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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Edwardian Era English Female Doll
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Edwardian Era English Female Doll

Artifact IDMO 2022.1.18
Object Type Manikin, Teaching
Possible Maker (American, 1935 - 1942)
Dateca. 1935-1942
Mediumpaper (papier-mâché), paint, fabric (cotton, oilcloth)
Dimensionsoverall H 14 3/8 in x W 9 1/2 in x D 3 3/4 in (36.5 cm x 24.1 cm x 9.5 cm )
Physical DescriptionA Works Progress Administration (WPA) visual education doll of an English Edwardian era female. Made of papier-mâché and cloth, with painted features, the doll is wearing a yellow ruffled skirt and matching collared shirt-style blouse with an incorporated ruffled "cravat" and elbow length sleeves. Beneath the outfit she is wearing a yellow petticoat and white pantaloons. Two white fabric tags sewn on to the inside of her skirt have the typed words "ORIGINAL" and "ENGLAND”. An additional white fabric tag sewn to the inside of her petticoat has the typed word "ENGLISH." Over the outfit, the doll has a gray overskirt and a matching bodice with burgundy-colored bows at the front closure and on the sleeves.

On her head, the doll is wearing a gray disc hat trimmed with burgundy ribbon and with burgundy ribbon ties. On her feet the doll wears black shoes.
Historical NoteThis doll was made by a Birmingham, Alabama branch of the New Deal’s Works Projects Administration (WPA), possibly the WPA Alabama Visual Education Project. Dolls were created as educational visual aids by various WPA handicraft and museum extension projects around the country. Dolls representing historic eras, like this one, were designed to educate children on different historical periods and were made available in educational institutions such as schools and libraries.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Cheryl and Gerald Hale in 2021.
Credit LineGift of Cheryl and Gerald Hale
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesArtifacts Relating to the New Deal (National Archives Identifier 750981)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view