Children's literature paper doll collection

A collection of handmade paper dolls, a photograph, and two leaves of paper dating from approximately the 1860s to the 1920s. The collection was stored in a wooden box containing thirty-four paper dolls of human characters, seven paper dolls of various animals, and fourteen wooden stands for the dolls.

On the verso of two billheads addressed to Miss Edith Thompson of England is a handwritten reflection on which literary characters, friends, and family members the dolls depict. Thompson is presumably both the author and the creator of the dolls. Her writing includes personal anecdotes and characteristics regarding their creation. Many of her descriptions of the dolls mention references to characters from children's poetry and literature published from the 1840s to 1860s; she references rabbits and cats from Otto Spekter's Picture Fables, 1858; "Eunice" from Mrs. Barbauld's Hymns in Prose, 1864; "Daisy" from a Wordsworth poem, and more.

Also included is a black-and-white photograph measuring 2 x 4 inches of two women's backs as they walk towards an arched path; of unknown origin.