The hoop skirt wasn't invented as we know it until 1851 when Empress Eugenie of France wore one to a ball. Her skirt was so big that no amount of petticoats could hold it up!

I'd love to see a doll in the Reconstruction period too. However, having lived in the South all my life, I highly doubt that would ever happen. In my experience, people outside the South and people who haven't had family living here for generations, just don't understand the impact that Reconstruction had on our way of life. Even to this day it affects the Southern mindset and is part of the reason that we so cherish tradition and proper manners and all of the other things associated with the antebellum Old South. It was a hard hard time that bred a lot of hard feelings between Southerners and Northerners. And it'll be at least another 100 years before those feelings truly begin to fade.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I want a Pilgrim doll and an 1880's or 1890's RUSSIAN immigrant! There's so much rich culture and history they could bring in with that kind of a character. And so many beautiful names and traditions and accessories. I'd love to have a doll sized set of matroishka dolls. She could even have a real Russian fur coat and shapka. (the Russian fur hat) And a traditional Russian outfit. Those are so gorgous!!! Lots of goldwork embroidery on red red fabric.

I am slightly despairing over ever getting this wonderful Russian immigrant doll that I dream of, and that's why I want Gotz PD Emily. To be my Russian immigrant from the late 1880's.

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ December 12, 2004 10:40 PM: Message edited by: Grapedy1982 ]</font>