The Phoenix Paper Doll Convention: The Competition

This is a panoramic photo of the competition room and I still couldn't fit all the tables in the photo. But it gives you a bit of an idea of what the room looks like. I have photos of most of the blue ribbon winners, plus a few second and third place ribbons of my own. As competition chairman I had to start working in August, 2015, deciding on categories and adapting some of them to the competition theme. There are entry forms to make up, a page of rules, selection of judges and much more. I remember ordering the ribbons on Veterans Day, just because I had the day off, and it took me half of the day to do the ordering. I tell you this because even though I have been involved in the running of the competition in various ways, I still did not know all the things that go on behind the scenes. That said, I think the competition is GREAT FUN, and I thoroughly enjoyed taking on the responsibility. The competition is one of my favorite parts of the convention! I am forever indebted to Garth Lax, who walked me through the job, step by step. Thanks Garth! Could not have done it without you.

Also thanks to those who judged the entries, and to Marie Rosales, Eileen Latocha, and Betty Kappel for helping with check-in, and check-out. Thanks to Marie Rosales for helping me count ballots, and to Beverly Micucci for helping with set-up and layout.

NOW....ON.....WITH.....THE......SHOW!

Lori Lawson won her first ever blue ribbon in a competition with her entry from one of her local newspapers. The category was: Newspaper paper doll after 1950.

This was my blue-ribbon entry in the category: Coloring books without paper dolls after 1950.

A blue ribbon winner entitled. "The Girls Delight," entered by Laura Cushing Kidney. The category was: US Paper Doll Pre-1900.

This entry was entitled, "Good Neighbor paper Dolls." The category was: Paper Dolls with Native Costumes from Mexico, Central or South America. The winner was Garth Lax.

Marie Rosales won a blue ribbon with this entry. The category was: Handmades Pre-1900.

Another blue ribbon winner from the collection of Marie Rosales. The category was: Novelty Paper Doll, Cardboard or Paper. The entry was entitled, "Happy Birthday Record Jacket."

This was my blue-ribbon winner entitled, "Baby Brother by Queen Holden." The category was: Babies and Children, Cut, 1900 to 1960.

Another blue ribbon winner from Marie Rosales. This is "Candy and Her Cousins." The category was: Children and Babies Uncut After 1960.

Diana Lax earned a blue ribbon for this entry entitled "Mica Overlay." The category was: Novelty Paper Doll--Plastic Metal or Wood.

This entry got a lot of attention. It was entered by Laura Cushing-Kidney and it was titled: "Art Deco Paper Doll." I understand that the artist was an acquaintance of Laura's. This entry won a blue ribbon in the category: Original Art Not Done by Competitor After 1950.

Margaret Brown earned a blue ribbon for this entry entitled, "Paper Doll Raincoat." The category was: Novelty Paper Dolls Cloth or Textile.

This entry also got a lot of attention. It was called, "Voyage Around the World." The competitor was Diana Lax. This entry won one of the Popular Special Awards and one of the Judges Special Awards. The category was: Paper Dolls With Costumes from Multiple Regions. (bottom photo courtesy Marie Rosales)

This blue ribbon was won by Melissa Smith, who was a newbie at the convention this year. Great to see a first timer win a ribbon! The category was: Celebrity Paper Doll 1900-1950 and the entry was "Judy Garland Cut-Out Dolls."

The category was: Paper Dolls With Native Costumes from Europe. Laura Cushing-Kidney was the winner and the entry was called, "My Beauty.

Another blue ribbon winner entered by Diana Lax. This is called "Polly's Paper Playmates." The category was: Newspaper Paper Doll Pre-1950.

Laura Cushing-Kidney won a blue ribbon for this entry of "Movy Dols Painting Book." The category was: Coloring Book with Paper Dolls Pre-1950.

Sandy Vanderpool won a first prize ribon for this lovely entry of "Nefer." The catogory was: Original Art done by Competitor--Professional.

This adorable book was entered by Marian Creamer. It's called "The 8 Ages of Judy." The category was: Babies and Children 1900-1960 Uncut. Wish I could have seen the inside of this one!

Marian Creamer also won a blue ribbon for this entry called "Hallmark Play Cards." The category was: Commercial Card Paper Toy.

I knew this wasn't a blue ribbon winner, but it's a favorite of mine. This was the first paper doll book that I was able to identify as a work of Queen Holden, very early in my collecting days. I found it at an antique mall not far from where I live. It's a later Queen Holden work.....1968. It is in perfect condition! Category was: Babies and Children Uncut After 1960.

Here we have a first place entry called "Nancy and Jane: A Dress Up Doll Story." The winner was Dee Radcliffe, and the category was: Storybook Paper Doll Pre-1950.

Beverly Micucci entered "The Toy Shop," in the category Pop Up Books. Another blue-ribbon winner.

Marie Rosales won a blue ribbon for "Rhonda Fleming Paper Dolls and Coloring Book." The category was: Coloring Book with Paper Dolls 1950 to the Present.

A pop-up book entered by Dee Radcliffe called, "Puss in Boots." This blue ribbon winner was in the cateogory of Pop Up Books.

The category was: Coloring Book Without Paper Dolls Pre-1950. The book was "Greer Garson Coloring Book," and the winner was Dee Radcliffe.

The picture does not do this entry justice. Beverly Micucci entered this "Cabinet of Curiosities." This entry won a blue ribbon, a Judges Special Award, and a Popular Special Award. The category was: Altered Book without Paper Dolls. Beverly said she worked on this one day a week for nine months.

Here's a better photo of Bev's "Cabinet of Curiosities." This photo is courtesy Kwei-lin Lum.

Patti Fertel entered this fabulous Altered Book with Paper Dolls. It was titled, "School Days."

Diana Lax won a blue ribbon for this entry titled, "The Bride." The category was: US Paper Doll Pre-1900.

I won a second place ribbon for this entry in the Greeting Card with Paper Doll category. It was titled, "Happy Easter."

Marion Creamer won a blue ribbon in the cateory Advertising Paper Doll 1900-1950. It was called, "Ford."

Patti Fertel won a blue ribbon for her entry, "Children of the War Zone." The category was Paper Dolls with Native Costumes from Europe.

This fun book was entered by Kwei-lin Lum. It is called "Multi-Head Paper Dolls," published by McLoughlin Brothers in 1933. The category was US Paper Doll 1900-1950. I really liked this blue ribbon winner!

Dee Radcliffe won a blue ribbon for this entry, "Lady of Egypt." The category was Paper Dolls with Native Costumes from Asia and Africa.

This blue ribbon winner was from the collection of Ann Hallman. It is titled "Mary Hartline Cut-Out Dolls." The category was Celebrity Paper After 1950.

The owner of this entry was Karen Smith and the name of the entry was "A Little Golden Activity Book of Paper Dolls." The category was: Storybook with Paper Dolls 1950 to the Present.

"The Three Bears in Great Big Cut-Outs" was entered by Marian Creamer. It won a blue ribbon in the Play Book category.

Karen Coker received a blue ribbon in the category: Original Art done by Competitor Non-professional. The entry was called "Fantasy World."

My third place entry, "Children 'Round the World," in the category Paper Dolls with Native Costumes from Multiple Countries.

I'm sure my photos won't do justice to this entry by Diana Lax. This entry won the Judges Grand Award and also the Popular Grand Award. This first photo shows the expanse of the entry. It was called, "The Wedding Party." The category was Original Art Not done by Competitor 1900-1950. These are original art panels from the McLoughlin Company and the set dates to approximately 1912. The flower girl is on the left, then the bridesmaid, then the bride, then the groom and finally another flower girl. I will post more photos below.

The bridesmaid and groom, as they were set up in the competition. You can see four sheets with these dolls and clothes on page 206 in Mary Young's book, 20th Century Paper Dolls. Young's book identifies them as "Gentleman," "Bride," and "Young Lady." They are numbered by McLoughlin as 0105 A, B, C. Close ups below.