The Wonderful Primitive Izannah Walker Doll at Lucy's Doll House

This past Friday I took a drive down to Lucy's Doll House in Camden. It is always so much fun to go, but especially fun for me as they have another Izannah in the house. It's about an hour and a half from me, but would be worth a cross-country trip. Sharp eyes will know where this doll was acquired from. I was able to get some pictures, and take some measurements of her, which is wonderful. This doll is for sale at Lucy's Dollhouse. While I was there I also took a peek at the wonderful Columbian doll they have, and the sweetest little Babyland Rag.

Here are pictures of the Izannah doll - courtesy of Lucy's Doll House and my camera. :-)

This sweet primitive doll
had 4 layers of clothing on:
her dress, an embroidered white underdress,
a petticoat and a chemise and pair of pantaloons.

Lucy's Doll House
is located in Camden, Maine.

Happy Birthday, Izannah Walker!

If Izannah were alive today, I would give her a gift for her birthday. But what to give? A piece of land? She owned property, but no. That's a personal decision. A lifetime supply of stockinette? Nah, that's too business-like. But you know what I enjoy that Izannah didn't? The right to vote as a woman. So if I could wrap up suffrage in a custom artist-made box, that would be my gift to her. Because it is independent women like Izannah who worked to give women the rights we enjoy today - to own property, to vote, to have a voice in the shaping of our society.

Wonderful Izannah Walker Doll to Be at Auction

It's the mission of this blog to provide wonderful images and information about original Izannah Walker dolls to those of you who love Izannah dolls. I love it when I open up my e-mail and I've received some wonderful fresh, new pictures of Izannah Walker dolls to share!

Larry of Withington Auction, Inc. sent these pictures and information, and I'm happy to post the pictures here of this astounding Izannah Walker doll with an amazing provenance!

Here is the provenance provided:


ELLA – All Original Izannah Walker
with Wardrobe & Provenance -
In the Pope Family for 148 years!

Elizabeth Coggeshall Pope was born in New Bedford, Mass on October 26, 1857. Given to little Elizabeth at her birth, the doll called ELLA, is an example of Rhode Island doll-maker Izannah Walker’s earliest works.

William Pope married Anna Coggeshall in 1836, and together they had six children, only one son, Edward Ritchie Pope – lived to maturity. Edward’s younger sister, little Elizabeth died at 2 ½ years from scarlet fever. The doll named Ella, was preserved in her memory, descended through the Pope family to the present. The child’s maternal grandmother was Elizabeth Brown of Providence, RI- the Browns were among the first settlers of the Rhode Island Colony. Izannah Walker’s Doll shop, located in Central Falls, RI, was not far from Providence and the doll was probably a gift to Elizabeth from her Rhode Island grandparents.

Ella is 17" tall
click the picture above to enlarge

Izannah Walker registered a patent for her dolls in 1873, Ella is an example of her earlier work, having applied ears, and the fact that the owner, Elizabeth, only lived from 1857 to 1860, confirms the date she was made. Ella comes with a wardrobe, and accessories, including a bonnet, traveling cape & muff, and an extra pair of red “French slippers” with striped stockings. Her condition is exceptional, in all original paint with a bit of wear and light crazing. In addition to the wardrobe, she has a paint decorated country chair which bears a date of 1824 on the bottom.

Anne Stuart Hodgson of Minnesota is the fifth generation of Popes to own this special doll. Having no heirs, the family has decided it is time to find a proper home to care for her for the next century. Withington Auction is honored to be able to present ELLA to the world. She will be sold at auction on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at the Holiday Inn in Nashua, NH. For more information please visit at www.withingtonauction.com or call 603-464-3232.

Red Headed Izannah

Thanks again to the wonderful Strong Museum for letting me take pictures and for allowing me to post them here on this blog. I did a pretty good job taking pictures considering they're through glass. Again, I apologize for ghosts, shadows, etc. I have posted what may look like duplicate angles, but sometimes a slight change in angle reveals something about the doll, so I've posted all the ones that came out clearly. Enjoy!


This doll is as close to a red-headed Izannah as I've seen. She compares somewhat to the Little Red Riding Hood Izannah that was shared by Izannah owner Kelly earlier in the year. I believe this particular doll has a shoulderplate that is sewn on top of the body, without the second skin glued on top of the shoulder plate. If you click the link in this paragraph you will see what I mean. These dolls are the patented dolls, and Kelly says these later dolls are actually more rare.