I followed that with a search of the term "Miss I F Walker's," and this new advertisement was revealed. In 1875, R. H. Fry, a wholesaler in Central Falls, Rhode Island, was stocking Izannah Walker's dolls. Izannah was also supplying E. W. Billing's wholesale company with dolls in 1875. This advertisement is important for at least two reasons: 1.) Izannah was supplying more than one wholesaler, so her production might have been on an even larger scale than I suspected; and 2.) the term "stocking-head" enters the vernacular in reference to her dolls. This may have been based on the wording in Izannah Walker's patent, which used the term "stockinet." The term "stocking-head" is an addition to the term "everlasting" used by E. W. Billings, and possibly the earlier term "painted cloth doll."
My next step was to search, using the term "stocking head dolls." This merchant's advertisement from 1874 emerged. Incidentally, that search only brought up two distinct results from the entire nation: R. H. Fry's advertisements and Mrs. F. H. Hayward's advertisements. Mrs. F. H. Hayward's 1874 advertisements actually used the phrase first. I believe that she was also offering Izannah Walker's dolls for sale. Since she was in Providence, she may have acquired them from E. W. Billings or directly from Izannah.
Mrs. F. H. Hayward offered me a research rabbit hole to jump down, so, of course, I did and spent a very pleasant afternoon researching her. The results, which are lengthy, will follow in the next post.
Hi Kathy. Excellent work, as always. So excited to see these concrete examples of her business connections.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the ad by R.H. Fry. He was Rowland Fry, a personal friend of Izannah and one of the witnesses to her patent. He wasn't a wholesaler, but owned a Fancy Goods store in her first Central Falls neighborhood, which consisted of shops, manufacturing plants, factories, etc. She owned her first house with her friend, Mary C. Bragg, at 11 Jenks Street; Rowland lived at 19 Jenks. He was also a knit goods manufacturer, and most likely a source of supply for her stockinette in the 1870s, possibly earlier. I don't know how far back this occupation goes.
1869-70 Central Fall Directory,
Business ad, p. 259:
“Fancy Goods, R. H. Fry, 130 High Street, CF"
Residential listing:
Fry, R. H., fancy goods, 130 High, CF; h. 19 Jenks, CF
1870 Providence Directory
Fry, (R.H.) & Whipple (O.), knit good manufacturer, 81 Westminster, h. at C.F.
1871 Central Falls Directory:
Fry, Rowland F. “Dry & Fancy Goods,” Mill corner Cross, CF
also “Knitted goods mfr.” Central near High, CF; h. 19 Jenks, CF
1873 Central Falls Directory, Business ad, p. 38:
"R. H. Fry, Dealer in Fancy Dry Goods, Millinery, Ladies' and Gents Furnishing Goods, TOYS, +c." 81 Central St., Brennans New Block, C.F."
Keep up the excellent sleuthing.
Monica Bessette