Born in the United States in the late Victorian age, Sheila Young became far popular as a children illustrator already at the very beginning of the 20th century. She was commissioned by three magazines, the Ladies' Home Journal, Good Housekeeping and Extension, to produce colorful realistic looking paper dolls which were published during the Edwardian period.
We'll talk about the Ladies' Home Journal because today I'm introducing you to "Lettie Lane Paper Family", which appeared starting from the October 1908 issue and were the very first paper dolls published on a magazine for women which could be cut out, so as their dresses. This magazine, first published on February 16, 1883, was born as a supplement and only later became a monthly magazine which, during the 20th century, will be one of the most widespread in the United States.
MISS LETTIE LANE (October 1908 issue).
It goes without saying that along the first and the second decades of the last century Lettie Lane became one of the most famous paper dolls in America: her manners and fashions mirrored and will influence American domestic lifestyles and society.
LETTIE'S LITTLE TWIN BROTHER AND SISTER (November 1908 issue).
LETTIE'S GRANDMOTHER (December 1908 issue).
LETTIE'S BABY SISTER WITH HER NURSE (January 1909 issue).
LETTIE'S MOTHER (February 1909 issue).
LETTIE'S FATHER (April 1909 issue).
Lettie Lane belongs to a welthy and large family, but the series included not only the entire Lane family - Lettie's parents, siblings and relatives - but also friends and even servants, along with stories and accessories for the dolls linked with them. Thus Lettie has a wide range of possibilities as there were many costumes shown in this paper doll series over the four years she was produced.
Sheila Young, the original designer, brought a sophisticated line to these dolls: their individualistic faces mark an artistic zenith in the field. In addition, all Lettie's siblings, family and friends are shown decked out in evening dressed, riding suits, gowns, Summer wear, haute couture and other stylish apparel.
Lettie Lane's older sister was presenting as the one who's going to marry and this wedding was a significant event featured in the series, with the bride, groom, bridesmaids, and other family members depicted in various outfits.
LETTIE'S SISTER AS A BRIDE (March 1909 issue).
THE BRIDE'S MAID OF HONOR (December 1909 issue).
Then, to add to the excitemnet, Lettie Lane introduced her best friend "Betty Bonnet" in March of 1915.
LETTIE'S BEST FRIEND BETTY BONNET (March 1915 issue).
Betty Bonnet ran successfully through 1918. So to sum it up, there wasn't an actual Lettie Lane doll, only paper dolls of a fictional little girl who owned her dolls, her toys and her family.
Today Lettie Lane paper dolls are avidly sought by collectors and so great is the demand that un uncut Lettie sheet is rare indeed.
I've always loved paper dolls when I was a child and played such a lot with them, but although having truly many of them so much so that they filled a large box, I've never had such charming ones. Today I look at them with different eyes, of course, but they really seem very beautiful to me!
In the hope to have let You spend a few minutes
coming back to the nice days of Your childhood,
I'm wishing You all the best for the coming week.
See You soon ❤
Dany
La bambola di carta "Miss Lettie Lane" e la sua famiglia
Nata negli Stati Uniti in epoca tardo-vittoriana, Sheila Young divenne molto popolare come illustratrice per bambini già agli inizi del Novecento tanto che le verrà commissionata, da tre riviste, il Ladies' Home Journal, il Good Housekeeping ed Extension, la realizzazione di bambole di carta colorate e dall'aspetto realistico, che verranno pubblicate durante il periodo edoardiano. Parleremo del Ladies' Home Journal perché oggi ho intenzione di presentarvi "Lettie Lane Paper Family", che apparve a partire dal numero di ottobre del 1908 e fu la prima bambola di carta pubblicata su una rivista per donne che poteva essere ritagliata, così come i suoi abiti. Questa rivista, pubblicata per la prima volta il 16 febbraio 1883, nacque come supplemento e solo in seguito divenne una rivista mensile che, nel corso del XX secolo, sarà una delle più diffuse negli Stati Uniti.
IMMAGINE 1 - MISS LETTIE LANE (numero di ottobre 1908).
IMMAGINE 2 - LA BAMBOLA PREFERITA DA LETTIE CON I SUOI ABITINI
(numero di luglio 1909).
Inutile dire che nel primo e nel secondo decennio del secolo scorso Lettie Lane divenne una delle bambole di carta più famose d'America: i suoi modi e la sua moda rispecchiavano e influenzeranno lo stile di vita domestico e la società americana.
IMMAGINE 3 - I GEMELLINI - FRATELLO E SORELLA - MINORI DI LETTIE
(numero di novembre 1908).
IMMAGINE 4 - LA NONNA DI LETTIE (numero di dicembre 1908).
IMMAGINE 5 - LA SORELLINA NEONATA DI LETTIE CON LA SUA BABY SITTER
(numero di gennaio 1909).
IMMAGINE 6 - LA MAMMA DI LETTIE (numero di febbraio 1909).
IMMAGINE 7 - IL PAPA' DI LETTIE (numero di aprile 1909).
Lettie Lane appartiene a una famiglia benestante e numerosa, ma la serie include non solo l'intera famiglia Lane (i genitori, fratelli, le sorelle e i parenti di Lettie): ne fanno parte anche amici e perfino domestici, insieme a storie e accessori per le bambole ad esse inerenti.
Lettie possiede, perciò, una vasta gamma di possibilità quanto ad abbigliamento, dato che sono stati molti i costumi mostrati in questa serie di bambole di carta nei quattro anni in cui è stata prodotta.
Sheila Young, la designer originale, ha dato a queste bambole una linea sofisticata: i loro volti individualistici segnano un apice artistico nel settore. Inoltre, tutti i fratelli, i familiari e gli amici di Lettie sono raffigurati in abiti da sera, completi da equitazione, gonne lunghe, abiti estivi, haute couture e altri capi eleganti. La sorella maggiore di Lettie Lane si presentava come colei che si sarebbe sposata e questo matrimonio fu mostrato come un evento significativo nella serie di bambole di carta con la sposa, lo sposo, le damigelle e gli altri membri della famiglia raffigurati in vari abiti.
IMMAGINE 8 - LA SORELLA MAGGIORE DI LETTIE IN ABITI DA SPOSA
(numero di marzo 1909).
IMMAGINE 9 - LA DAMIGELLA D'ONORE DELLA SPOSA
(numero di dicembre 1909).
Con l'intento di aggiungere entusiasmo, nel marzo del 1915 Lettie Lane presenta la sua migliore, "Betty Bonnet".
IMMAGINE 10 - LA MIGLIORE AMICA DI LETTIE: BETTY BONNET
Betty Bonnet fu pubblicata con successo fino al 1918. Quindi, per riassumere, non esisteva una vera bambola di Lettie Lane, solo bambole di carta di una bambina immaginaria che possedeva le sue bambole, i suoi giocattoli e la sua famiglia.
Oggi le bambole di carta di Lettie Lane sono ricercatissime dai collezionisti e la richiesta è talmente rilevante che un foglio di Lettie non tagliato è davvero raro.
Ho sempre adorato le bambole di carta da bambina e ci giocavo tantissimo, ma pur avendone davvero così tante da riempire una grande scatola, non ne ho mai avute di così graziose. Oggi le guardo con occhi diversi, ovviamente, ma mi sembrano davvero bellissime!
Nella speranza di averVi fatto trascorrere qualche minuto
ripensando ai bei giorni della Vostra infanzia,
Vi auguro tutto il meglio per la prossima settimana.
A presto ❤
Dany
LINKING WITH:
I enjoyed these pictures of Lettie Anne and her family so much! I used to play with paper dolls as a child, but mostly the Betsy McCall dolls and her monthly outfits in McCall's Magazine. I had some others that were movie stars later, and today I do have one called The Steiner Doll, based on a real doll made by the Steiner dollmaker. My married last name is Steiner, so that makes it extra special. I should get her back out and play with her again, or at least take some pictures and share them! Thank you for this lovely presentation! I loved all the dolls and their beautiful costumes.
RispondiEliminaPamela M. Steiner,
EliminaWow, how splendid! You do have a doll that bears your last name as married, for sure it's far precious indeed, take care of it :)!
And if you play with your Steiner Doll again, enjoy it, I wonder who says that we cannot still play with our paper dolls just because we're not girls anymore!
Thanking you for this wonderful comment of yours,
and for your beautiful visit, of course,
I'm wishing you a blessed remainder of your week ღ❀ღ
When I was little I dressed up my dolls with the same things. What a fond memory.
RispondiEliminaThank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week, Sweet Dany. Hugs. ♥
Sandee,
EliminaDearest One, hugs to you too, indeed, lots of hugs to you and thank you for having enjoyed this post of mine, I'm heartily glad to have recalled to your mind fond memories!
Wishing you a wonderful Awww Monday and days to come ❥
I remember when I was a little girl, my grandmother had scrapbooks with ladies in costumes from that era. I was fascinated by them.
RispondiEliminaLinda.
EliminaLovely Lady, that was truly a charming era and I wonder how fascinated you were by such ladies in costume in those scrapbooks. I suppose your grandmother lived in that age and probably wore those costumes too, or maybe her mother did.
How enthralling it is to go back in time with our memories!
So glad you've enjoyed this post,
I'm sending my dearest hug to you ஜ♥♡♥ஜ
I do remember paper dolls as a child, but none so sophisticated as these, they were certainly a beautiful series, I'm sure much loved.
RispondiEliminaMessymimi
EliminaI also think that it couldn't be otherwise, that was the first series published on a magazine for ladies and both the personage and the dresses were so cared in every details by Sheila Young, she was a very capable illustrator indeed, so much so that we today we seem to come back in that age watching at such sheets!
With sincere gratitude for being so faithful,
I'm wishing you the best of Summer days ✿⊱╮
These are lovely, Daniela.
RispondiEliminaLinda's Relaxing Lair,
EliminaThank you Dearie!
•♥• Much love to you •♥•
OMG! The collection and dresses of the dolls is so beautiful. Good to find you through the Link up Party! Much love! :)
RispondiEliminaFitFoodieMegha,
EliminaYou're heartily welcome!
Thanking you for your nice words, I promise to reciprocate this so beautiful visit of yours as soon as I can.
Sending big and warm hugs across the many miles ✽*Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ*✽⊱
I am sure she brought many hours of happiness to countless children. Dressing up, whether in person, or with dolls has always been a source of play. Lovely post Daniela.
RispondiElimina