The Public Paperfolding History Project

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Last updated 28/2/2024

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The Chain of Dolls / The Ring of Dolls
 
This page is being used to collect information about the history of the fold and cut designd known as the Chain of Dolss or Ring of Dolls. Please contact me if you know any of this information is incorrect or if you have any other information that should be added. Thank you.

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1860

The earliest diagrams that I am aware of for the Chain of Dolls appear in 'The Girl's Own Toymaker' by Ebenezer and Alice Landells which was published in 1860 by Griffin and Farran in London and Shephard, Clark and Brown in Boston.

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Similar designs appear:

1894

In 'Jeux et Occupations Pour les Petits: Guide des Mères et des Institutrices' by Henriette Suzanne Brés, which was published by Librairie Classique Fernand Nathan in Paris in 1894.

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1900

As 'Poupees de Papier' in 'Mes Jolie Jeux' by Henriette Suzanne Bres, which was published by Librairie Hachette in Paris in 1900.

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1910

As 'Paper Dolls' in 'Handicraft in the School', which was issued in four volumes by Gresham Publishing in London in 1910.

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1920

A 'Group of Dancing Brownies' is included in 'Paper Magic' by Will Blyth, which was first published by C Arthur Pearson in London in 1920.

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1922

Several variants, 'The Dancing Skeletons / Grandma's String of Dolls / The Dancing Girl's' appear in Houdini's Paper Magic', which was published by E P Dutton and Company of New York in 1922

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1923

As 'Sardana' (a Catalan form of circle dance) in 'Trabajos Manuales y Juegos Infantiles' by Francisco Blanch, which was published by I. G. Seix y Barral Hermanos S.A.- Editores in Barcelona in 1923.

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1932

'A Cordon of Police' and various other variants appear in 'Winter Nights Entertainments' by R M Abraham, which was first published by Constable and Constable in London in 1932.

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1935

'La Nature' Issue 2944 of 1st January 1935 contained an article by Alber headed 'Dechirures et Dechiquetures de Papier' (Paper Tearing and Shredding?) which explained how to present the making of several versions of the Chain of Dolls and Paper Doilies as magical effects.

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1937

'Bears' appears in 'Paper Toy Making' by Margaret Campbell, which was first published by Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons Ltd in London, probably in 1937, although both the Foreword and Preface are dated 1936, which argues that the book was complete at that date.

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1939

A circular chain appears as 'The Indian War Dance' in 'Fun with Paper' by Joseph Leeming, which was published by Spencer Press Inc in Chicago in 1939.

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1940

'El Plegado y Cartonaje en la Escuela Primaria' by Antonio M Luchia and Corina Luciani de Luchia, which was published by Editorial Kapelusz in Buenos Aires in 1940 contains a section called 'Siluetas Recortadas' which explains how to make several fold and cut figures and a version of the Chain of Dolls.

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1949

Several patterns for zigzag friezes appear in 'Au Pays des Mains Agiles', which was published by Editions Fleurus in Paris in 1949, under the title of 'Ribambelles'

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