Collecting Golliwoggs: Teddy Bear’s Best Friends

The curious black-face rag doll called Golliwogg has delighted children and been a commercial icon in England for more than a century. In the 1980s, its popularity spread to America with the Teddy Bear phenomenon and it has remained a cherished collectible ever since. In this first book about the adorable doll, Dee Hockenberry presents the origins and development of Golliwogg’s popularity throughout the 20th century. Born, so to speak, in 1895 as a character in Florence Upton’s books for children, Golliwogg is shown to have become Teddy Bear’s best friend and a favorite of contemporary doll-makers. The book includes over 425 color photographs and descriptions of Golliwoggs, including those Robertson’s Jams used as a mascot, those manufactured by Steiff, Dean’s, Chad Valley, Canterbury, Pedigree, Merrythought, and Wendy Boston, and those made by countless unknown and prominent modern doll artists. Famous collections of Golliwoggs are featured and a few current artists and collectors add their own views on the subject. This book and its charming major character are sure to win the hearts of a whole new generation of enthusiasts. Current values appear with the captions.