Theory on the Missing Molds

Reuben Bates' molds, above

Ann Van Arnum has sent me several Izannah resources I hadn't seen.  She also sen me a wonderful theory on what happened to Izannah's molds. The molds above are not Izannah's molds, but are eerily similar. I asked Ann if I could quote her on this site, and she said yes. So here is Ann's theory:

"My theory on the long gone molds is that before and during World War Two, there were Scrap Drives that took place all over New England. Perhaps the metal molds disappeared into the Scrap Drives when someone was cleaning out a cellar.

I grew up in a very old house with a very old cellar. My maiden aunts' home, which was where they grew up, was built sometime before the Civil War. The homes were very close together on the outskirts of Boston. I remember my aunts going down into their very old cellar and dragging out all kinds of metal things , and also going into the old barn, and taking out old metal things for the scrap drives."

The old adage “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without” meant the end to many things we would consider historical treasures today. 

Withington's to Auction Three Izannahs

Withington Auction, Inc. will be offering three Izannah Walker dolls at auction in October. These sneak preview pictures were shared to be posted on the Izannah Walker Chronicles, with additional pictures to come.

Is that a bit of blue I see in a body covering above?

The doll above is very similar in expression to

a doll that was in Maurine Popp's collection,

shown below.

Large 27.5 inch Izannah Doll,

formerly in Maurine Popp's collection,
auctioned in 2003 by Skinner's.

The doll below is being donated to a museum...

Lots to think about, and some mysteries, too!

The American Museum to Host Izannah Walker Doll Workshop

NOTE:  This class has past, but the pattern is still available for those interested in making this doll. 

Over three years ago I started studying Izannah Walker Dolls in earnest. Who knew that these studies would eventually lead to developing my pattern? And that would lead to an online workshop. I was so surprised when some long established artists joined the online Izannah Walker Workshop (and a bit nervous, too, truth be told). And even more surprised (and honored) when I was invited to come to England to lead a workshop. Long-distance travel is very challenging for my family as I have a child with special needs, so I had to decline. But E. J Taylor and Lynne Roche will do a marvelous job teaching this workshop using my pattern at the The American Museum in Bath, England. The American Museum has "a remarkable collection of folk and decorative arts, the museum shows the diverse and complex nature of American culture."

If you live in England, this is a fabulous opportunity to learn about this type of doll from two wonderful doll makers. The two weekend workshop fee WAS £250. Class size is limited, bookings will be taken by The American Museum.

Telephone: 01225 460503

www.americanmuseum.org

It was so fun to read the description of the class!

Best wishes to all you students of Izannah's work -

Dixie
Northdixie Designs

Izannah Walker Doll Sells for $8,500

This Izannah Walker doll sold at Skinner Auctioneers & Appraisers'. recent auction this past weekend for hammer price of $8,500 to a floor bidder, not including taxes or buyer's premium.  The estimate was $4,000 - $6,000. I wonder who the lucky buyer was? This doll has a lively demeanor.

Old Tintypes and Daguerrotypes

The photo above looks a lot like the picture of Miss Mary on the cover of Antique Doll Collector. The doll above might be a papier mache doll, but those arms look an awful lot like Izzy arms. Hard to tell. Click here to see the image above in a larger format of the picture above.

I found this image in Mirror Image Gallery's Flickr - there is an amazing album of tintypes of children with toys.

Izannah's Year? Keep Your Eyes Open!

I started this site on January 1, 2008 as a way of sharing pictures I was able to take of original Izannah Walker dolls. Over the past 2 years many large pixel pictures have been shared on this site, and I have worked hard to put together a clearing house to all the information on original Izannah Walker dolls that's out there. 2010 has been a stellar year in terms of artisans' focus on Izannah Walker. Some highlights are....

• Three artists have designed and released Izannah Walker patterns.
  
• Two artists have made molds of their original Izannah Walker dolls, using them to make reproduction dolls.
  
• Another artist I know has a major Izannah project underway, studying the original dolls closely. It will be interesting to see that come to fruition.
• A live Izannah Walker Workshop based on my pattern is going to be held at The American Museum in Bath, England.
• 179 people took my Izannah Walker Workshop (see link in sidebar).
• An original Izannah Walker Doll will be auctioned tomorrow.

I wonder what Izannah would think of all this? I wonder what else might happen in 2010 in the Izannah World? My son teases me when I say, "Big things are happening in the Izannah World." His reply, "Oh, so there's an Izannah WORLD now, mom?"

Keep reading the Izzy Chronicles, because I will write about it all here. :-)

Antique Doll Collector - Izannah Articles

Picture courtesy Antique Doll Collector

Antique Doll Collector, Volume 1, No. 1

Nov/Dec 1997

Recently I purchased the back issues of Antique Doll Collector Vol. 1 on CD. I was thrilled to see a beautiful Izannah on the cover of the first issue. This doll was once owned by Lorna Lieberman and is the famed "Miss Mary" mint condition Izannah Walker doll Lorna arranged to go to the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City. The story is well worth reading - and you can see that my own copy that I scanned below is dearly loved and acquiring "patina". The pictures in the article are outstanding - showing in detail the wonderful wardrobe which had been created for Miss Mary over the years.

Pictures courtesy Antique Doll Collector

March 2006, Volume 9, Number 2

Also in this the CD version of antique doll collector is this lovely doll below, which so hauntingly reminds me what Izannah's dolls might have looked like before "paste and paint" were added. I wonder if this doll was inspired by Izannah's works? The slope of the shoulders is similar...and the mouth looks very similar to R. John Wright's Izannah.

Picture courtesy Antique Doll Collector

Antique Doll Collector, Volume 1, No. 1

Nov/Dec 1997

courtesy of Withington Auction, Inc.

Don't the lips of the doll above look similar to this doll named "Ella" above? Or perhaps this closeup below of a doll from a picture in John Darcy Noble's book on p. 101 of Rare & Lovely Dolls of Two Centuries.

Do you see how looking through back issues of magazines with Izannah Walker pictures can get the mind thinking? If you're interested in ordering the back issues of Antique Doll Collector, click the link below.

Antique Doll Collector

Antique Doll Collector Back Issues List

Izannah Doll to be Auctioned in August by Skinner

UPDATE - sold for $8,500 to a floor bidder.
The estimate was $4,000 -$6,000.

Skinner Auctioneers & Appraisers has an Izannah Walker doll to be auctioned in the session on Aug 15 2010 10:00 a.m. Click here and scroll to item number 707 to see the item thumbnail and description. They graciously shared these pictures of the doll and gave permission to post them here:

and I always like to show the full doll at the end -
back to the beginning:

Barbara Spadaccini-Day at the American Museum

Barbara Spadaccini-Day
will be speaking on
"Izannah Walker 1827 - 1888: American Doll Maker"

July 20th at 2 p.m.
The American Museum
Bath, England

Learn of the fascinating and varied life of one of America's earliest known, female doll makers. Those of you who are within driving distance of Bath, England will not want to miss this! For more information please check telephone the American Museum at 01225 823014.

Reproduction Izannah Walker Dolls - Paula Walton

Paula Walton's Izannah Walker Reproduction doll is made using a pattern she drafted from her original, antique Izannah Walker doll. This site is focused on original antique Izannah Walker dolls and what's going on in the "Izannah World." It's not a discussion site for repro dolls - that happens in the Maida Dolls Group. However, when someone uses an original Izannah Walker Doll for a pattern or head design, it is worth talking about here, as I did with Kathy Patterson's dolls in May Paula says,

"This painted cloth doll is a reproduction of one of the pre-patent c. 1850-1860 Izannah Walker dolls in my personal collection. Made specifically for the Izannah purist, who values a strict adherence to original construction methods and materials. This is an 18-1/2 inch tall all cloth doll. Her head is made from layers of pressed stockinette and cotton. She has bare feet with individually stitched toes, and applied thumbs. I drafted the patterns directly from my antique dolls and made the molds for the pressed cloth head using the original dolls. The doll’s body is made from 100% cotton fabric, her head is stiffened silk stockinet, and her “second skin” is made from glazed antique linen. She is stuffed with organic cotton stuffing to match the stuffing in the original dolls. All painted areas on the doll were first painted with gesso and then several layers of artist oils."

Paula's inspiration is below:

Paula Walton's Original Izannah Walker Doll, above.

You can visit Paula's website
for more information about her creations.

Update on Reuben Bates' Molds - Monica Bessette to the Rescue!

Monica Bessette is an incredible treasure trove of information about anything related to Izannah Walker.  After I asked the question "Where are Reuben Bates' molds?" Monica emailed me and said they are owned by the Rhode Island Historical Society.  So I emailed Kirsten Hammerstrom, who replied 

"We do own doll head molds made by Reuben Bates. We have two, one of a female and male face, but not the back or cranium side if the molds. The accession numbers are 1987.29.1A, the female mold and 1987.29.1B, the male."

Unfortunately the Rhode Island Historical Society is in the middle of a renovation which has necessitated moving many items, and so so they will not be able to accommodate a research visit for some time to come. But now we know where they are, at least.