American Cloth Gentleman Known as "Mr. Micawber" by Martha Chase

16" (41 cm.) All-cloth doll with hand-pressed and oil-painted complexion, facial features, and hair, having bald pate with curly brown "comb-over" hair at the sides, brown hair at back of head, small blue/grey eyes, thick black eyeliner, single stroke brows, closed mouth with slightly-smiling lips, impressed dimples at lip corners, shaped stitch-on ears, firmly-stuffed body with elongated slender arms and legs, stitch-jointing at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, separate thumb, defined fingers, wearing linen and woolen gentleman's costume. Condition: generally excellent. Marks: (Chase logo on leg) The Chase Stockinet Doll (original paper label on back torso). Comments: Martha Chase, circa 1900, from the series of dolls believed to represent various storybook figures, this example known as Mr. Micawber from David Copperfield, the eternal optimist whose credo was "something will turn up". Value Points: very rare model in exceptionally well-preserved original condition, with compelling presence and artful painting.