#Middlebury
The googly eyes announce that the designer of Campbell Kid dolls was talented artist Grace Drayton (1887-1936). Born Grace Gebbie, she married Theodore Wiederseim in 1900. They divorced in 1911 – the same year she married William Drayton. She divorced Drayton in 1923 but kept his name. She illustrated children’s books, ads, magazine covers, comics like “Dolly Dingle” or “Dolly Drake,” and later music boxes, limited-edition plates, valentines and paper dolls.
If these dolls look familiar, it’s because they were restored by the artist who made similar children for Campbell Soup ads. The set sold for $6,880. (Submitted photo)
Her best-known art is the “Campbell Kids.” She drew the pictures for the Campbell Soup ads for many years. The googly-eyed children were used for doorstops, valentines and other projects. These four pictured dolls are all dressed up for a formal party, probably a wedding in the family. They were made by Ideal Toy Co. in about 1916 and were created using hard composition, swivel heads, sculpted hair and jointed arms. The set sold for $6,880 at a Theriault auction in Indianapolis.
Q: Are old Jantzen bathing suits collectible? Sellable?
A: Carl Jantzen and John and Roy Zehntgbauer started the Portland Knitting Co. in 1910 in Oregon to make hosiery and sweaters. So when they were asked to make a knit wool bathing suit for a rowing team, they tried. By 1918 their company was called the Jantzen Knitting Mills, and they were making and licensing bathing suits sold all over the world. They made stylish suits that were nationally advertised, and promoted swimming events. The diving girl logo was created in 1920. All types of clothing made for sports have become collectible, and many serious fashion collections that started with designer gowns now have a division for sneakers and sports uniforms. A vintage swimsuit could sell for $25 to $50.
Q: I have a Cream of Wheat framed print that I think is from a magazine. It’s signed Leslie Thrasher. Is it worth anything?
A: Charles Leslie Thrasher (1889-1936) was an American artist whose style has been compared to Norman Rockwell. He illustrated ads for Cream of Wheat, Chesterfield cigarettes, Kellogg’s and other products, and he also did 23 magazine covers for The Saturday Evening Post and 360 covers for Liberty Magazine. Thrasher did illustrations for several Cream of Wheat ads, beginning about 1913. The paintings were popular with collectors and were reproduced. Most sell for about $10 to $20.
Current Prices
Postcard, Great Dane with a Chihuahua, bells on collars, Raphael Tuck, Oilette series, c. 1910, $20
Wooden sculpture, happy Buddha with exposed belly, seated on lotus throne, hand carved walnut with inlaid stone eyes, c. 1900, 8 inches, $150.
Bloomers, cotton pantaloons with applied florettes and daisy design lace trim, white with draw string waist, women’s, Victorian, c. 1890, $485.
Patio dining set, iron, scroll design, round-top table and four chairs with fabric seat covers, 1960s, $955.
TIP: Marble will scorch. A marble statue very close to the heat of a 100-watt lightbulb may be damaged.
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(c) 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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