Happy New Year!

Izannah Walker Dolls,

picture courtesy of Joy Harrington

Click the picture to enlarge

Today I opened an email from Joy Harrington, who had sent the wonderful picture above of two Izannah dolls and their friends. They are waiting for Santa next to the chimney, stockings all hung. Thanks so much to Joy for sharing this picture for all of us who love Izannah Walker dolls. Also in the picture is a black cloth circa 1870 as well as a parian and a wax over Motchman boy. Here are some closeups from the picture above...



Tomorrow will mark the first anniversary of the Izannah Walker Chronicles. I started the blog without much forethought, almost on a whim on New Year's Day of 2008. I did it because I had all these pictures I was able to take of Izannah dolls and I wanted to share. Through writing this blog, I have experienced so many wonderful joys and have met wonderful people.

So Happy New Year to all of you Izannah Walker enthusiasts out there!

Theriault's Will Auction Izannah

Click here to see the Izannah doll to be auctioned by Theriault's

Izannah Walker Doll at Carmel Doll Shop

It is a very fun thing to visit the website of the Carmel Doll Shop. They have all kinds of wonderful dolls, dollhouses, doll clothing - the list goes on! One of my favorite sections is the "early dolls" section. This month when I was checking it out I noticed they have an Izannah Walker doll for sale. I called and spoke with Michael Canadas and asked if I could post the pictures of the Izannah Walker doll they have here on the Izannah Walker Chronicles. I was so glad to hear Michael say, "Sure, that would be fine." Music to my ears!

This doll is a bit different - she has painted eyelashes which I haven't seen before. The hairstyle is feathered in the back and the front has little painted curls which frame the face. Beautiful!

Aren't these pictures wonderful?

Another Beautiful Izannah Picture

Last Friday I received the following e-mail, along with the beautiful Izannah Walker doll picture above. I was doing a happy dance in my office which led to one of the best gifts of this year. To read that story, click here to go to my personal blog.

Hello Dixie,

We enjoyed your site immensely and thank you for providing much interesting information on the life and dolls of Izannah Walker.

We thought your readers may enjoy this photo of an Izannah Walker doll in our collection. This doll is featured in The Treasury of Beautiful Dolls by John Darcy Noble and once resided in the famed collection of Maureen Popp.

As we manufacture cloth (felt) dolls in Bennington, Vermont, we have a great affinity for Izannah and the ingenuity and artistry obviously required to produce her lovely dolls.

With best regards,

R. John Wright

R. JOHN WRIGHT DOLLS, INC.

A followup email to R. John Wright brought this information -

The height of the doll is 20 inches and she has applied ears. The kidskin cuffs conceal the fact that the hands and arms are separate. When we carefully removed one of the cuffs, there was a clean split which was sewn with long stitches of linen thread. It didn't look like damage, but rather a construction technique that was then covered up with the decorative cuffs. Not knowing more, we can't be sure.

I am always so thankful when I open my email and see a picture of a doll that is new to me.

This doll is the one in the upper right hand corner of the group photo in John Noble's book When we obtained the doll, the dress had been changed from that shown in the photo but is wonderful nonetheless. She has a lovely, stately presence - even more so than in the photos.

(Click here to see the picture mentioned above)

I'd like to send a HUGE thank you to R. John Wright for generously sharing a picture of this doll.

Tilly, Wisconsin's Izannah Walker Doll

1951.1608, Wisconsin Historical Society

A few months ago Melissa Voigt went to visit the Izannah Walker "Tilly" at the Wisconsin Historical Society. While she was there, she was able to take pictures of the doll there. Tilly is object number 1951.1608 in the WHS collection and is described as a "cloth doll, girl, green plaid dress, white apron, USA, Izannah Walker, 1855-1865." Because of Melissa's efforts, and the generosity of the Wisconsin Historial Society, we are able to post pictures of Tilly here on the Izannah Walker Chronicles.

1951.1608, Wisconsin Historical Society

1951.1608, Wisconsin Historical Society

1951.1608, Wisconsin Historical Society

1951.1608, Wisconsin Historical Society

1951.1608, Wisconsin Historical Society

1951.1608, Wisconsin Historical Society

1951.1608, Wisconsin Historical Society

1951.1608, Wisconsin Historical Society

1951.1608, Wisconsin Historical Society

Tilly is also featured in the book The Story of My Dolls by Alice Timpet. In her book, Alice Timpet describes her dolls, one of which is named Tillie. Alice never mentions that Tillie is an Izannah Walker doll, perhaps because she didn't know!

Thanks so much to Melissa for taking the pictures, and for getting permission from the Wisconsin Historical Society to post them here. Here she is, holding Tilly. I understand very much the look on her face!

The Wisconsin Historical Society has an
excellent collection of
children's clothing online,
as well as dolls.

Stay tuned, because another generous person
has sent a picture of an original Izannah Walker doll!
I'll be posting that in a few days.