Kewpie Dolls My Latest Curiosity

I was researching another important character in Missouri history when I came upon the story of Rose O'Neil and the Kewpie illustrations. Since then I have been curious about the Kewpie Dolls.

"Rose was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on June 25, 1874, Rose grew up in an environment where creativity and artistic talents were encouraged by her parents. At the age of 14, she entered a drawing in a contest being run by the Omaha World Herald and won first place.

A few years later, Rose moved to New York to reside with the Sisters of Saint Regis. She was hired by the popular magazine, Puck, and before she reached her 20th birthday, Rose O'Neill had become America's highest paid female illustrator. At this point in her life, she married for the first time and the union was an extremely unhappy one. Her husband repeatedly absconded with Rose's earnings and spent them on himself rather than allowing her to use the money to support them as well as her family. The marriage ended in divorce.

This was followed by a second marriage to one of Puck Magazine's editors - a man with an unpleasant disposition. Again, the relationship ended in divorce and Rose went back to live with her parents in 1907.
During what must have been a very sad period in her life, Kewpie was born. The legend goes that while Rose was taking an afternoon nap, she dreamed that tiny cupids visited her, and were, in fact, bouncing around all over her blankets. She awoke and dashed to her drawing board and the illustrations that resulted were the very first Kewpies." This information is from http://www.dollkind.com/kewpie-doll.shtml

"The Kewpie doll first made its appearance in 1909 in illustrations drawn by Rose O’Neill and printed in 'Ladies’ Home Journal.' The Kewpie Pages became increasingly popular, and O’Neill began producing Kewpie Kutouts, which were paper dolls printed on front and back that were accompanied with stories. Due to increasing popularity and demand, figurines and models of the Kewpie were made from this illustration in 1913. Joseph Kallus was the sculptor who put together the first three-dimensional depiction of the doll. The name "Kewpie" is derived from the name "Cupid." This name was chosen because of the doll’s resemblance to the Roman God of Love. The Kewpie doll has been continuously manufactured since its introduction in 1913." This info. is from http://www.ebay.com/gds/Kewpie-Dolls-Buying-Guide-/10000000177627396/g.html 

Here are some photos and illustrations of the Kewpie:

Rose's Illustrations

Some of the first Kewpie Dolls

Some clothed or about to be clothed Kewpies

Some more illustrations                   

Some more very cute Kewpie Dolls

I just love the expressions on each Kewpie's precious little face. They are so adorable. They were the first mass produced toy. I can understand why they were so popular.

I found this information on Google where are many more images of Kewpie Dolls.