8 1/2″ Porcelain Tickles by Kathy Barry Hippensteel.
Ashton Drake provided the following information on Tickles:
“A baby’s first summer can be very special. Bright sunny days. Warm summer breezes. A chance to venture outdoors without having to be all bundled up in all that winter clothing. And of course, there’s so much for a baby to see and do outside!
That’s why doll artist Kathy Barry-Hippensteel, so well-known for her delightful baby dolls, has chosen the summer season as her inspiration for the Joy of Summer doll collection.
Infancy is always a time of discovery, and summertime offers its own special moments for a baby to learn something new about the world. Whether a little one is toddling, crawl, playing in a sandbox, or sitting peacefully under a cool shade tree…think of the fun a baby can have!
As Ms. Hippensteel creates each wonderfully lifelike image, she is able to capture the pose and expression of each baby so realistically, you almost expect these infants to giggle and coo and crawl over to be hugged. In their cool, pastel sun suits and matching hats, they’re simply irresistible.
To anyone who would like to celebrate summer in a very special way, the Joy of Summer doll collection is a perfect acquisition. Little ones grow up of course…but these happy babies will stay forever young, and lighten your heart for as long as you treasure them in your Home.”
The brochure goes on to say:
“When the weather got warm and pleasant, Mommy was quick to take her little boy outside. Happy to be barefoot, he’s perfectly content to sit on the lawn under the apple tree…just a few feet from where Mommy’s working in her garden.
He wiggles his toes in cool grass, and watches a robin hop across the lawn. But in a few minutes, he gets curious about what Mommy is doing, and decides to crawl over to “help with the gardening.”
As he puts his pudgy hand down into the grass, he’s at first startled, and then bursts into a precious baby giggle. There, inching its way across his hand, is a little caterpillar,furry and brown. And as it moves up his arm ever-so-gently, it…tickles!
The little boy is so excited that he plops back down again on his seat, giggling merrily, and holds up his arm to show off his new discovery. Mommy comes over, and laughs along with him. What a delight to see how a child first reacts to one of the simple Joys of Summer.”
Tickles was the first issue in the Joys of Summer Collection and I would purchase the doll in 1992 from Ashton Drake Galleries.
8 1/2″ Porcelain Tickles by Kathy Barry Hippensteel.