SHREWSBURY –
A collection of historic, fanciful and unique dolls is on display at the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library through the month of February, comprised of no fewer than two dozen dolls from the collections of the Shrewsbury Historical Society and its officers.
In another of its outstanding collections of items and artifacts from other ages, the Historical Society has arranged for the display of outstanding dolls of all types and sizes at the library’s showcase in its main hallway.
Society President Donald Burden, who also arranged the recent bridal gown exhibit at both the library and the society’s museum adjacent to the Shrewsbury municipal offices, said the collection is part of the society’s mission to preserve Shrewsbury history, promote participation from the community at large, highlight Shrewsbury’s historical significance and share the valuable resources of the Society through educational programs.
“It is amazing how many different kinds of collections people have,” said Burden, “and we can all learn something from every one.” He said people have also been generous in donating collections or memorabilia to the Shrewsbury Society, knowing they will be given the respect and care required to keep them as role players in the importance of preserving history. In addition to his wife’s doll collection the president has his own collection of oil cans, another item that is rapidly becoming a sought after collector’s item.
The dolls are one more example of the benefits of all manner of education.
Storybook Dolls
One of the highlights in the library display are the Storybook dolls of MaryLea Burden, an attractive arrangement of dolls depicting the fairy tales and children’s stories of the mid and late 20th century. Ms. Burden’s collection represents gifts at holidays during her childhood from various relatives and includes the miniature creations of Nancy Ann Abbott. Measuring no higher than seven inches, some as small as 3 1/2 inches in height, the dolls were first produced in painted bisque and sold from 1936 through 1947. After the war and during the early 1960s, they were created in plastic but always feature lavish costumes and fabrics and trims.
Bridal Dress Dolls
Among the several bridal dress dolls in the display are the donations of Marylynne Stout of Petersburg, Pa. Mrs. Stout wished to entrust her collection to a museum in the Red Bank area when she decided to downsize. She had lived in Red Bank as a child and several of the dollars were originally purchased in the area. Some of the dolls in the Library display are those made at the time of the bride’s gown and were used on the front of the cars in the bridal processions, along with dolls dressed in the bridesmaids’ colors and designs as well.
One doll, donated by Beth Sweeny of Union Beach, has a string on her back, when pulled it plays a rendition of “Here Comes the Bride.”
African American Doll
Another of the unique dolls on display is the African American doll in a Girl Scout uniform dating from the 1950s through the 1970s, the only minority doll in the collection. The single boy doll on display is of a Swiss Tyrolian.
Madame Alexander Dolls
Also included in this unique memorabilia of childhood are several collectible Madame Alexander dolls, known for their splendor. The Alexander Doll Company, created in 1923 by Madame Beatrice Alexander Behrman, came from the founder’s childhood when she spent time in her stepfather’s doll hospital on Manhattan’s lower East Side. She believed dolls should be played with and loved without breaking like the porcelain dolls of her time, but with no decrease in detail or quality. She perceived dolls as a means of teaching children kindness and compassion through play, sand their popularity has made her creations a part of American life and history. Madame Alexander herself is also recognized as a pioneer in a male-dominated business world especially following the Depression.
For the library branch’s times and days , as well as other information about the Eastern Branch and all branches of the Monmouth County library, visit www.monmouthcountylib.org.
For more information on the Shrewsbury Historical Society and its museum, call 732-530-7974 or 732-747-3635, At this time of year, the Museum is open by appointment only by a staff member generous with time and accommodation of an interested public.
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