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

Live Auction

21" (53 cm.) Firmly-stuffed black stockinette head with well- defined stitch-shaped facial features,cut-out eye sockets with eye whites having painted lashes and black shoe button eyes,embroidered brows,nostrils and well-shaped red lips,black yarn hair cap,the head sewn onto 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 Congregational Church sewing circle of Elmira,New York from 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 including photographic brooch pin.