Doll Gallery

La Poupee by Arthur Sturgess

Promotional postcard for La Poupee, a comic operetta by Arthur Sturgess from the French of Maurice Ordonneau (Theatre de la Gaiete, Paris, 21st October 1896); music Edmond Audran. First produced at the Prince of Wales, Theatre, 24th February 1897. A card in R. C. Cartons series of show business personalities, portraying Willie Edouin as Hilarius, a doll-maker. Hence the doll, top right. Date: circa 1897

© The Michael Diamond Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

The Golliwoggs Bicycle Club - Surrounded by Cannibals

Surrounded by Cannibals! The book charts Golliwogg's adventures with his dutch peg doll friends Peggy, Weg, Meg, Sarah Jane and the dinky little Midget. This is the 2nd title in a 13-book series of Golliwogg books written by mother Bertha and illustrated by daughter Florence. The tale revolved around their travels around the globe on homemade bicycles (and the disasters that befall them!). These books gave the origination of the term golliwogg, now seen as highly un-PC and socially-unacceptable for reasons of supposed racial stereotyping and changing political attitudes, despite the innocent intent of the original creation, set in a time of wildly different social norms'. Date: 1896

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Cover design for Dutch Dolls Polka

Cover design for Dutch Dolls Polka, a song by May Ostlere, published by Enoch & Sons, London. Arrangements are also available for orchestra, instrumental septet, and military and brass bands. A large number of wooden dolls are depicted floating on the sea in a tub, with more tubs on the distant horizon

© Mary Evans Picture Library