Carol Corson Collection: Izannah Walker Doll in a Green Dress

UPTDATE:

This doll sold for a hammer price of $23,000 to Bidder 508.

There was a 15-18% buyers premium, depending on method of payment. 

Of the dolls to be auctioned in October by Withington's, this was a favorite Izannah doll. Her wistful expression and the hairstyle with wispy curls were lovely features. The eyes are painted beautifully as so many Izannah Walker dolls have - that far-off thinking expression. I wonder if Izannah had this look in her eyes often? 

Carol Corson's describes this doll in Antique Doll Collector's August 2011 issue: 

"This 17-1/2” girl with short brushed forward hair and in her original wool challis dress holds her miniature cloth “Izannah” made by Meriel Marlar."

There are also wonderful tiny dolls made by Meriel Marlar included in this auction. 

All images posted here were taken by me, Dixie Redmond, courtesy of Withington Auction, Inc. Withington's has posted some images on Facebook for this auction which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=155636264493245&set=a.5430867080303444

John Thayer, an Antique Izannah Walker Boy Doll to be Auctioned by Withington's

UPDATE John Thayer sold for a hammer price of $62,000. A buyer's premium of 15 - 18% would be added, depending on the method of payment. 

Carol Corson's doll collection is beyond amazing. I had about 4 hours to really study the Izannah Walker dolls, so I focused on Izannah dolls. I did turn my head a time or two and saw so many other rare dolls:  Schoenhut dolls, Lancaster Rag dolls, a tiny Chase doll, and many types I don't know much about. The catalog will be a fun one to study in detail! 

Today's pictures are of the famous John Thayer, an Izannah Walker doll painted and dressed as a boy in a fabulous plaid original outfit. This doll is featured on the cover of Antique Doll Collector in an article written by Carol Corson for Antique Doll Collector's August 2011 issue. The article Carol wrote catalogued the Doll Collector's of America's Izannah Walker Doll Reunion to celebrate DCA's 75th reunion.  That issue is worth purchasing to view the wonderful variety of Izannah Walker dolls featured.  It is available in digital format here:  https://issuu.com/store/publishers/antique-doll-collector/issues/08-2011

In the article, Carol Corson offers this description of John Thayer:

"15” boy, named John Thayer after his last of three generations of his original family. He is in his sewn on original dress with matching trousers. His side-parted hair is brushed to the right. He has high painted black boots with red shields at the top and gray painted soles. Walker dolls have down tilted feet and even the ones in super original condition have worn toes which may be caused by being carried by one arm with its toes dragging on the floor. Private Collection."

He is an exquisite and rare example of Izannah's work, clearly depicting a boy, dressed in a fabulous original plaid attire. I have only seen two Izannah Walker boy dolls in person, and this is the only example I've seen with a side-parted hairstyle. The buyer of this doll at the October 20, 2022 auction will be very lucky indeed!