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| Honey-Chile and Mandy paper dolls by Whitman |
Until acquiring them recently, Honey-Chile and Mandy paper dolls had been on my paper doll wish list for years.
The dolls and their descriptions are included in my book, Black Dolls a Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting, and Experiencing the Passion (2008). The book-documented dolls were photographed and described for me by their owner, Bonnie Lewis. It was Bonnie's dolls that enticed the black-paper doll enthusiast in me to desire the pair.
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| Because of the black-doll she holds, this is my favorite of Honey-Chile's four outfits. Mandy came with three extras. |
Results of an Internet search for additional information on the dolls leads me to believe Mandy and Honey-Chile were possibly included in the paper doll book, The Paper Doll Family, by Queen Holden (Whitman, 1937). A copy of Holden's paper doll book sold for $200 in a June 2010 specialty auction of fine and rare paper dolls. The book is described as follows:
17" x 12" Featuring a blue sedan on the front cover with die-cut windows that allow the faces of the paper dolls on the inside to show through as though seated in the car. The auto has the license plate of "Yourtown". The paper doll family ranges from 3" baby to 9 1/2" father and also includes mother, boy and girl, along with black servant in uniform named "Mandy" and black child "Honey-Chile". The back cover has toys including Hurdy-Gurdy, along with dog "Mickey". Inside are four pages of costumes, accessories and toys. Whitman, drawn by Queen Holden, 1937.
In the absence of the book, I am content with Honey-Chile and Mandy and their extra fashions.
Queen Holden's paper dolls are said to have been popular playthings in the U.S. in the 1930s through 1950s. Holden also drew an Our Gang paper doll book of characters and outfits based on the film shorts and TV series. Farina and Stymie are included. Their cut versions are also featured in Black Dolls courtesy again of Bonnie Lewis. Farina, Stymie, several clothes for both boys, along with Petey (the dog) were eventually added to my paper doll collection. They documented their arrival on Thursday, May 14, 2009, which was recorded and published in my third book, The Doll Blogs: When Dolls Speak I Listen.
