Happy World Doll Day! I Got One of My Grail Dolls!

   It's World Doll Day again. World Doll Day was the idea of Mildred Seeley. Here's the original letter, from the WorldDollDay.com website:

"To make it happen I need cooperation of every doll collector, every magazine editor, doll newsletter, doll shop, library, doll maker, mother, grand­mother, father, grandfather, and all the stray aunts and uncles. The first World Doll Day is the Second Saturday of June 1986. Give a doll to a grownup, child in the family or just a friend.  If you don't have a child to give a doll to - find one. There are many children with no dolls.

Think of it this way and ship a doll to another country.  I have always felt that the common doll could be an instrument of world understanding. From the first time I started writing books on doll making, I had the hope that dolls would help make friends all over the world and develop a little love among all.

World Doll Day will also be a day for doll exhibits. It is my hope that all libraries will have a special doll exhibit. Museums will publicize their doll exhibits and have special doll exhibits at this time.  Magazines will put out special editions.  Doll stores will put on campaigns weeks ahead.  Doll Makers will make special dolls for World Doll Day.  There will be doll competitions with World Doll Day awards, plaques and trophies.

The logo is made from artist Boots Tyner's doll representing a child. The child carries a German bisque doll to represent this doll collectors gift.  Feel free to copy the logo or have one made.

Everyone can enjoy the fun as there are no fees, no permission needed, no obligations, nobody owns the day, no club, no company.  It's a free- for- all, take up the day, its ideas and fly with it.  Lets do it now.  World Doll Day.

If you think World Doll Day is a good idea, then appoint yourself a committee of one to do something about it--only then can it become a reality.  Would you tell five people,  ask them to tell five people, and each of them tell five people and so on.  World Doll Day's birthday is June 14, 1986.

Sincerely,
Mil and Vernon Seeley

P.S. This letter may be copied and copied again and again until the world knows about World Doll Day."

  That makes this the 40th anniversary of World Doll Day. I have posted about it before, but I usually forget, so it's probably been 10 years since I posted about it.  But this year I'm getting my post ready beforehand! Even though it's already WDD, that doesn't mean that you can't still donate a doll to a child's charity, buy a doll to donate to an upcoming Christmas toy drive, plan on buying a doll or other toy for one of those Christmas toy drives where you choose a particular child from a list or tag tree and purchase something from their wish list, etc.  For years I have donated toys to the battered women and children's shelter, and the toy drive at the fire station. You can donate to the shelters any time of year. The shelters are always taking donations of new items, including clothing and shoes, because, as I was told, many come to the shelter with only the clothes on their backs, having fled dangerous situations. So don't forget to do whatever you can.

  Ken treated me on my birthday this year, and bought me a doll that has been on my list for AGES. I finally got my Klumpe suitcase girl!

  You might have seen her on one of my wish lists. She's been my favourite of the Klumpe dolls I've seen, for years. 

  She carries a lot of stuff! She has a coat, a bouquet, and a book in her arms, and a suitcase with an umbrella strapped to it in her other hand. She's holding the coat, etc. away from her body, so it looks a little weird. how is she keeping that book there?! But from the fact that most of her coat is sun faded, and the part next to her body is still a darker pink, I'd say that arm was originally more against her body. Supposedly Klumpe's are somewhat posable, but she's too stiff to pose. I'm afraid I'll break her if I force it.

She was made in Spain, and sold by Klumpe, probably in the 1950's or 60's. To learn more about Klumpe, you can see my post on my Klumpe Flamenco dancer HERE.

  Klumpe dolls always have the same very distinctive , if awkward looking feet.

 

   Her clothes, with the exception of her skirt, hat, suitcase, umbrella, book, coat and even her bouquet, are all made of wool felt.

   I think her hair is mohair or something similar. Her face is stockingette, over a molded head. The details are painted.

  

   She has such character to her. I love that she's wearing glasses.

  And of course, she's a red head.

  I'm very glad to finally have her. Thanks Ken!

  Thanks to Fuzz for being my photographer!

  Happy World Doll Day!