WOMEN'S AUXILIARY FERRYING SQUADRON 1942 - PART ONE

WOMEN'S AUXILIARY FERRYING SQUADRON 1942 - PART ONE.

The WAFS was a group of 28 young women pilots who acted as transport agents flying newly assembled aircraft from factories to bases during America's first year of fighting in WWII. They were merged with the more famous WASPS in 1943 and carried out many essential non-combat functions throughout the remaining years of the War.

This lovely 6 doll set from 1942 served as a patriotic playtime toy for young girls of that era and today as an historic reminder of the service and sacrifice of these brave trailblazing women.

I will post dolls 3 & 4 tomorrow and dolls 5 & 6 on Thursday.

 

MEDIEVAL LADY

MEDIEVAL LADY.

I've said previously how collecting paper dolls can act as an aid for the theatrical costume designer (which I was for many years) and this lovely set is a very good example of this. Several fine examples of Medieval lady's costume are on display here with variations of fabric used. Upholstery or drapery fabrics were usually required to achieve the effect of ancient textiles but more often than not hand stenciling on a suitable background fabric was required to replicate the desired effect.

 

LILLIAN RUSSELL

LILLIAN RUSSELL.

The most popular and famous performer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Lillian Russell might be compared to the Taylor Swift of her day, as well known for her on stage and off stage lives. Featured here are a few of the costumes for roles which she played in Gilbert & Sullivan operettas and other musicals and plays both in New York and London.

 

DINAH SHORE

DINAH SHORE.

Lovely singer and actress fondly remembered from films of the 1940's and television in the 1950's and 60's. She helmed a very popular TV talk show in the 1980's as well. Here she gets the full fashion paper doll treatment from the mid 1950's and a very nice set it is.

 

PIER ANGELI

PIER ANGELI.

Anna Maria Pierangeli, know professionally as Pier Angeli was an Italian actress who gained fleeting fame in a few Hollywood films of the 1950's. She was better known for her romantic affairs with major actors like Kirk Douglas and James Dean.

This is a lovely set with some lively Neapolitan inspired fashions of that period. Although her time in Hollywood was brief I've noticed that these body shapes were reused for other paper doll sets later on in the 50's and 60's.