1950S VTG CELLULOID CIRCUS CARNIVAL SMALL KEWPIE COOTCHIE DOLL 6" EX COND

Description

This little doll is in excellent vintage condition (just small age related flaws). The paint on her shoes is slightly worn, and her feathers are full but starting to become fragile. She has no dents or breaks. She is small, just under 6" tall, and made in Japan from non-flammable celluloid. "Non-flammable" celluloid was invented in the 1930's by Irwin, and by the 1950's, was used for all celluloid (like this doll). Celluloid was on it's way out by the 1950's, and was very quickly replaced by plastic! This Kewpie has hand painted flapper style features, and 1920's marcelled, gold painted hair. She is dressed in feathers and silk hula skirt, and is sporting mercury glass bead earrings and a necklace with three mercury glass beads. She is carrying a little celluloid cane, and has the most marvelous silver celluloid hat. All of the celluloid is good with no cracks or breaks. Her paint is all good with the exception of the bottom of one shoe, and the feathers are nice, just beginning to become fragile. She is really in just about as good of condition as I have seen; even her arms are nice and tight This is rare, as these dolls were made to be disposable. They are very fragile, and don't stand up at all to being played with. She is marked Japan. So what, you ask, is a cootchie doll? Well, they actually have a fairly long (and slightly sordid) past! In the carnivals and circuses that traveled the nation in the early part of the last century, Cootchie dancers were the girls who danced on the midway, and then walked in the parade for the opening of the circus. These same ladies often appeared with some of the acts, dressed scantily, pointing up to the acrobats for applause. These ladies were known, in the early years, as cootchie dancers because they danced the hootchie cootchie - a very popular song from that era). They were the circus answer to the strippers and dance hall girls, meant to entice the men to come to the circus (and bring their families). While the families were off having fun, the fellows would pay 5 cents, and enter the cootch tent, and watch the ladies dance. Many of the ladies danced with feather fans and boas, strategically placed. The first "round" was fairly mild, just meant to tease. For ANOTHER five cents, the fellows could then go behind the curtain, and see another show, where more was removed. And so on. They, if they could afford it, finally would wind up in the 25 cent group, where a LOT was revealed. The dolls that were sold on the midway, and often won as carnival prices, echo the ladies dresses. The dolls are dressed in just skirts, with feathers covering them. They have earrings and canes (a nod to their circus duties), and often wore sporty hats of some kind. They never (or almost never) have tops of any kind under their feathers. The kids that won these dolls (I was one, waaaay back when) had no idea of the dolls histories. And, I guess their mothers were like mine, and never wondered about the scanty clothes the dolls had on! Anyway, that's the history!
JONESANTIQUES!
JONESANTIQUES!
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Description
This little doll is in excellent vintage condition (just small age related flaws). The paint on her shoes is slightly worn, and her feathers are full but starting to become fragile.  She has no dents or breaks. She is small, just under 6"  tall, and made in Japan from non-flammable celluloid. "Non-flammable" celluloid was invented in the 1930's by Irwin, and by the 1950's, was used for all celluloid (like this doll).  Celluloid was on it's way out by the 1950's, and was very quickly replaced by plastic!
This Kewpie has hand painted flapper style features, and 1920's marcelled, gold painted hair. She is dressed in feathers and silk hula skirt, and is sporting mercury glass bead earrings and a necklace with three mercury glass beads. She is carrying a little celluloid cane, and has the most marvelous silver celluloid hat. All of the celluloid is good with no cracks or breaks. Her paint is all good with the exception of the bottom of one shoe, and the feathers are nice, just beginning to become fragile. She is really in just about as good of condition as I have seen; even her arms are nice and tight This is rare, as these dolls were made to be disposable. They are very fragile, and don't stand up at all to being played with. She is marked Japan.
So what, you ask, is a cootchie doll? Well, they actually have a fairly long (and slightly sordid) past! In the carnivals and circuses that traveled the nation in the early part of the last century, Cootchie dancers were the girls who danced on the midway, and then walked in the parade for the opening of the circus. These same ladies often appeared with some of the acts, dressed scantily, pointing up to the acrobats for applause. These ladies were known, in the early years, as cootchie dancers because they danced the hootchie cootchie - a very popular song from that era). They were the circus answer to the strippers and dance hall girls, meant to entice the men to come to the circus (and bring their families). While the families were off having fun, the fellows would pay 5 cents, and enter the cootch tent, and watch the ladies dance. Many of the ladies danced with feather fans and boas, strategically placed. The first "round" was fairly mild, just meant to tease. For ANOTHER five cents, the fellows could then go behind the curtain, and see another show, where more was removed. And so on. They, if they could afford it, finally would wind up in the 25 cent group, where a LOT was revealed. The dolls that were sold on the midway, and often won as carnival prices, echo the ladies dresses. The dolls are dressed in just skirts, with feathers covering them. They have earrings and canes (a nod to their circus duties), and often wore sporty hats of some kind. They never (or almost never) have tops of any kind under their feathers. The kids that won these dolls (I was one, waaaay back when) had no idea of the dolls histories. And, I guess their mothers were like mine, and never wondered about the scanty clothes the dolls had on! Anyway, that's the history!
Payment
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Shipping
All items are shipped within 24 hours of payment! I try and recycle packaging materials as much as I can. I hate adding more garbage to the environment; if you receive a box from me that has been used before, I am "recycling". I will make sure it's sturdy and the item well packaged. I will ensure your item will arrive in good condition, but the box may not be pretty (or it might be - I have to buy boxes, as well). All shipping within the US is free to you. All my packages are tracked, but if for some reason you don't receive your item or it arrives broken, I will refund your money.
Terms of Sale
I believe in offering the best customer service. YOU are the most important thing in any transactions that I have. I have a lot of fun doing this, and I want it to be fun for you, as well. I guarantee everything - shipping, item as described, damage in transit, whether or not it gets there -- absolutely everything! If for any reason you are unhappy with our transaction, please let me know, and I will try and make things right. . I really want you to be a happy customer, and come back and visit me. I have thousands of items to sell, and would like you to be a return customer.
About Us
I have been an antiques dealer for over 30 years, and an Ebay seller since 2001. I specialize in vintage holiday decorations, and vintage craft items. I also like kitschy religious items, so sell those as well! I have written a number of buying guides, so take a look at my Ebay page. I guarantee authenticity on everything I sell. If I am selling a newer item or a reproduction, I will state it clearly in the listing. I have spent many years studying my specialities, and feel comfortable in guaranteeing my listings. You as my customer are the most important facet of my busines. I try and respond to every message within a few hours.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about me or any of my items, please contact me through the Ebay messaging system. This will ensure that I get your message in a timely fashion! I prefer that you do not contact me via phone. I live way out in the country, do not have a home phone.
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