World Doll Day

upecitll <Report
Mildred Seeley's The Second Saturday in June BY BARBARA CAMPBELL
rod, poke, push! That was
Mildred Seeley's approach
to educate and persuade me
to present her beloved dolls to the
readers of Doll Craftel: In 1989, she
and Vernon invited me to their home
in Green Valley, Arizona and our
distinctly individual passions
became a partnership to promote the
unique history and exquisite beauty
of antique dolls. Diligently, with
humor and verve, Mil authenticated
Doll Crafter s mission to inform
dollmakers and collectors. Our col­
laboration and friendship continued
for eleven years, as she wrote and I
edited her articles and books. Using
Doll Crafter S' might, we nourished
what can stand as Mil's most lasting
and generous legacy, World Doll
Day.
The Seeleys weren't alone in pro­
pelling the collection, reproduction
and artistry of dolls into a world­
wide industry. However, Mil was
and will remain the one person who
32 - DOLL CRAFTER - May 2002
Doll artist, Darlene Lane, presents Mil Seeley with an Artist's Edition of
Carissa," during a World Doll Day celebration at Mil's Arizona home in June
2001. Darlene said,ihe 'Carissa' edition was being made for a UFDC lunch­
eon gift. I felt it would be my last chance to celebrate this special day with Mil
and I was touched by her joy in receiving the little doll because she had them
all-Brus, Ats, Jumeaux, Two A Marques-yet she loved her simple gift."
there are those that are unaware of
the Seeley's contribution to the doll
world. This hope springs from the
desire to maintain the standards for
doll collection and reproduction at
the level advocated by Mil and
Vern. To accomplish such a goal,
there must be a constant flow of
newly dedicated and enthusiastic
supporters.
So, for the purpose of enthusing
the newcomers and renewing the
vigor of the converted, here is the
story of World Doll Day. May this
day of celebration thrive through the
efforts and endeavors of the world­
wide doll community, thereby hon­
oring a couple that assembled and
shared a doll collection worthy of
the greatest museums.
We start with the letter Mil and
Vernon sent to friends and associates
in 1986. As you will understand,
their words resonate even more
soundly than when written .
The Letter: "So, you haven't
heard of World Doll Day? This is
not surprising. As of an hour ago, I
hadn't conceived the idea. Bob
Isbell, who does my printing, says
shared so much, so passionately, so
unconditionally. (Well, one provi­
sion-"Oo the research !") Passion is
the human equivalent of nature 's
force, like gale winds and ocean
tides. Like love. Like Mildred
Seeley. Barbara Campbell
Since 1989, Doll Cl'ujier s read­
ers have been blessed by an
unprecedented association with the
expertise of dol l collector, restora­
tion expert and author, Mildred
Seeley and her husband, Vernon
Seeley, a master mold maker.
Hopefully, among today's readers
World Doll Day, June 12, 1999. Back row, L to R: Margaret Banker, Connie Fitzpatrick, Pam Hand, JoAnne Spencer, Barbara Cowherd. Front row, L to R: Georgia Valdez, Mildred, Judy Stiver. The No. I Doll Crafting Magazine - 33
JoAnne Spencer and Mil ready to serve Tea and Cake at World Doll Day, 1999. that when I ask for something to be
done by tomorrow, "I'll make it hap­
pen', This is what l would like to do
with World Doll Day - make it hap­
pen. I need only one thing - C O P­
ERATION! I need cooperation of
evety doll collector, every magazine
editor, doll newsletter, doll shop,
34 - DOLL CRAFTER - Moy 2002
library, dollmaker, mother, grand­
mother, father, grandfather, and all
the stray aunts and uncles. The first
World Doll Day is the Second
Saturday of ./une 1986. I am getting
a doll ready to give. If you don't
have a child to give a doll to - find
one. There are many children with
no dolls. Give a doll to a grownup
child in the family or just a friend.
Think of it this way, and ship a
doll to another country. I have
always felt that the common doll
could be an instrument of world
understanding. From the time I first
started writing books on dollmaking,
I had the hope that dolls would help
make friends allover the world and
develop a little love among all.
World Doll Day will also be a
day for doll exhibits. It is my hope
that all libraries will have a special
doll exhibit; museums will publicize
their doll exhibits and have special
exhibits at this time. Magazines will
put out special editions. Doll stores
will put on selling campaigns weeks
ahead. Dollmakers will make special
dolls for World Doll Day. There
will be doll competitions with
World Doll Day awards, p laques
and trophjes .
The logo is made from artist,
Boots Tyner's doll representing a
child. The child carries a German
bisque doll to represent this doll col­
lector's gift. Feel free to copy the
logo or have more made.
Everyone can join the fun, as
there are no fees, no permission
needed, no obligations, nobody
owns the day, no club, no company.
It's a free-for-all. Take up the day,
its ideas and fly with it. Let's do it
now- World Doll Day.
If you think World Doll Day is a
good idea, then appoint yourself a
committee of one to do something
about it-only then can it become a
rea 'li ty. Would you tell five people,
ask them to tell five people and each
of them tell five more and so 011.
World Doll Day's birthday is June
14, 1986.
Sincerely,
Mil and Vernon Seeley
ps. This letter may be copied, and
copied, again and again, lIntil the
world knows about World Doll Day.
In June 1990. Doll Cra/ier pub­
lished a column written by Mil
Seeley promoting World Doll Day.
This coming June, that column will
have been published for 12 consec­
utive years, often accompanied by
reports and pictures of World noll
Day celebrations. It was illustrated
with the official logo to generate
interest for giving and receiv ing
dolls in love and friendship. I want
to acknowledge and thank Marti
Nelson, Anita Ladensack, Colleen
Seeley, Boots Tyner and Darlene
Lane for contributing time, photos
and effort to complete this report.
Some of Mil's dolls on display with their all-original
costumes for World Doll! Day, 1999.
We called ourselves Mil's
Gals, and gathered once
a month at Shandele with
Mil, as a study group to
discuss dolls and doll
related issues. This was a
day we all looked forward
to, being with Mil and
hearing what she had to
say was always a treat
for everyone. Mil touched
so many people thru the
years and left a legacy
with her books. I shall
miss her friendship and
our afternoon tea and doll
discussions.
Marti Nelson
Address correspondence /0
Barbara Campbell. 28112 Vernon
Ave.. Ocean Park, WA 98640.
Please include a stamped. self
addressed envelope for a reply or
email: bobbsoup@paci/ieuom. •:.
World Doll Day, 2001. Back Row, Lto R: Marti Nelson, Mildred, Darlene Lane, and Connie
Fitzgerald. Front Row, Lto R: Georgia Valdez with Kieta, Anita Ladensack, Reba Ashmore,
Judy Stiver.
i he No . I Doll Crafting Magazine - 35