It's the mission of this blog to provide wonderful images and information about original Izannah Walker dolls to those of you who love Izannah dolls. I love it when I open up my e-mail and I've received some wonderful fresh, new pictures of Izannah Walker dolls to share! Larry of Withington Auction, Inc. sent these pictures and information, and I'm happy to post the pictures here of this astounding Izannah Walker doll with an amazing provenance! Here is the provenance provided: ELLA – All Original Izannah Walker with Wardrobe & Provenance - In the Pope Family for 148 years! Elizabeth Coggeshall Pope was born in New Bedford, Mass on October 26, 1857. Given to little Elizabeth at her birth, the doll called ELLA, is an example of Rhode Island doll-maker Izannah Walker’s earliest works. William Pope married Anna Coggeshall in 1836, and together they had six children, only one son, Edward Ritchie Pope – lived to maturity. Edward’s younger sister, little Elizabeth died at 2 ½ years from scarlet fever. The doll named Ella, was preserved in her memory, descended through the Pope family to the present. The child’s maternal grandmother was Elizabeth Brown of Providence, RI- the Browns were among the first settlers of the Rhode Island Colony. Izannah Walker’s Doll shop, located in Central Falls, RI, was not far from Providence and the doll was probably a gift to Elizabeth from her Rhode Island grandparents. Ella is 17" tall click the picture above to enlarge Izannah Walker registered a patent for her dolls in 1873, Ella is an example of her earlier work, having applied ears, and the fact that the owner, Elizabeth, only lived from 1857 to 1860, confirms the date she was made. Ella comes with a wardrobe, and accessories, including a bonnet, traveling cape & muff, and an extra pair of red “French slippers” with striped stockings. Her condition is exceptional, in all original paint with a bit of wear and light crazing. In addition to the wardrobe, she has a paint decorated country chair which bears a date of 1824 on the bottom. Anne Stuart Hodgson of Minnesota is the fifth generation of Popes to own this special doll. Having no heirs, the family has decided it is time to find a proper home to care for her for the next century. Withington Auction is honored to be able to present ELLA to the world. She will be sold at auction on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at the Holiday Inn in Nashua, NH. For more information please visit at www.withingtonauction.com or call 603-464-3232.
**I’ll be updating my site and moving it to a new format soon. The site layout I selected isn’t being supported for phone browsing. The content is there, but formatting may be a bit off…
**I’ll be updating my site and moving it to a new format soon. The site layout I selected isn’t being supported for phone browsing. The content is there, but formatting may be a bit off…
Pictures of and Writings About Antique Izannah Walker Dolls
Thirteen years ago, in January 2009, when I first started this blog the following aptly introduced my beloved antique Izannah Walker dolls. In succeeding years my collection of antique Izannahs ha…
I’d like to introduce you all to Melissa’s doll. She is a wonderful example of one of my custom ordered reproduction Izannah Walker dolls. Melissa requested a doll with a very thin ne…
**I’ll be updating my site and moving it to a new format soon. The site layout I selected isn’t being supported for phone browsing. The content is there, but formatting may be a bit off…
I’d like to introduce you all to Melissa’s doll. She is a wonderful example of one of my custom ordered reproduction Izannah Walker dolls. Melissa requested a doll with a very thin ne…
**I’ll be updating my site and moving it to a new format soon. The site layout I selected isn’t being supported for phone browsing. The content is there, but formatting may be a bit off…
I’d like to introduce you all to Melissa’s doll. She is a wonderful example of one of my custom ordered reproduction Izannah Walker dolls. Melissa requested a doll with a very thin ne…
**I’ll be updating my site and moving it to a new format soon. The site layout I selected isn’t being supported for phone browsing. The content is there, but formatting may be a bit off…
**I’ll be updating my site and moving it to a new format soon. The site layout I selected isn’t being supported for phone browsing. The content is there, but formatting may be a bit off…
**I’ll be updating my site and moving it to a new format soon. The site layout I selected isn’t being supported for phone browsing. The content is there, but formatting may be a bit off…
The doll pictured above was priced at $19,500 The doll is now SOLD R. John and Susan Wright have offered this beautiful antique Izannah Walker doll for sale (it is now sold). This doll was formerly in the collection of Maureen Popp and was pictured in John Darcy Noble’s book “A Treasury of Beautiful Dolls”. The Wright's have owned her for some 30 years. The Wright's doll is very similar to the wonderful Ella doll, which can be seen here. Ella has a provenance dating her to 1857. The Wright's doll is very similar in body shape and construction of the head to Ella. Images of the body: Dixie's NOTE: Any purchase agreement or statement of condition or terms is strictly between the Wrights and the buyer. Dixie Redmond and/or the Izannah Walker Chronicles are not part of the transaction in any way, and receives no compensation for featuring dolls on this blog.
Thirteen years ago, in January 2009, when I first started this blog the following aptly introduced my beloved antique Izannah Walker dolls. In succeeding years my collection of antique Izannahs ha…
Thirteen years ago, in January 2009, when I first started this blog the following aptly introduced my beloved antique Izannah Walker dolls. In succeeding years my collection of antique Izannahs ha…
**I’ll be updating my site and moving it to a new format soon. The site layout I selected isn’t being supported for phone browsing. The content is there, but formatting may be a bit off…
**I’ll be updating my site and moving it to a new format soon. The site layout I selected isn’t being supported for phone browsing. The content is there, but formatting may be a bit off…
Pictures of and Writings About Antique Izannah Walker Dolls
In doing research for her book on Izannah Walker, Monica Bessette contacted the friend who owned Ella Hawes doll to see if she could use her doll's story. As will sometimes happen in life, a question will have more than one answer. The initial question led to Monica's purchase of the doll once owned by Ella Hawes so many years ago. Monica says: "This doll is the one featured in my article "Walker Dolls: A Family Affair" originally owned by her grandmother, Ella Hawes. Ella was born in 1861 in Virginia, but was sent north to Attleboro, MA (about 5 miles or less from Central Falls) just before the Civil War. Her mother had died, and her father sent Ella and her brother up to live with his family, along with the coffin containing his wife and youngest daughter, who had both recently passed away, to be buried in the family plot. I've included a few photos of comparison between my first doll, Joy, and my new doll, Ella. Joy is 18" and Ella is 16". The stockinette used on Ella is a much lighter weight and smaller weave. Ella is complete with both hands and feet, but one hand is unattached." Enjoy the images below. Thanks, Monica, for sharing! I'm looking forward to reading Monica's book! For fun, Monica shared a comparison of her two Izannah Walker dolls. How alike, and yet different they are!
I’d like to introduce you all to Melissa’s doll. She is a wonderful example of one of my custom ordered reproduction Izannah Walker dolls. Melissa requested a doll with a very thin ne…
The so called Greiner style china with her desirable lower eye lashes is a lovely addition to my doll family. The dress on her may be original, the bodice is lined, the fit exact, and the stiches are tiny ones made by hand. It is in shreds. I have been to the thrift store to find a skirt made of black gauze, and found deep navy instead. From it I will cut patches to lay under the old fabric and help it hang together a little longer. Wish me luck on this delicate venture! I often shop the thrift store to find a needed piece of fabric by cutting up a used garment. The tiny one is exquisite in her complete originality. This little treasure is a small example of the china head used to mold my largest linen head doll over. I would like to find a larger one I can buy, but may never be so fortunate. Click on any picture to really see it well. The blond boy is a common type of 1880 child made by A B G. I own a large perfect example kept at my daughter Beth's house. What is special about this one is his complete originality in a beautiful sailor suit. The little faded blue leather boots were his from his making. How nicely they harmonize with his blue trimmed suit and bright eyes. Most unusual and rarely found is this version of the Sophia Smith head. I own two of them now, the other a more usual Kestner. There is still another Sophia I am watching for, always the quest goes on.. I see from the counter that this blog has had more than 100,000 hits. I am humbled by this, thank you all. It left me feeling writer's block for a while after I noticed that, wondering what on earth I could write worth so many visits. So I continue to write about living with a garden and crafts and antiques and know that many people share this journey together. Grateful for each day God gives me in these, my unexpected "bonus" years, Edyth
Вот теперь я могу сказать - Мария полностью готова отправиться в новый дом. Мария - новая репродукция (реплика) кукол Izannah Walker, кукла из новой пресс-формы. Ровно два месяца ушло на лепку молда, отливку гипсовых форм и на изготовление самой куклы. Размер Марии - 38 см ( 15 дюймов). Оказывается это очень комфортный размер - на такой размер удобно шить, можно поставить на комод и кукла не займёт много места, можно посадить на диван или кресло и она не будет казаться крошечной. Голова Марии сделана в пресс форме из спрессованных между собой нескольких слоёв ткани. Тело сшито из хлопка и одето в т.н. "вторую кожу" которая скрывает крепление плеч, рук и ног. Расписана масляными красками. У Марии два платья и два чепчика, панталоны, сорочка, нижняя юбка, сшитая из антикварного хлопка, кошелёк, подставка. Платья и чепчики сшиты из американского хлопка-репродукции. Не смотря на то, что Маша только что закончена, она уже успела покрасоваться на выставке и стать героиней сказки, которую придумала Наталья Моисеенко (здесь)
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
In doing research for her book on Izannah Walker, Monica Bessette contacted the friend who owned Ella Hawes doll to see if she could use her doll's story. As will sometimes happen in life, a question will have more than one answer. The initial question led to Monica's purchase of the doll once owned by Ella Hawes so many years ago. Monica says: "This doll is the one featured in my article "Walker Dolls: A Family Affair" originally owned by her grandmother, Ella Hawes. Ella was born in 1861 in Virginia, but was sent north to Attleboro, MA (about 5 miles or less from Central Falls) just before the Civil War. Her mother had died, and her father sent Ella and her brother up to live with his family, along with the coffin containing his wife and youngest daughter, who had both recently passed away, to be buried in the family plot. I've included a few photos of comparison between my first doll, Joy, and my new doll, Ella. Joy is 18" and Ella is 16". The stockinette used on Ella is a much lighter weight and smaller weave. Ella is complete with both hands and feet, but one hand is unattached." Enjoy the images below. Thanks, Monica, for sharing! I'm looking forward to reading Monica's book! For fun, Monica shared a comparison of her two Izannah Walker dolls. How alike, and yet different they are!
Most antique dolls should be left alone. Sometimes an antique doll comes along, though, having already been repainted and having lost some of the spirit of the original maker's hand. In this case, the careful removal of newer repaint and shoring up of the original doll's structure may be what is best for the doll. Please read more on "Thoughts on Conserving Izannah Walker Dolls" at the following link: https://www.izannahwalkerchronicles.com/2022/10/thoughts-on-conserving-izannah-walker.html Doll before and after conservation above. When Edyth O'Neill saw this antique Izannah Walker doll for sale, she could see that the doll's face had already been repaired and repainted. The doll had obviously been well played with and loved, as it has many repairs to the arms, and replacement legs. These repairs could have been made long ago. They might be a huge improvement to what the doll was, we cannot know. But some of these prior repairs were out of line with Izannah Walker's design sense, to Edyth's eye. So Edyth purchased the doll to try to bring back some of Izannah's design which had been muted. Edyth O'Neill brings many necessary skills to the table in reviving the spirit of her antique Izannah Walker doll. This is not a task for everyone who can hold a paintbrush. Edyth's prerequisite skills include: Edyth is an artist of many decades. As an artist, she has experience using oil paints. In the 1980's, she painted portraits of children in the spirit of early folk art paintings. She has continued to paint and study for the past 40+ years. So she knows how oil paint behaves. Edyth has collected antique dolls for more than 50 years, and studied Izannah Walker dolls intently through the years, and owns original Izannah Walker dolls. Edyth is a dollmaker of many decades, having painted many dolls with oil paints. Edyth has extensive knowledge of antique textiles through her work as an antiques dealer, along with her husband Jack. Please take the time to read Edyth's post on her blog. She has great pictures of the doll as it was unpacked, and some of the doll after she restored it: https://edythoneill.blogspot.com/2022/10/septembers-doll.html Here are the seller pictures, before the conservation work began: Since Izannah's dolls were designed for everyday play, the dolls often have damage or wear at the tip of the nose, as well as the limbs. The nose is the high point on the face, and is often found bumped, frayed or sometimes worn nearly off, probably from children dressing and undressing the dolls with the doll face down. Anyone who has seen a child actually play with a doll knows the dolls are dragged around by arms and legs, sometimes with the head dragging the ground. Izannah's dolls were marketed for this kind of play, per the advertisement that Kathy Duncan discovered. A selling point for Izannah's dolls? No need to worry about them with "their chief merit consisting in their ability to stand rough usage and abandonment serenely." This doll had seen such play! The nose of the doll had been rebuilt previously with material in the bridge between the eyes. A little too much material was used. And the nose had an unfortunate point to it, which is not a design feature of Izannah's. Some dolls have been repaired and built up with epoxy in the past, which is next to impossible to remove. Edyth took a chance in purchasing this antique but repaired Izannah Walker doll without knowing if the replacement nose had been made from epoxy. She was able to partially remove the built-up material in the nose area. The doll had also lost some underlying material and paint in the area beneath the eyes which underscored the extra material at the bridge of the nose. Edyth's intent was to remove material that was not original, and to protect areas that seemed original to the doll. No original part of the doll was removed. Where the doll seemed to have lost material, she used paperclay to build up the area, which is easily removed, as opposed to epoxy. The addition of paperclay below the eyes allows the doll's eyes to feel more part of her face. Paperclay fills a worn away area at the top of the head. As Edyth says, the doll arrived having "danced away" her original feet. And the replacement feet were well used. We know a child and a doll love to dance! The replacement legs were old, but were not the shape of Izannah Walker doll feet. Edyth says, "the dolls replacement feet have worn out, and she has a third pair from me now. This has been a very busy doll, raising active children." Edyth removed the worn-out replacement legs, and stored them away to move forward with the doll. She made new replacement legs with a pattern that I (Dixie Redmond) drafted from my antique Izannah Walker doll. The remaining parts of the lower legs show original paint and are slipped into the new additions like sleeves, and remain accessible by the removal of a few threads. The legs were painted with cues taken from original paint seen on the doll, as well as inspired by Edyth's favorite Izannah Walker dolls. Edyth named the doll Evangeline, which means "good news". Good news, indeed! And now the before and after fun begins! Evangeline now more fully reflects the intent of Izannah's design. Her spirit has been brought forth again. The seller of the doll, who is selling their mother's doll colllection, had this to say about Evangeline's improvement: "Wow, I love what you have done! Her face looks so much smoother and more natural. You did fantastic work. And I love the picture of her in the new dress in the wagon with the pumpkin. It made me emotional to see that, I almost cried a little bit. My mother would have set her up like that, and I know she would be so happy to see what you have done. Thank you." Here is the doll making herself at home in Edyth's house. Edyth's sense of design is always at work! The brown dress and pink apron are new clothing made by Edyth. Evangeline's original dress and three pieces of underwear are carefully stored. Orange dress temporarily borrowed from a doll made by Robin Lakin of Robin’s Egg Bleu. Evangeline is thankful to be in her new home. She is aptly named, because it really was "good news" for her when she traveled to Edyth's house! Dixie's note: If you have an Izannah Walker doll you are thinking of selling, in any condition, please contact me at Northdixie AT gmail.com
The beloved folk-art cloth dolls known generally as “Izannah Walker Dolls” were made in the mid-1800s in New England. Izannah Walker received a patent for her doll making process in 1873. By then, …
Thirteen years ago, in January 2009, when I first started this blog the following aptly introduced my beloved antique Izannah Walker dolls. In succeeding years my collection of antique Izannahs ha…
In doing research for her book on Izannah Walker, Monica Bessette contacted the friend who owned Ella Hawes doll to see if she could use her doll's story. As will sometimes happen in life, a question will have more than one answer. The initial question led to Monica's purchase of the doll once owned by Ella Hawes so many years ago. Monica says: "This doll is the one featured in my article "Walker Dolls: A Family Affair" originally owned by her grandmother, Ella Hawes. Ella was born in 1861 in Virginia, but was sent north to Attleboro, MA (about 5 miles or less from Central Falls) just before the Civil War. Her mother had died, and her father sent Ella and her brother up to live with his family, along with the coffin containing his wife and youngest daughter, who had both recently passed away, to be buried in the family plot. I've included a few photos of comparison between my first doll, Joy, and my new doll, Ella. Joy is 18" and Ella is 16". The stockinette used on Ella is a much lighter weight and smaller weave. Ella is complete with both hands and feet, but one hand is unattached." Enjoy the images below. Thanks, Monica, for sharing! I'm looking forward to reading Monica's book! For fun, Monica shared a comparison of her two Izannah Walker dolls. How alike, and yet different they are!
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 will be auctioning this near mint, all original 17 1/2 inch Izannah Walker doll at their October 21-22-23 auction.
In doing research for her book on Izannah Walker, Monica Bessette contacted the friend who owned Ella Hawes doll to see if she could use her doll's story. As will sometimes happen in life, a question will have more than one answer. The initial question led to Monica's purchase of the doll once owned by Ella Hawes so many years ago. Monica says: "This doll is the one featured in my article "Walker Dolls: A Family Affair" originally owned by her grandmother, Ella Hawes. Ella was born in 1861 in Virginia, but was sent north to Attleboro, MA (about 5 miles or less from Central Falls) just before the Civil War. Her mother had died, and her father sent Ella and her brother up to live with his family, along with the coffin containing his wife and youngest daughter, who had both recently passed away, to be buried in the family plot. I've included a few photos of comparison between my first doll, Joy, and my new doll, Ella. Joy is 18" and Ella is 16". The stockinette used on Ella is a much lighter weight and smaller weave. Ella is complete with both hands and feet, but one hand is unattached." Enjoy the images below. Thanks, Monica, for sharing! I'm looking forward to reading Monica's book! For fun, Monica shared a comparison of her two Izannah Walker dolls. How alike, and yet different they are!
Pictures of and Writings About Antique Izannah Walker Dolls
Two Izannah Walker dolls will be presented at auction on June 16 & 17 by Withington's. To receive more information about these dolls, contact Withington Auction, Inc. I always enjoy seeing an Izannah Walker doll that I have not seen before. The girl doll above reminds me of a doll called "Izannah" that was in Maureen Popp's collection. The boy doll is very interesting, having bare feet and a boys suit on. I have been trying to date the clothing. If you have an idea of when that type of suit would have been worn by a boy, please share. I found an image at the New York Public Library Digital Gallery, shown below, from 1870, which has some similarities: image via New York Public Library Digital Collection And another from 1860: image via New York Public Library Digital Collection If you are interested in these images, please visit Maida Today for a related post.
In doing research for her book on Izannah Walker, Monica Bessette contacted the friend who owned Ella Hawes doll to see if she could use her doll's story. As will sometimes happen in life, a question will have more than one answer. The initial question led to Monica's purchase of the doll once owned by Ella Hawes so many years ago. Monica says: "This doll is the one featured in my article "Walker Dolls: A Family Affair" originally owned by her grandmother, Ella Hawes. Ella was born in 1861 in Virginia, but was sent north to Attleboro, MA (about 5 miles or less from Central Falls) just before the Civil War. Her mother had died, and her father sent Ella and her brother up to live with his family, along with the coffin containing his wife and youngest daughter, who had both recently passed away, to be buried in the family plot. I've included a few photos of comparison between my first doll, Joy, and my new doll, Ella. Joy is 18" and Ella is 16". The stockinette used on Ella is a much lighter weight and smaller weave. Ella is complete with both hands and feet, but one hand is unattached." Enjoy the images below. Thanks, Monica, for sharing! I'm looking forward to reading Monica's book! For fun, Monica shared a comparison of her two Izannah Walker dolls. How alike, and yet different they are!
