ANTIQUE PORCELAIN COVERED WAGON CHINA DOLL, CIVIL WAR LETTER

Newly acquired from a local retired resident… This antique doll comes with an original letter dated 1862, which was during the Civil War, gifting the doll to a cousin since the owner was now too old to play with her doll.

It was written from Oswego, New York to her cousin whom she had never met in Cazenovia, New York.

Part of the letter reads… "I used to play with when I was a girl. I kept it very choice and now as my doll days are over to return no more, I give it to Cousin Garrie.

This auction includes the doll, the letter and it's envelope and an additional piece of paper with the history of the family, included as well.  

The gift in 1862 was for the doll head only which was put on a Civil War era body after receiving it. Realize that during the 1850s and 60s toys were very scarce. They were loved and passed down from generation to generation as special treasured items.  Unlike today's disposable society, toys were mended and reused.

This brown eyed, porcelain head doll measures approximately 16 inches tall. The pants and petticoat are original to the Civil War era body. The breast plate was not originally attached to the head and the kid hands have been replaced.

The face is beautifully painted with long eyebrows, red lips and rosy cheeks. Her hair is parted down the middle. She is obviously American in style although these early porcelain head dolls were often made in Germany who where leaders in the doll industry. What we are offering in this auction is a hard-to-find antique doll with an impeccable history/provenance. 

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