| PISCATAWAY, N.J. — When paper doll collectors converge on the Piscataway Embassy Suites Aug. 6-10, they’ll have their hearts set on finding cut-outs from antique to contemporary — many of which are holding their value and growing. During the five-day event, collectors will get an eyeful of rare paper dolls and toys and get first look at the artwork of current paper doll artists. Fashion trend spotter and paper doll artist David Wolfe will emcee the convention. Exhibitions include an artist’s gallery with works on display by current paper doll artists, a special exhibit of Poupee Modele paper dolls that appeared in a French magazine from 1863-1925, a slide show on British paper dolls and a paper doll competition with more than 40 categories of paper dolls and toys. Workshops and seminars are offered on Thursday and Friday, on a range of topics: paper dolls produced by Raphael Tuck; Do’s & Don’ts for New Collectors; the African-American cartoonist Jackie Ormes; Advertising Paper Dolls; 200 Years of Black Paper Dolls; Painting with the Artists; and Tools for Managing Collections. A highlight for convention-goers is the Saturday Sales Room, featuring dealers from across the U.S. and Europe offering paper dolls and toys ranging from the early 1800s through contemporary paper doll art. The antique paper doll and toy market appears to remain strong, as evidenced by the prices realized at recent Morphys auction: a Fanny Gray paper doll from 1854, complete with box, went for $700; a Jenny Lind paper doll in its original box, dating from the mid-19th century sold for $1,800. Handmade paper dolls from any era have drawn a great deal of attention from buyers who treasure folk and outsider art: a group of handmade paper and mechanical dolls drew a winning bid of $500. Contact: (201) 862-1597, www.paperdollconvention2008 blogspot.com |
