l love my unique gollywog collection, yes every one is unique and different but their round surprised eyes all look the same
Golly - where did golly come from?
Some say Golly was used due to the somewhat surprised look on the dolls face, as if saying, golly golly gosh
"Golly" which is an English exclamation of surprise
The dictionary defines it as a blackfaced, goggle eyed, fantastically dressed doll or, a soft black faced doll.
These are some of my gollys
Florence Upton is accredited with creating the golliwog
Florence was born in New York to English parents in 1873.
Upon the death of her father when Florence was 16, Florence and her mother Bertha returned to England.
In 1895 at the age of 22 Florence illustrated her1st book, (written by her mother).
As a small child Florence had 3 homemade toys, 2 homemade Dutch dolls and her black Gollywogg, .
with 2g's. The book called "The Adventures of 2 Dutch Dolls" featuring the golliwog.
Florence and her mother had 13 Gollywogg Books published between 1895-1909.
They were incredibly popular.
Florence Upton died in 1922 aged 49 years and buried near her home in Hamstead.
On her gravestone are in engraved the words -
Florence Upton
Creater of the famed gollywog.
Florence's 3 soft toys, her childhood story book dolls are now housed at Chequers, the British Prime Ministers country residence.
No comments:
Post a Comment