Kamkins Cloth Doll
Louise R. Kampes of Atlantic City, New Jersey made dolls from 1919 to the early 1930s. On November 2, 1920 she received
patent number 1357779 for her dolls. In 1928 she registered her trademark "Kamkins--A Dolly To Love". She made and sold
dolls in her shop on the Atlantic City boardwalk. Appealing to regular vacationers, the dolls frequently received new clothes
each spring and fall as the clothing line was updated regularly.
THe dolls were both boys and girls and came in 18 inches or 19 inches with a voice box. Infrequently, a baby is found. The
dolls face was made of cotton canvas with seams at the corner of the mouth to form a chin. The canvas was stretched over
rubber and vulcanized. The face was attached to the back of the head with a seam running across the top of the head and
under the chin. Faces were painted. Wigs were available in human hair of mohair. Most were styled in the very popular bob of
the 1920s though long hair was available. The bodies were flesh colored cotton with tab joints at the shoulder and sewn joints
at the hips. Toes and fingers were stitched and the thumb was attached separately.
The dolls were marked with a stamp on the foot or back of the head. Some had a red paper heart on the left of the chest.
Coleman, Dorothy S., Elizabeth A., and Evelyn Jane. The Collector's Encyclopedia of Dolls. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc.
1968 .
Edward, Linda. Cloth Dolls From Ancient to Modern. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. 1997.
Goodfellow, Caroline. The Ultimate Doll Book. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1993.
McGonagle, Dorothy A. A Celebration of American Dolls from the Collection of the Strong Museum. Cumberland, MD: Hobby
house Press, 1997.
patent number 1357779 for her dolls. In 1928 she registered her trademark "Kamkins--A Dolly To Love". She made and sold
dolls in her shop on the Atlantic City boardwalk. Appealing to regular vacationers, the dolls frequently received new clothes
each spring and fall as the clothing line was updated regularly.
THe dolls were both boys and girls and came in 18 inches or 19 inches with a voice box. Infrequently, a baby is found. The
dolls face was made of cotton canvas with seams at the corner of the mouth to form a chin. The canvas was stretched over
rubber and vulcanized. The face was attached to the back of the head with a seam running across the top of the head and
under the chin. Faces were painted. Wigs were available in human hair of mohair. Most were styled in the very popular bob of
the 1920s though long hair was available. The bodies were flesh colored cotton with tab joints at the shoulder and sewn joints
at the hips. Toes and fingers were stitched and the thumb was attached separately.
The dolls were marked with a stamp on the foot or back of the head. Some had a red paper heart on the left of the chest.
Coleman, Dorothy S., Elizabeth A., and Evelyn Jane. The Collector's Encyclopedia of Dolls. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc.
1968 .
Edward, Linda. Cloth Dolls From Ancient to Modern. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. 1997.
Goodfellow, Caroline. The Ultimate Doll Book. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1993.
McGonagle, Dorothy A. A Celebration of American Dolls from the Collection of the Strong Museum. Cumberland, MD: Hobby
house Press, 1997.
