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from the director

Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art1116 - 108th Avenue NE ❖ Phone: (425) 455-1116 ❖ Fax: (425) 455-4793Bellevue WA 98004 USAwww.dollart.com ❖ dollart@dollart.com

O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E R O S A L I E W H Y E L M U S E U M O F D O L L A R T

Vol XVIII, No 3 Summer 2009

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Upon the opening of our newexhibit A Few of My FavoriteThings (May 30- October 25) thequestion has been posed to theMuseum staff, “What would youconsider to be one of yourfavorite dolls or other treasuresin the Museum collection?”. Thisis so not easy! But for me, if Imust select one doll among verymany favorites, I would have togo with the A. Marque, which ison “permanent promenade” inthe Meet the Masters exhibit ofFrench bébé dolls. In his sculptof the head, AlbertMarque attained aserene anddelicate beauty. Ifyou are having adifficult day, juststop by and gazeupon this lovely dollfor a few minutesand it just might puta spring back inyour step. And if it’sbeen awhile sinceyou toured theMuseum, youmight be surprisedto see that the doll

Wherever you may be readingthis, we hope you are enjoying arelaxing, yet productive, summer.The one here in the PacificNorthwest has been stellar aftera winter and spring deserving ofchange.

The Museum has been busysince Christmas, we are delightedto say, and perhaps it is folkslooking for an inexpensive wayto spend their leisure time ormaybe it is the huge growth ofour Bellevue downtown, orpossibly both. Yet, we continueto see visitors from every stateand countries from around theworld on a regular basis. It isexciting to meet such a wide arrayof our world’s population in thislittle corner of Bellevue. It is alsowonderful to see the effect thedolls have on each of them,whether an avid collector orsomeone interested in history orart. It verifies my love of dolls,too, and encourages our staff towork towards providing beautifuland interesting exhibits and alsoinventory in our two stores thatspeaks to every collector.

In that light, this spring andsummer we have available for

Your FavoriteThings!

Albert Marque girl c1915As she appeared in the Museum

originally. Today she is restored toan original Margaine-Lacroixlabeled dress- come see her!

has been redressed in anoriginal ethnic costumedesigned for the A. Marque dollsby Margaine Lacroix.

Also, among my favorites isAstonbrook, a twenty-one room1” to 1’ Victorian house bySeattle miniaturist RosemaryZilmer. From design tocompletion, it took Zilmer nearlyfive years to create Astonbrook.Every room, from the solariumand gentleman’s parlor, to theservice porch and pantry, isbrimming with all manner of

m i n i a t u r e s ,including everydayh o u s e h o l dn e c e s s i t i e s ,a r t w o r k ,collectibles, andclutter. It iswondrous andreally a joy tobehold.

How about you?Do you have afavorite doll,dollhouse, or othertreasure exhibitedat the Museum that

from the director

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from the directorfrom the director...Continued From Page 1

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1” to 1’ Scale DollhouseRosemary Zilmer U.S. 1985

Come see all the goodies inside!

viewing until mid-August anexhibit celebrating the 100thanniversary of Rose O’Neill’sfamous Kewpies. The oohs andahhs can be heard as soon as avisitor reaches the Atrium casewhere these little darlings aredisplayed. Besides selections frommy collection, we have borrowedthe best of Shelley’s, an astutecollector herself. It is easy to seehow these adorable creatures havewiggled their way into hearts forall these years.

If you haven’t seen our latestchanging exhibit, I personallyinvite you to come, view, andenjoy “A Few of My FavoriteThings”. Some of the commentsby recent visitors have been “Thisis your best exhibit yet!” and“There are so many rare andunusual items” and also “Thevariety of items is unbelievable”.You’re sure to find somethingafter your collecting heart in thisexhibit as it relays my collectingpassions for the broad array ofdolls, toys, and related items. Itwas interesting for me to try todetermine just exactly what were

my favorite items in the collectionand how in the world could Ichoose one over another?Fashion definitely has its placethere as well as the vulnerable dollor toy that has been well-lovedby previous owners. But then, thatperfect, rare, and beautiful dollhas its place, also. I love thingswith a history or provenance thatbinds me to the past and to theone who cared enough topreserve her toy for the future.Age doesn’t necessarily win outover charm, so you will see itemsup to the present day included.And two-dimensional has alwayswon my heart, also.

Most of all, I believe you willsee a respect for the creators ofthese wonderful dolls and toys.No matter the media or themeans, each did what his heartinspired and the results cause usto delight in the work.

If you are curious about the“Surprise Unveiling” we did forthis exhibit, sorry, you have toshow up! Hint, it is in the caseoutside the changing gallery.

Coming soon – our winterexhibit “MIB: Dolls and Toys”.What could be more exciting thanpeering into an original box tofind that perfectly preserved “mintin box” doll or toy, or clothing?Herein lies yet another of mypassions and I know yours, too.Stay tuned.

Before that, however, themuseum will be celebrating our17th Anniversary! We lookforward to sharing with you andthanking you for your continued

you particularlyenjoy seeingand sharingwith your

friends when you visit? Wewould love to hear about it! If you

have a story to share about yourfavorite things in the Museumcollection (either on permanentexhibit or something you recallseeing in a changing exhibit orother special exhibit) pleaseemail us at dollart@dollart.com.Rosalie will do her best to selecther favorite story, to be includedin our next newsletter.

Jill GormanCurator

support of the Museum and ourstores. Reserve Saturday,September 12 on your calendarand remember the SALE at boththe Museum Store and Rosie’sToo goes all week! See page threefor more information.

Hope to see you soon at oneof our many exhibits and events!

Rosalie WhyelDirector

Various Bisque Kewpies and otherKewpie artifacts in our latest exhibit

celebrating a Century of cuteness.

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From the Museum Store...

Rose O’Neill was an experiencedartist who had been making a goodliving for many years before theKewpies, so when it was time toactually create a doll, shedemanded perfection. A young,undiscovered sculptor of only 17would ultimately be the one to bringher perfect drawings into perfectform. It was Joseph Kallus thatsculpted the Kewpie doll- the topknot, blue wings, starfish hands,and impish smile created in bisquefor all the world to hold and love.Later this young man, Joseph,

The Museum’s 17th BirthdayThe Museum’s 17th BirthdayThe Museum’s 17th BirthdayThe Museum’s 17th BirthdayThe Museum’s 17th Birthday!!!!!

Saturday September 12thSaturday September 12thSaturday September 12thSaturday September 12thSaturday September 12thBirthday Cake

Party Room FunDoor Prizes

Surprises All Day Long!

Saturday September 12th thruSaturday September 12th thruSaturday September 12th thruSaturday September 12th thruSaturday September 12th thruFriday September 18thFriday September 18thFriday September 18thFriday September 18thFriday September 18th

Museum Store SaleRosie’s Too Sale

Both our stores will be selling at huge savings from 10% to 70% off all week long!

FrFrFrFrFree Dee Dee Dee Dee Doll $Monoll $Monoll $Monoll $Monoll $Money$!!!ey$!!!ey$!!!ey$!!!ey$!!!We’ll be again giving out $2 to $100 “Museum Money” to be spent anytime during

our Birthday month. Good towards the purchase of anything, in either Store!

Kewpie Turns 100 & We Celebrate!!

Come celebrate with us and enjoy the joys of childhood!Special activities on Saturday and lectures throughout the week!

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would form the very successfulCameo Doll Company in New Yorkand not only produce compositionKewpies, but Bye-lo babies, BettyBoop, Little Annie Rooney, Disneycharacters, and many others.An announcement in the Woman’sHome Companion that dolls werebeing created just fanned the flamesof excitement that was already in theair in 1913. This was the first true“doll craze” where stores werebombarded and hearts elated toown one of these sweet creations.The Kewpie doll was initial producedin the Kestner factory, but soon

demand added additional factoriesin Germany, then on to Belgium,France, and the U.S.A..Even after the dolls were produced,the public wanted more. It was amarket phenomena that no one hadever seen or experienced before.Rose O’Neill had originally beenslated by her father to become agreat actress. Coached by WilliamO’Neill in Shakespeare the theatricswere not lost on her as can be seenin her plethora of illustrations anddoll designs that would soon becoined as “Action Kewpies”. These

MIB 1981 Kruse19” Hard plastic head on jointed cloth body-“Amelie”. Blonde braids & blue calico dresswith black pinafore. Excellent condition. $575

Beaded Beauty15” Bisque marked 264 CPby Catterfelder Puppen-fabrik. Brown sleep eyes,pierced ears & old wig.Unusual flapper-type bodywith rubber hands &original finish. Wearsoriginal beautiful beadedRussian outfit & white cottonchemise. Fabulous socks &shoes, too! $475

From Eastern Europe with Love...c193020.5” All original & unusual Eastern European twins. Compo heads with cloth bodies. Paintedfeatures wearing muslin dresses edged in 1930s prints. Interesting jacket with wide cuffs &flared bottom. Some surface soil & doll on right has cheek chip. $250 pr

Simon & Halbig Beauty19” Untinted bisque shoulder-head with deeply moldedblonde curls & delicatelypainted features. Fullyoutlined deep blue irises &great shoulder molding with“V” indentation typical ofS&H. Original cloth body withreplaced leather arms. Antiquedress & red leather boots.c1870 $585

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NEWS

ROSIE’S TOO APPRAISAL CLINIC! Saturday August 22nd

During our open hours. Theseare complimentary, verbalappraisals, limit three dolls perperson please.

Rosie’s Too SaleSaturday 11 to 4

August 1st

Come in to see all of our recentinventory of miniature housesand lots of miniature furnitureto add to your own dollhouseor as the perfect accessory toyour doll display.

Area Doll Show Dates

*Look for the Museum Sales Table

Come Visit Our Special Exhibit ofRare & Wonderful Kewpies!“Kewpie Turns 100!” ondisplay ‘til August 15th in theMuseum Atrium. Dolls, Books,Illustrations, Ephemera, & More.

UFDC NAT’L CONVENTION*Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel

Atlanta GASun July 12 - Fri July 17, 2009Public Day Thursday July 16

ROSIE’S TOO SALE*Rosie’s Too

Bellevue WASaturday Aug 1, 2009

11am - 4pm

ANTIQUE DOLL & TOYMARKET*

Bellevue Inn Red LionBellevue WA

Sunday August 23, 200911am - 4pm

MUSEUM ANNIVERSARY SALE*Museum StoreBellevue WA

Saturday Sept 12-Friday Sept 18, 200910am to 5pmRosie’s Too

Bellevue WASaturday September 12, 2009

11am - 4pmThursday September 17, 2009

11am - 8pm

CROSSROADS DOLL, TEDDY BEAR& ANTIQUE SHOW & SALE*

Nat’l Guard ArmoryPortland OR

Saturday September 5, 20098:30am - 4pm ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE

DOLL MARKETLake City Community Center

Seattle WASaturday September 19, 2009

10am - 3pmCROSSROADS DOLL, TEDDY

BEAR & MORE*Puyallup Fairgrounds

Puyallup WASaturday October 17, 2009

10am - 4:30pmSunday October 18, 2009

10am - 4pm

KITSAP DOLL CLUB ANNUALDOLL SHOW

Sons of Norway HallBremerton WA

Saturday September 26, 200910am - 4pm

It would be impossible to do all that wedo, both in the museum and our stores,without the dedication of our faithfuldocents. We feel we cannot say enoughabout their involvement and contributionto the Museum. Many of them have beenwith us since we opened our doors nearly17 years ago and have donated countlesshours of their time and talents. One such is LEONE MCMILLAN.Leone is one of our on call volunteers whois always there for us whether to drop intoRosie’s Too for a few hours to help withinventory identifying or pricing or byphone to research a special bear or doll

for us. She is the supreme example ofasking a busy person to do something.Leone and her sister, Teresa Lehmbeck,own and run the popular Antique Doll andToy Market besides being NationalAntique Doll Dealer members and doingmany other shows both locally and away. Leone is one of the most knowledgeabledealers and collectors in our area and wefeel so privileged to count her among ourdedicated volunteers. Her total support ofthe Museum is appreciated and we thankher, and also ask you to thank Leone thenext time you see her, for her contributionfrom which we all benefit. Thank You!

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creations were added for the older,“adult audience” that also wanted toown Kewpies. They were made inbisque- falling down, marching,hugging, and being just plaincomical as they appeared in Rose’sstories.Even this was not enough and withinjust a few years Kewpies appearedon fabric for dresses, books,paperdolls, rattles, soap, dishes,lamps, jewelry, cameras, cards, wine

stoppers, place card holders, andmany, many more items. Evenmascots (hood ornaments) wereproduced of metal for that wonderfulnew adult toy that was becomingmore attainable to the masses: thecar. The Kewpies tiny eyebrow dotsare even credited with starting thethin plucked eyebrow craze!And so it has gone for 100 years. Asmall benevolent elf who did gooddeeds in a comical, almostmischievous way has stood the test

of time and continues to delightpeople around the world.

Docent Highlight

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We would like to thank the followingpeople for their generous

donations during the last quarter:

Welcome To Our New& Returning Members:

Leanne AdcoxMarx dollhouse, dollhouse furniture, Petite Princess

furniture, room boxes, doll dishes

Amber AndersonPair of artist dolls with display case

Lucinda BriggsSchoenhut doll with provenance

Susan C. FuchsCollection of NASB-type dolls, A.M. Florodora doll

Rolf FrieleDollhouse books, tea set, figurines

Esther W. HowseNancy Ann Storybook Dolls

Susan Stebbins GallowayWicker doll carriage

Catherine A. GroveArcade washer, sinks, tub, bathroom sink, ironing

board, radiators, bed, cradle, Russian doll

Susan Harmon3 cloth ethnic dolls, small doll

Pat Lanzinger“American Beauty” Horsman doll, composition baby

and Mama Ideal dolls

Peggy MeitmannCloth dolls and doll parts

Florence J. RasmussenSioux Indian Chief doll with provenance

Sacha RobertsEffanbee baby doll

Jane White ViellietPair of composition dolls

Mary WithersDoll-size high chair with provenance, vintage baby

shoes, doll postcards, hand-carved wooden doll withprovenance, c1950s McCalls magazine, 2

reproduction bisque dolls

Sandra Barker Ochiai ChiekoValerie Fogel Elaine GarlandValerie Ann Hudson Estelle JohnstonBarbara Kellison Lenore KobayashiSandy Kralovetz Ellie KringerMary and Steve McArthur Sue MolvikTracy Mullen Rebecca NelsonPatty Phillips Pat PopeJan Rohrmann Gail ShawMarilyn Rose SmileySusan Stebbins GallowayTamara Tikhonova Kamil TurkarslanSharon Westlund Nancy Wilson

HAHAHAHAHAVE YVE YVE YVE YVE YOU HEARD? WOU HEARD? WOU HEARD? WOU HEARD? WOU HEARD? We have a newe have a newe have a newe have a newe have a newand revised SCand revised SCand revised SCand revised SCand revised SCAAAAAVENGER HUNT!VENGER HUNT!VENGER HUNT!VENGER HUNT!VENGER HUNT!For all of you who have done our popularScavenger Hunt maybe more than once,we have a new and challenging one for allages. School groups, Scouts, homeschoolers, doll clubs, anyone or group willfind this to be a useful and fun tool forfurther enjoying the exhibits. And, if youstill don’t know who “WALDO” is, you soonwill as there is a movie of him coming outthis summer. Watch for it and “Where IsHe?” in the Museum.

ATTENTION DOLL CLUBSOur Rose Room reservations are alreadygetting booked into the fall and winter,so don’t forget to get your club on thelist as soon as possible for your meeting,tea, or luncheon. Our package dealsinclude admission to all exhibits. Orwhat about a summer get together forno reason but friendship??Call Abby to reserve your date425-455-1116.

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MUSEUM HOURS:Mon-Sat 10 to 5Sun 1 to 5

ROSIE’S TOO HOURS:221 106th Ave. NE Bellevue(425) 455-0363Thurs 11 to 8Sat 11 to 4Or by Appointment

1116 - 108th Avenue NEBellevue WA 98004 USAwww.dollart.comdollart@dollart.com425.455.1116fax 425.455.4793

Coming Events at the Museum

UFDC ATLANTAJULY 12-17, 2009

WE WILL BE IN BOOTH 58 INTHE SALES ROOM-COMESEE US FOR WONDERFULTREASURES - SOMETHINGFOR EVERYONE, ASALWAYS. CALL AHEAD IFYOU’D LIKE US TO BRINGSOMETHING SPECIAL JUSTFOR YOU!SEE YOU THERE!ROSALIE AND SHELLEY

SEPTEMBER 12 - 18 2009Museum Anniversary Sale

Museum of Doll Art &Rosie’s Too

(see page 3)

SEPTEMBER 12 2009Museum Birthday Celebration

Museum Atrium(see page 3)

MAY 30 - OCTOBER 25 2009“A Few of My Favorite

Things”Changing Gallery Exhibit

The Washington State Jewish Historical Society isrelaunching a special touring exhibition and kicking it offright here at the Museum!

August 18th - November 8th

This special collection of dolls entitled “Dolls ForDemocracy”, features dolls created in the 1950s by artistCecil Brooks. These realistic dolls depicting famous peoplewere made to tour schools and teach children that all peoplecan contribute to society and achieve their dreams. Thegroup of 34 represents many different ethnicities andnationalities, including G.W. Carver, Saint Francis of Assisi,Jackie Robinson, Sacajawea, and Abraham Lincoln, toname a few! Take this special opportunity to bring your children,students, and yourself to see these dolls and learn theimportant role the dolls played educating the youth of themid-twentieth century and the important role they still playtoday. Stay tuned for programs schedules!

AUGUST 18 - NOVEMBER 82009

Dolls For DemocracySpecial Exhibit(see page six)

Mid April- Mid August 2009“Kewpie Turns 100!”

Special Exhibit(see page three)

OCTOBER 31 2009-FEBRUARY 21, 2010

“Mint In Box:Dolls and Toys”

Changing Gallery Exhibit

SEPTEMBER 7 2009Labor Day

Museum OPENForget Working, Explore

Childhood at the Museum!

AUGUST 22 2009Doll Appraisal Clinic

at Rosie’s TooDuring Regular Hours, 11 to 4

AUGUST 1 2009Rosie’s Too Sidewalk Sale

Saturday 11 to 4

DOLLS FOR DEMOCRACYSpecial Visiting Exhibit Coming To The Museum