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February, 2020 The Antique Shoppe Page 23
COCHRAN DOLLS OF THE 1930S

Portraits of Look-a-Like Dolls

By Larry LeMasters, LeMasters’ Antique News Service

Dolls have long helped little girls and grown women alike recapture the mystery of childhood. One type of doll that was specifically
designed to keep a young girl young forever was the Ella Dewees Cochran’s Portrait Dolls. Cochran, a portrait doll artist of the 1930s, is
the most famous portrait doll artist of all times.
Cochran believed that dolls expressed their entire personality through their facial expressions. In order to create realistic facial
expressions on dolls, Cochran began designing faces of real live children into doll molds. Cochran’s “Portrait Doll” series, manufactured
by Effanbee for B. Altman’s and other New York stores, focused on a child’s face as an artistic form unto itself. She not only transformed Manufactured by Effanbee, this
Cochran Portrait Doll stands an
the concept of how a doll should look, but she also made some select girls famous since their childhood faces would live forever on dolls. impressive 22 inches tall and is
She began making valued at $265.
portrait dolls of real FANNING SPRINGS
children in 1934. Wealthy
New York families were “explore the difference”
quick to pay for such
“special” dolls. In 1936, Point of View
Cochran designed six basic
dolls, each with a different Antiques
“type” of face. Cochran
claimed she could produce a 17452 US Hwy 19 N
Portrait Doll of almost any
child by simply changing Fanning Springs www.PointofViewGifts.com
the hair or eyes or clothing (352) 463-0718 10-5 Monday-Saturday
of one of the six basic dolls. Now Open Sunday 11-4
By 1939, the concept of
Portrait Dolls had captured Exquisite 17-inch Cochran Vintage, 20-inch tall Cochran collectibles, wood carvings, jewelry, gifts and more
the imagination of America. Portrait Doll, circa 1939, was Portrait Doll. Marked “Effanbee –DEALER SPACE AVAILABLE–
American Children” on its neck
offered on eBay for $450.
Life magazine, in its offered on eBay for $300. 33
April 3, 1939 issue, ran a
cover story on Cochran and her dolls. WILLISTON - REDDICK
Public interest in the doll’s design
process escalated, and stories and ads Williston’s Newest Antique Store • ANTIQUE •
describing Cochran’s design approach Back Door Antiques
soon appeared. Cochran established EMPORIUM
herself as the woman who changed 36 E. Noble Ave. · Williston
the entire genre of dolls by putting Antiques-Furniture-Books-Collectibles & More
th
different “portrait heads” on stock doll 17990 NW 77 Ave
bodies with standard wigs and clothing. Dixie’s Antiques Mall Reddick, FL 32686
Cochran’s concept of using “real” faces Antiques, Collectibles & Gifts 352-591-1221
to make doll statements was hugely OPEN
successful. 112 W. Noble Ave. Tue-Sat 10-4
Eventually, WWII changed our Williston, FL 32696 Parking - OPEN DAILY 10-6 -
nation’s priorities. Most doll companies (352) 528-2338 at rear I-75 at Exit 368
folded, and the concept of the Portrait Over 8,000 sq. ft. of Air Conditioned Comfort of Store
Doll faded into history. Today, a with 75+ “FILLED TO THE RAFTERS” booths info@antiqueemporiumfl.comm 36
Cochran Portrait Doll is worth quite a Rental Booths Available 35
bit of money since they changed the Open 10-5 Mon-Sat 34 BackDoorAntiques.org · 352-528-0769 ANTIQUEEMPORIUMFL.COM
face of doll history.

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LIFE’s April 3, 1939, cover, featuring a young girl 38 Check out our albums on Facebook 40 41
and Dewees Cochran’s Portrait Doll of the girl.