Soft toy, 'golly', velvet, English, J K Farnell & Co. Ltd., post 1925

'Golly' soft toy with a velvet head, hands, feet and legs, and a cotton body, all stuffed with kapok. The head is made from very dark blue velvet with dark brown woollen hair, a red and white painted mouth, and two pearl button eyes. The hands and feet are made from the same velvet. The thumbs are separate and the fingers are indicated with stitches. The upper body is cream cotton. The lower torso and legs are made from faded red velvet. The toy wears a yellow velvet waistcoat with a press stud fastening, a tailed jacket of faded blue velvet with a hook and eye fastening and red and white braid along all edges, white felt cuffs and a red velvet bowtie.

Given by Mrs. Duffy

The original golliwog was a central character in a series of books by Bertha and Florence Upton published between 1895 and 1909. Florence, the illustrator of the stories, based the golliwog on a doll she had acquired in the US in the 1880s. The appearance of this doll was influenced by the Blackface performance tradition. From the late 19th century until the 1960s, the golliwog flourished as a toy. Its image featured on toys, games, textiles and ceramics and was also used by food companies. From the 1970s the golliwog’s popularity began to wane as many British people felt that it promoted racial stereotypes.

Given to the museum in 1979 by Mrs. Duffy of Sydenham [79/2617]. On entry its condition was noted as 'very poor, all material is faded, worn and frayed, with breaks in the legs.'

The trademark 'Alpha' was registered by Farnell for dolls of textile materials.

MISC.355-1979