Historical Dolls: Sparking Today's Imaginations
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Fueling the Imagination with Historical Dolls
Some things don't change: Little girls and historical fiction. Little girls fueling their imagination with dolls. Memory: I am about ten and I am acting out a historical scene with my dolls. I have raided my mother's sewing box for anything that looks faintly historical, vaguely reminiscent of Heidi. I have make shift suspenders and capes. One doll has a suede patch curved around her head bonnet. For a vest, she wears a mysterious tube that has fleece on one side.
Flash forward a few years, and my cousin's daughters are seven and eight, prime age for the American Girls. That's what they want, and that's what they talk on and on about. Their parents agonize a bit over the cost, but then they buy Molly and Samantha as Christmas gifts.
Flash forward another two decades, and we still have those same dolls: Heidi, Anne of Green Gables, the American Girls. They still foster imagination and storytelling. They still contribute to the fleeting wonder of childhood. But sometimes the price tags give us pause. And so we have those same decisions -- to buy a name brand, all decked out with accessories or to buy a more basic doll and outfit her from the sewing bin. This page explores the options.
Flash forward a few years, and my cousin's daughters are seven and eight, prime age for the American Girls. That's what they want, and that's what they talk on and on about. Their parents agonize a bit over the cost, but then they buy Molly and Samantha as Christmas gifts.
Flash forward another two decades, and we still have those same dolls: Heidi, Anne of Green Gables, the American Girls. They still foster imagination and storytelling. They still contribute to the fleeting wonder of childhood. But sometimes the price tags give us pause. And so we have those same decisions -- to buy a name brand, all decked out with accessories or to buy a more basic doll and outfit her from the sewing bin. This page explores the options.
Contents at a Glance
Storybook Dolls: Acting out Historical Fiction
When I Read, I Dream: Johana Spyri's Heidi
There it is a look I oft tried to create in childhood: Heidi. I first read the version for younger readers when I was six. I believe that I had a doll outfit at some point that reminded me of hers and that was part of what first inspired me to act out the story.
I found this little Heidi recently on Amazon. I like that this doll is a "little figure" -- it makes it easier for an imaginative child to use Barbies or other dolls as characters in the story.
The other dolls in the series are Anne of Green Gables, Jo from Little Women, and Fern from Charlotte's Web. (She doesn't wear long dresses, but ah, yes, she's historical now, too!)
I found this little Heidi recently on Amazon. I like that this doll is a "little figure" -- it makes it easier for an imaginative child to use Barbies or other dolls as characters in the story.
The other dolls in the series are Anne of Green Gables, Jo from Little Women, and Fern from Charlotte's Web. (She doesn't wear long dresses, but ah, yes, she's historical now, too!)
Heidi from Jahanna Spyri's Heidi doll - When I Read I dream Series
Amazon Price: $50.00 (as of 06/01/2012)
Historical Barbie
(Starring as Aunt Detie?)
There are a number of historical Barbie dolls out there: Victorian, Pioneer, and even Pilgrim. Some date back to the 1990's, but they are available still online. The prices vary a good deal. There is an elaborately decked out Victorian Barbie that is stylish, but the price tag -- $60 -- makes it more of a collector's piece than a play toy. The doll featured below, though, can be bought for significantly less.
It is the historic Barbie that most captured my eye. There's an elegance to this doll, too, and, while I feel sure she's not authentic to the period and setting, she brought to mind the auntie in Heidi. I could imagine her swooping down in her feathered cap and fine city clothing to spirit her niece away. It's what I would have done with her as a child -- well, it's one thing I would have done. Sometimes a costume would spark my imagination and carry me off to story land...
As for the Alm Uncle... well, I am afraid a good likeness would prove more difficult. Still, I can imagine what I would have done as a kid. I didn't actually have a Ken doll, so most male roles were performed by my brother's Bionic Man.
It is the historic Barbie that most captured my eye. There's an elegance to this doll, too, and, while I feel sure she's not authentic to the period and setting, she brought to mind the auntie in Heidi. I could imagine her swooping down in her feathered cap and fine city clothing to spirit her niece away. It's what I would have done with her as a child -- well, it's one thing I would have done. Sometimes a costume would spark my imagination and carry me off to story land...
As for the Alm Uncle... well, I am afraid a good likeness would prove more difficult. Still, I can imagine what I would have done as a kid. I didn't actually have a Ken doll, so most male roles were performed by my brother's Bionic Man.
Classique Collection Romantic Interlude
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 06/01/2012)
Jewish Historical Dolls
The Gali Girls represent Jewish girls of today and yesterday. Three have stepped out of history; they come with storybooks. Miriam (pictured here) is the most modern of the three, representing the year 1914. She is a Russian American immigrant. American Girl Rebecca is a Jewish girl representing, I believe, the same year, but Gali Girls are a little cheaper -- the doll, book, and a few accessories are sold together for about $60.
- Gali Girls
- Three historical eras represented by 18-inch dolls with books.
Dress your Barbies like Little Women
Of course it's not necessary to have a doll for each character. A wardrobe of historical doll clothes will let your little girl get the right look. Here are doll patterns -- fashion or girl -- inspired by Little Women. (Little Women was another story I tried to act out repeatedly in childhood, and I was always a bit frustrated at not having everything I needed. Some were out of scale or had short dresses.)
- Antebellum/ Little Women Doll Clothes
- Patterns for sale in booklet form.
Historical Character Dolls on eBay
Some storybook characters, including Heidi, Anne of Green Gables, and Alcott's Little Women have been represented many times in doll form. While some editions are no longer being produced, you can still find them on eBay. What I looked for, in making these selections, was reasonably priced dolls. I gave some preference to dolls that were "playable" -- but sometimes a porcelain doll was just to lovely to resist!
Canadian Girls
There are dolls and accessories available from more than one Canadian company. Maplelea makes a beautiful set of Anne of Green Gables accessories as part of their Avonlea Collections set.
- Avonlea Traditions
- Clothing and accessories can be modeled by red-headed Canadian Girl Jenna -- or another 18-inch doll. (The official story line is that Jenna is playing Anne in a production.)
- Anne of Green Gables Store
- A number of companies make collector's dolls. The Anne of Green Gables Store also makes reasonably priced 16inch play dolls with cloth bodies and vinyl face and limbs.
- Shop at Sullivan
- A twelve-inch porcelain Anne with quite a pretty face... for less than $20.
The American Girls
The American Girls Minis
The American Girls historical doll series comes in two scales: the class 18 inch and also 6 inch minis. The miniature series includes the dolls that have been retired like Samantha, pictured here. (It appears that she was merely downsized and not actually retired.)
I have a special affinity for minis (which I used to refer to as "little figure dolls" in childhood). They were more conducive to story... at least when it came to playing alone. Part of the charm was that I could have more of them -- some stories demanded quite a few characters! It was also easier to make rooms for them out of boxes and such. I will say, though, that I have been impressed with the creativity of parents and children alike when it comes to creating houses for full-size dolls... and showcasing them on YouTube.
I have a special affinity for minis (which I used to refer to as "little figure dolls" in childhood). They were more conducive to story... at least when it came to playing alone. Part of the charm was that I could have more of them -- some stories demanded quite a few characters! It was also easier to make rooms for them out of boxes and such. I will say, though, that I have been impressed with the creativity of parents and children alike when it comes to creating houses for full-size dolls... and showcasing them on YouTube.
American Girl Samantha Mini Doll
Amazon Price: (as of 06/01/2012)
Kirsten Display
Outfitting 18-inch Dolls: AG and Generic
Inexpensive Alternatives to The American Girls
Some parents buy My Generation dolls from Target or seek other cheap alternatives online. The Springfield doll (pictured here) is one alternative. Our Generation is another.
Springfield advertises its doll as a collector's item -- not a plaything -- for ages seven and up. Be sure to read the reviews. Some parents rave about how the doll is difficult to distinguish from a 'real' one; others note that the hair is prone to frizziness. (Ah, now, that's something I remember from childhood -- my walking doll had hair that became a bird's nest early on.)
Springfield advertises its doll as a collector's item -- not a plaything -- for ages seven and up. Be sure to read the reviews. Some parents rave about how the doll is difficult to distinguish from a 'real' one; others note that the hair is prone to frizziness. (Ah, now, that's something I remember from childhood -- my walking doll had hair that became a bird's nest early on.)
Springfield Collection 18" Doll: Sofia
Amazon Price: $16.94 (as of 06/01/2012)
Springfield makes eighteen inch dolls in a variety of hair colors and ethnicities. They can be outfitted to reflect different historical eras.
Felicity with Homemade Dress
Patterns for Historical Doll Clothes
- AG Play Things
- I gather that once upon a time American Girl provided basic patterns for some of the character's outfitters. A group of collectors has put together this collection of patterns. It includes some dresses that are no longer made.
- Historical Patterns for 18 inch dolls
- Various patterns from the 1930's to 1970's, one from the Colonial Era. These cost 3.99 for pictures, pattern, and instructions.
- Samantha's Dress
- Also 3.99.
- Quilt Patterns for American Girls
- Find relatively simple quilt patterns that represent the time period of different American Girls.
- Basic Dress Pattern for 18 inch doll.
- Free from Bella Online.
- Drop Waist Dress with Adaptations
- This drop waist dress pattern was offered free as part of a challenge. It was adapted to look like Anne of Green Gables,Pollyanna, and Nan Harper.
1930's Doll Apron
There are a number of videos showing children making their own AG clothes. What I like about this apron is that it's a real period piece. It's intended for Kit, Ruthie, or other depression era dolls.
There's no sewing, but some steps will need adult supervision.
There's no sewing, but some steps will need adult supervision.
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Doll Clothing Patterns: From Colonial to Victorian
Another Alternative: The Paper Doll
I played with paper dolls longer than any other type of doll, and they really brought out the storytelling impulse. In the years since I was a child, there have been a lot of beautiful historical and cultural dolls.
Credits
- Felicity
- pugno_muliebriter, Flickr.
- Kirsten
- hannah.rosen, Flickr
- Kirsten Display
- Jim, the Photographer, Flickr
Do You Have a History of Doll Play?
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tealmermaid
Oct 12, 2011 @ 12:32 pm | delete
- Good to know there's alternatives to the American Girl dolls.
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marciag
Oct 12, 2011 @ 3:31 am | delete
- These are some lovely historical dolls. What a neat idea!
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by KarenTBTEN
Hi. I'm a teacher and a writer. One of my passions is stringing words together -- and another is reading them out loud! I enjoy recording audio (publi... more »
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