American Black Stockinette "Missionary Rag Baby" Attributed to Julia Beecher

Live Auction

20" (51 cm.) Firmly stuffed black stockinette head with stitch-shaped facial features, cut-out eye sockets with black shoe button eyes on background, eye whites with painted lashes, embroidered brows, nostrils and well-shaped red lips, black yarn hair cap, original brown cotton sateen body with stitch jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, mitten hands with separate thumbs. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: attributed to Julia Beecher, of Elmira, New York, circa 1890, sister-in-law of Harriet Beecher Stowe, who authored Uncle Tom's Cabin, and of Henry Ward Beecher, the famed abolitionist. Stockinette dolls were made in the sewing circle of the Elmira, New York, Congregational Church 1893 to 1910, with proceeds donated to missionary groups, thus earning the dolls the name of Missionary Rag Babies. Value Points: rarely found doll in especially fine condition with original body and antique costume.