Petticoat Junction

"Here's our Lady MD;she's as pretty as can be at the Junction!"

Could we be more sexist?  June Lockhart, everyone's mom, played a woman physician, Dr. Janet Craig,  on Petticoat Junction after Bea Benaderet died.  I've been a JL fan since I was very tiny, when I first saw her on Lassie.

I still like to watch PJ, with my tiny little girl cat, Miss Bangles, curled up in my lap, cup of coffee in hand.  The show comes on 6:30 am weekdays.  I suppose it was a statement of its time; even professional women had to meet standards of cosmetic "beauty", and sitcoms were made of the way intimidated males, and sometimes females, reacted to them.  So much for the tradition of healing women that led up to the Janet Craigs of this world.

Other shows are probably worse, though the episode where Billy Jo Bradley, played by the late Meredith McCrae, wore pants and became a "libber" till male ridicule forced her petticoat back over her head, is the most heinous I can remember.

Make Room for Daddy has early episodes where Danny Thomas sings his well adjusted, healthy "tom boy" daughter into a debutante.  I wanted to wretch, and can't watch the show the same way.  In another episode, Danny managed to sabotage his wife's attempts at work.  

The feminine mystique was clearly alive and well.

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The Mandalay Marionettes Swing Again! Happy Valentine's Week It's Valentine's Day and President's Day tomorrow! The New York Toy Fair took place this weekend, along with one of our oldest Antique Shows!  Look for reports on both soon!  This week we take a look at the famous Mandalay Marionettes and their important role in the culture of Myanmar.  Also, in light of last week's Rendezvous Auction, an update on our girl Ginny is printed here for your approval.  Here is also a review of some lovely Chinese opera dolls and dolls for Washington's Birthday in honor of President's day.  Do you have photos of patriotic dolls you would like to share?  Email me at etsag1998@aol.com.  Note that our old "collect dolls" email address is no longer in service, and thanks to the persistent reader who found me last week when she discovered the old email no longer worked.  I'd also like to take time to remember my friend, Mary Hillier, who loved Valentine's Day, and whose last gift to me was a magazine in which she had published about antique Valentines.  Mary left this world on February 14, 1999, but she is with me every day in spirit, and her wonderful doll research lives on.  Happy Collecting, and Happy Valentine's Day, and thank you for your notes and emails. Ellen Tsagaris Doll Collecting Expert

The Mandalay Marionettes Swing Again!   The Burmese Marionette Theater has dates to ancient times as a means of education, entertainment, communication and religious instruction. READ NOW

An About Requested Update of a Popular Little Doll   Here is an update on Ginny, in time for an auction of Ginny items by Theriault's. READ NOW

Chinese Opera Dolls; part of an Important Theater Tradition   In honor of Chinese New Year, and centuries of Chinese doll making, here is a post about these amazing dolls. READ NOW

Dolls for Washington's Birthday-Emma Clear, Effanbee, More   .The Father of our Country and the First President inspired many fine dolls and figurines, and as a doting parent, he also bought dolls and toys. READ NOW

Some Excellent Women, As Barbies!

We can Stop Talking About her Physique! This week, Barbie was on the cover of "Time."  Quite a feat, and still at the fairly young age of 57!  The new Barbie bodies are out, and available online.  Mine is on back order, but they are out there.What do you think of the new bodies? I'd love to know!  Tomorrow, February 8th, Theriault's Rendezvous will feature some amazing Ginny dolls with clothes, furniture and accessories.  PBS is replaying the first three episodes of "Anne of Green Gables", which has been a muse for many types of Anne and Diana dolls.  The setting, Prince Edward Island, is on my bucket list, how about you?  We'll take another look at Chatty Cathy prices, and during Black History Month, we'll take a survey of African and African American dolls and their importance in festivals like Kwanzaa. Finally, our finale this week consists of recent auction results as posted by our friends at "Antique Doll Collector" Magazine.  Tonight is the Super Bowl, of course, in my old hometown.  Do you know where your sports mascot dolls, bears, and bobble heads are?  Ellen Tsagaris Doll Collecting Expert

We can Stop Talking About her Physique!   In response to public interest, Mattel has given the blonde maven a new body makeover; go Barbie!  These new dolls are diverse and beautiful.  They have diverse hair styles, skin tones, and body types.  We girls can really do everything now, and in our own unique shapes! READ NOW

African Dolls and Kwanzaa   African dolls have a rich and ancient history.  They are important to many festivals here and overseas.  In fact, they play a role in the beloved festival of Kwanzaa. READ NOW

Chatty Cathy   She is still talking after all these years, and prices online indicate we are still listening. READ NOW

Auction Updates from Antique Doll Collector   Late fall and winter have proved to be busy doll auction months, with unusual dolls continuing to find new homes.  Read more about it! READ NOW

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Dolls in Strange Places; What a Mystery! Doll sleuths are always looking for dolls hiding in strange places, and I found one amid the pages of a Sue Grafton novel, "N is for Noose."   New dolls like Amelia Whistle-Wickham Ghastly is now available by Tonner, and a lovely, ghostly creature she is!  Barbie made another magazine cover, with new bodies to boot, and "Closer" Magazine has a cover story on Shirley Temple's childhood.  Below are also stories on paper doll doodling in adult coloring books, more on how to find dolls and a preview post on what's next at Dollspart Supply.  More highlights include the Feb. 2015 issue of "Antique Doll Collector" with recent Theriault's auction results, and stories in "Antique Week" on Star Wars collectibles and action figures, with a $150,000 action figure!  I love to hear from you, so remember to write, and to suggest ideas for what you would like to read.  Happy Collecting! Ellen Tsagaris Doll Collecting Expert

Dolls in Strange Places; What a Mystery!   Dolls, especially Barbie, love a mystery.  Here is Sue Grafton's "N is for Noose" which includes a Barbie collector who repairs Chatty Cathy dolls READ NOW

Doodling For Dolls and Doll Houses   Coloring books for adults are the latest craze; many include paper dolls to color! READ NOW

Dolls Are Where you Find Them   So said my friend, noted author and collector, the late Mary Hillier, about how to find dolls to collect.  READ NOW

Dollspart Huret introduces more Huret Accessories   Here is a preview of a duet of articles featuring Dollspart Supply's great accessories for Huret and other French fashion dolls. READ NOW