American Cloth Doll by Izannah Walker with Ringlet Curls and Rare Painted Shoes 

18" (46 cm.) Cloth doll with pressed and oil-painted complexion and facial features, center-parted hair with two shaded ringlet curls in front of each stitch-shaped ear, and then forming into ringlet curls that tumble onto her nape, outlined brown eyes, lightly stroked brows, rounded nose, closed mouth, firmly stuffed body with stitch jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, defined applied thumbs, oil-painted hands and lower legs, painted black ankle boots with lacing, antique costume which may be original. Condition: very good, original finish with some scuffing. Comments: circa 1865, Izannah Walker, the Pawtucket, Rhode Island, doll creator who obtained a patent for her dolls in 1873, but likely had been making them previously for some time. Her patent described her purpose was to create a doll that is "easily kept clean and not apt to injure a young child which may fall upon it. It will preserve its appearance for a long time." Value Points: rare ringlet curled hair style with enhancing detail of shaded color, painted ankle boots.