Courtesy of Monica Bessette: Pictures of Ella Hawes' Izannah Walker Doll

In doing research for her book on Izannah Walker, Monica Bessette contacted the friend who owned Ella Hawes doll to see if she could use her doll's story. As will sometimes happen in life, a question will have more than one answer. The initial question led to Monica's purchase of the doll once owned by Ella Hawes so many years ago. Monica says:

"This doll is the one featured in my article "Walker Dolls: A Family Affair" originally owned by her grandmother, Ella Hawes. Ella was born in 1861 in Virginia, but was sent north to Attleboro, MA (about 5 miles or less from Central Falls) just before the Civil War. Her mother had died, and her father sent Ella and her brother up to live with his family, along with the coffin containing his wife and youngest daughter, who had both recently passed away, to be buried in the family plot.
I've included a few photos of comparison between my first doll, Joy, and my new doll, Ella. Joy is 18" and Ella is 16". The stockinette used on Ella is a much lighter weight and smaller weave. Ella is complete with both hands and feet, but one hand is unattached." 

Enjoy the images below. Thanks, Monica, for sharing! I'm looking forward to reading Monica's book!

For fun, Monica shared a comparison 

of her two Izannah Walker dolls.

How alike, and yet different they are!

Withington's to Auction Izannah Walker Doll August 2018

Withington Auction Company will be auctioning off an Izannah Walker doll at their August auctions which begin tomorrow!  I love dolls like these, where you can see the construction details. I hope someone wonderful gets to bring home this lovely girl made by Izannah Walker.

Thank you, Withingtons!  Over the years your generosity has been appreciated. 

1865 Izannah Walker Doll Offered by Withington Auction, Inc.

This Izannah Walker doll, said to be made in 1865, is to be offered the April 11-12-13th Withington Auction.  Two charming dresses with apron’s of the period are also to be auctioned.  The description of the doll is as follows:

“Izannah Walker Doll, purchased in 1865 by Eastwood Eastwood, for his adopted daughter, Maude Rouse, age 3 years old, Central Falls, R.I. (note of the doll's provenance stitched to the hem of her slip) - purchased in Connecticut about 25 years ago.”

Read more about Eastwood Eastwood here

https://politicalstrangenames.blogspot.com/2013/06/eastwood-eastwood-1834-1900.html?spref=fb

The doll is 18” tall, and has a center parted hairstyle with wisps coming forward at the temples.  The name of the neck is artfully painted feathery ringlets.  Here are image Withington’s sent:

Izannah Walker Doll for Sale at Alderfer Auction

On April 4, 2018 the following Izannah Walker doll will be offered for sale at auction at Alderfer Auction.  The auction will feature the doll collections of Rosemarie Snyder and Regina Steele.

The hammer price was $16,000.

15.5 inches tall

Izannah Walker Doll Offered on EBay Auction

The following Izannah Walker Doll has been listed for auction on EBay. As of today, bidding is at $7,000 but the reserve has not been met. There are 6 days left in the auction. This will be a fun auction to watch, and what a great Christmas present that would be!