In the mid 1890s, several companies from coffee & cocoa to sewing machines & thread to stove polish competed to see who could develop the best advertising trade cards attractive to children, with the goal of encouraging their Mothers to buy the products that had the best toys in them. This item does not reflect a specific product and was part of a much larger paper doll/trade card collection.
This listing offers a two-sided doll with a head that swivels on a grommet and two different clothing designs. First photo is a dual view of the single doll. There are three
heads with different expressions on both sides of
the figure. Measures almost 6 1/2" tall. Manufacturer unknown.
Please see pics for details, where some minor wear is visible along the interior lower edge of the doll where a flap was likely located originally to help figure stand up. It is in otherwise excellent condition.
These are from seller's grandmother's paper doll collection created when she was a child in Iowa in the 1890s. They have been stored since at least the 1960s and always in a smoke-free environment. Across seller's Victorian lots, there may be penciled-in names, creases, small tears, and/or toning due to age.