National Museum of Play Online Collections

paper doll

1905

The development of chromolithography in the last years of the 19th century ushered in an era of inexpensive printing that manufacturers exploited to market their wares. Advertisements in magazines and newspapers broadcast convenient foods and consumer goods, but many companies also used trade cards shaped like paper dolls and toys to sell their products. Little boys and girls with outfits of colorful, middle-class fashions of the day seemed to be the most popular subjects of these premium paper toys.

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