monopoly on the adult coloring book market, the book-home for paper dolls of all kinds. Today, paper dolls are less common (with vintage and original dolls sold for anywhere between $100 and $500), but Dover still knows a thing or two about these two-dimensional figures and their accompanying outfits. Thoroughly researched, with historically accurate outfits, these paper dolls are the perfect way to spend your Friday.

Article continues after advertisement
Remove Ads

Victorian girls Two victorian dresses and a bike

The active Victorian woman enjoys a Sunday cycle.george washington dollGeorge Washington, preparing to pose for the dollar bill.

martha washington doll

Martha Washington, the very first First Lady.

Article continues after advertisement
Remove Ads

pioneer dolls

Pioneers

jackie o doll

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, paragon of glamour.

jfk doll

Article continues after advertisement
Remove Ads

John F. Kennedy, considering a third-party run.

caroline and jr

Caroline and John Jr., the children of Camelot.

audrey hepburn

The unmatched elegance of Audrey Hepburn.

Article continues after advertisement
Remove Ads

will and katewill outfits

Prince William and Kate Middleton (he’s a geographer?)

pope francis simplepope francis robes

Pope Francis!sonia sotomayorAssociate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Sonia Sotomayor


Bonus: literary dolls!

Article continues after advertisement
Remove Ads

literary greats 1

Edgar Allen Poe and Mary Shelley

literary greats 2

Oscar Wilde and H.G. Wellsliterary greats 3The Brothers Grimmliterary greats 4Ernest Hemingway












More Story
What the Critics Picked: The NBCC Award Judges on the 30 Finalists On January 18th, The National Book Critics Circle Awards announced its finalists for the publishing year 2015 in six categories,...

Become a Lit Hub Supporting Member: Because Books Matter

For the past decade, Literary Hub has brought you the best of the book world for free—no paywall. But our future relies on you. In return for a donation, you’ll get an ad-free reading experience, exclusive editors’ picks, book giveaways, and our coveted Joan Didion Lit Hub tote bag. Most importantly, you’ll keep independent book coverage alive and thriving on the internet.

x