Textile, woven

Description

This commemorative doll pattern was made by the Rhode Island textile manufacturer and printer Cranston Print Works to celebrate the company’s 150th anniversary. These patterns were given to attendees of the company’s birthday gala event, which was held in Cranston, Rhode Island on May 24, 1975. Printed doll patterns first became popular around the late 19th century and featured multiple views of animals or other characters, which only had to be cut out, sewn together, and stuffed for consumers to make their own soft toy at home. Doll patterns like this were considered vintage by 1975, with a contemporary press release from Cranston Print Works describing the commemorative gift as “an antique-type stuffed doll” which was “destined to be become a collector’s item.” This object is one of a large group transferred to Winterthur from the American Textile History Museum when it closed in 2017.