Courtesy Photo A paper doll kit originally drawn by Grace Drayton and adapted by Judy Johnson is seen in this courtesy image. The kit is seen with eight outfits for the doll.

SKANDIA — Baby boomers might recall gathering their scissors and diligently clipping out paper dolls along with their fashion attire and other pertinent items.

Think Betsy McCall or that paper doll cut-out book you purchased for 25 cents from your local pharmacy.

Residing in Marquette County is Judy Johnson whose household contains 1,000 plus paper doll designs along with 8,000 various category reference books.

Her artistic journey began when she was barely ten years old. Her uncle, John Heath, guided her into the artistic world.

Johnson stated, “My uncle helped me begin to understand composition, color mixing, techniques, and related art and design aspects.”

Johnson recalls, in her youth, purchasing and playing with a variety of paper doll designs and themes. In many instances, paper dolls in this era reflected movie stars, vintage designs from past years, and paper doll artwork which appealed to her.

Johnson added, “My mother and grandmother both enjoyed paper dolls. Thus, it kind of flowed onto me.”

Born in Skandia, her early life travels took her to Lansing, where she graduated from high school and attended Michigan State University. Later, she traveled to New York City seeking to be a portrait artist. There, in 1965, she ended up at the World’s Fair doing charcoal portraits.

She returned to Lansing and for 10 years helped home contractors with exterior and interior decoration selections.

In 1984, Johnson and others founded what is now known as the Original Paper Doll Artists Guild. Their mission was to learn, support, and showcase each other’s original and contemporary artwork.

Within “the world of paper dolls” Johnson is internationally known for her numerous designs and artwork.

In 1984, she began a design relationship with B. Shackman Publishing Company. Johnson was also recruited by Magicloth and Schylling Toys to design packaging for such products as Sesame Street. Later, she entered a business venture with Dover Publishing creating clip artwork and the Little Book paper doll book series.

Johnson’s talents and expertise continued to expand. She entered the paper doll self-publishing arena, as well as restoring vintage paper doll artwork. In 1998, she created her website. At the time, it was the world’s largest dedicated to paper dolls.

Her massive inventory offers vintage, movie and television stars, historic figures, sports, military, distinguished and important women and men, American Western themes, animals, bridal parties, babies and children, careers, and numerous other themes.

Some of her creations include Princess Diana, actress Betty Hutton, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Amanda Panda, and dozens upon dozens of others.

Johnson commented, “Many of my customers are 50-plus years in age and enjoy reflecting upon the nostalgia of their youth. In some instances, they are teaching their grandchildren – perhaps offering insight into various aspects of history.”

She added some of her customers come from the education and library professions, as well as from Hollywood and the fashion industries.

Johnson offers well over 2,000 items, all uniquely categorized on her website.

To take you back in time or to share the art and joy of paper dolls, visit wwwpapergoodies.com or call 906-942-7865.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO. He frequently writes historic feature stories and op-eds for various Michigan newspapers. As a Vietnam-era veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve. He served on the public affairs staff of the Secretary of the Navy. He grew up in Alpena and resides in suburban Detroit.

A brief history of paper dolls

In an article authored by Judy Johnson, one of the founders of the Original Paper Doll Artist Guild (OPDAG), she states, “Paper dolls have existed as long as there have been paper and creative people to apply images to it.”

OPDAG was established in 1984 and has over 800 members from the United States and across the world.

Johnson revealed paper figures have been used in Asian ritual ceremonies for many centuries. An ancient Japanese purification ceremony dating back to at least A.D. 900 included a paper figure and a folded paper object resembling a kimono which were put to sea in a boat.

By the 1700s, the French had their version of paper dolls or pantins showcasing society and royalty. In 185, New York City-based McLoughlin Brothers became the first publisher of paper dolls in the United States. Early sets include Little Lady, Little Fred, and Minnie Miller.

In the late 1880s and well into the 1920s, Good Housekeeping magazine and similar publications printed paper dolls in their magazines.

Baby boomers might recall the 1951 introduction of Betsy McCall in McCall’s magazine. In the following years, paper doll books were sold at drug stores and grocery stores for 10 to 25 cents per issue.

According to Jenny Taliadoros, daughter of Johnson, today’s paper doll collectors tend to be 50-plus years old.

She added, “A huge part of paper doll collecting is educational. A prime example is the American Girl paper doll series.”

She added, “There is something nice about handling paper. Many adults today want to bring children back to more organic ways of being, self-entertainment, and education. Paper dolls are a good vehicle for this quest.”

For more information on OPDAG, based in Kingfield, Maine, visit www.opdag.com.