Connie Tognoli's Philadelphia Sheppard Baby Doll

Connie Tognoli, designer of a fabulous Columbian Doll pattern, knows I have been studying Philadelphia baby dolls.   She generously shared these images of her lovely doll and had this to say about the doll:

"I have owned the doll since 2003 and I have never undressed her until now. It was fun and interesting for me also to see her body and detail of her construction.  Her legs look as if her adorable socks and shoes have been on for many, many years.  Her little shoes, on the other hand, look like she has walked miles! I love her face, and the painting is really a lovely one. 

I have a notebook I have collected on articles and photos over the years. In my search for information on the doll, I have not found too much.  We know that they were distributed and sold at J.B. Sheppard Linen Store, on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, PA, around the turn of the century.  They were in Business from 1860 - 1935.  There is no information on when or how long the dolls were sold there, but one article I have credited to Frances Walker, a UFDC member who wrote in the 1980's that Elizabeth Washington, a student/artist at the Philadelphia School of design, designed the Philadelphia Baby Suppososedly, J. B. Sheppard's Linen Store held a contest for the best designed doll that could be used as a model for the store's baby clothes and also offered for sale.  Washington's doll won the contest,and the Sheppard Store purchased the rights.  I have not read or found any other info.  have you? 

Here are some additional pictures of Connie's doll:   

  

  

  

What a beauty!

 

Ginger's Philadelphia Sheppard Baby Dolls

Ginger kindly shared images of the two Philadelphia Sheppard babies she owns named Clay and Ray pictures in this post.  I told her I'm in the process of studying Philadelphia Sheppard Baby Dolls because I am making a pattern inspired by the one I own.  She kindly shared these images to share with others who love Philadelphia - Sheppard Baby Dolls.   My Philly Baby doll is in rough shape, so I have been studying other images lately.  

This is such an interesting opportunity to study two dolls by the same maker side by side.  You can see similarities and differences at the same time.  Ginger has taken pictures in such a way that it makes it easier for us.  

Thank you, Ginger!  

A Sheppard or Philadelphia Baby Doll

I've started making a Philadelphia Sheppard Baby Doll Pattern.  You can follow the progress on my personal blog at Northdixie Designs.  

These dolls, like some Alabama Baby Dolls, fall in the "so ugly they are cute" category for me. There is a sweetness and a homeliness about them.  The light shines through a window, revealing the beauty of a worn antique doll of days gone by. This Philadelphia (Sheppard) Baby is enjoying a moment in the sun.  

Philadelphia Rag Baby on Ebay

A doll making friend sent me an email pointing out this marvelous Philadelphia Baby on Ebay. So I emailed the seller and asked if I could post the pictures here as inspiration for those of who enjoy making antique inspired dolls. And she said yes. These are great pictures for seeing construction details. Thanks to Victoria's Doll House for sharing pictures with us
of this wonderful doll.

What a sweet hand shape!

Blushing toes!

We can't all travel to see a doll like this,
and maybe we can't all own a doll like this,
but through the internet we can learn a lot.

Thanks to Victoria's Doll House
for sharing pictures with us
of this wonderful doll.

Philadelphia Rag Babies or Sheppard Baby Dolls

Last week I emailed Joan & Lynette Antique Dolls and Accessories to ask if I could post pictures of the Philadelphia Baby in their Ruby Lane shop. They said yes, and here are the pictures provided by them. Isn't that a sweet baby face above?

21.5 inches tall

Linda Edward, in Cloth Dolls Ancient to Modern, pp. 41 and 42, says this about Philadelphia Babies:

"Philadelphia or Shepherd babies were made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1900. These dolls were sold in the infant's departement of the J. B. Sheppard & Co. store which was in business from 1860 to 1935. It is known that the dolls were costumed by skilled needle workers in Sheppard's own workshop but whether the dolls themselves were made there or elsewhere remains a mystery.

Philadelphia babies measure 18 to 22 inches (45.5 to 56 cm) and have a molded stockinette face with a vertical seam running up the back of the head. The faces are well modeled with deeply incised eyelids. The bodies are also stockinette with the lower arms, lower legs, shoulderplate and head being oil painted. Examples have been found with both light and dark hair colors with the eyes done in blue or brown. There are sewn joints at the shoulders, hips and knees. When found on the dolls, the original clothes usually consist of a long baby gown and bonnet."

The simple applied ear is appealing.



The chunky body style
would be perfect for a child to hold.

Thanks to Joan & Lynette Antique Dolls and Accessories for allowing us to have a peek at this great cloth baby doll through their pictures!