All Dolled Up
The Unfolding History of Paper Dolls
Includes two issues in a paperboard presentation case:
Volume 4, Number 6
Volume 4, Number 7




WINGIN’ IT introduces our latest boxed set designed for shelf storage. The case opens to a side-by-side view of two doll-backed monographs. Both books are secured by specially engineered "invisible" holders.



Each book becomes a free-standing sculpture when pages are fanned into a skirt.



Envelopes behind each figure hold templates and instructions to make four pig-theme articulated puppets reminiscent of 18th and 19th century paper amusements.


    

    


Two tipped-in miniature books are additional features of each volume. Part 1 showcases the original cover plus seven pages of costume images from the first toy book, The Adventures of Little Fanny. The mini-concertina measures 1-5/16 x 2-7/16 inches:

The second tiny tome reproduces the cover and a sampling of pages from Paignion, a slotted book. The new concept in interactive toy publications featured printed scenes with strategically placed, hand cut slots into which any choice of over sixty paper figures could be inserted. Though production was labor-intensive, such toy books were best-sellers:

               

Part 2 features two 8-page 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inch hand stitched, illustrated tip-ins with locking covers. Stages of Play is a visual tour of pop-up books, 3-D peep shows, and toy auditoriums that fed the Victorian era's passion for all things theatrical:

                  

The monograph ends with one last surprise -- examples of perambulating paper dolls. Walking Papers transports with pictures, fun facts and a patented paper mechanism to simulate walking:

The limited edition of 100 sets was cut, assembled, and bound by hand in the tradition of the antique Toy Book invented in 1810. The presentation is designed for collectors of Artist's Books. Consequently, both monographs are numbered and signed by the author, Jacqueline Ernst, and book binder, Kenneth Holly.

Ernst discusses paper dolls against a changing backdrop of historical context to explain how and why they evolved to record and influence attitudes and commerce of their day. Social, political, economic, and technological developments set the stage for bits of paper ephemera to depict changing perceptions of education, racism, child psychology, human rights, labor standards, pop culture, wearable fashion, literary merit and war-time support.

Though the subject is frequently caught with its pants off, paper figures are survivors. During their first 16 centuries, they were buried, burned, bloodied, drowned, and made into purchase incentives, puppets for adults, and proxies for human sarifice. Only in the last 230 years have they been recognized as popular playthings for youngsters. Even in that capacity, they leveraged surprising influence. Paper dolls were instrumental in the design of early children's books. They significantly advanced the publishing industry, helped hone printing technology, and influenced international product marketing.

Clearly, paper dolls consistently exceed their most readily identified role as two dimensional paper playthings. Ernst & Holly have hand crafted an insightful, focused study that is also an engaging contribution to book arts.

BOX: 8-1/8" x 9-3/4" x 3/4"
100# Kelly Digital Color Copy 98 white, lined with 6-ply orange poster board, both ink jet printed.
BOOKS: Mounted sizes:
    7-7/8" x 9-3/8" x 7/16" (closed)
    7-7/8" x 9-3/8" x 3-1/2" (fanned open)
Details:
5-1/2" x 128" 24# Kelly Digital Color Copy 98 white, cover backed with 80# Wassau Exact Matte Coated white cover, mounted on 14-ply poster board, all ink jet printed.
MONOGRAPH: Part 1 -- 34 pages; 11 blk/wht, 26 color illustrations.
Part 2 -- 34 pages; 2 blk/wht, 41 color illustrations.
Both books are concertina folded to 5-1/2" x 3-3/8".
MEDIUM: Paper, Pacon Poster Board, PVA, Ribbon, Acrylic.
EDITION::   Limited to 100 hand bound, signed/numbered.
PRICE:       $400.00 Retail



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© Jacqueline Ernst. All rights reserved.