West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-11-30
A CHAPTER ABOUT DOLLS.
Different Varieties That Win be Popu-
lar and Their Manufacture.

lar and Their Manufacture.
Large numbers of dolls are male
in this country, especially gutta per-
cha dolls. They are not easily bro
ken or defaced, which is strorg
point in their favor; but in course
of time they unquestionably become
very shabby. Dolls are extensively
imported from England, Germany
and France. Cheap dolls are largely
manufactured in Switzerland and
the Tyrol. Wages are very low
there, and the work is chiefly done
by women and children. Separate
parts of the doll are made in differ
ent places, and are finally collected
and put together in wholesale sort
of way. Wooden dolls are turned
in a lathe, and are so automatically
inaccurate that they are no longer
in favor. The composition of the
heads for sewed dolls is usually
paper mache coated with wax.
To be convinced Of the care taken
in themake up Of first class doll it
is only necessary to examine the
hair, says reporter of the Detroit
Free Press. There is look of nat
uralness about 1t that surprises one.
1t is quite fascinating thing to the
little mothers when part of the dolls
daily toilet is the possibility Of
combing and brushing its hair. In
the best of dolls every strand of hair
is attached separately to the wax,
while in the cheaper kinds wig is
stuck roughly on the head. The
quality of the hair ranges from the
best mohair to common flax.
The waxen dolls are the most ex-
pensive, and their manufacture in
wolves quite process. The wax is
melted and cast into plaster Of paris
molds, the various sections deftly
joined together. A thin film of wax
adheres to the sides of the moulds;
the latter are then quickly inverted
so that the melted wax in the center
may flow out. Though the outline
is fairly complete there is still much
to be done. A distinctive character
is given to the mouth and nose, the
ewes are inserted, the Drows deli
cately penciled, and the ruddy glow
of health given to lips and cheeks,
all of which involves nice appreci-
alton Of effect.
Black eyes in dolls are most in
vogue throughout continental Eu-
rope, and especially in Spain, while
it is stated that blue eyes have pre-
dominated in English dolls for al
most half century, in compliment
to the blue eyes Of the Queen. Dolls
eyes are a curious and difficult part
of the trade. The cheaper dolls
eyes are simply small hollow glass
beads. made Of white enamel. and
colored without any attempt at ef-
feet. The better kind Of eyes, called
natural eyes," are made in the same
manner so far as the glass enamel is
concerned, but the iris is represent
ed by painted or stained ring, ar
tisticall, executed. The introduc-
ton of mechanism to make the eyes
wink or move at pleasure was
great improvement.
DIR. Mackenzie gives an interest
ing incident in connection with the
manufacture of eyes. Years ago an
English glassmaker, named Osler,
being examined before committee,
of the House Of Commons, testified
that. having received an order from
France for large quantity OF the
best dolls eyes, he was unable to
fill it. On inquiry he found that
there was only one man at that time
in the world able to make dolls
eve with the iris on it. He was n
lazy, dissipated glassblower, who
never did that kind Of work for
which he obtained very high prices,
until he was utterly penniless. He
was in the last stage Of consumption
and Mr.. Osler paid him $50 for his
secret.
The process was so simple that in
five minutes Mr.. Osler, with the aid
of gasligbt and blow pipe, was
able to make as good natural eye
as his teacher. Mr. Osler conclud-
ed that part of his evidence by stat
ing that he subsequently received
an order for natural eyes" to the
extent of $4,000, and that he grew
rich by manufacturing them. When
he retired from business he gave a
dinner to his rivals in the trade, land
before they separated showed them
how to made the eyes. The common
est dolls eyes now bring about $l.25
for twelve dozen pair, while the best
of natural eyes" can be had for
about eight cents pair.
The speaking doll was invented
by London workman, who expert
mented upon it for nine years. 1t
said "papa" and mamma" in a
very natural way. They brought