This is a piece of old paper I found on eBay some months ago. I had no idea how well-known the Dean of Doctors was when I first examined the lot, although I did do a little searching before I decided to bid on it. The Dean is even more well-known than the Head Surgeon. I also don't know if he just performed head surgery or if he did some of the stitching on the bodies and extremities.
According to Gwendolyn's Dolls, Emma Clear was the very first doll artist in the United States. She began her practice in the 1890's building clothespin dolls for children's hospitals. She founded the Humpty Dumpty Doll Hospital in Buffalo, New York, in 1908, moving to Cleveland in 1914, and finally moving to Redondo Beach, California in 1917.
There are many examples of Emma's artistry available on the market, most of them with clay heads, natural and human hair, some with painted eyes and others with glass eyes which she obtained from Europe.
I decided to do these well recognized characters rather than trying to put an Emma Clear doll on the piece of her letterhead. I think she'd be more than willing to perform some minor surgery don't you?
Wonderful artwork! What a delightful letter, and you have added those gorgeous raggedy dolls.
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Dave - adorable characters, and of course your artwork is gorgeous. As much as I enjoy Ragge-D's, I would love to see you do Humpty-D! He's my fave. Someday...
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful Dave. Brings back memories of trips to the doll hospitals with Rosie who was always falling apart. As usual it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHah! Reminds me of a certain collection of Gingerbread Kids your sister created a few years ago. I think? you've seen them.
ReplyDeleteSuperb piece, Sir!
This is a nice piece. I like the work you did to get it online.
ReplyDeleteAwww. That is awesome. :-)
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I must say that this may be my favorite piece of your wonderful art. You do such incredible work. And as to the picture of Ray's mother I posted, it is a tintype - I found it in the album where I keep the old pictures. It had been a long time since I had scanned it and it is a tiny little thing - maybe 1 3/4 inches by 2 1/2. Hope we see some robins soon! Carol
ReplyDeletePRICELESS artwork on a most incredible piece of paper. Were I wealthy with more walls, this would be on one of them! I find my eyes refuse to leave...
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