18th Century Paper Doll Clothes

Did you play with paper dolls as a child? No? I did, sometimes, but as I soon learned, they were not water resistant, and when (as adviced by my brother) I tried to iron them dry, my mum- but that’s a different story. Back in 1787, a girl called Harriet Johnson made some clothes for her paper doll. I sadly don’t have a picture of the doll (and I don’t know if it still exists), but Harriet has clothed her paper lady in robes inspired by the ones worn by Queen Charlotte, loyal and loving wife of George III  and Patron Saint of Mothers-In-Law-plagued-Daughters-In-Law.

I wish there was a painting of Queen Charlotte wearing one of those gowns (especially the green one, isn’t it gorgeous?). I guess there were contemporary prints serving as templates for Harriet, but I couldn’t find any of them. This beautiful painting of Queen Charlotte by Benjamin West dates back to ca. 1776. Not bad for a mum of 15!

Thanks to Edie for sending me the pictures of the paper doll clothes. I always love to see items which document the daily lives of ordinary people; how lovely to imagine a young girl playing with her paper doll hundreds of years ago just like I did as a wee one. Luckily for all of us, Harriet was more careful with her toys than me, though…!