Remembering Dolores

Withington's shared a picture today on Facebook of Dolores Smith, who passed away.  The post said simply, "Our beautiful Dolores." I'd like to share a story about her kindness to me.

Many years ago I called Withington's to see if I could drive down to document the Izannah dolls they had coming up for auction. Dolores Smith answered the phone. I mentioned the fabulous Ella Izannah doll which had recently sold at Withington's. I said wistfully, "I WISH I had been able to see the fabulous Ella, but life didn't allow. Is there any chance you could pass information along to the new owner of the doll with my contact information?" 

Dolores answered, "I know the person who owns that Izannah very well. I think she could be persuaded to let me bring the Izannah in for when you come."

I asked a photographer friend to come along on the trip. We went up the night before, because it is a four hour drive. When we got there, Dolores and Larry had set up a room with the Three Izannah's. They let me have carte blanche with taking pictures. Dolores offered to remove the clothing from Ella, so that the bodies of two Izannah's could be studied side by side. Ella's undergarments had never been removed.

Anyway, I was able to share  images on the Izannah Walker Chronicles of the wonderful Ella doll. And beyond that, because of Dolores, doll makers all over the world have studied Ella in emulating Izannah's work. Dolores' kindness is in each of those resulting works. Rest in peace, Dolores. 

Theriault's to Auction Two Izannah Walker Dolls

I was searching for a particular Izannah Walker doll, and my search yielded these two Izannah Walker dolls to be auctioned by Theriault's on Saturday, November 3, 2018.

The doll in the printed dress is an unusual mold and measures 19" tall.  She is a patent doll, which means she is later, but just as collectible.  Read about this doll here.

And the doll in the blue dress is a classic Izannah mold, with an u usual whisky hairstyle. The Izannah in blue measures 18".  You can read the description for this doll here.

Withington's Offers TWO Izannah Walker Dolls

Withington Auctions sent these pictures along for those interested in Izannah Walker dolls. There will be TWO dolls auction on Thursday, October 18, 2018.  Both dolls are 19" in height. You can find lot descriptions for 100 and 161 at their site here - Withington Online Catalog   

Izannah Walker doll, lot 100

Hammer Price $19,0000

2nd doll, Lot 161

Hammer Price $5,900

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. The doll sold for Sold for $18,099.00.

Happy 200th Birthday, Izannah!

Izannah Walker would likely be surprised at the hoopla 200 years later on her birthday.  Being born a woman and orphaned as a child were not causes for celebration in the early 1800's.  But they were a part of life.  She grew up on her aunt and uncle's farm. Living on a farm she likely learned many of the skills which led her to become a property owner, an inventor and a businesswoman. That was quite something to say for a woman at that time! We know her because of her doll creations, but I have loved thinking about the kind of woman she likely was while studying and emulating her creations.

I don't typically promote my own creations on this blog, but I am blown away by many of the creations made by artists to honor Izannah on this day.  Many of them started their Izannah journeys with my pattern. So, to honor Izannah on this day, I will be offering the pattern at a sharply reduced rate of $10 from September 25th to September 30th. If you know of someone who has been wanting this pattern, now is the time to get it.

Click here to go to the purchase site for the pattern. 

Calling All Artists and Izannahphiles to Celebrate Izannah Walker's 200th Birthday in September 2017

I'm bumping this post up which I did in January, as a reminder to artists working on something. We have a little over a month.

Celebrations take planning. On  September 25th of 2017, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Izannah Walker's birth. Inna Razuvaeva, Russian doll maker,  suggested in the MAIDA Dolls Group that we plan to celebrate by creating something for September 25th this year.

I created this blog as the resource I wish existed when I first started studying Izannah Walker's dolls. I had bought all the books that had Izannah Walker doll pictures in them. At that time, there were very few pictures of Izannah Walker dolls online, less than 10 dolls.  So I started traveling to document dolls and post them here as a resource for doll makers and those who love folk art. That's how this resource was created.

So, in 2017, let's plan to make creations to be finished by September 25th. I'll create in September which will allow us to post our special creations.  Here are some ideas to think about in terms of a creation:

1. Make an Izannah inspired doll
2. Make an Izannah inspired painting
3. Design an Izannah inspired fabric through Spoonflower.  See mine here. 
4. Write a poem.
5. Write a song.
6. Make a graphic.
7. Make a doll sized quilt.
8. Designs a new piece of clothing or accessory to go with your Izannah Walker Doll.
9. Make a modern one of a kind doll which uses Izannah Walker's techniques but does not look like an Izannah doll.

These are just ideas to prime the pump. Come up with others and leave a comment.

Ready, set, go!

Izannah Walker in the Providence Census of 1870

This was an interesting tidbit to see!  Izannah Walker is listed as "homemaker" and her friend Emmeline Whipple is listed as "doll maker."  Hmmm.  Should I rename this blog?

Izannah Walker's Will

Two posts in one day!   ;-)

In searching online I found a transcription of Izannah Walker's Last Will and Testament.