Album of Americana - Barbara Fritchie Doll

 One of the two items I purchased at the UFDC Convention is an Album of Americana doll, Barbara Fritchie.

The box has some minor damage, but with a little tape should display well.

According to the box, she is Series 1, Vol. 5. Some of the other dolls from the line are: Molly Pitcher, Martha Washington, Betsy Ross, Mary Todd Lincoln, Dolley Madison, Clara Barton, and Priscilla Alden.

On the inside of the lid, an illustration of Barbara Fritchie is displayed next to a blurb about Barbara Fritchie.

Barbara Fritchie is a local icon in Frederick, MD, the town that I currently reside in. Her home, out of which she (supposedly) stuck her head out of the window, waving her U.S. flag and shouting at the confederates passing by is a historical landmark in town, and I was lucky enough to tour it when it was still open.

The doll itself, produced by Plastic Molded Arts Co, in New York in the 1950s, is a rather plain doll, of the plastic dress-me style of dolls. 

As simple and ordinary as the doll is, the packaging and story is a nice addition of local history to display in my home library.

2022 UFDC Convention in St. Louis - Timeless Treasures: Day 5

 Day 5 - Saturday

I was up nice and early to help set up and work the Helper Drawings. It is always nice to hear people cheering when they or a friend win a coveted item. I won two items from the drawings: a Robin Woods Alice in Wonderland doll and accessories in trunk, 

and a Zwergnase doll.

After putting away my items, I worked the Mini-Offices last shift - 10AM-12PM.

I again ate a quiet lunch in my room, this time leftover Chinese food from the night before, packed as much as I could in my suitcases, and rested.

Kelsey and I dressed up for the final event.

And then we headed down to the cash bar cocktail hour and the final banquet.

The centerpiece was a simple tri-fold that mentioned this year's theme and led us into next year's theme.

My roommates Little Fox doll joined Kelsey at the table.

Table mates were generous with table gifts.

During the dinner, we were entertained first by a barbershop quartet, and then a video of convention goings on set to music.

At the end of the evening, souvenir dolls were passed out to those who had pre-ordered them, and we opened them all together.

The doll is Lena Sutherland by Jennie Sykes.

After oohing and aahing, it was time to say our final farewells to friends and head to bed, especially since our ride to take us to the airport was scheduled to pick us up at 5AM.

2022 UFDC Convention in St. Louis - Timeless Treasures: Day 4

 Day 4 - Friday

The day started with the Annual Business Meeting. The officers gave their reports, things were voted on, and the location for next year's convention was announced. The 2023 UFDC Convention will be held in Bellevue, Washington (just outside of Seattle). The crowd was very excited.

I had another quiet lunch in the hotel room, and then headed down to check out the Publisher's Preview. I was able to purchase Goldie Wilson's new book! Then onto see the end of a program: From Daydreams to Dollhouses - A Young Collector's Journey by Christopher Aleman.

I took advantage of my mostly empty afternoon to head back to the competition room to take a thorough look at the entries and get some photos of my favorites.

Joel Ellis Dolls

This year there was an 18" doll in original clothing category.

Madeline Englebreit

Kewpies

Krissy

American Girl Barbie

Barbie Outfits

World of Love

Some BJDs

Dolls Created by Owner - The Spirit of the West

Dolls costumed by owner - dressed for the 1st day of kindergarten.

Dolls costumed by owner - ladies dressed for a day at the 1904 World's Fair.

Dean's Rag Book Dolls.

Effenbee Little Lady

I also made a last pass through the helper room and deposited the rest of my tickets.

I helped out in the Mini-Office until 5, and then my roommate and I order delivery for dinner, since we were so tired of the hotel bar.

I skipped the evening programs and went to bed early. 1 more day to go.

2022 UFDC Convention in St. Louis - Timeless Treasures: Day 3

 Day 3 - Thursday

After a leisurely morning, I walked around the UFDC Boutique and Helpers before joining the Competitive Highlight Tours. Groups of attendees were brought in and were shepherded to various categories  where a judge explained why dolls received or did not receive ribbons. It was very informative, especially in regards to the costumed by owner category.

Afterwards, I took another look at the salesroom and ate lunch in my room.

That afternoon were the regional gatherings. This year, regions 11 and 13 were teamed up together. The meeting went really smoothly and was actually quiet fun.

Next up was the Open Forum at 4PM. This year's forum was more relaxed and I think it went really well. The moderators rotated between reading pre-written comment/questions and comments/questions from the audience. It really felt like the board was listening to the members. I hope they keep this format for next year.

Dinner was yet again at the bar. Sigh. And I gave in and had fried ravioli. When in St. Louis, and all that.

Then I attended two really fun and informative evening programs: Etokusai - Four Generations of Japanese Doll Masters by Alan Scott Pate, and The Golden Silence (Suffrage Dolls) by Alisha Cole. I really enjoyed both of them, even though it meant I wasn't getting back to the hotel room until 10PM.

2022 UFDC Convention in St. Louis - Timeless Treasures: The Rest of Day 2

 After checking out the special exhibits I took a peek at the UFDC boutique, bought some helper tickets, and looked at the helpers. There were lots of wonderful helper items this year. And then I went to Samy Odin's program: The Art of Dina Velluti. This was wonderful after just seeing the exhibit, as it put the dolls in context.

For the first time in my convention-going life, I signed up for the Competitive Highlight Tour for the next day.

I had a quiet lunch in my room and went to the next program: KPM-Betlin China Dolls by Christiane Graefnitz. This was a really interesting program about dolls I knew nothing about.

And then it was time for the What's Cooking Beccasine? Afternoon Tea that I had signed up for.

On the table were adorable Beccasine candy container centerpieces.

The tea consisted of various small sandwiches, quiches, scones, danishes, and tartlets, as well as tea.

A friend brought one of her Beccasines as her travel doll.

After eating, Samy gave an informative presentation about Beccassine, her history, and some of the Beccasine dolls that have been made over the years.

Afterward, we received our souvenir dolls made by Connie Tognolli.

My loot: table favors and the doll.

Kelsey tried on the outfits that were given out as table favors.

Kelsey poses with her new friends.

Exhausted, I decided to nap that afternoon and skipped dinner since the tea had been very filling, so I had an early night.