A genealogist intrigued by what she didn’t know about black dolls

Like most folks, Joyce Stamps didn’t grow up with black dolls, but when she was finally introduced to them fully as an adult, the genealogist in her was curious about their history.

“I wish they could talk and tell me about who played with them and what kinds of journeys they took with their owners,” she says.

That’s the mark of a genealogist, always wanting to know the where and the what and the how. So, it was only natural for Stamps’ love of unearthing real people’s history to spur her to uncover the past lives of our fabled childhood friends. Learning the stories of dolls – along with how they were used to portray African Americans in particular – is becoming a focal point of her genealogical work.

Stamps tells the story of her collection, what she’s learned about dolls and that one elusive doll that she – and all of us – would love to have.

Question:

Tell me about the dolls you had as a child. Were any of them black? What was your experience with dolls?

Answer:

I don’t remember having a doll as a child. My aunt had a bisque doll that I played with from time to time. She had two sons, Melvin and Irving. She named the doll Malvina. Not sure what happened to the doll.

Question:

Tell me the story of how you got started collecting? How long have you been collecting?

Answer:

For about 14 years I produced a fine arts and crafts show in Boston, MA. I was looking for another craft person when my hairdresser mentioned a young lady who made dolls. Frances Smith was that person who had been making dolls as a child. She participated in my show and later I accompanied her to Barbara Whiteman’s doll show in Philadelphia. We met a couple of women collectors from Boston.

When we returned home we were invited to a doll club meeting at Jeri Robinson’s home. Jeri had been collecting dolls since she was 10 years old. We were told to bring our dolls with us. Since I had none I stopped by Toys “R” Us and purchased two dolls that looked like my daughter when she was born and the other looked like a niece of mine. Off I went with Frances hoping to find another doll crafter for my show. After the meeting and looking at Jeri’s dolls I was hooked.

Question:

You seem to specialize in cloth dolls, which have a history that appears distinct from traditional dolls. Tell me what you’ve learned as a genealogist about those dolls?

Answer:

The last two presentations I have done just happened to be with black cloth dolls. In doing so I realize that their history relates to my genealogy searching.

Question:

When most people hear cloth, they probably think Raggedy Ann, which isn’t considered a cloth doll. What’s the difference between a rag doll like her and a cloth doll?

Answer:

The cloth dolls that I have been dealing with were handmade by women that used scraps that were available to them, which became cottage industries. Raggedy Ann and the dolls of that ilk were mass-produced in a factory.

Question:

Why did you choose black dolls as a specialty?

Answer:

Growing up I did not see or have black dolls, so I thought I would see if there were any out there. They seemed to talk to me or not talk to me. I wish they could talk and tell me about who played with them and what kinds of journeys they took with their owners.

Question:

How many dolls do you have in your collection, and how and where do you store them?

Answer:

I have about 800 dolls in the collection. They are stored in boxes, on shelves and on display depending on the time of year.

Question:

What’s the oldest doll that you have? Do you know its story or the story of dolls from its era?

Answer:

The doll that is about 100 years old is a black cloth doll that was probably handmade. She was owned by a friend of my grandmother. The friend’s daughter gave her to me when she realized that I was collecting dolls.

Question:

What’s the most special doll in your collection? Tell me the story about your buying that one.

Answer:

She is a doll that is wooden and made by the Janci Doll Company. She was purchased in Dallas, Texas, at the UFDC (United Federation of Doll Clubs) convention on their public day. I did not know what UFDC was at the time. I saw her in a doll magazine the month before the convention, she was the centerfold. My doll has become a collectible because they do not make that size doll anymore.

Question:

Why is it important to collect and maintain black dolls? As representatives of black history?

Answer:

For me it is because when I was coming along, there were no dolls that looked like me. Maybe if I was raised in the South that might not be the case. I have put together a PowerPoint program that combines dolls with history. My purpose is to educate people about all that we (African-Americans) have accomplished by using dolls that represent historical figures or a time period. This ties together my passion for dolls and genealogy.

Many of the early black dolls – especially the cloth dolls, it seemed – were caricatures or held the mammy image. What was that all about? It might have been the way black people looked to the doll-maker.

Topsy-Turvy is another cloth doll that seems to be pretty prevalent (at least I see them often at auctions). What’s the story behind them and their significance? These dolls were part of the slave culture. They were used by the children as their toys. Depending on who came into the room it would depend on which side was showing. It would be the white side if the master came in and the black side for anyone else.

Question:

Cloth dolls have an artsy feel to me, like folk art, made from the hands and the head, unlike traditional dolls. Am I right?

Answer:

There are several African American doll artists whose dolls are more artsy. Folk art dolls were put together with discarded or recyclable materials and lots of love.

Question:

In your research of dolls, did you come across any tidbits that you considered fascinating or enlightening?

Answer:

I find that the African American doll designers (makers) tend to use cloth more so than any other medium. They bring a spirituality to their dolls along with an expressive feeling of heartbreak and happiness.

Question:

Has knowing the history of black dolls affected what you buy or the way you look at dolls?

Answer:

I would say based on my other passion for genealogy, the history of black dolls is becoming front and center in my research. Leo Moss has also peaked my interest as there is not enough written about him.

Question:

What drives you to collect black cloth dolls?

Answer:

I did not have dolls when I was younger. To know that they are available and they have stories to tell make me more intrigued to collect them.

Question:

Do you have other dolls in your collection that are not cloth dolls? Tell me about them.

Answer:

When I started collecting dolls they were not cloth dolls. I collected black dolls in general, which were mostly porcelain. At the time they were the only dolls that I knew about. I have porcelain, wood, wood resin, wax, papier mache, etc.

Question:

Do you offer presentations on your dolls? When and when and how often? What do you tell people about the dolls in your presentation?

Answer:

Yes, I do presentations at the libraries, community centers and any place that will get the exposure for the dolls. I work with local schools, Girl Scouts, other doll clubs and museums that are interested in learning about them. I talk about how I got started and stories about the dolls I collect.

Question:

Do you have a certain criteria for collecting dolls? Or do you just buy what you like?

Answer:

The more I have gotten into dolls, sometimes I buy from certain doll-makers, but I really buy what doll talks to me.

Question:

Do you collect dolls only or also their accessories (houses, carriages, more clothes, etc)? Do you collect other types of things?

Answer:

The dolls need accessories so I collect clothing, carriages, bicycles, beds, etc. My daughter is the person who makes doll houses, so that is my extension for doll houses.

Question:

Is there one doll you’ve always wanted but haven’t been able to find?

Answer:

I would love to own a Leo Moss doll, but he is out of my league.

Question:

Where do you usually buy your dolls from?

Answer:

Doll shows, doll dealers, doll artists and friends.

Question:

Someone mentioned to me that doll collecting is an obsession? Do you agree? Can you ever have too many dolls?

Answer:

Yes, I became obsessed when I went to my friend’s home and saw her collection. The answer is NO.

Question:

Tell me a little about yourself and your background. What do you do when you’re not collecting dolls?

Answer:

I am retired from the business world. I love to travel, and visit with relatives, friends, museums and historical sites. I belong to the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society Inc., the United Federation of Doll Clubs, for which I have become the regional director of Region 15 and part of the board. I am on the board of the National Black Doll Museum of History & Culture, which is located in Mansfield, MA. I also am an appraiser, curator, dealer, lecturer for both my doll and genealogical research.

_________________________

If you collect black dolls or know someone who does, please let me know. I’d love to write about them and their collection. If you have any doll memories, please share those, too. Please contact me in the Comments box below.

Here are the other blog posts in the black dolls and their collectors series:

Barbara Whiteman and the Philadelphia Doll Museum

Aunt Sarah’s Dolls

Memories of a special doll and a love for baby dolls

My chance meeting of a black doll collector

A surprising mix of black dolls at convention

When black dolls talk, Debbie Garrett listens

Baby dolls don’t ‘eat, cry, or grow up & sass’

There’s more to Barbie than just good looks

An unabashed ‘dollaholic’ – and very proud of it